Zoo Tycoon's conservation-oriented donation effort begins

Zoo Tycoon publisher Microsoft Studios has kicked off a donation drive tied to players' in-game actions, with the goal of benefitting real-world animals and their habitats.

Microsoft is currently running voting through Dec. 31 for the following challenges and animals:

• Release 1,000 rhinos to the wild in Zoo Tycoon and Microsoft and AZA will donate $10,000 to help protect and deter further poaching of rhino horns in Africa
• Adopt 1,000 Komodo dragons in Zoo Tycoon and Microsoft and AZA will donate $10,000 to support the Komodo Survival Program’s work with the Indonesian government to protect this species
• Release 1,000 Sumatran tigers into the wild in Zoo Tycoon and Microsoft and AZA will donate $10,000 to the Tiger Species Survival Program to help reduce the number of Sumatran tigers killed, displaced or caught in snares

Once voting closes, players can work together to accomplish the challenge's in-game goal. If players meet the goal, Microsoft and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) will make the donation in question.

Zoo Tycoon players can vote by going to the "Community" page within the game. You can read our review of the Xbox One version of Zoo Tycoon here.