Arrival of Cecil the Silverback Gorilla and More!

Fri Aug 29 09:00:54 PDT 2025

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ANIMAL UPDATES
Silverback Cecil Has Arrived!

We are excited to share that our newest resident, Cecil, the 27-year-old silverback gorilla that was slated to join our Western lowland gorilla troop, safely arrived here from his long-time home at the Louisville Zoo in Kentucky.

According to his long-time keeper and curator, who both joined him on his journey via cargo flight, Cecil traveled extremely well. Upon arrival at San Francisco International Airport, he was met by SF Zoo staff and all made their way to his new home where he will live at the one-acre Jones Family Gorilla Preserve.

Over the next several weeks, in addition to going through mandatory quarantine, Cecil will be slowly introduced to his new family, females Bawang, Monifa and Kimani. While he becomes acclimated to the famous San Francisco weather, his new digs and the "ladies," we will be making some modifications to the outdoor habitat, sprucing up the gardens and adding new informational signs. As such, the Gorilla Preserve will be closed to the public until mid-to-late September. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Stay tuned for news about an exclusive Member and Guardian preview, plus his debut to the public! (Photo by Callie Wells)
Farewell to Beloved ARC Ambassador
We paid a fond farewell to beloved female turkey vulture, Monty, who recently passed away at the elderly age of 19, having served as an amazing ambassador of her species since her arrival here in 2007, where she lived at the Animal Rescue & Conservation Center (ARC).

Originally, Monty was a young wild bird brought to a rehabilitation facility, where she developed a love of shoes and shoelaces. When she was released into a state park, she would follow people into public restrooms and pull on their shoelaces when they were in the stalls. Eventually, the park staff deemed her a “problem” bird, and she was recaptured and rehomed at the Zoo. She was named after Montgomery Burns ("Mr. Burns") from The Simpsons because she bore a similar resemblance to the fictional character.

Monty was a star of countless educational programs at the Zoo’s Wildlife Theater. She also toured around the Bay Area visiting schools as part of the ZooMobile program, meeting students of all ages, and giving them an up-close look at a migratory vulture species living in their own backyards. Vultures like Monty are crucial for maintaining healthy ecosystems and public health by efficiently cleaning up decaying animal carcasses.

Seven years ago, Monty suffered an injury to her left intertarsal or ankle joint. Despite surgery and countless dedicated hours of physical therapy provided by the Zoo’s veterinary and ARC teams, Monty never regained full normal function of her left leg. Unfortunately, the injured leg’s function recently began to decline more rapidly and greatly impaired Monty’s mobility.

According to long-time caretaker, Jocelyn C., Monty will be greatly missed by her care staff who worked closely with her daily. She was an intelligent bird, who was quick to learn and very exploratory. “She was fun to work with because she always kept you on your toes during training sessions, and would investigate enrichment items as soon as they were added into her enclosure. This included picking apart ice cubes, tearing into boxes and bags, and finding food items in tunnels or hides,” said Jocelyn. “With her mobility issues over the past few years, we worked hard to add accessible perching and soft substrate into her enclosure to give her as much comfort as possible. Monty was even able to participate in her own medical care because she was trained to voluntarily take her medications! I will miss seeing Monty out in her aviary, where she would fly to the various perches and often sit with her wings out soaking up the sun."
NEWS TO KNOW
Experience the Sights & Sounds of Under the Canopy

You can now journey through "Under the Canopy," the immersive, multi-sensory, walk-through art installation that highlights the impact and urgency of climate change. The outdoor experience, located near the Leaping Lemur Café, offers an immersive, artistic interpretation of a tropical rainforest designed to raise awareness of the devastating impact on ecosystems by the effects of climate change. The art experience was conceived and produced by San Francisco artist, Henry Jackson, and invites guests to explore a tropical rainforest and learn how human actions and climate change have ravaged once-pristine environments like the Amazon rainforest.

The experience uses sights and sounds to reflect the struggles of millions of animal and plant species that are adversely affected by climate change, and the actions of humans can make a life or death difference for organisms that inhabit one of the planet’s most biodiverse regions. Here, the four layers of the rainforest are highlighted: Forest Floor, Understory, Canopy and Emergent Layer, with an emphasis on the Canopy, known for its concentrated and diverse activity. Several sculpted, large-scale Kapok-inspired trees are adorned with uniquely hand-crafted leaves interfaced with native plant life. As guests walk through the exhibit, they will encounter a symphony of composed sounds throughout, spotlighting vulnerable rainforest species, creating an immersive auditory experience that showcases the vibrant diversity of life that climate change threatens to diminish.

The journey concludes at the Emergent Layer, where a trail of cut trees marks the advancing presence of human development. The path ends with an unmistakable sight of a highway, a representation of progress intertwined with the destruction of the natural world.

Under the Canopy is designed to provoke thought and reflection and is intended to make us think. By guiding visitors through this transformative journey – where they can see, hear and feel the effects of climate change – we hope to inspire deeper understanding and action. And if you look closely, you'll discover a heart shaped by the branches of the Kapok-inspired trees!
Register for Little Learners Program
https://campscui.active.com/orgs/SanFranciscoZooCamps?orglink=camps-registration&e4q=9cf4c7d2-b433-4047-b785-a7a056bbdfba&e4p=7eb91dc9-9f9f-46d1-9927-0d90da992b64&e4ts=1756250804&e4c=active&e4e=snlvcmpscui00001load&e4rt=Safetynet&e4h=a33a4c16f76f7abb11c5e9482d869b3c#/selectSessions/3688233
Introduce your littlest learners to the wonders of the animal kingdom through imaginative play, songs and fun experiences through our Little Learners (https://www.sfzoo.org/little-learners/)  program! One of our most popular educational programs has returned for a series of Fall programming dates. The 90-minute in-person sessions for children ages 3 to 5 bring learning to life through animals, letters of the alphabet, and hands-on fun in the Little Learners Cabin.

Each session offers:
* Fun facts and stories about Zoo animals whose names begin with the Letter of the Day
* A "meet and greet" with some of our resident animals
* Songs, movement, and art and science activities

Upcoming Sessions:
* Little Learners -Session 1 (A-E): September 9-October 11, 2025
* Little Learners - Session 2 (F-J): October 14-November 15, 2025

Available Days & Times:
* Tuesdays: 9:30-11 a.m. or 12-1:30 p.m.
* Thursdays: 9:30-11 a.m. or 12-1:30 p.m.
* Saturdays: 9:30-11 a.m. (AM session only)

Register Today (https://campscui.active.com/orgs/SanFranciscoZooCamps?orglink=camps-registration&e4q=9cf4c7d2-b433-4047-b785-a7a056bbdfba&e4p=7eb91dc9-9f9f-46d1-9927-0d90da992b64&e4ts=1756250804&e4c=active&e4e=snlvcmpscui00001load&e4rt=Safetynet&e4h=a33a4c16f76f7abb11c5e9482d869b3c#/selectSessions/3688233)
CONSERVATION
Saving the endangered Sierra Nevada Yellow Legged Frog
This year marks the 11^th anniversary of our Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog project and as the largest head-start facility for this specific species in the U.S., SF Zoo is one of only two zoos (the other being the Oakland Zoo) that rears these frogs for release into the wild.

Last week, our Conservation team, in collaboration with our partners, the National Park Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Parks, Sequoia Parks Conservancy, Oakland Zoo and Seki Helitack, released 226 SF Zoo-reared frogs to high-elevation mountain lakes. The latest release brings the total of adult and juvenile frogs to 1,178 frogs reared and released to the wild since 2018. Together with the Zoo-reared Mountain yellow-legged frogs, this summer will mark the release of nearly 1,700 frogs since the program started in 2015!

Yellow-legged frogs are among the most endangered frogs in California and are one of the state’s endemic species, meaning they are only found in California. According to Dr. Rochelle Stiles, our Director of Field Conservation, “As Californians, we should care about these frogs, which were nearly wiped out in their native range from chytrid fungus and human-introduced, non-native bullfrogs and fish. They are important to our local ecosystems as indicators of the health of the most remote, pristine lakes in the state.”

>From collecting tadpoles to rearing and caring for frogs as they mature (from one to two years), to treating for chytrid and ensuring their health before their release, then transporting them safely to their mountain home, and then monitoring the frogs throughout their lifecycle, the process is long and complex, but very rewarding when the outcome is self-sufficiency for this species.

UPCOMING EVENTS
Last Sunset Fridays of the Summer
https://www.sfzoo.org/sf-zoo-sunset-fridays/

What a summer! We can hardly believe the last Sunset Fridays of the year is here! Thank you all for your patronage and coming out to hear fantastic local music all summer long!

This week, enjoy live music performed by Steady Eddy & the Shakers (https://www.facebook.com/steadyeddy.sf) , San Francisco's Motown Mashup Band, performing a blend of classic funk and contemporary cool! Plus enjoy gourmet menu offerings from our culinary team that includes a Buffalo chicken flatbread and a delicious "Crabby Patty" slider, plus adult and non-alcoholic beverages.

Sunset Fridays takes place on the Playfield Lawn. Enjoy live, local music, outdoor bars, kid-friendly activities, the Elinor Friend Playground, historic Dentzel Carousel, Sculpture Learning Plaza, food and beverage concession areas and see animals in the Exploration Zone!

Zoo members enjoy free admission to Sunset Fridays! Tickets for non-members are $14 per person, 12 and over (children 11 and under are free). Visitors who have a general admission ticket can attend at no extra charge. Tickets can be purchased online or walk-up at ticket window; advance reservations are not required. Folding chairs are allowed; no outside alcoholic beverages please. (Photo courtesy of Steady Eddy & the Shakers)
Kids & Art at Art Safari
https://www.sfzoo.org/art-safari/

On Saturday, September 6 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., we will host Art Safari (https://www.sfzoo.org/art-safari/) in partnership with the Kids & Art Foundation in observance of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Guests can participate in animal-themed arts and crafts, from painting to sidewalk chalk drawings to origami. This fun, interactive day will take place around Carousel Plaza by the entrance of the Exploration Zone.

Kids & Art Foundation supports pediatric cancer patients and their families using therapeutic art experiences, offering safe places for kids to express themselves artistically. According to the Foundation, art helps them to process and validate their feelings and experiences while offering hope during treatment.

Art Safari is open to youth under 18 and is free with paid Zoo admission, and for Zoo Members. The Kids & Art team of dedicated Bay Area artists and volunteers will help guide young artists through the creative process. Art Safari will also include face painters, costumed characters and music.
Registration Dates for Next Dog Days
https://www.sfzoo.org/special-programs/

Bring your furry friend to the Zoo as we welcome back Dog Days at SF Zoo, our popular dog-friendly day! Our next Dog Days will take place on Thursday, September 11. Advance registration on our website is required and is available between 8 a.m. on September 2 through 12 p.m. on September 4. We will select registered dogs and dog owners for participation randomly as we are only able to accommodate a limited number of dogs each day. Selected participants will be contacted via email on September 5.

Please be advised that dog owners must comply with the following to participate:
* Dog owners are responsible for their dogs and they must be well-behaved.
* Dogs must remain on leash and controlled by an adult that is at least 18.
* Owners must clean up after their dogs.
* Owners will be asked to leave an area if Zoo animals become agitated.
* Failure to comply with any of the above may result in being asked to leave the premises.

To be eligible for the random drawing for Dog Days, please register by filling out the form on our Special Programs page (https://www.sfzoo.org/special-programs/)  during the allotted time frame.

Guests are allowed one dog per reservation and each dog must be accompanied by an adult at least 18 years of age. Dogs may only access areas where there is a physical barrier that separates Zoo animals and dogs. Dogs are not allowed in the South American Tropical Rainforest & Aviary, African Aviary, Children's Zoo Family Farm, Wildlife Theater and Nature Trail.
San Francisco Zoo & Gardens connects all people with wildlife, inspires caring for nature and advances conservation action.

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