Phillips Park Zoo Launches Campaign To Bring Porcupine To Aurora

AURORA, IL — Phillips Park Zoo has made it its mission to adopt what is considered one of the largest porcupine species in the world.

The zoo and the Phillips Park Foundation established an "Adopt an Animal" campaign to bring an African crested porcupine to Aurora. The porcupine, native to Italy and Africa, typically weighs between 25 and 60 pounds and has sharp quills that can grow up to 20 inches long.

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"Should the campaign succeed, it would mark the first time that the Phillips Park Zoo would have an African crested porcupine," city officials said.

Members of the foundation, a nonprofit organization that works to enhance Phillips Park, will attend the Auroraland German Heritage Society Oktoberfest Oct. 10 to accept donations for the initiative. Donations can also be sent to Phillips Park Foundation, c/o Treasurer Mike Baum, at P.O. Box 202 in Montgomery.

This year so far, new zoo residents have included a baby elk, born at the zoo, and two baby wallabies.

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