Come Celebrate the Zoo's Birthday this Saturday!

Thu Jun 12 10:02:40 PDT 2025

Become a Member (https://www.sfzoo.org/membership/)   |   Donate (https://www.sfzoo.org/donate-today/)    |   Get Tickets (https://www.sfzoo.org/?keyword=General%20Admission)
UPCOMING EVENTS
Celebrate the Zoo's Birthday on June 14!
https://www.sfzoo.org/calendar/zoobilation/

Join us for a fun Zoobilation this Saturday, June 14 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.! Watch as our animals enjoy birthday-themed enrichment and join us for a birthday celebration starting at 11 a.m. at the Exploration Zone entrance plaza, with a kid's dance party, DJ music, face art (eye designs and face jewelry) and costumed animal characters. Plus you won't want to miss the Animal Puppet Show at two times: 12-12:45 p.m. and 1:15-2 p.m.

Animal Enrichment Presentation Schedule (subject to change):

10:00 a.m.    Red Panda (Exploration Zone)
10:30 a.m.    Lemurs (Lemur Forest)/Gorillas (Gorilla Preserve)
11:00 a.m.    Bird Aviary (across from Koala Crossing)/Goats (Family Farm)
11:30 a.m.    Flamingo (by Lemur Cafe)/Baird's Tapir (Puente al Sur)
12:00 noon    Giraffe (Acacia Plaza) & zebra (north Savanna)/Orangutan
(Great Ape Passage)
12:30 p.m.    Meet animals at the Animal Rescue & Conservation Center
(Exploration Zone)
3:30 p.m.     Komodo dragon (Komodo Crossing)
This Sunday! Bike Ride with Dad!
https://www.sfzoo.org/tours-2/

Hey Dads! We're offering a special BikeAbout (https://www.sfzoo.org/tours-2/)  just for you on Father's Day!

Bring the whole family and join us for this unique riding tour around the Zoo on Sunday, June 15 starting at 8:30 a.m. This 60-minute bicycle tour will focus on what paternal care looks like throughout the animal kingdom. And as an extra special treat after your tour, you will get to meet our family of reticulated giraffes where you will get up-close and personal!

Pre-registration is required and participants must provide their own bikes and bike locks. No strollers or scooters are allowed. All bikes need to be outside of the Zoo by 10 a.m. when we open to the general public.

Zoo Member - $45 per peddler
Non-Member - $55 per peddler
Free for children piggy-backing on an adult's bike.

Zoo admission is not included. Discounted admission is available for purchase at ticketing windows on the day of the tour. Parking is included. Visit the Tours (https://www.sfzoo.org/tours-2/)  page for more information and register online.
Tickets Now Available for Roar & Pour!
https://www.sfzoo.org/roar-and-pour/

Get your tickets now for summer's newest go-to event, Roar & Pour (https://www.sfzoo.org/roar-and-pour/)  will take place on Friday, June 27 from 5 to 7:30 p.m.! You'll want to join us for this unique outdoor wine tasting event with a wild twist, which supports our wildlife conservation programs.

Guests can enjoy a fun evening, sipping, strolling and socializing while tasting a variety of wines from top wineries, from your favorite Napa Valley reds to a crisp Anderson Valley chardonnay. Discover new blends from wineries such as Nella Terra and Bella Union, and favorites from The Prisoner and MacRostie. Plus, see animals like African lions, grizzly bears and Magellanic penguins!

Roar & Pour guests will also receive a commemorative tasting glass, free rides on the historic Little Puffer miniature steam train and Wild Explorer virtual reality film experience. A DJ will be on hand, spinning a mix of summer vibes!

Two ticket levels are available: General Admission at $125 and a VIP Experience at $250 and offers an exclusive Premium Wine and Food Experience and giraffe feeding (limited space available). Follow us on our social platforms and check Animail to get the newest announcements. Learn more or purchase tickets here (https://www.sfzoo.org/roar-and-pour/) .

Roar & Pour supports the Zoo's wildlife conservation programs. Open to ages 21+ with ID; children or strollers will not be admitted. Refunds will not be issued for purchased tickets. Parking is complimentary. The event will take place rain or shine.
Mark Your Calendars! Sunset Fridays is Back!
https://www.sfzoo.org/sf-zoo-sunset-fridays/

We're starting summer off with a bang as our popular after-hours live music event Sunset Fridays (https://www.sfzoo.org/sf-zoo-sunset-fridays/) returns on Friday, July 4 and runs on consecutive Fridays until Friday, August 29 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Playfield Lawn. Enjoy live music, outdoor bars, kid-friendly activities, and see animals in the Exploration Zone!

In addition to activities at the Playfield Lawn, guests can enjoy the Elinor Friend Playground, historic Dentzel Carousel, the Sculpture Learning Plaza, and food and beverage concession areas.

Sunset Fridays is free for Zoo Members! 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.

For a list of weekly performers, VIP tent rental, and ticket and event information, visit the Sunset Fridays page (https://www.sfzoo.org/sf-zoo-sunset-fridays/) .
CONSERVATION
Spotlight on Red-Fronted Macaw
https://www.sfzoo.org/red-fronted-macaw/
Red-fronted macaws (https://www.sfzoo.org/red-fronted-macaw/) (Ara rubrogenys) are one of the smaller macaw species, weighing between 15-19 ounces, with an average length of 24 inches and a wingspan of approximately 32 inches. They are mostly green, with a red forehead, patches behind the eyes, shoulders and thighs. And they also have a little turquoise in their flight and tail feathers.

Found in Central Bolivia, red-fronted macaws are listed as a critically endangered species in the iUCN Red List of Threatened Species, with fewer than 300 mature individuals remaining in the wild. Threats include habitat destruction and degradation, the illegal wildlife trade, and being considered a "pest" species by farmers, as they will eat crops planted in their habitat.

Red-fronted macaws help to maintain their ecosystem by pollinating while feeding, as well as dispersing seeds that have passed through their digestive systems. Scientists have observed flock members engaging in several types of play, including pecking, beak wrestling and fencing, bouncing on branches and tossing objects.

You can find our red-fronted macaw in the Koret Animal Rescue and Conservation Center.
World Giraffe Day
Celebrating the tallest land mammal with the longest neck...on the longest day of the year! On June 21st, World Giraffe Day is celebrated around the world, and each year, the challenges and threats faced by giraffes in the wild increases.

Recently, the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF), identified four distinct species of giraffe through genetic research studies. These are Masai, Reticulated, Northern and Southern giraffes, through this research is not universally adopted yet by all taxonomic authorities. This challenges the earlier view of giraffes as one species with multiple subspecies. A key factor supporting their classification as distinct species is that each species occupies a different range and does not interbreed in the wild due to geographic and behavioral barriers. The harsh reality is that giraffes are undergoing a “silent extinction” due to habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict. Giraffes are actually less numerous than elephants in Africa with about 1 giraffe for every 4 elephants. This important information allows for the area of focus when considering how to approach giraffe conservation. Northern giraffe are considered to be critically endangered while the Masai and Reticulated giraffes
are considered to be endangered. Southern giraffe are of Least Concern.

World Giraffe Day was created by GCF to bring awareness to this reality in order to reverse the decline and protect the giraffes. Organizations like GCF and Save Giraffes Now have programs in place to do just that.

You can see our Reticulated giraffes in the Leanne B. Roberts African Savanna.
NEWS TO KNOW
Connect with Animals All Summer Long!
Summer is upon us which means that you'll be seeing many of our amazing youth volunteers around the Zoo, in particular, meeting guests along the Nature Trail with some of our ambassador animals and conducting demonstration shows at the Wildlife Theater!

The new Wildlife Theater show, "Amazing Reptile Superpowers" will focus on our reptile ambassadors, from snakes, to tortoises to lizards. Show times are Saturdays and Sundays at 11:30 a.m. Wildlife Theater is located across from the entrance of the Exploration Zone and next to the flamingo habitat.

And on your next weekend at the Zoo, be sure to visit the Nature Trail, where you'll find a variety of our ambassador birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians, many rescued or confiscated from the pet trade. Our Nature Trailers are ready to share their knowledge and conservation stories about each species. Nature Trail hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Free Tickets to The Pride Concert
On Saturday, June 21, the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus returns to the Curran Theatre for two performances (1 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.) of The Pride Concert - an exhilarating celebration of resilience, identity, and belonging through the power of music!

This year's performance features uplifting pop anthems and moving moments that honor the spirit of Pride. SFGMC is thrilled to welcome Grammy-nominated nonbinary songwriter, Justin Tranter to the stage, whose work has helped define a generation of queer musical expression.

With their signature blend of world-renowned vocals, heartfelt storytelling, and songs of strength, defiance, and joy, this unforgettable evening will stir your soul and uplift your spirit. SFGMC is extending an invitation to friends of SF Zoo to be their guests to this concert. They have set aside 50 complimentary tickets on a first come, first serve basis. To redeem, simply fill out the info on the Google link (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeH-qGniaxtVD2DgyOlwsrnDr0jlBt4-TQC4ICydXejo9V6jw/viewform) . Once you fill out the form, you will receive a confirmation email that will be sent to you within 24 hours.

Come celebrate the power of community - and the music that unites us!
San Francisco Zoo & Gardens connects all people with wildlife, inspires caring for nature and advances conservation action.

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