America Online Members Nationwide Roar into Action to Name Orphaned Mountain Lion Cubs and Help Keep Their Queens Zoo Home Open.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 10, 2003

More Than 300,000 AOL Members Nationwide Have Participated In

Virtual Baby-Naming Poll for the Brother & Sister Duo

In a national effort on behalf of two bundles of fur in New York City, more than 300,000 AOL members from around the country have participated in an exclusive online naming poll to crown a pair of orphaned mountain lion cubs at the Queens Zoo - Felix and Cleo. The online program is part of a joint initiative between America Online, the world's leading interactive services company, and the Wildlife Conservation Society, one of the most effective wildlife conservation organizations in the world, to allow AOL members to play a role in naming these special mountain lion cubs and to take action to save the cubs' home.

Thousands of AOL members who participated in the poll also e-mailed New York's elected leaders to urge that funds be reinstated to keep the Queens Zoo open, so that Felix and Cleo will have a home. The Queens Zoo and its sister zoo, the Prospect Park Zoo in Brooklyn, have been threatened with closure during New York City's current fiscal crisis. Budget negotiations continue that may restore funding for the two zoos, operated by the Wildlife Conservation Society for the City of New York.

"The Queens Zoo cubs have become symbols of our campaign to save the two zoos," Wildlife Conservation Society Senior Vice President for Public Affairs John F. Calvelli said. "Thanks to AOL members, these little orphans now not only have names - they have a better chance of keeping their zoo home, too."

The four-month old cubs, born sometime in February in the wilds of Montana, were orphaned at four weeks of age when their mother was shot and killed. In an effort to avoid possible euthanasia, state authorities in Montana opted instead to find a home for the cubs, and the Queens Zoo came to the rescue. With an existing mountain lion exhibit, the Zoo was able to take in the tiny kittens. Following their recent arrival in New York, the brother and sister had to be milk-fed and weighed just 5 pounds each. Today, each weighs about 17 pounds each.

"We are thrilled to give AOL members the exclusive privilege of naming these mountain lion cubs," said Terry Crane, Vice President Education and Families Products, America Online. "We are also proud of our members across the country for the support and concern they have shown for New York City's zoos during this budget crisis. We look forward to continuing to bring the joys of wildlife and the importance of conservation directly to our members through our association with the Wildlife Conservation Society and 'What's New @ the Zoo'."

In the naming contest that began on June 2, AOL members chose between five sets of names that reflected varied aspects of the cubs' eventful lives, from their courageous past in the wild west to their future as New York City's favorite new furry duo:

- Felix & Cleo - The Latin word for cat and the ancient Queen of

Egypt - 50%

- Bonnie & Clyde - Two legendary citizens of the Wild Wild West -

21%

- Stars & Stripes - Patriotic names that compliment the Queens

Zoo's focus on American wildlife - 18%

- Archie & Edith - Two of Queens' most celebrated residents - 9%

- Budget & Crisis - A play on the two issues that hold the key to

the cubs' future - 2%

This feature is part of "What's New @ the Zoo," a programming area on AOL's Research & Learn Channel that brings the delight of the zoo directly to members and aims to promote the Internet's role in wildlife appreciation and conservation. In March, more than 400,000 AOL members participated in an exclusive online naming ceremony for Zola, the newest baby gorilla at the world-renowned Congo Gorilla Forest at the Bronx Zoo, the flagship facility of the Wildlife Conservation Society.

About America Online, Inc.

America Online, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of AOL Time Warner Inc. (NYSE: AOL). Based in Dulles, Virginia, America Online is the world's leader in interactive services, Web brands, Internet technologies and e-commerce services.

About the Queens Zoo

The Queens Zoo is part of the Wildlife Conservation Society, one of the most effective wildlife conservation organizations in the world. The Zoo, which opened to the public on June 25, 1992, is a tribute to spectacular American wildlife, featuring more than 300 animals of nearly 70 species, all roaming naturalistic habitats that represent wild lands of the Americas. Since its founding in 1895, WCS has been dedicated to saving wildlife and wild lands through careful science, international conservation, education, and the management of the world's largest system of urban wildlife parks: the Bronx Zoo, New York Aquarium, and Central Park, Queens and Prospect Park zoos.