Celebrating Mom this Mother's Day! 🌻

Thu May 8 18:03:07 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
Mother's Day is this Weekend!
https://www.sfzoo.org/gift-memberships/

Meet New Prairie Dog Pups
In honor of Mother's Day this Sunday, spend the day with Mom with a visit to the Zoo! Come enjoy our Spring blooms and you won't want to miss the four new black-tailed prairie dog pups who recently emerged from their underground burrows, having stayed close to their mothers after birth. See them at the prairie dog habitat in the Exploration Zone!

Mother's Day BikeAbout
There are still spots available for our annual Mother's Day BikeAbout (https://sfzoo.sfz-passport.sfzoo.org/packageDetails/194/keyword/VIPTours?keyword=General%2520Admission&queueittoken=e_sfzoo~q_062f7599-298a-4903-9f8e-ed4ff3d27cfb~ts_1746572346~ce_true~rt_safetynet~h_a08dd2717986028e94b2a2a5a90ef2b3427e50ff2be1166de13eb80aa5ff85c7) 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/)

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/?keyword=Gift%20Memberships) , 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.
Member Exclusive: Drinks, Bites & Zoo Insights

Learn about the important work to save orangutans 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) .
Come Zen with Us on May 17th!
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/) .
Take a Leap and Become a Zoo Docent!
https://www.sfzoo.org/volunteer-programs-draft/docents/

Zoo Docents bring SF Zoo to life, inspiring guests with their passion for wildlife and conservation. As a volunteer, you'll connect people with animals, foster conservation awareness, and enjoy a supportive community of fellow animal lovers.

Interested individuals can join us for an informational event on Saturday, May 17th from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Lurie Education Center. Enjoy presentations, a zoo tour, a hands-on biofact cart 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) .
Learn (https://www.sfzoo.org/volunteer-programs-draft/docents/)  how you can become a part of our exciting docent program!
CONSERVATION
Spotlight on Black-and-White Ruffed Lemurs
https://www.sfzoo.org/black-and-white-ruffed-lemur/
On any given day, you're likely to hear a series of intense roars and shrieks coming from the Lipman Family Lemur Forest, and wonder, "what is that?" These rather raucous vocalizations, or alarm calls, are often followed by loud, birdlike clucks, and make up the territorial communications of our black-and-white ruffed lemurs, which, together with the calls of our red-ruffed lemurs, can be quite startling to hear!

Black-and-white ruffed lemurs (https://www.sfzoo.org/black-and-white-ruffed-lemur/) (Varecia variegata variegata) are one of two subspecies of the ruffed lemur (the other being the red-ruffed lemur). Found in eastern Madagascar in the coastal rainforests, they are distinctively black and white, with a white ruff that frames the face, through patterns and distribution of color vary, often the right side varies from the left.

As a critically endangered species, their population is declining due to human destruction of their forest habitat for agriculture, population fragmentation and commercial exportation to the U.S., the largest importer of primates. SF Zoo participates in the AZA's Prosimian Taxon Advisory Group and the Malagasy Fauna Interest Group and supports lemur conservation efforts.

The Lipman Family Lemur Forest is the largest mix-species habitat for prosimians in U.S. zoos where visitors can view lemurs from its elevated boardwalk. You can often see our arboreal black-and-white ruffed lemurs high in the eucalyptus and cypress trees that grow within the habitat, leaping from tree to tree.
Amphibian Week

Amphibians, comprised of frogs, toads, newts and salamanders, play vital roles in any ecosystem as they serve as indicator species, as their thin, moist skin makes them sensitive to environmental changes, as they are highly susceptible to pollutants, chemicals and climate change.  As such, amphibians also indicate the health of the habitats in which they dwell, from wetlands to streams to forests.

At SF Zoo, our Conservation Department just celebrated its 12-year anniversary of head-starting local, endangered frogs (and turtles) for release into California's national parks and forests. Amphibian species include: Sierra Nevada Yellow-legged frogs, California Red-legged frogs, Mountain Yellow-legged frogs, Yosemite toads, and Foothill Yellow-legged frogs. Many of these species have seen a marked decline due to many factors, including invasive species, habitat loss, pollution and the prevalence of the the deadly chytrid fungus.

Join us as we celebrate Amphibian Week and take a moment to appreciate all that amphibians do for us and the planet! Plus, visit our conservation pop-up table on Saturday, May 10th from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in front of the Conservation Corridor across from Koala Crossing. And while you're there, come visit our tiger salamanders, California red-legged frogs and axolotls!
NEWS TO KNOW
Whimsical Fairy Gardens
Pocket gardens are small gardens developed in different areas within a larger property, such as some uniquely themed gardens you find at the Zoo. Sometimes these gardens fill spaces between larger structures or some you might happen upon along a pathway or around a corner. In the case of our fairy door gardens, what started as a fun way to liven up a garden space has become an enchanting and whimsical surprise for some guests, who might otherwise walk by a more, non-descript planted area.

The first fairy door garden created is located on the pathway leading to the playground, where miniature bridges connect planters that end with a front stoop with a colorful door. In this garden, each tiny door, about six to eight inches in height, draws curious onlookers to wonder who might reside there, as imaginations run wild! Since that first garden was created, a second one was planted adjacent to it. At the entrance to Wildlife Theater, small, wooden houses were inset as tree houses, with flowers shrubbery encasing them.

The largest of the fairy gardens is located on the pathway leading from the Gatehouse to the Eugene Friend Carousel Plaza. Our creative team repurposed a series of cut trees and added custom-built houses and plants which offers a fun backdrop for photos! Keep an eye out for our various fairy gardens as you stroll the Zoo! (Photo by May Woon)
Become a Zoo Guardian
https://www.sfzoo.org/guardian-program/
One of the best ways to be part of the Zoo, while supporting the Zoo, is as a Zoo Guardian (https://www.sfzoo.org/guardian-program/) ! Zoo Guardians are an esteemed group of supporters whose generosity enables us to pursue innovative animal care, leadership in conservation, unique educational opportunities and a safe family-friendly destination. As our philanthropic partners, Guardians receive all of the benefits of a Zoo Membership, plus VIP privileges and exclusive opportunities, including behind-the-scenes tours, special celebrations and previews. The Guardian program comes in four different levels depending on the donor level. Learn more (https://www.sfzoo.org/guardian-program/) .
Member Benefit: Columbia Employee Store Discounts

https://www.sfzoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/CSC-Employee-Store-San-Francisco-Zoo-Members_May-June2025.pdf

Our friends from the Columbia Sportwear Company have extended their 40% off full retail pricing to Zoo Members when you visit their Columbia Employee Store now thru June 1, 2025. This offer is valid for in-store purchases only at their locations in Union City and Richmond and is offered to up to Members and up to four guests. This exclusive store access features the latest products from Columbia, SOREL, Mountain Hardwear, and prAna.

Please bringthis digital invitation (https://www.sfzoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/CSC-Employee-Store-San-Francisco-Zoo-Members_May-June2025.pdf) (printed or on your mobile device) and proof of affiliation (Member I.D.). Happy shopping!
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=eb1f229095) or unsubscribe from this list (https://sfzoo.us12.list-manage.com/unsubscribe?u=05b8326f4402b997fe7a097e3&id=5c6c9b68a4&t=b&e=7683a9aed3&c=eb1f229095) .
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/20250509/b4139050/attachment-0001.htm>