SDZWA Stories

It’s 8 a.m. at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. The sun is streaming across sprawling savannas, and sounds of birds fill the air. In the distance, a lion’s roar echoes across the hills and valley. It’s the dawn of another day in this “no place like it on Earth” destination, and it’s a time when many species are at their most active. The early birds among us can relate, and parents likely can, too. After all, mornings can be high-energy hours with younger kids already full of the zoomies and looking for something to do.

For parents of newborns, forming a strong bond with their baby is of the utmost importance. Feeding them day and night, snuggling them close, and keeping them safe are just a few ways to nurture a relationship that helps a little one grow happy, healthy, and secure. These parental responsibilities are equally vital for koala moms like Adori and Merindah, who recently welcomed their joeys, Inala and Bunji, to the colony at the San Diego Zoo.

Does your dog hide under the bed during a thunderstorm? Does your cat seem extra clingy when something feels “off”? It turns out these kinds of behaviors aren’t unique to pets. Wildlife across the globe display fascinating and often mysterious responses to natural phenomena. Whether it’s an earthquake, a monsoon, or even a wildfire, animals seem to have an uncanny ability to sense changes in their environment—often before humans even realize what’s happening.

Picture a vast, 1,800-acre haven where wildlife thrives in sweeping savannas, lush tropical forests, and chaparral landscapes. That’s the magic of the “no place like it on Earth” San Diego Zoo Safari Park, where you can step into ecosystems from across the globe and connect with wildlife in whole new ways. There’s so much to see and do here, whether you enjoy a little bit of everything or immerse yourself in one unique area at a time.

The sun is shining warmly on your face, birds are chirping, and the calls of wildlife echo in the distance. It’s a brand-new day and you’re ready for an adventure like no other. Ahead of you stands the recently opened Safari Excursions, a welcoming lodge nestled within lush foliage, just waiting to transport you to worlds you’ve only dreamed of visiting. At the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, your adventure begins before you even step foot on a safari truck.

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance won top honors at the 136th annual Rose Parade® Presented by Honda with a float commemorating the historic arrival of giant pandas. For the second consecutive year, the Alliance received the Sweepstakes Trophy given for most beautiful entry, encompassing float design, floral presentation and entertainment.

It’s beginning to look, taste, and feel a lot like the holidays at the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park. From spectacular lighting displays to jolly entertainment, the Zoo and the Safari Park are decked out in their seasonal finery and are ready to spread the spirit of the season—and the joy of celebrating wildlife conservation. As you enjoy the festive treats and attractions, you’ll also have the chance to find just the right gift for everyone on your list—including something special for you, too.

For most American families, Thanksgiving dinner is the belt-busting dining event of the year. At this meal, the average person gobbles down 1 pound of turkey, plus stuffing, pie, and seemingly endless “trimmings,” adding up to around 4,500 calories. But for some wildlife species, that doesn’t even add up to an appetizer. Whether you opt for a big meal with all the trimmings or a simple celebration with family and friends, we wish you a happy Thanksgiving filled with joy and plenty of good food.

A few hundred years ago, the sound of the Hawaiian rainforest was filled with the vibrant and diverse songs of Hawai‘i’s unique avifauna. Over time, the forest has become increasingly quiet as Hawaiian forest birds continue to experience sharp population declines due to human impact. One of the biggest threats to native forest birds has been the introduction of invasive mosquitoes, which carry avian malaria and avian pox virus. Today’s challenge is not only to prevent further losses among Hawaiian forest birds, but also to find innovative ways to help these birds return to the forests and thrive like they once did.

Amazing creatures, bats come in a range of shapes and sizes big and small. They have a variety of sleeping habits, feeding habits, and anatomical features. Bats extend their arms and spread their fingers wide to fly through the sky. Many produce sound and then use their large ears or unique facial features to capture the echoes that are reflected, helping to locate their prey and navigate their environment.

When you think of wildlife spending time in the water, you may think of expert swimmers including African penguins, leopard sharks, and otters. But some species just might surprise you with the reasons they take to rivers, lakes, and other waterways. Read on to discover how wildlife makes a splash regardless of the weather.

For decades, river hippos have played a big role for our organization. In 1936, guests were awed by the arrival of the San Diego Zoo’s first river hippo, Puddles, a one-year-old genial giant who actively sought attention and often turned somersaults in his pool. Few people at the time had seen this species “in person,” and his presence helped keep the Zoo’s gates open during the lean years of the Great Depression. Rube and Ruby arrived as a pair four years later, and were still living there in the early 1980s. Since then, numerous other river hippos have come to live—and reproduce—at the San Diego Zoo, becoming ambassadors of sorts for hippos in their native habitat.