Support Conservation This Weekend!

Thu Mar 6 09:02:58 PST 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)
CONSERVATION
Your Admission Supports Conservation this Saturday

https://janegoodall.org/

In celebration of International Women's Day this Saturday, March 8, $1 from each paid admission will be donated to the Jane Goodall Institute.

The Jane Goodall Institute was founded by Dr. Jane Goodall in 1977 to ensure that her vision and life's work to save chimpanzees "continue to mobilize the collective power of individual action to save the natural world we all share".
Her breakthrough approach to species conservation has worked to improve the lives of people, animals and the environment by honoring their connectedness to each other.
The Jane Goodall Institute strives to inspire hope through action around the world via chimpanzee research, expanded efforts to protect and conserve chimpanzees and environmental education. Since its founding, Dr. Goodall has worked to empower people to make a difference for all living things.

Learn more (https://janegoodall.org/) about Dr. Goodall and the Jane Goodall Institute. Come visit the Zoo’s own chimpanzee troop at the Great Ape Passage, located just past Leaping Lemur Café. You can learn more about our chimpanzees here (https://www.sfzoo.org/chimpanzee/) .
Spotlight on Mojave Desert Tortoise
https://www.sfzoo.org/desert-tortoise/
California's state reptile is the Mojave desert tortoise (https://www.sfzoo.org/desert-tortoise/) (Gopherus agassizii), whose populations in their native Mojave and Sonoran deserts have declined by approximately 90% over the past 20 years. The desert tortoise is one of the 17 critically endangered species that reside here that we hope by spotlighting them will help raise a red flag to spur action and attention to their individual plights.

According to the IUCN Red List for Threatened Species, the Mojave desert tortoise has seen a marked decline due to habitat destruction and fragmentation, disease, human-activity, wildfires and climate change. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed the tortoise as threatened in 1989 and 1990, and California Department of Fish and Wildlife in 2016. The Mojave desert tortoise is one of the keystone species of the Mojave Desert and conservation recovery efforts continue, such as land protection and habitat restoration, and zoo-led captive breeding and release programs, which offer some hope.

Here at the Zoo, we have two desert tortoises - 77-year-old male Mojave and female, Agave, who is estimated to be around 25-years-old. Agave came to us in 2024 after being confiscated by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and placed here, and upon arrival, her front leg had to amputated after a possible predation incident. She has adjusted well and both can be seen at the Koret Animal Conservation and Rescue Center in the Exploration Zone.
Learn About Butterflies Day
Throughout the year, you might see a plethora of butterflies in many of our gardens, including native plants that attract pollinators. On Saturday, March 15, we invite you to get to know a little more about butterflies as part of National Learn About Butterflies Day, which was designated to increase awareness of the importance of butterflies.

Our conservation team will be on hand at the Insect Zoo, located in the Exploration Zone, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to provide fascinating facts and information, all about butterflies. Butterflies are important to the environment and biodiversity, pollinating plants and flowers and allowing them to reproduce. You'll learn why we must monitor species like monarch butterflies, a keystone species, as they serve as a vital indicator of a healthy environment.  (Photo by May Woon)
UPCOMING EVENTS
Zoo Hours Change this Sunday
As a reminder, starting March 9, our daily operating hours will change to 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. With the change, the last entry time for guests is 4 p.m. each day.

Please visit our website (https://www.sfzoo.org/animal-connections-feedings/) for updated schedule of Animal Connections, including animal feedings and keeper talks, as some times may have changed with the time change.
Drinks, Bites & Zoo Insights on March 22
SF Zoo is one of just a handful of zoological parks to apply 3D printer technology to benefit its animal residents, creating behavioral enrichment devices - such as puzzles and toys - that help to stimulate animals both physically and mentally. Join us on Saturday, March 22 at 2:30 p.m. as Emily Walco, PhD, our Wellness & Conservation Research Associate, presents, "A Day in the Life of an Animal Welfare Scientist: Using 3D printing, magic and observation to understand and improve animal wellbeing," as part of our exclusive Member series, Drinks, Bites & Zoo Insights.

Dr. Walco, who studied primate behavior in the wild as an undergrad and primate cognition for her PhD, originally learned how to 3D print during her study of bonobos. In addition to enrichment devices, she has also started to create training devices and customized cognitive devices to keep our animals engaged and learning.

Drinks, Bites & Zoo Insights is free to Zoo Members, is open to all age groups and includes adult beverages, non-alcoholic drinks and hors d'oeuvres and takes place at the Osher Great Hall. Space is limited. To RSVP, email membership at sfzoo.org (mailto:membership at sfzoo.org) .
Inspire, Educate and Make a Difference! Become a Zoo Docent!
https://www.sfzoo.org/volunteer-programs/docents/
Zoo Docents are the heart of SF Zoo, bringing wildlife to life through storytelling, education and conservation. As a Docent, you'll connect guests with our amazing animal ambassadors, inspire conservation efforts, and become part of a passionate community of nature lovers.

Join us for our upcoming 2025 Docent Information Session on Saturday, March 22 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Zoo's Lurie Education Building. This special event includes engaging presentations, a behind-the-scenes tour, a hands-on biofact demonstration, light refreshments and complimentary parking.

Space is limited, so reserve your spot today! RSVP to join at sfzoodocents.org (mailto:join at sfzoodocents.org) . If you are unable to attend on March 22, other information sessions are available. Learn more (https://www.sfzoo.org/volunteer-programs/docents/) .
NEWS TO KNOW
Nominate SF Zoo for Parents Press' Best Of 2025!

Vote for SF Zoo!

First round voting for nominations is now open for the 2025 Best of Parents Press’ Best of 2025 in the Attraction, Museum & Amusement Park category. You can write-in nominations now through March 31 at 11 p.m. PST. Should we make it to the second round, we will kindly request your vote in the finals!

Parents Press is the Bay Area’s “go-to” parenting guide and since 1980, has published its informative magazine monthly as a free resource. SF Zoo was named Best of in this category in 2023 for San Francisco, Marin and North Bay.

Vote Now (https://parentspress.com/best-of-parents-press-ballot/)
Summer Zoo Camp Registration Opens on March 12
https://www.sfzoo.org/conservation-camp/
Registration for this summer's hottest ticket will begin on Wednesday, March 12 at 12 noon. The 2025 Conservation Camp is geared to kids pre-K through 6th grade and runs for up to two weeks. The weeklong summer camps feature educational tours, games, creative projects, close-up animal encounters and more.

Members can take advantage of a special Member discount for the following sessions:
* Kindergarten thru 8th grade, full day sessions (9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.) is $500 for Members and $550 for non-members. Members can save $50 with the code: ZOOMEM25
* Pre-K, half day sessioins (9 a.m. to 12 noon, Monday to Friday) is $250 for Members and $275 for non-members. Members can save $25 with the code: ZOOMEMPREK25

Campers will be grouped by grade level and camps will run from June 16th through August 8th, Monday through Friday.  Zoo Camps foster curiosity and creativity through STEM-based skills such as investigation, collaboration, problem-solving, communication and more through fun hands-on art and science activities.

We believe that connecting campers of all ages to animals and nature will help to improve the outlook for both  the camper and for the future of the natural world. To learn more about the 2025 Conservation Camp, visit the web page (https://www.sfzoo.org/conservation-camp/) .
Honor a Loved One with a Commemorative Bench
Have you considered dedicating a bench at the Zoo to honor the legacy of a loved one? Sponsoring a bench allows you to remember loved ones, celebrate friends and family, promote your business, mark a special occasion, or simply show your love for the Zoo while supporting our diverse education, conservation, and animal care programs. Your wonderful gift adds to the beauty of our grounds and offers guests a place to relax while they enjoy seeing amazing wildlife.

Benches at the Zoo have provided a way for families and friends to commemorate meaningful life moments to those they hold dear as well as help beautify and enhance the visitor experience.

Bench sponsorships are $5,000 each and include:
* A bench made predominantly from recycled materials, chosen to tolerate Pacific-coast weather for up to 10 years.
* A personalized plaque on the bench to commemorate your gift. You may choose to have the bench placed in a variety of available areas around the Zoo.
* Recognition on the Donor Recognition Board at our main entrance.

For questions about our Bench Program, email development at sfzoo.org (mailto:development at sfzoo.org) .
San Francisco Zoo & Gardens connects all people with wildlife, inspires caring for nature and advances conservation action.

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