Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day This Weekend

Thu Oct 10 14:28:04 PDT 2024

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World Migratory Bird Day
If you’re visiting the Zoo on Saturday, October 12th, make it a point to check out the variety of birds flying around our gardens, natural lakes and ponds, tall trees, densely planted areas, and around animal habitats – you might spot herons, ducks, songbirds, gulls, hummingbirds and an occasional hawk or falcon! And no, these are not permanent residents but the Zoo is certainly a great stopping place for a variety of species during World Migratory Bird Day, and all year long!

As a global celebration, this annual awareness day highlights the need for the conservation of migratory birds and their habitats. This year’s theme is “Protect Insects, Protect Birds!” which focuses on the importance of insects for migratory birds and highlights concerns related to decreasing insect populations. Birds actively seek out insects in fields, forests, wetlands and various habitats during stopovers. The loss and disturbance of insect populations due to use extensive agriculture and urban development, and use of pesticides and herbicides has affected both insects and migratory bird survival.

Learn More Here (https://www.worldmigratorybirdday.org/)
Donate Cell Devices During E-Waste Day

Our Gorillas on the Line (GotL) collection campaign has returned with an all-new collection box! As part of International E-Waste Day on October 14, we are collecting your old cell phones and small electronic devices all week long, through Sunday, October 20th at the Eugene Friend Carousel Plaza. When you drop off your electronics, you will receive a carousel ticket!

By donating your used devices for recycling, you are helping to save gorillas and their habitat. A critical component of cell phone devices and small electronics is a mineral called coltan, which is mined in the eastern rainforests of the Democratic Republic of Congo and is pristine gorilla habitat.
The more new electronics we create, the less forest there is for gorillas and other species. Due to mining in this region, there is heightened military and economic conflict for the people who live there. Recycling old cell phones helps reduce the demand for these conflict materials, protecting gorillas and humans alike.

Your donation is sent to ECO-CELL (https://www.eco-cell.com/) , an electronics recycling company who tallies and recycles these devices devices, with a portion of the funds generated going to the Association of Zoos and Aquarium’s Gorilla SAFE, Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund and Wildlife Conservation Society for support of on-ground protection of Grauer’s and cross river gorillas. Eligible devices include: used cell phones, smartphones, iPads, iPods, tablets, Apple watches, adapters and chargers, MP3 players, handheld gaming devices and headphones.
Support Lemur Conservation

In honor of World Lemur Day, members of the American Association of Zookeepers San Francisco (AAZKSF) will be hosting a special on-site fundraising event on Friday, October 25th to raise funds for the Lemur Conservation Network. The event is not just any event! During Prosimian Plunge, you can donate for a chance to dunk one of our animal curators or keepers in a dunk tank!

So, get your throwing arm ready, because you’ve got to hit the target in order to dunk our brave animal care staff! The event takes place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Entry Village.

Lemur Conservation Network (LCN) believes that lemurs, primates found only in Madagascar and among the world’s most endangered mammals, can be saved from extinction if we all work together. LCN unites over 60 conservation organizations and connects them with people around the world, through communications, education, and empowerment – supporting Malagasy organizations and conservationists.
International Snow Leopard Day is a Free Day for SF Residents!
In honor of International Snow Leopard Day on Wednesday, October 23rd, admission is free for San Francisco residents! Residents must show a valid I.D. or utility statement with your street address upon entering through the Gatehouse.

Snow leopards are known as the “Ghost of the Mountain” due to their elusive nature and the coloring of their fur, which helps them to blend into their snowy, rocky environment. Snow leopards are listed as vulnerable according to the IUCN Red List, and sadly, their numbers have continued to decline, mostly due to poaching for their fur and for use in traditional medicines. Climate change, habitat loss and a reduction in their prey also have an impact on their survival.

Our friends at the Snow Leopard Conservancy work to ensure that snow leopards survive, helping to conserve their habitat through environmental awareness and community partnerships. At the Zoo, snow leopards have served as important ambassador animals since their arrival here in 1960. Since then SF Zoo’s snow leopard breeding program has contributed significantly to the population of snow leopards under human care and through the support of snow leopard conservation efforts. (Photo by May Woon)
Don’t Miss Boo at the Zoo
Halloween is one of the bet times of the year! Join us for family favorite, Boo at the Zoo, on Saturday and Sunday, October 26 & 27 for a full day of fun activities! Come dressed in costume for our daily costume parade and contest in the categories of Best Animal, Best Family, Judge’s Favorite and Best Toddler costumes. New this year is the truly spooktacular Franken-stomp Costume Dance Party! And what makes Boo at the Zoo unique? Halloween and pumpkin treat presentations for the animals and the return of Haunted Nature Trail! Boo at the Zoo activities are free with regular admission.
Seeking Talent for Photo/Video Shoot!
We are looking for families with children ages 4-10 to take part in a fun photo and video shoot for the Zoo! Participants are needed for four different sessions that would last approximately 4 hours each. Our professional production crew will take stills and video of our talent posing, playing on the playground, riding the carousel, observing or interacting with animals all the while showing your best smiles!

The photo/video shoot will take place on Saturday and Sunday, October 19 & 20. There are four sessions that we would like to fill with talent:

Day 1 – Saturday, Oct. 19
* 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (arrive by 9 a.m.)
* 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. (arrive by 12 noon)

Day 2 – Sunday, Oct. 20
* 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (arrive by 8:30 a.m.)
* 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. (arrive by 12:30 p.m.)

If you are interested, please email marketing at sfzoo.org with the timeframe that works for you and we will provide further instructions. Participants will not be paid, however, each person will receive a meal voucher to dine in the Leaping Lemur Café, families will receive a free family four-pack of tickets, free parking and carousel tickets. Participants will be asked to sign a photo release form.

Thank you for your support of SF Zoo!
“Moo Deng” Who? Here’s Udo!
You’ve no doubt seen the viral sensation, “Moo Deng,” a baby pygmy hippopotamus born at Khao
Kheow Open Zoo located in Thailand, who has taken the world by storm! And just like little Moo
Deng, our own pygmy hippo is “Udo,” a four-year-old male, who is not only a beloved resident here, but he is also one of the most valuable members of his species among North American zoos as his genes are not well represented within the pygmy hippo population under human care. Now that Udo is of breeding age, he has been matched with a female at the Houston Zoo where he is relocating for breeding purposes following a recommendation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan for pygmy hippos. Come see Udo before her departs on his journey to Houston on October 23.

Hurricane Season Affects Us All

As a member of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, we are keeping close tabs with our fellow AZA facilities that are being affected by weather events such as the recent spate of hurricanes that have resulted in vast devastation to areas in their paths. You might wonder how zoos are faring. We’ve seen courageous and dedicated zoo employees working to ensure the safety and security of the animals in their care. Meanwhile, as these employees care for zoo animals, they have seen damage and loss from the hurricanes on a personal level. SF Zoo is helping to defray some of their uninsured expenses by donating to the AZA Employee Relief Fund, with 100 percent of donations going to affected employees.

Along with AZA, our thoughts are with our colleagues in the affected areas.
San Francisco Zoo & Gardens connects all people with wildlife, inspires caring for nature and advances conservation action.

The Zoo is located at Sloat Blvd. & Great Highway

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