City to host groundbreaking of new exhibit at Charles Paddock Zoo
Donation from Thelma Vetter to facilitate new red panda exhibit
–On Friday, Nov. 18 at 1 p.m., the City of Atascadero will host the official ground breaking ceremony to commence the construction of the new “Thelma Vetter Red Panda Exhibit” at the Charles Paddock Zoo. This new home for the zoo’s Red Panda population is being made possible through a generous bequest made by the estate of long-time Atascadero resident, Thelma Vetter.
Thelma and her husband William Vetter moved to Atascadero in 1946 and had the insight to purchase numerous commercial properties in town. William passed away in 1993. Thelma was very active in the Atascadero Historical Society and the Friends of the Atascadero Library, among other local organizations and often gave generously to various charities. Thelma passed away in 2009 at the age of 91. Thelma Vetter was a kind and caring person who loved animals and was very concerned for their welfare. She left this significant bequest specifically for zoo improvements. Glen R. Lewis, trustee of the Thelma Vetter Estate, says that Thelma was a very private person and didn’t seek recognition, but he feels that in this case she should be publicly acknowledged for her overwhelming generosity.
Red pandas are a small mammal, native to the foothills of the Himalayan mountains and are not related to the well-known Giant Panda. Since 2009, the Charles Paddock Zoo has had two adult red pandas (male and female) at the zoo, who have raised two cubs during their time at the zoo.
The new “Thelma Vetter Red Panda Exhibit” will be the first from the ground-up, newly-built exhibit to be constructed at the Charles Paddock Zoo in nearly four decades; it will be a thoroughly modern exhibit with a “green” design, and will be a state-of-the-art, interactive display. It will be built with the idea of easily connecting future exhibits by overhead walkways and ramps. It will be located in the grassy area just north of the existing tiger exhibit, and will be part of the zoo’s Biodiversity Hotspot theme. Each of the Biodiversity Hotspot exhibits will be designed to be an immersive and interactive journey with both passive and dynamic features to educate visitors about the culture, plant life, extinction or other threats to each animal.
Thelma Vetter.
Most recently, the Madagascar Exhibit opened, which is one of the five hotspots to open at the Charles Paddock Zoo. Around the world, 35 areas qualify as hotspots. The zoo has chosen to focus on five of these biodiversity hotspots. Each biodiversity hotspot exhibit within the zoo will feature various endangered species of animals that are native to that area, with the Madagascar Complex being the first to be constructed followed by the Red Panda Exhibit.
Architect Thom Jess of Arris Studio Architects has been hired to design the new exhibit.
The Charles Paddock Zoo will also be recognizing another incredible lady at Friday’s groundbreaking. The Bertha Shultz Trust made a generous $100,000 donation to the zoo in 2013. These funds were used by the zoo to upgrade the zoo’s electrical system and other utilities. Without this generous donation and much needed upgrade, new exhibits like the Red Panda exhibit would not be possible.
Mr. and Mrs. Robert and Bertha Shultz.
Former Atascadero resident, Bertha Shultz, described by friends as quick-witted, compassionate and humble, quietly donated millions of dollars to several public agencies, including the Charles Paddock Zoo upon her passing in June 2013. Bertha and her husband, Robert, who preceded her in death, owned a plumbing business in Morro Bay in the 1950s and developed homes there before moving to Atascadero in the 1970s. It is reported that Shultz, who lived frugally, often helped people she encountered and had a soft spot for young people. Upon her death, her trust distributed generous donations to agencies such as the Children’s Center at Cuesta College, North County Christian School, Friends of the Morro Bay Library, the Morro Bay Fire Department, the Atascadero Fire Department, Woods Humane Society, Rotary Club of Atascadero and the Charles Paddock Zoo.
The Charles Paddock Zoo is open Daily 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. For more information about the zoo, visit www.visitatascadero.com or contact us at (805) 461-5080.
