Plants and Animals Unique to SF Zoo

Thu Mar 27 11:34:52 PDT 2025

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CONSERVATION
Lobo Week is Here

Lobo Week celebrates the nearly extinct Mexican gray wolf, and we are proud to be a part of the Mexican gray wolf recovery program.

Their story is one that is still being written.

The Mexican gray wolf, also known as “El Lobo” or “Lobo,” is one of the world’s most endangered wolf subspecies. Though they were once abundant throughout Mexico and the Southwestern United States preying on native elk and deer, Mexican gray wolves were nearly fully extirpated by the 1970s by livestock ranchers, hunting, trapping and poisoning. When the population decreased to only five individual wolves, putting the species at high risk for extinction, zoos were able to offer a hand to help save the species. In 1976, Mexican gray wolves were designated as an endangered species. From the five rescued wolves bred in captivity, 11 wolves were subsequently released into a small, protected pocket of Arizona and New Mexico in 1998.
These 11 wolves are currently responsible for repopulating the approximately 257 wolves that live in the U.S., and about 45 in Mexico, with another 380 wolves in managed care like the ones residing at SF Zoo.

The numbers, while remarkable given how close the Mexican gray wolf was to extinction, has not kept wolves in general from being thought of as “villains,” and they continue to be exterminated at a high rate.

At the Zoo, you can find our four six-year-old female siblings serving as important ambassadors of their subspecies at the naturalistic Wolf Canyon, where the wolves can be viewed from several vantage points. How do we tell them apart? “Courtney Bea” is the largest of the pack, “Jenny Rue” is the darkest in color, “Betty White” is the lightest, and “Jamie Estelle” is our fourth wolf!
Spotlight on Panamanian Golden Frog
https://www.sfzoo.org/77-2/
At the Zoo, we are home to 10 brightly-colored, golden yellow amphibians that are about 2 to 2.5 inches in length, with females typically longer, with black spots on its legs and back. The Panamanian golden frog (https://www.sfzoo.org/77-2/) (Atelopus zetecki) is endemic to central Panama, and according to the IUCN Red List, is a critically endangered species thought to be nearly extinct in the wild. As Panama's national animal, each August 14th is deemed National Golden Frog Day, and they are considered good luck.

Panamanian golden frogs are technically toads, despite their name and are listed as the Cerro Campana stubfoot toad in the IUCN Red List. Their demise in the wild is most likely due to the chytridiomycosis fungus, which is deadly to amphibians. One frog contains enough toxins to kill 1,200 mice, and their bright coloration warns potential predators of this defense, as such, they are poisonous.

The organization, Project Golden Frog, is an international conservation consortium of Panamanian and American institutions working together to ensure the survival of this culturally significant species. By increasing public awareness of global threats to amphibians as a whole, and bringing a greater understanding for land preservation, and coordinating efforts between government and conservation organizations, the hope is to bring this and other amphibian species back to the wild.

Our critically endangered Panamanian golden frogs reside in the South American Tropical Rainforest & Aviary. Please be advised that the exhibit is temporarily closed as a preventative measure against the avian flu. Thank you for understanding.
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

Zoo Members! Please vote for SF Zoo!

Show your support by voting in 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.

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.
Garden Sights Unique to SF Zoo!
SF Zoo is unique in many ways, and even if you visit on a regular basis, you might not know that some of the amazing plants and trees here are truly special.

Swamp Gum Eucalyptus (pictured) - Our beloved swamp gum tree is one of the original lakeshore plantings planted sometime around 1925 and is located on the pathway from Koala Crossing towards Australian WalkAbout. There are only about 20 of these trees known to exist in California, and this is one of the largest! Swamp gums generally thrive in wet areas like the edge of the lower lake and may reach 80 feet in height. However, this tree, having adapted to our windy coastal habitat has spread out wide instead of tall. (Photo by May Woon)

Monkey Hand Tree - Called a monkey hand tree, or sometimes a “devil’s hand,” this cloud forest native of Mexico and Guatemala has one of the strangest blooms in the plant kingdom. In late spring to early summer, five red stamens extend from a cup of sepals, resembling a small, red hand. Yellow pollen lines the “fingers” stopping before the tip, giving the impression of fingernails.

Big Cypress - Known as SF Zoo's signature tree, this beautiful tree is native to the Monterey Bay Area and flourishes in the foggy coastal climate. Mature trees can reach 70 feet or more, but ocean winds frequently bend the trees into flat-topped profiles.

Palm Trees - What is a California beach without palm trees? You will find palm trees along “Palm Alley,” located adjacent to the Coquerel's sifaka habitat and Lipman Family Madagascar Center. The palm trees that line this location are decades old, some species of palm can live to be 100 years old!
Updated Little Puffer is a hit!
https://www.sfzoo.org/become-a-member/

All Aboard! What is a visit without at least one ride on everyone’s favorite train, our historic Little Puffer miniature steam train? With the recent expansion of the track by 1,000 feet, your ride is not only longer, but it also now takes you around Bear Country and the lower lake, offering amazing views, including seeing our grizzly bears! Little Puffer’s new route is also receiving rave reviews as our guests have shared on their social media, that “Little Puffer is not to miss!” and “Our favorite part of our visit!”

With Spring Break, one of the best deals around is our Family Membership levels, which include our regular Family plan (two adults and three children) and our Family Plus plan (three adults and four children), all of which pays for itself in just two visits! As a Member, you receive exclusive member benefits, such as special events like our summer time Sunset Fridays, daily discounts and of course, unlimited visits all year long.
Become a Member (https://www.sfzoo.org/become-a-member/)
Maintaining High Standards

After the recent renewal of our license by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), where the re-license inspection identified no-non-compliant items after a comprehensive inspection of species and animal areas, we continue our rigorous standards of care and wellness for our resident animals. The USDA renewal is a great reminder that our diligence and efforts to ensure individualized preventative care and enrichment for the betterment of our animals’ lives remains among our top priorities.

And as an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), which also conducts a thorough and exhaustive inspection during its accreditation process, we are proud to have received our five-year accreditation in 2023. As an AZA member, we are able to work cooperatively with other accredited institutions, and under the umbrella of AZA, they can represent animal interests on a federal level. As such, we are regulated on a state and federal level and by the professional zoological industry.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Senior Mornings Guided Tour
https://www.sfzoo.org/tours-2/

Get ready for another fun morning as we present our popular Senior Mornings Guided Tour on Thursday, April 3 from 9 to 10 a.m. Start your morning out with an exhilarating stroll around the Zoo with your own docent guide on hand to answer your questions and offer fascinating insights into animal behavior.

The event takes place on the first Thursday of every month and is free to Senior level Members ($10 for non-members). Parking is included and reservations are not required.
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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