- World famous Australia Zoo has collaborated with Meadow Labs to create a unique Australian wildlife themed NFT collection leveraging Algorand’s carbon-negative blockchain technology.
- 100 per cent of primary proceeds will go towards a range of different Australia Zoo and Wildlife Warriors conservation projects, initiatives and goals such as adding more tools to the zoo’s arsenal of sustainable practices, conservation projects through Wildlife Warriors and first-class care and rehabilitation for native wildlife through Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital.
- Available for AUD$60, the “Warrior Koala” NFT drop will raise essential funding just in time for Trauma Season, when patient admission to the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital historically triples.
- Following a 10-hour sell-out of the first “Warrior Croc” drop, the second drop in the series is anticipated to sell out in even less time.
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - 18 AUGUST 2022: Australia Zoo has today announced details for its highly anticipated sustainable NFT (non-fungible token) second drop as part of its 20th anniversary “Wildlife Warriors” project, in partnership with Australian start-up Meadow Labs and created on Algorand - the world’s first carbon-negative blockchain with negligible transaction fees.
Scheduled for Tuesday 23rd August 21:30 AEST, this drop named “Warrior Koala” is the second Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors NFT drop in the five-part series. With only 1,900 available, each Warrior Koala NFT will be randomly generated (some with familiar Irwin family attributes) and 100 per cent unique to the buyer (no duplicates).
The first drop in the Wildlife Warrior series, the ‘Warrior Croc’, was released on 14 June and all 2,000 NFTs sold out in just 10 hours. Funding from this innovative foray into the realm of digital art and Web3 supports a wide range of sustainability and conservation projects, including crocodile research through the tagging of five wild crocodiles on the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve and the treatment and rehabilitation of 14 sick or injured koalas at the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital.
Each sustainable NFT is priced at AU$60, in order to be accessible and affordable for anyone and to engage people everywhere in the protection of our wildlife and places, especially as we enter Trauma Season. As temperatures rise in Australia, wildlife becomes more active looking for water, a friend for mating or just beginning to explore new territory. Consequently, wildlife is frequently victim to vehicular strikes or domestic pet attacks. This is particularly confronting to the dedicated team at the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital as patient admissions, including the iconic koala, typically triple over this period. ,.
This drop is the second of a five-part animal collectible series, with the fifth animal only available to buyers who hold one NFT from each of the other four animal drops, making it a true collector's item. Owners will also gain access to a dedicated Discord channel, special rewards, competitions, and other secret surprises, some involving Robert Irwin.
Robert Irwin of Australia Zoo said:
“It is thrilling and humbling to see how the NFT community has come together to help us make the world a better place. At Australia Zoo and Wildlife Warriors we live and breathe conservation, and our passion is to preserve wildlife and wild places while inspiring others to join the fight. Through this wonderful partnership we can do just that in a new and exciting way. My deepest gratitude to those who have supported us with our first sustainable NFT drop, and we very much look forward to the future.”
“Australia Zoo and Wildlife Warriors are incredible organisations and we are very pleased that they chose the Algorand blockchain for their NFT project. We are honoured to play a part in their outstanding efforts to treat and rehabilitate koalas, while also highlighting the sort of value that blockchain technology can bring. Algorand's carbon off-setting demonstrates our commitment to the environment and makes it the ideal platform for Australia Zoo's initiative and organisation wanting to use the power and transparency offered by a sustainable blockchain.”
Head of Communities of Algorand Foundation, Adriana Belotti
“The success of the first drop of Australia Zoo NFTs, in one of the worst days of crypto, is proof that NFT projects have real purpose regardless of market conditions. I have been blown away by the vibrant and kind community that is driving this conservation effort and focusing on creating an “NFT for good” movement that ensures we all have a sustainable future. I can't wait to meet the new community members joining us for this next drop.”
- Martin Kelly, CEO Meadow Labs
How to buy an NFT:
The steps to purchase a Wildlife Warriors NFT are simple:
- Create an Algorand wallet.
- Visit an exchange of choice and purchase $ALGO.
- Connect the Algorand wallet to the button on the top right of the Australia Zoo NFT webpage.
Note: connecting wallets to the Australia Zoo NFT webpage is subject to a minor transaction fee of .001 $ALGO, equivalent to less than AUD0.001. Collectors will need to ensure to load their wallet before hitting connect.
The Warrior Koala NFTs will be globally available for purchase with local currency on-ramping via MoonPay on australiazoonfts.com.
For more information on NFTs, NFT experts Meadow Labs have released a series of educational resources via https://help.australiazoonfts.com/wildlife-warriors/education/create-and-connect
For media enquiries please contact:
Algorand Foundation
Jeremy Steven
Honner
Eleanor Pearson
Honner
Meadow Labs
Mariella Mejia
Meadow Labs
Australia Zoo
About Australia Zoo:
Australia Zoo, home of the Crocodile Hunter, has a team of passionate wildlife conservationists who are achieving monumental strides in the world of conservation and research. Guests can meet over 1,200 animals and check out exciting exhibits like the African savannah, Grace's Bird Garden, Tiger Temple, and the Crocodile Environmental Park. Visit their newest habitat Elephantasia where the critically endangered Sumatran elephants enjoy their own sanctuary with hundreds of acres to play and roam. Terri, Bindi and Robert Irwin are determined to make a positive impact on the planet and create a world where humans and wildlife can peacefully coexist, as Steve envisioned. To find out more, visit www.australiazoo.com.au.
About Wildlife Warriors:
Wildlife Warriors was established in 2002 by Steve and Terri Irwin as a way to include and involve other caring people in the protection of injured, threatened or endangered wildlife - from the individual animal to an entire species. Today, with eleven global conservation projects and three vast conservation properties, Wildlife Warriors continues to protect the precious lives of our wildlife and carry on Steve's dream to save one, save the species. Wildlife Warriors' flagship project, the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, is one of the largest and busiest of its kind in the world, having treated over 110,000 animals since opening its doors in 2004. To find out more about Wildlife Warriors, visit www.wildlifewarriors.org.au.
About Meadow Labs:
Meadow Labs is an Australian based startup that offers both sales strategy, PR services and the technology needed to help brands and creators bring their NFT dreams to life by adding another product or element to their business.
Created by product and business specialists Martin Kelly and Serkan Terek, the company was inspired by the world of possibilities that Web 3.0 presents. Meadow Labs is backed by Meld Ventures, an established venture firm dedicated to supporting the best and brightest new ideas within the blockchain space.
Launched in late 2021, Meadow Labs’ team is currently 100 per cent remote and has ambitions of becoming a global leader in the market.
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