26 May 2008 - Justine Woosnam, an artist whose day job is looking after cheetahs and tigers, is the star talent behind an art exhibition opening at Auckland Zoo on Thursday, 5 June (World Environment Day) to raise funds to help endangered frogs.

The zoo's historic Old Elephant House will be transformed into a gallery from 5 to 8 June, where Woosnam's 13 works, along with those of "support artists" -elephants Kashin and Burma, and chimpanzee Janie, will be on offer for public viewing and purchasing. The elephants and Janie periodically paint as part of their behavioural enrichment programme to keep them physically and mentally challenged.

Woosnam has been painting all her life, and was inspired to combine her passion for art and animals to help the zoo support the Amphibian Ark 2008 Year of the Frog campaign. In all her pieces (paintings on canvas, on stone, and pencil drawings) she has taken Auckland Zoo animals as her subjects.

Cheetahs, tigers, giraffes, orang utans, lions, frogs, and rhino, are among the animals Woosnam has chosen to feature. Her largest piece, Kereru (native wood pigeon), will be auctioned off on opening night (Thursday, 5 June) to the highest bidder. Visit www.aucklandzoo.co.nz to view this painting, and examples of her other work.

"Justine's works are outstanding, and anyone who is familiar with some of our iconic animals, will appreciate just how brilliantly she has captured their essence," says Auckland Zoo conservation officer Peter Fraser.

"Creating these works has taken months of creative work. The end result is that Aucklanders have a fantastic opportunity to purchase some great art. At the same time, they'll be helping to save New Zealand native frogs - among the most evolutionary distinct and critically endangered amphibians on the planet," says Mr Fraser. Money from the event will also help other endangered amphibians from around the world.

Art for Conservation opening night (Thursday 5 June, 5.30pm to 7.30pm) is a free event featuring live music with The Blackbird Strings. Numbers are limited so register to attend, phone (09) 360 3805 by 30 May. From 6 to 8 June artworks can be viewed at the zoo's Old Elephant House from 11am to 3pm. Normal Zoo admission prices apply on these days.