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Local couple donates $2.5 million for expansion efforts at the Seneca Park Zoo

A Rochester couple is making a substantial contribution to the Seneca Park Zoo’s “Wilder Vision” capital campaign.

Mark and Maureen Davitt have committed $2.5 million for the zoo’s multi-year transformation project that began last year. The total cost is expected to be about $60 million. Monroe County has committed $37.75 million through its Capital Improvement Program budget. The Seneca Park Zoo Society will raise the remaining $23 million.

The Davitt’s gift will support the new Animals of the Savanna building, which is part of a five-acre expansion that opens on September 13.

That building will include indoor habitats for Masai giraffes, zebra, ostriches and a white rhino. Other improvements at the zoo will include a new restaurant, tropics complex and guest services facilities.

Mark Davitt is CEO of ConServe, a Rochester area-based company that specializes in doing collection work for colleges and universities.

Randy Gorbman is WXXI's director of news and public affairs. Randy manages the day-to-day operations of WXXI News on radio, television, and online.