GEICO Gecko Tour Stops at America’s First Zoo

PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- To help celebrate the appearance of GEICO’s traveling Gecko Exhibit now at the Philadelphia Zoo, America’s first zoo, GEICO will provide free passes to the first 100 children who arrive at the zoo on Saturday, June 20, when the zoo opens at 9:30 a.m.

The tour stop at the Philadelphia Zoo marks the GEICO Gecko exhibit’s one-year anniversary, after visits to AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) zoos in Miami and Atlanta.

The GEICO tour features giant day geckos, one of the largest of all geckos, which are native to Madagascar and the Indian Ocean islands. The GEICO Gecko costume character will also appear at the zoo on select weekends through the end of August.

Philadelphia Zoo President and CEO Vikram H. Dewan joined GEICO Vice President Rynthia Rost in welcoming the exhibit to the zoo with a presentation of the Mayor’s official Proclamation during a ceremony held on Thursday.

The three-year partnership between GEICO and AZA will continue to take the traveling GEICO Gecko exhibit to AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums nationwide throughout 2009. Through GEICO’s AZA advertisements, which have helped boost zoo and aquarium attendance, GEICO has provided a commitment to the AZA and wildlife conservation.

“With more than 1,300 animals -- many of which are rare and endangered -- and its historical background, the Philadelphia Zoo is rich in both education and history,” said Rost. “It is a great place for families to learn about how zoos have grown over the years and the role they have played in the conservation of wildlife. GEICO is extremely proud to bring our traveling Gecko exhibit to this legendary zoo and partner with them to provide Philadelphia residents with ongoing conservation education.”

About GEICO

GEICO (Government Employees Insurance Company) is the third-largest private passenger auto insurer in the United States based on 2008 market share data as reported by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, March 2009. GEICO provides auto insurance coverage for 9 million policyholders and insures more than 15 million vehicles.

GEICO Communications

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Source: GEICO Copyright Business Wire 2009 To help celebrate the appearance of GEICO’s traveling Gecko Exhibit now at the Philadelphia Zoo, America’s first zoo, GEICO will provide free passes to the first 100 children who arrive at the zoo on Saturday, June 20, when the zoo opens at 9:30 a.m. The tour stop at the Philadelphia Zoo marks the GEICO Gecko exhibit’s one-year anniversary, after visits to AZA zoos in Miami and Atlanta.