The third annual Safari Soiree to benefit Zoofari, a wildlife conservation organization, was held for a second consecutive year at Thomas D. Mangelsen's Images of Nature gallery in La Jolla on Sept. 12.

This year, 40 "true animal-lovers" showed up and contributed $10,000, said Jackie Navarro, Zoofari president and founder.

Animals under the care of Zoofari that came to the party included Brownie the Columbian boa, Maizy the albino boa, a South American kinkajou named Kima, Soy the hedgehog, and the green iguana Cesar.

They were watched over by Jackie and her husband, Henry, and staff and volunteers. Among them were Kimberly Wright, Donna Eby, Wendy Spaulding, Alex Gamble, Tracy Henslin, Kim Snow, Wendy Debbas, Ashley Robinson, Jaimee La Fleur, Tim Barlow, Kayla Astl, Michele Stone, Kim Harriss, Alison Rouhas and Vanda Wilshire.

The evening's proceeds from ticket sales, a silent auction, a live auction, an opportunity drawing and guests' donations benefited Proyecto Titi, a conservation program for cotton-top tamarin, an endangered species; education programs for Title 1 schools; Zoofari's family of animal ambassadors; and field biologists around the world.

Zoofari is a non-profit foundation dedicated to raising funds to support the rescue and housing of unwanted, non-releasable or confiscated wildlife, both at the local and national level. In addition, Zoofari provides outreach conservation programs for disadvantaged youths as well as aiding international wildlife conservation programs.

Zoofari also operates a five-acre facility in Bonsall that is home to more than 120 animals, including Victor the cheetah.

Among the guests were Dennie Shupryt, Sue Shanley, Marci and Ken Kalbfell, Teri and Gary Rempel, Jazmin Freed, Shay Benavidez, Jan Ritch, Eric Diaz, Deidre Puaoi, Veronica Aspeytia, Maryellen Schoeman, Linda Barlow, Phil Barlow, Terri Green, Kelly Patri, Ken Harvey, Mariecor Alday, Jomar Angcaya, Amy Lin, Michael and Sheila Dershowitz, Spencer Wilson, Guy Debbas, Ben Ritch, Grant Gamble, Sue Shanley, Karen Isaacs, Stephen Raffay, Sally Joseph, Hali Anderson, Antonie Horton, Christina Whitaker and Kendra Lara.

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• PHOTOS: Safari Soiree in La Jolla