Meet the Easter Bunny this Sunday!

Thu Apr 17 09:03:46 PDT 2025

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CONSERVATION
Spotlight on Radiated Tortoise
https://www.sfzoo.org/radiated-tortoise/
The radiated tortoise (https://www.sfzoo.org/radiated-tortoise/) (Astrochelys radiata) has one of the most beautiful shells among tortoises, with intricate patterns that "radiate" yellow lines creating a star from the center of each of its domed shell plates. They are so beautiful, in fact, that this critically endangered species is among the most trafficked species in the world. Once one of the most abundant tortoises on earth, their numbers have plummeted from an estimated 12 million historically to about 1.5 million wild tortoises that remain in its native Madagascar. Here, they are threatened by habitat loss due to agricultural development, poaching for the illegal wildlife trade and demand for their meat.

As one deterrent, the Turtle Survival Alliance has been working with local enforcement agencies to confiscate tortoises destined for the illegal black market, seizing thousands of live tortoises and rehabilitating them for future reintroduction efforts.

Radiated tortoise shell markings serve as camouflage, helping them to blend in with its forest habitat. They are a long-lived species, known to live between 50-100 years, or more! You may be able to spot one of our male radiated tortoises in the sifaka habitat; our other resident male lives at the Koret Animal Rescue & Conservation Center.
NEWS TO KNOW
Meet the Easter Bunny this Sunday!
https://www.sfzoo.org/calendar-of-events/

Meet the Easter Bunny this Sunday, April 20 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. as part of our special Easter celebration! The Easter Bunny will be available for photos and meet-and-greets by the Sculpture Learning Plaza, adjacent to the Elinor Friend Playground.

In addition to one-on-one time with the Easter Bunny, come participate in special arts and craft-making, then take in the beautiful Spring blooms at our various gardens!
New Online Sign-Ups for Zoo Volunteers!

https://www.sfzoo.org/volunteer-programs/

Being a volunteer is one of life's most rewarding experiences, and when you volunteer at the Zoo, you benefit in so many ways! Whether you are seeking opportunities to work directly with animals, educating our diverse communities, or looking for camaraderie among like-minded individuals, we're offering an array of volunteer programs that may be right up your alley.

We recently rolled out our new online volunteer webpage (https://www.sfzoo.org/volunteer-programs/) that now includes detailed descriptions of each adult and teen volunteer opportunity, including our popular Docent program (https://www.sfzoo.org/volunteer-programs-draft/docents/) , Children's Zoo (https://www.sfzoo.org/childrens-zoo-volunteers/) , Koret Animal Rescue & Conservation Center (https://www.sfzoo.org/arc-volunteers/) , and Insect Zoo (https://www.sfzoo.org/insect-zoo-volunteers/) . In addition to a description of volunteer responsibilities, some of which may include tasks such as preparing and feeding diets to animals, cleaning tasks and animal training, you'll learn what skills are needed to become a volunteer. Many volunteers share a passion for animals, conservation and the environment.
SF Zoo offers one of the best teen volunteer programs in the Bay Area, which serves as a unique training ground for future ecologists, conservationists, biologists, zoologists and animal care staff. Through our Nature Trail (https://www.sfzoo.org/nature-trail-program/) program for ages 12-14, youth volunteers learn to connect with and teach visitors, taking responsibility for various animal ambassadors. Junior Zoologists (https://www.sfzoo.org/junior-zoologist-program/) , ages 15-17, assist with animal husbandry, and taking on bigger roles in educating our guests. And our Leadership Fellows (https://www.sfzoo.org/leadership-fellow-program/) program, teens 15-17, work with a variety of camp classes, where they can experience learning, teaching and teamwork.

Online applications can be found on each volunteer page, and we encourage you to check it out!
Visit Greenie's Conservation Garden on Earth Day!
After 15 years, Greenie's Conservation Garden, which opened on Earth Day in 2010, remains a living, thriving and sustainable garden that is worth a visit! Once an unused animal exhibit, Greenie's was conceived as a showcase for backyard conservation actions. Since we like to come up with creative ways to use discarded materials like old fencing and garbage containers, we turned concrete garbage containers into planters to grow herbs and vegetables, and raised flower and plant beds made from repurposed wood and wire.

If you look closely, you'll find drought tolerant, water-wise plants, butterfly and bee-friendly plants for pollination, a solar-powered fountain made from used animal drinking troughs and organic produce grown for our animals. Though our plantings change seasonally, we have harvested a bounty of organic goodies and enrichment for our animals, including carrots, kale, chard, rutabaga, cauliflower, broccoli, onions, herbs and more!

Some of the other elements here include demonstrations of rain harvesting and distribution, and alternative energy systems that utilize solar and small wind power, composting and a working bee hive!

Also, while strolling the garden path, you can step inside a piece of San Francisco history - an authentic 1906 earthquake shack (thousands once lined city parks and became refugee cities for citizens displaced by the world-famous earthquake). During your visit, we hope you'll find inspiration to transform your backyard or patio into your very own conservation corner!
Zen at the Zoo is Back!

Connect your mind, body and spirit during our popular yoga workout, Zen at the Zoo! The most unique yoga experience is back for its 2025 series which takes place right in the middle of the Leanne B. Roberts African Savanna. Practice Vinyasa Flow, which unites breath to movement while offering a variety of poses, as giraffe and zebra graze nearby in this intimate, private setting.

Zen at the Zoo is suitable for all skill levels, and each one-hour session takes place once a month starting on Saturday, May 17. Expect a well-rounded practice involving sun salutations, standing and seated postures and a strong focus on the power of breath.

Sessions are $25 for Members and $50 for non-members/general public and includes Zoo admission for the full day. Learn more (https://www.sfzoo.org/zen-at-the-zoo/) .
UPCOMING EVENTS
Come Celebrate our Planet!
https://www.sfzoo.org/calendar-of-events/

In honor of the 55th anniversary of Earth Day, we are celebrating our amazing planet with a weekend of activities as part of EarthFest on Saturday and Sunday, April 26 & 27. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., we'll be hosting a special "pop-up village" at the Sculpture Learning Plaza and Elinor Friend Playground featuring conservation partners and engaging activities, including learning about the importance of living sustainably, craft-making and more!

As part of our Earth Day initiatives, bring your used cell phones, tablets, mp3 players, phone chargers or other small electronic devices and we will send them to Eco-Cell, an electronics recycling company as part of the Gorillas on the Line (https://www.sfzoo.org/gorillas-on-the-line/) (GotL) campaign that we support. A portion of funds generated through the recycling of these devices benefits AZA's Gorilla SAFE (Saving Animals From Extinction) program. Recycling old cell phones helps reduce the demand for the mineral used in electronics, mined in the gorilla habitat. Your donation will help protect gorillas and humans alike.

We join our fellow accredited zoos and aquariums from the Association of Zoos & Aquariums in this "Party for the Planet" to support healthy habitats, work to save animals from extinction, and encourage clean environments through Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle initiatives. Happy Earth Day!
Bike with Mom on Mother's Day

Join us for our annual Mother's Day BikeAbout where the whole family can ride their bicycle through the Zoo before we open to the general public!  This 60-minute riding tour will focus on what maternal care looks like throughout the animal kingdom. As part of this Mother's Day experience, you will get to meet our reticulated giraffes and get an opportunity to feed them!

The Mother's Day BikeAbout will take place on Mother's Day - Sunday, May 11 at 8:30 a.m. Pre-registration is required and participants must provide their own bikes and bike locks. Strollers and scooters are not permitted.

This special BikeAbout is $45 per peddler for Members and $55 per peddler for non-members. Children are free if piggy-backing on an adult peddler's bike. If you plan on staying at the Zoo after the BikeAbout, discounted admission tickets are available with proof of BikeAbout participation. Parking is included. Learn more. (https://www.sfzoo.org/tours-2/)
San Francisco Zoo & Gardens connects all people with wildlife, inspires caring for nature and advances conservation action.

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