[House] We're Hanging In There...! ☔

Fri Jan 13 11:31:00 PST 2023

ANIMAIL - The latest news at San Francisco Zoo & Gardens!
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ZOO HIGHLIGHTS
We love the rain but...

It certainly has been a wet start to our year, and thanks to important work done by our horticulture team over the years, SF Zoo & Gardens is holding up well. Nevertheless, ground saturation from the frequent and heavy rains has been too much for some of our older trees, causing limb damage and some tree failures.  Thankfully, our teams have been able to respond quickly, allowing us to remain open for limited programming and host special Make-a-Wish and other tours.

SF Zoo remains open to the public and will honor the memberships of our sister zoos who were forced to close.  With additional storms in the forecast, be sure to check our web site for up-to-date information at www.sfzoo.org (https://sfzoo.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=05b8326f4402b997fe7a097e3&id=3fcc270214&e=7683a9aed3) .  Stay safe!
Remembering Martin Luther King, Jr.

The work and dreams of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. serve as an important legacy for each of us to follow in our daily lives.  Here at the San Francisco Zoo, we know that we must strive to better serve our diverse community – staff, visitors, members, volunteers, and others - through inclusivity, accessibility and equity. As we reflect on Dr. King’s work and dreams of a more just and equal society for humans, let us also acknowledge our renewed commitment to zoological diversity. We are currently living through a “biodiversity crisis,” losing animal species on a daily basis many times quicker than under natural circumstances. It is incumbent upon all of us to help fulfill his dreams as well as it is our role to help bring awareness to biodiversity hotspots around the world. Unless severe weather occurs, SF Zoo will be open to help you honor MLK Day.
The passing of giraffe, Bititi, a Mother to All

We are heartbroken to share that our eldest reticulated giraffe, Bititi, has passed away at the age of 19. Born on Mother’s day, she was true to her birthdate, breeding five offspring, 17 “grandkids” and four “great grandkids,” contributing greatly to the population of reticulated giraffes in accredited zoos.  Despite her great height, Bititi carried herself with grace and ease, always willing to engage with staff and visitors alike. She taught us much about giraffe-human interactions, enabling us  to better care for every giraffe that follows her. Through them, she will live on!

An Orb-Weaver at Your Zoo!

Did you know that Charlotte in Charlotte's Web is an orb-weaver? If you make your way over to our “Insect Zoo” within our Exploration Zone, you can see an orb-weaver up close and in person! Ours is a Golden silk orb-weaver, Trichonephila clavipes. She doesn’t look much like Charlotte though – she is yellow, black, and white and very large. This species lives in wet, warm places along the Atlantic coast of the Americas – you can even find them in Florida and Georgia. They build huge, beautiful webs out of spider silk, which is incredibly strong and light (and sometimes golden-colored) and use their webs to catch the flying insects that they eat. Make sure to visit our Insect Zoo to learn more about the fascinating and diverse creatures on Earth!
WIth all the rain that we've received, make sure to keep your eyes out for banana slugs on your next outdoor adventure! These slugs require moisture to stay alive and thrive in humid conditions and this rain increases the likelihood of you spotting one. Learn more about banana slugs from our Assistant Curator of Invertebrates, Ester Chang, in this SF Standard article (https://sfzoo.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=05b8326f4402b997fe7a097e3&id=0c11387820&e=7683a9aed3) .
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...

Last week, we celebrated National Bird Day. We are home to a variety of magnificent bird species from Magellanic penguins and sacred ibis' to a variety of native and migrating wild songbird species. SF Zoo is the perfect place for birdwatching and we recently spotted a Townsend’s warbler in Gail’s Conservation Garden! Songbirds, like this beauty, help keep a proper balance in the ecosystem by feeding on insects, rodents and other small animals, while also serving as pollinators and dispersing seeds. Click here (https://sfzoo.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=05b8326f4402b997fe7a097e3&id=4af0dd26f0&e=7683a9aed3) to see a video of this beautiful bird and here (https://sfzoo.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=05b8326f4402b997fe7a097e3&id=afa4d07fd9&e=7683a9aed3) for a songbird I.D. guide that you can use on your next visit!

** SF Zoo Membership Every Day!
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A Zoo Member (https://sfzoo.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=05b8326f4402b997fe7a097e3&id=81c7d5453b&e=7683a9aed3) enjoys FREE admission 365 days a year while supporting our mission of caring for and conserving animals. Become a Member, gift a Membership or renew your SF Zoo Membership now! Members now receive a 10% discount for all facility rentals and catering events. Thank you for your support!
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The San Francisco Zoo & Gardens connects all people with wildlife, inspires caring for nature and advances conservation action.
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San Francisco Zoo and Gardens
Sloat Blvd at The Great Highway
San Francisco, Ca 94132
USA
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