By Al Cohen
Philadelphia Phantoms Correspondent

The Philadelphia Phantoms of the American Hockey League are proud to announce a new partnership with the Philadelphia Zoo that will include the team's first-ever Teddy Bear Toss, the adoption of a polar bear and a Zoo On Wheels appearance at a game later in the season.

The Phantoms' first Teddy Bear Toss is set for Friday, Feb. 25, when the team hosts the Hershey Bears at the Wachovia Spectrum. Fans are encouraged to bring new or gently used stuffed animals to the game and then throw them onto the ice following Philadelphia's first goal. An example of a Teddy Bear Toss from a game in London, Ontario can be found by clicking on this release on www.phantomshockey.com.

The stuffed animals will then be distributed to local children's hospitals and shelters in the Philadelphia area by the Phantoms. The Philadelphia Zoo will also be selling stuffed animals for $5 at the game if fans don't have any to bring from home.

In addition, the Philadelphia Zoo will be holding a raffle (6 tickets for $5 or an arm's length for $10) that will go towards the Phantoms adopting a polar bear through the Zoo's ADOPT (Animals Depend On People Too) program. The raffle winner will have the opportunity to join a Phantoms player at the Zoo to feed their female polar bears, Coldilocks and Klondike, and another animal.

On Friday, April 15, Zoozapalooza will take place at the Wachovia Spectrum when the Phantoms take on Hershey again. The Philadelphia Zoo's Zoo On Wheels, featuring several live animals, will be set up on the concourse along with other interactive and educational displays.

"We are proud to partner with the Philadelphia Zoo, as they are second to none when it comes to family entertainment," said Phantoms vice president Jim Garino. "The Phantoms strive to be the best family-friendly sporting event in Philadelphia. This partnership makes a lot of sense."

America's first zoo and one of the region's foremost conservation organizations, the Philadelphia Zoo is home to over 1,500 animals, many of which are rare and endangered. The Zoo, fulfilling its mission of conservation, science, education and recreation, supports and engages in conservation efforts to protect endangered species around the world. The Philadelphia region's leading family destination, the Zoo welcomed nearly 1.2 million visitors last year. The Philadelphia Zoo is accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association. For more information, tickets or to make a contribution, log on to www.philadelphiazoo.org.