8 Ways to Feature Live Animals at Events

On March 8, Discovery Communications flew in live penguins to New York for the premiere screening of the Discovery Channel's new documentary, Frozen Planet. Planners worked with SeaWorld to transport, house, and care for the animals before, during, and after the event. The friendly birds even made an appearance on the red carpet.

To promote the third season of Swamp People in February, the History Channel recreated a Louisiana swamp at New York's Chelsea Market. The 5,600-square-foot space, executed by marketing and promotions agency Civic Entertainment Group, brought together six American alligators and red-eared Slider turtles, authentic fauna, Cajun cuisine, and artisans from the bayou. Civic Entertainment Group built a dock for visitors to walk over the swamp for a closer look at the animals.

A new advertising campaign for Marriott's Residence Inn focused on the brand’s effort to provide “room to stretch” and “room to chill” in its hotels. The commercials featured a cast of wild animals, so for the March event in Washington a 12-foot-tall giraffe named Dude greeted and took pictures with nearly 100 guests. Residence Inn also educated guests with some wild facts about the animals and how they relate to the campaign.

Fashion for Paws, the Washington Humane Society's annual fund-raiser, provides a unique incentive for its models: runway walkers must raise $5,000 to participate in the show, and in return they get to show off their dogs on the trip.

A camel named Maggie held court at the California Science Center's annual Discovery Ball fund-raiser in May. Complementing the Cleopatra theme, the camel was stationed near the Tesla Model S car-raffle area, intended as a display of two rather different modes of transportation.

Animals including a flamingo, bald eagle, Fennec fox, penguin, red-tailed hawk, great-horned owl, and lynx entertained guests at the Brookfield Zoo's Zoo Whirl in April. A cheetah had the most dramatic entrance: animal handlers walked it onto the dance floor for a quick, leashed walk, as guests oohed (quietly) and snapped photos. The Chicago event also put a llama in front of the step-and-repeat. In a tented area with a central bar, hors d'oeuvres, and tables swathed in—what else?—tiger-print linens, animal handlers let guests pet and ask questions about the furry or feathered creatures, who didn't startle easily.

For the Shedd Aquarium’s Luminescence Gala this month, a Shedd trainer holding a penguin modeled an auction prize, a pendant that was inspired by the Chicago institution’s beaux arts clock.

Also at the aquarium's fund-raiser was California sea lion Ty, who helped out during the event's paddle raise and later gave a kiss to one gala patron.