Sexing of the Rare Amphibian is Underway, Timed with Its Debut at Wildlife Explorers Basecamp SAN DIEGO (June 10, 2022) – Chinese giant salamanders are well camouflaged in the rushing waters of China’s mountain river system. Spotting this critically endangered species in its native habitat is exceedingly rare, but guests at the San Diego Zoo now have a unique opportunity to take a close look at this sleek and mysterious creature—at the newly opened Denny Sanford Wildlife Explorers Basecamp. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and conservation partners, including Ocean Park Hong Kong, are working ..read more

SAN DIEGO (January 27, 2022)–— Western burrowing owls, a declining species in Southern California, are increasingly being forced from their homes by development. A research team led by San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, in collaboration with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Palm Springs office, developed novel techniques using a bit of creative advertising to protect the displaced owls, including painting rocks to look like stains from bird droppings and playing recorded vocalizations. Their methods, published in the journal Animal Conservation, are proving remarkably successful.&nb ..read more

Bi-National Collaborative Effort to Save Elusive Species Uses Cutting-Edge Technology to Advance Conservation Efforts  SAN DIEGO Jan. 20, 2022) –—For the first time, wildlife conservationists in a bi-national collaborative partnership to save endangered peninsular pronghorn can now track their movements across harsh desert terrain in the El Vizcaino Biosphere Preserve in Baja California Sur, Mexico.  Eight pronghorn antelope were recently fitted with technologically advanced solar-powered, GPS-enabled radio collars that send location updates to a satellite every 15 mi ..read more

(KAHULUI, MAUI) – An ambitious effort to rescue four tiny birds deep in a thick Hawaiian rainforest saw its first taste of success last Sunday (Dec. 5, 2021), giving hope to a critically endangered species driven to the brink of extinction by malaria—an unfortunate consequence of climate change. A 6-month-old ’akikiki chick was safely rescued on Kaua‘i and flown by helicopter to this neighboring island. The chick and its family are believed to be among the last living ‘akikiki in what was once a bastion for the critically endangered species. The move is a big step in a last-ditch attempt to s ..read more

Weekly Series Provides an Insider’s Look at the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park as well as Global Conservation Efforts Globally Listen to the official trailer, here NEW YORK AND SAN DIEGO (Nov. 15, 2021) – iHeartMedia, the number one podcast publisher globally according to podtrac, and San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (SDZWA), an international nonprofit conservation organization that oversees the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, today announced the debut of a weekly podcast series, “Amazing Wildlife.” The 52-episode podcast series, hosted by SDZWA sta ..read more

Loud noises, flickering lights, and lots of movement may sound like the ingredients for an exciting experience, but they can be debilitating for people with sensory sensitivities. The San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park have recently become more sensory-friendly environments.  They are now officially Sensory Inclusive sites, certified by KultureCity, a nonprofit that advocates for people with sensory needs. “It was a multidepartment effort and wouldn’t be possible without everyone’s help and input,” said San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s legal counsel Ron Santos, who led the proj ..read more

Expansive New 3.2-acre Environment Opening in February 2022 Is Designed to Educate, Entertain and Inspire Empathy in the Next Generation of Conservationists  SAN DIEGO (Oct. 29, 2021) – San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (SDZWA) is expanding its mission to help all life thrive by cultivating some of its most important allies—the next generation. Opening in February 2022, the 3.2-acre Denny Sanford Wildlife Explorers Basecamp at the San Diego Zoo will be a place where guests and their families can enjoy an exciting experience that inspires empathy for all wildlife. “The n ..read more

SAN DIEGO (Oct. 28, 2021) — The Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) has named Paul A. Baribault, president and chief executive officer of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, as chairman of its board of directors. Baribault has until this change served in the capacity as vice chairman of the board.  In moving to this new volunteer role, he will continue to support the mission of Dr. Goodall, further serving and supporting the executive director, Anna Rathmann, offering insights, guidance, perspective, inspiration, and oversight, while acting to the best of his ability as an ambassador of hope ..read more

When was the last time you squished mud through your fingers? Or hopped like a frog through a sprinkler, or used a stick as a magic wand?  As kids, these moments of exploratory outdoor play are what taught us resilience, creativity, and self-confidence. Research has shown that these experiences, commonly called “nature play,” are not only fun, but fundamental to children’s development—especially during the first five years of a child’s life. Perhaps even more exciting for those of us at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance? Nature play can foster empathy for wildlife and wild places, paving th ..read more

SAN DIEGO (Oct. 11, 2021) – For thousands of years, members of the Kumeyaay Nation have cared for both the land and native wildlife in a large area encompassing much of Southern California and northern Mexico—including land that is now home to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. In celebration of their legacy and culture, tribal members of the San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians, other San Diego community members and San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance team members marked Indigenous Peoples’ Day with an event  to celebrate the Kumeyaay people.  “We are immensely happy to come together w ..read more