A few weeks ago, San Antonio Zoo launched its first-ever ‘Cry Me a Cockroach’ fundraiser as a way for people to make therapeutic donations! Within days, the fundraiser garnered international attention. Whether it was an ex-lover, an ex-boss, a current mother-in-law, a friend on the outs, or a former Spurs basketball player, people submitted thousands of first names of both cockroaches and rats. Thank you to everyone from around the world for the therapeutic donations during our first ever Cry Me a Cockroach event! The zoo generated more than $45,000 that will go towards conservation and education. We were also glad to teach the world a little bit more about the importance of species like roaches and rodents, the unsung heroes of a healthy ecosystem!
The zoo says the cockroaches and pre-frozen rodents that were fed in the Cry Me a Cockroach fundraiser are the unsung heroes at the base of the food chain. Their role is vital in the sustainability of habitats and animal species. Cockroaches and rodents are already a part of many animals’ typical diets. "In nature, just as in the care of man, snakes and reptiles naturally feed on rodents and bugs, then those snakes and reptiles can also become prey for larger species. This is, in large part, why these and all species are so important to the ecosystem and balance in the food web."
Photo: Courtesy San Antonio Zoo