Happy St. Patrick’s Day & More!

Thu Mar 13 09:03:16 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)
CONSERVATION
Spotlight on Yellow-naped Amazon
Many animal species become critically endangered as a result of habitat loss due to human development and other detrimental activities while other species' declining populations are also a result of illegal poaching and wildlife trafficking for the pet trade. Wildlife trafficking is a conservation crisis, with countless animals being pushed toward extinction form the illegal harvest of and trade in live plants and animals, and products made from them. In the case of many exotic parrot species, such as our critically endangered yellow-naped Amazon parrots (Amazona auropalliata) that we are providing permanent homes for after being confiscated by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, they are some of the lucky ones.

According to the IUCN Red List for Threatened Species, yellow-naped Amazons, native to the Pacific coast of southern Mexico and Central America including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and Nicaragua, are known to be in rapid, on-going decline with fewer than 2,500 individuals remaining in the wild, of which smaller populations are estimated in their native ranges. Yellow-naped Amazons are desirable within the pet trade as they are intelligent, engaging and talkative. SF Zoo works with the Wildlife Confiscations Network, a program of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, to help provide for the care and welfare of confiscated live wildlife.

Here at the Zoo, our pair of yellow-naped Amazons, who were rescued in 2022, can be viewed at the Koret Animal Conservation and Rescue Center in the Exploration Zone.
Learn About Butterflies Day this Friday
Throughout the year, you might see a plethora of butterflies in many of our gardens, including native plants that attract pollinators. On Friday, March 14, 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.

Monarch Butterfly Conservation Action
Recently, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and SAFE (Saving Animals From Extinction) Monarch have worked together to voice support for the legal protection of the iconic Monarch butterfly species, as the western monarch butterfly population has declined by more than 95% since the 1980s. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed listing the monarch as a threatened species.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Name a Green Animal for Free Admission on St. Patty's Day
How well do you know the Zoo's animal residents and can you name an animal (other than our emerald tree boa here!) that is green in color? In honor of St. Patrick's Day on Monday, March 17, the first 17 guests who visit our ticket window that day and can successfully name one of our many green animals will receive a complimentary admission that day!

And, if you come up to the window thinking that our two-toed sloth is green...the answer would be no! Mammals typically lack the genetic ability to produce green pigments. As for sloths in the wild, some may appear green in color, but it's actually algae, which can grow in on their fur. (Photo by Matt Treppiedi)
Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with Special Irish Fare
It’s your lucky day! St. Patrick’s Day is upon us and to commemorate the occasion, we invite you to enjoy a limited time, delectable Irish menu being served up at the Leaping Lemur Café Saturday through Monday, March 15 through 17!

Our creative culinary team has come up with some tasty themed delights – just check out this menu!
* Corned Beef Pretzel Melt – corned beef, sauerkraut, Russian dressing on a pretzel bun. Served with fries.
* Loaded Reuben Tots – tater tots, cheese fondue, corned beer, sauerkraut, Russian dressing and green onions.
* Shamrock Sugar Cookie – frosted sugar cookie

And don’t forget to top off your meal with a beer! Sláinte!
Drinks, Bites & Zoo Insights on March 22
https://www.sfzoo.org/calendar-of-events/
SF Zoo is one of a handful of zoological parks to apply 3D printer technology to benefit its zoo residents, creating behavioral 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."

The event is free to Zoo Members and 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. RSVP to membership at sfzoo.org (mailto:membership at sfzoo.org?subject=RSVP%20to%20Drinks%2C%20Bites%20%26%20Zoo%20Insights) .
NEWS TO KNOW
Vote for SF Zoo as Best of the Best!

https://www.bayareaparent.com/san-francisco-and-marin-ballot-2025/#/gallery?group=509047

There are now two opportunities for you to show your support of SF Zoo! Bay Area Parent's annual Best of the Best annual reader survey and the 2025 Best of Parents Press! We would be honored to have you choose SF Zoo as your entertainment venue for both parents' publications.
* Bay Area Parent's Best of the Best link to vote (https://www.bayareaparent.com/san-francisco-and-marin-ballot-2025/#/gallery?group=509047)
* Best of Parents Press' Best of 2025 link to vot (https://parentspress.com/best-of-parents-press-ballot/) e (https://parentspress.com/best-of-parents-press-ballot/)

Bay Area Parent serves the San Francisco Bay Area and focuses on parenting and family-related content through its magazine, website and events. SF Zoo has regularly been named among their Best of the Best each year. Parents Press is known as 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 in the Top 5 in their Best of 2024 for San Francisco, Marin and North Bay.
Sharing Gratitude During Tax Season
https://www.sfzoo.org/donate-today/
Tax season is upon us and we wish to express our sincere gratitude to our generous donors whose contributions make our work possible. Your tax-deductible contributions support vital conservation efforts, fund essential capital projects, and connect all people with wildlife. We understand that tax season can be a busy time and we appreciate all of our supporters for including us in their philanthropic giving. We are honored to have you as our partner in making a positive impact!

There are many ways to support SF Zoo to maximize tax benefits:

Cash Donations
This is the most common and straightforward way to support the Zoo, whether through our website (https://www.sfzoo.org/donate-today/) , in-person, or by mail.

Stocks and Securities
Donating appreciated stocks or mutual funds can be tax-efficient, as you may avoid paying capital gains tax.

Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs)
You can contribute assets to a DAF, which allows you to make grants to charities of your choice over time, while potentially receiving tax benefits.

Before making charitable donations and potentially claiming a tax deduction, it's highly recommended to consult a tax advisor to understand the specific rules, limits, and potential strategies for maximizing your benefits. Contact development at sfzoo.org (mailto:development at sfzoo.org?subject=Tax%20Information) for more information.

San Francisco Zoo & Gardens connects all people with wildlife, inspires caring for nature and advances conservation action.

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences (https://sfzoo.us12.list-manage.com/profile?u=05b8326f4402b997fe7a097e3&id=5c6c9b68a4&e=7683a9aed3&c=cfdb9af7aa) or unsubscribe from this list (https://sfzoo.us12.list-manage.com/unsubscribe?u=05b8326f4402b997fe7a097e3&id=5c6c9b68a4&t=b&e=7683a9aed3&c=cfdb9af7aa) .
https://www.facebook.com/sanfranzoo/
https://twitter.com/sfzoo
https://www.instagram.com/sanfranciscozoo
https://www.youtube.com/sfzoo
https://www.sfzoo.org

============================================================
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://mail.digitalkingdom.org/pipermail/house/attachments/20250313/629322e3/attachment-0001.htm>