The Albuquerque BioPark Society will team up with Bosque Brewing Co. to raise funds for an elephant evaluation lab.
The collaboration will feature a new cider, "Elephant Kisses," with proceeds going to establish an elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus monitoring lab at the BioPark. The pear-flavored cider is pink, similar to the brewery's Elephants on Parade.
“This is going to be something different,” Chelsea Martinez of the BioPark told KOB. “it’s going to be something exciting, and it’s going to hit those locals who love Elephants On Parade.”
A taproom release party for Elephant Kisses is scheduled for Saturday. Proceeds from the cider will go toward establishing a lab to monitor the virus in the herd and allow the BioPark's zoo officials to respond to any future cases more quickly and efficiently.
“At the taproom release party, we are going to have our elephant caretakers there, talking about the elephants, how we provide enrichment for them,” Martinez said. “Additionally, we’ll be doing our Elephant Kiss artwork.”
According to KOB, the herd of local elephants was impacted by the elephant endotheliotropic herpes virus. Thorn, a featured elephant, died on Christmas Day. His big sister, Jazmine, died in January.
The release of the limited edition brew comes during Asian Elephant Awareness Month.
