Community Corner
Detroit Zoo's Amphibiville Searching for Slime-Loving Politician
The Detroit Zoo's Amphibiville is seeking a new mayor for a two-year term. Candidates must be 7-12 years old.
One Newt has long been out of the race for President of the United States in 2012 … but the newts, frogs and toads at the are looking for a leader of their own. Amphibiville, a 2-acre wetland village that is home to the National Amphibian Conservation Center, is seeking a new mayor for a two-year term.
To join the race, candidates 7-12 years old who live in Michigan must submit an essay of 100 words or less on why they should be Mayor of Amphibiville. All entries must be submitted by Oct. 5 to PR1@dzs.org or to Mayor of Amphibiville, Detroit Zoological Society, 8450 W. 10 Mile Rd., Royal Oak, MI 48067. Entries must include the candidate’s name, age, address and daytime telephone number. The winner will be announced in November.
The new Mayor of Amphibiville will be officially sworn in and receive a plaque inscribed with his/her name displayed in the National Amphibian Conservation Center, a certificate acknowledging his/her position as Mayor of Amphibiville, a plush frog and a one-year family membership to the Detroit Zoo.
Amphibiville’s outgoing mayor is Claire Kozal, 10, of Whitmore Lake. Sworn into office in November of 2009, Mayor Kozal built her own home nature center when she was just 3 years old and says she loves all animals, “even the slimy ones.”
Amphibiville opened in 2000 featuring the award-winning National Amphibian Conservation Center, a state-of-the-art facility that boasts a spectacular diversity of frogs, toads, salamanders, newts and caecilians. The Wall Street Journal dubbed the attraction “Disneyland for toads”.
