SLASH On Receiving Award At L.A. Zoo's Annual Beastly Ball: 'It's A Fantastic Honor'

According to the Los Angeles Times, legendary guitarist Slash (VELVET REVOLVER, GUNS N' ROSES) will receive a leadership award from the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Assn. at its 41st annual Beastly Ball later this month. He will be given the inaugural Tom F. Mankiewicz Leadership Award, which recognizes his longtime contributions to establishing environmental welfare programs. He's also a trustee on GLAZA's board and has supported the L.A. Zoo and zoos around the world.

The charity ball is scheduled to take place on June 18 at the Los Angeles Zoo.

Commented GLAZA President Connie Morgan, "Tom advocated opportunities for interaction among our diverse communities and championed the cause of animals and the environment through education and on-the-ground conservation. He strongly believed the Los Angeles Zoo exemplifies both missions as a place where people come together having a good time while learning the importance of saving and protecting wildlife."

Added Slash, "The biggest compliment for me is that it's Tom's award. I really adored that man. I miss him very much, and that aspect is very special and resonates deeply. Additionally, I profoundly appreciate the implications of the award itself. It's a fantastic honor."

"Slash is a great example of our mission of nurturing wildlife and enriching the human experience," said Zoo Director John Lewis. "He is a champion for wildlife and conservation and has introduced our mission, his passion, to millions of his fans."

As a touring musician, both with GUNS N' ROSES and more recently with VELVET REVOLVER, Slash has visited numerous zoos throughout the world during his free time. Slash has been a longtime supporter of the Los Angeles Zoo, where he gained his appreciation for animals as a child growing up in Southern California, and knows many of the animal handlers personally.

As the father of two young children, Slash regularly brings his family to the Los Angeles Zoo so his children can meet the animals and learn of the fragile state many of them face in the wild. Slash has come to know numerous members of the zoo staff, describing them as "one of the most conscientious caretakers of animals I've ever met."

Slash in January 2009 joined the thousands of supporters mobilizing to urge the Los Angeles City Council to complete the Los Angeles Zoo's Pachyderm Forest, a state-of-the-art new educational habitat for Billy and other endangered Asian elephants. Watch a three-minute message from Slash below (filmed in January 2009).