SDZWA Stories

Familiar brown patches dot giraffes from the tip of their long neck down their body. Some giraffes’ patterns look like ragged oak leaves while others have more uniform, rectangular spots. Additional factors including what they eat and where they live determine the color of their coats, ranging from light tan to dark brown. These traits may make it easier to tell them apart, and there are even more differences between giraffes that go deeper than what meets the eye. It’s long been accepted that there is one giraffe species with nine subspecies. But in response to growing scientific evidence, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Species Survival Commission’s Giraffe and Okapi Specialist Group recently completed a taxonomic review. This groundbreaking assessment revealed that instead of one giraffe species, there are actually four: northern, southern, reticulated, and Masai.

Looking across a wintertime Arctic landscape, it’s ice as far as the eye can see, but dozens of species are thriving here. How does this frigid environment support them all? Even for the tundra’s terrestrial wildlife, it all starts in the ocean. Polar bears are the critical link between the vibrant worlds above and below the ice. While polar bears’ crucial role as apex predators in the Arctic food web has been well documented, it has never been measured in a way that could accurately quantify their contribution to the ecosystem. Nicholas Pilfold, scientist on the Population Sustainability team at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, joined with researchers from University of Manitoba, Environment and Climate Change Canada, and University of Alberta to review existing studies and calculate how much food polar bears create for other Arctic species—and amplify what would be lost if global polar bear populations decline.

In the dappled light of the forest, a flash of orange, black, and white moves like a shadow. Tigers are masters of contradiction: boldly striped yet perfectly camouflaged. Even more interestingly, each tiger sports a completely unique stripe pattern. No two are alike... Unfortunately, despite their incredible adaptations, tigers face a fragile future. All six subspecies of tigers across the globe are endangered due to threats including wildlife trafficking, habitat loss, and challenges related to human-wildlife coexistence. The good news is we’re working with partners across the globe to secure their striped future.

He’s large, in charge, and the hair on his back is silver-gray. There’s someone new at Gorilla Forest at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, and you’ll want to meet him—if you haven’t already! Paul Donn, a 36-year-old silverback with an incredible presence and a patch of red hair on his forehead, recently joined the family group at the Safari Park. He’s their first silverback since the passing of longtime leader Winston last year, and we look forward to seeing how he will carry on his generational heartwarming legacy.

Against the vast, golden plains of the African savanna, a group of giraffes—called a tower—stands out like a cluster of living skyscrapers. As they wander in search of water and vegetation, one of them stops to feed on tender leaves at the top of a gnarled and twisted acacia tree. Because she stands at around 18 feet tall, even the highest branches are within her reach. With a surprisingly nimble blue-black tongue that is more than 15 inches long, she delicately plucks leaves from the thorny branches, skillfully avoiding the sharp defenses of the tree. It’s a delicate dance between the tree’s natural adaptations and those of the giraffe, highlighting the intricate balance of life in this remarkable ecosystem.

For parents of newborns, forming a strong bond with their baby is of the utmost importance. Feeding them day and night, snuggling them close, and keeping them safe are just a few ways to nurture a relationship that helps a little one grow happy, healthy, and secure. These parental responsibilities are equally vital for koala moms like Adori and Merindah, who recently welcomed their joeys, Inala and Bunji, to the colony at the San Diego Zoo.

Does your dog hide under the bed during a thunderstorm? Does your cat seem extra clingy when something feels “off”? It turns out these kinds of behaviors aren’t unique to pets. Wildlife across the globe display fascinating and often mysterious responses to natural phenomena. Whether it’s an earthquake, a monsoon, or even a wildfire, animals seem to have an uncanny ability to sense changes in their environment—often before humans even realize what’s happening.

Picture a vast, 1,800-acre haven where wildlife thrives in sweeping savannas, lush tropical forests, and chaparral landscapes. That’s the magic of the “no place like it on Earth” San Diego Zoo Safari Park, where you can step into ecosystems from across the globe and connect with wildlife in whole new ways. There’s so much to see and do here, whether you enjoy a little bit of everything or immerse yourself in one unique area at a time.

The sun is shining warmly on your face, birds are chirping, and the calls of wildlife echo in the distance. It’s a brand-new day and you’re ready for an adventure like no other. Ahead of you stands the recently opened Safari Excursions, a welcoming lodge nestled within lush foliage, just waiting to transport you to worlds you’ve only dreamed of visiting. At the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, your adventure begins before you even step foot on a safari truck.

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance won top honors at the 136th annual Rose Parade® Presented by Honda with a float commemorating the historic arrival of giant pandas. For the second consecutive year, the Alliance received the Sweepstakes Trophy given for most beautiful entry, encompassing float design, floral presentation and entertainment.

For most American families, Thanksgiving dinner is the belt-busting dining event of the year. At this meal, the average person gobbles down 1 pound of turkey, plus stuffing, pie, and seemingly endless “trimmings,” adding up to around 4,500 calories. But for some wildlife species, that doesn’t even add up to an appetizer. Whether you opt for a big meal with all the trimmings or a simple celebration with family and friends, we wish you a happy Thanksgiving filled with joy and plenty of good food.

When you think of wildlife spending time in the water, you may think of expert swimmers including African penguins, leopard sharks, and otters. But some species just might surprise you with the reasons they take to rivers, lakes, and other waterways. Read on to discover how wildlife makes a splash regardless of the weather.