Save the Rhino Day and More!

Fri May 2 09:28:35 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
Visit Pop-Up Conservation Tables this Month!
https://www.sfzoo.org/calendar-of-events/

There are several upcoming designated animal days that we wish to call out. Often these days are symbolic, celebratory and most importantly, an opportunity to raise awareness of the on-going plight for specific species, or to call attention to the need to protect and save wildlife. Through the month of May, you can find us acknowledging days on our social media and here in Animail, such as Leopard Day and World Bee Day, but also Endangered Species Day and International Day for Biological Diversity.

For some upcoming days, our conservation liaison will be on Zoo grounds manning a pop-up conservation table where she will help spread the word about the need to save species, share conservation insights and answer your questions. These include:
* Saturday, May 3, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. - Wild Koala Day (Koala Crossing)
* Saturday, May 10, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. - Amphibian Week (Conservation Corridor)
* Friday, May 16, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. - Endangered Species Day (Location to be announced soon)

Celebrate Mom this Mother's Day!
https://www.sfzoo.org/gift-memberships/

Gift Membership

Thrill your animal-loving Mom this Mother's Day with a gift that keeps giving! By giving Mom a special gift membership (https://www.sfzoo.org/gift-memberships/) , she will receive unlimited visits to SF Zoo, enjoy discounts and benefits such as special events and previews, and with a family membership, the whole family can take advantage of one of the best deals around! Gift memberships are available in different levels, from individuals, to family to family plus, and higher level gifts. All gift levels support the Zoo's conservation mission.

Mother's Day BikeAbout

There are still spots available for our annual Mother's Day BikeAbout (https://www.sfzoo.org/calendar/mothers-day-bikeabout-guided-tour/) where the whole family can ride their bicycle through the Zoo before we open to the general public!  This 60-minute riding tour will focus on what maternal care looks like throughout the animal kingdom. As part of this Mother's Day experience, you will get to meet our reticulated giraffes and get an opportunity to feed them!

The Mother's Day BikeAbout will take place on Mother's Day - Sunday, May 11 at 8:30 a.m. Pre-registration is required and participants must provide their own bikes and bike locks. Strollers and scooters are not permitted.

This special BikeAbout is $45 per peddler for Members and $55 per peddler for non-members. Children are free if piggy-backing on an adult peddler's bike. If you plan on staying at the Zoo after the BikeAbout, discounted admission tickets are available with proof of BikeAbout participation. Parking is included. Learn more. (https://www.sfzoo.org/tours-2/)
Member Exclusive: Drinks, Bites & Zoo Insights

You're in for a treat with our next Member exclusive "Drinks, Bites and Zoo Insights" as we welcome renowned orangutan conservationist, Dr. Marc Ancrenaz, DVM, PhD and Scientific and Co-Director of Hutan - Kinabatagan Orangutan Conservation Programme. At this insightful presentation, Dr. Ancrenaz will share the important conservation work to protect wild Bornean orangutans that has transpired over the past 30 years.

This presentation will be a weekday lecture, taking place on Wednesday, May 14 from 2:30 to 4 p.m. at the Bernard Osher Great Hall. Light refreshments and adult and non-alcoholic beverages will be available to attendees. The event is open to all ages and we request that you RSVP in advance to membership at sfzoo.org (mailto:membership at sfzoo.org) .
Space Still Available for Our First Yoga Session!
https://www.sfzoo.org/zen-at-the-zoo/

Connect your mind, body and spirit during our popular yoga workout, Zen at the Zoo! (https://www.sfzoo.org/special-programs/) The most unique yoga experience is back for its 2025 series which takes place right in the middle of the Leanne B. Roberts African Savanna. Practice Vinyasa Flow, which unites breath to movement while offering a variety of poses, as giraffe and zebra graze nearby in this intimate, private setting.

Zen at the Zoo is suitable for all skill levels, and each one-hour session takes place once a month starting on Saturday, May 17. Expect a well-rounded practice involving sun salutations, standing and seated postures and a strong focus on the power of breath.

Sessions are $25 for Members and $50 for non-members/general public and includes Zoo admission for the full day. Learn more (https://www.sfzoo.org/zen-at-the-zoo/) .
NEWS TO KNOW
Coastal Dune Gardens
The original land of San Francisco's Sunset District was once primarily sand dunes. Photos of the Zoo's site in the 1900's, around the turn of the century, show acres of inaccessible sand dunes and coastal scrub land. At the time, the future Sunset District was known as Outside Lands, and it wasn't until after the famed 1906 earthquake that the land was divided into lots where row houses were eventually built and much of the dunes removed. The Zoo was mostly developed in the mid-1920s to 1940, and you can still see many examples of coastal plants from the parking lot to special gardens.

Plants that thrive in this sandy, salty environment include varieties of coastal plants that are low-lying and tolerant of windy conditions. These plants not only help to stabilize the dunes, but these small shrubs and plants also help prevent erosion and keeps the flowing sand in place. In one of our small dune gardens near the Lion Fountain, you can find dune tansy, coyote brush, coast iris and beach strawberry.

Trees such as the giant Monterey cypress (Hesperocyparis macrocarpa) are common in San Francisco and many cypress trees can be found throughout the Zoo and in some habitats like the Leanne B. Roberts African Savanna. Cypresses tend to thrive in this coastal climate, growing up to 70 feet in height!  (Monterey cypress by May Woon)

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=0d02aa4aa1) or unsubscribe from this list (https://sfzoo.us12.list-manage.com/unsubscribe?u=05b8326f4402b997fe7a097e3&id=5c6c9b68a4&t=b&e=7683a9aed3&c=0d02aa4aa1) .
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/20250502/f789bedf/attachment-0001.htm>