Latest news with #SanDiegoZooWildlifeAlliance
Malaysian Reserve
7 days ago
- Malaysian Reserve
In Celebration of World Elephant Day, San Diego Zoo Safari Park Announces Elephant Valley to Open Early 2026
Largest Project in San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance History is 80% Complete SAN DIEGO, Aug. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Today, in celebration of World Elephant Day, San Diego Zoo Safari Park announces Denny Sanford Elephant Valley will open in early 2026. The largest and most transformative project in San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance's 109-year history is 80% complete. This first-of-its-kind experience will offer new insight into the role San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance pursues as a leader in wildlife conservation, highlighting its global partners and celebrating the vibrant cultures and local communities in Kenya where people and elephants coexist. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is grateful for the more than 4,100 donors who made Elephant Valley possible, including a lead gift from Denny Sanford. 'Denny Sanford Elephant Valley's innovative design celebrates the world's largest land mammal and the communities that coexist with them,' said Shawn Dixon, interim president and chief executive officer at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. 'Every detail of this habitat has been purposefully designed to reflect the elephants' natural environment, supporting their well-being while inspiring meaningful connections. We're eager to welcome guests in early 2026 to experience a place unlike any other—where wildlife and people come together in powerful new ways.' Elephant Valley is an immersive journey for guests to learn about the crucial role elephants serve as ecosystem engineers, and better understand the nuances of the herd's rich social structure. Surrounded by elephants on multiple sides, guests will encounter what it feels like to walk beside the herd. The dynamic savanna at the heart of the Safari Park aims to generate greater empathy, understanding and appreciation for elephants, encouraging guests to protect them for generations to come. Each facet of Elephant Valley is meticulously designed to reflect the seasonal variations of the African savanna year-round. The rich plant life in Elephant Valley has been curated by a team of expert horticulturists and arborists to authentically replicate the sights, sounds and smells of Africa's diverse ecosystems, specifically the vast savanna and grasslands. More than 350 individual plants have been grown for Elephant Valley, representing rare and endangered African plants. Guests will venture through pathways lined with African thorn trees, a common source of food for elephants. Other African trees including the vulnerable kokerboom and endangered Nubian dragon tree, some of which have been growing at the Safari Park since it opened 53 years ago, have new homes in Elephant Valley. Several African plants, including the vulnerable Mulanje and Gorongo cycads, were originally seized by authorities from illegal trafficking before finding refuge in Elephant Valley. Mkutano House is a unique dining destination positioned directly alongside one of Elephant Valley's two expansive watering holes, a 240,000-gallon oasis where the herd wades, swims and plays—a profound experience for those who pay witness to their natural bonding behavior. The two-story restaurant at the center of the Elephant Valley experience is inspired by the locations frequented by travelers while on safari in Africa. The Swahili word Mkutano refers to gathering with purpose. Nearby, Mkutano Park will serve as a gathering place to learn from educators about the awe-inspiring wildlife of the region. Elephant Valley will bridge the vital work happening in San Diego to the collaborative elephant conservation initiatives San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance supports in the African savanna. Elephants across Africa are facing immense threats that are taking a toll on their populations, including habitat loss, poaching and challenges to human-wildlife coexistence. African savanna elephants are currently listed as Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species. Research conducted in Africa and with the Safari Park's elephant herd provide an opportunity to advance technologies and approaches to monitor and protect elephants in the wild, and support coexistence. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance works closely with Save the Elephants, The Nature Conservancy, Northern Rangelands Trust, Kenya Wildlife Service and Reteti Elephant Sanctuary for conservation of African savanna elephants. Increasing knowledge of elephant health needs and the complexity of their social behaviors has equipped the organization and its partners with valuable insight into what successful conservation outcomes look like for the species. Guests are invited to journey into Elephant Valley in early 2026. For more information, visit About San Diego Zoo Wildlife AllianceSan Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, a nonprofit conservation leader, inspires passion for nature and collaboration for a healthier world. The Alliance supports innovative conservation science through global partnerships and groundbreaking efforts at the world-famous San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park, both leading zoological institutions and accredited botanical gardens. Through wildlife care expertise, cutting-edge science and continued collaboration, more than 44 endangered species have been reintroduced to native habitats. The Alliance reaches over 1 billion people annually through its two conservation parks and media channels in 170 countries, including San Diego Zoo Wildlife Explorers television, available in children's hospitals across 14 countries. Wildlife Allies—members, donors and guests—make success possible. PRESS ROOM: Link includes: B-roll and photos of the elephant herd at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park PERMITTED USE: Images and video(s) are provided to the media solely for reproduction, public display, and distribution in a professional journalistic non-commercial and non-sponsored context in connection with newspaper, magazine, broadcast media (radio, television) or internet media (ad enabled blog, webcasts, webinars, podcasts). Image(s)and video(s)may not be made available for public or commercial download, licensing or sale. ADDITIONAL LIMITATION: Media acknowledges and agrees that San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance specifically does not grant a right to sublicense any image and/or video without the prior express written consent of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance in each instance and at its sole discretion. REQUIRED CREDIT AND CAPTION: All image and/or video uses must bear the copyright notice and/or be properly credited to the relevant photographer, as shown in the image metadata, and must be accompanied by a caption that makes reference to the San Diego Zoo and/or San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Any uses in which the image and/or video appears without proper copyright notice, photographer credit and a caption referencing the San Diego Zoo, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, and/or San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance are subject to paid licensing. AP PERMITTED USE: Specific to the Associated Press ('AP') only, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance has provided to the AP one or more photograph(s)and/or video(s) for distribution by the AP to its subscribers and customers solely for editorial publication. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is the sole copyright owner of the photograph(s)and/or video(s)furnished to AP for editorial publication by AP and its subscribers and customers in all media now known or hereafter created. Said content is a factually accurate rendering of what it depicts and has not been modified or augmented except for standard cropping and toning. CONTACT: San Diego Zoo Wildlife AlliancePublic Relations619-685-3291publicrelations@
Associated Press
7 days ago
- Associated Press
In Celebration of World Elephant Day, San Diego Zoo Safari Park Announces Elephant Valley to Open Early 2026
Largest Project in San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance History is 80% Complete SAN DIEGO, Aug. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, in celebration of World Elephant Day, San Diego Zoo Safari Park announces Denny Sanford Elephant Valley will open in early 2026. The largest and most transformative project in San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance's 109-year history is 80% complete. This first-of-its-kind experience will offer new insight into the role San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance pursues as a leader in wildlife conservation, highlighting its global partners and celebrating the vibrant cultures and local communities in Kenya where people and elephants coexist. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is grateful for the more than 4,100 donors who made Elephant Valley possible, including a lead gift from Denny Sanford. 'Denny Sanford Elephant Valley's innovative design celebrates the world's largest land mammal and the communities that coexist with them,' said Shawn Dixon, interim president and chief executive officer at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. 'Every detail of this habitat has been purposefully designed to reflect the elephants' natural environment, supporting their well-being while inspiring meaningful connections. We're eager to welcome guests in early 2026 to experience a place unlike any other—where wildlife and people come together in powerful new ways.' Elephant Valley is an immersive journey for guests to learn about the crucial role elephants serve as ecosystem engineers, and better understand the nuances of the herd's rich social structure. Surrounded by elephants on multiple sides, guests will encounter what it feels like to walk beside the herd. The dynamic savanna at the heart of the Safari Park aims to generate greater empathy, understanding and appreciation for elephants, encouraging guests to protect them for generations to come. Each facet of Elephant Valley is meticulously designed to reflect the seasonal variations of the African savanna year-round. The rich plant life in Elephant Valley has been curated by a team of expert horticulturists and arborists to authentically replicate the sights, sounds and smells of Africa's diverse ecosystems, specifically the vast savanna and grasslands. More than 350 individual plants have been grown for Elephant Valley, representing rare and endangered African plants. Guests will venture through pathways lined with African thorn trees, a common source of food for elephants. Other African trees including the vulnerable kokerboom and endangered Nubian dragon tree, some of which have been growing at the Safari Park since it opened 53 years ago, have new homes in Elephant Valley. Several African plants, including the vulnerable Mulanje and Gorongo cycads, were originally seized by authorities from illegal trafficking before finding refuge in Elephant Valley. Mkutano House is a unique dining destination positioned directly alongside one of Elephant Valley's two expansive watering holes, a 240,000-gallon oasis where the herd wades, swims and plays—a profound experience for those who pay witness to their natural bonding behavior. The two-story restaurant at the center of the Elephant Valley experience is inspired by the locations frequented by travelers while on safari in Africa. The Swahili word Mkutano refers to gathering with purpose. Nearby, Mkutano Park will serve as a gathering place to learn from educators about the awe-inspiring wildlife of the region. Elephant Valley will bridge the vital work happening in San Diego to the collaborative elephant conservation initiatives San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance supports in the African savanna. Elephants across Africa are facing immense threats that are taking a toll on their populations, including habitat loss, poaching and challenges to human-wildlife coexistence. African savanna elephants are currently listed as Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species. Research conducted in Africa and with the Safari Park's elephant herd provide an opportunity to advance technologies and approaches to monitor and protect elephants in the wild, and support coexistence. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance works closely with Save the Elephants, The Nature Conservancy, Northern Rangelands Trust, Kenya Wildlife Service and Reteti Elephant Sanctuary for conservation of African savanna elephants. Increasing knowledge of elephant health needs and the complexity of their social behaviors has equipped the organization and its partners with valuable insight into what successful conservation outcomes look like for the species. Guests are invited to journey into Elephant Valley in early 2026. For more information, visit About San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, a nonprofit conservation leader, inspires passion for nature and collaboration for a healthier world. The Alliance supports innovative conservation science through global partnerships and groundbreaking efforts at the world-famous San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park, both leading zoological institutions and accredited botanical gardens. Through wildlife care expertise, cutting-edge science and continued collaboration, more than 44 endangered species have been reintroduced to native habitats. The Alliance reaches over 1 billion people annually through its two conservation parks and media channels in 170 countries, including San Diego Zoo Wildlife Explorers television, available in children's hospitals across 14 countries. Wildlife Allies—members, donors and guests—make success possible. PRESS ROOM: Link includes: PERMITTED USE: Images and video(s) are provided to the media solely for reproduction, public display, and distribution in a professional journalistic non-commercial and non-sponsored context in connection with newspaper, magazine, broadcast media (radio, television) or internet media (ad enabled blog, webcasts, webinars, podcasts). Image(s)and video(s)may not be made available for public or commercial download, licensing or sale. ADDITIONAL LIMITATION: Media acknowledges and agrees that San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance specifically does not grant a right to sublicense any image and/or video without the prior express written consent of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance in each instance and at its sole discretion. REQUIRED CREDIT AND CAPTION: All image and/or video uses must bear the copyright notice and/or be properly credited to the relevant photographer, as shown in the image metadata, and must be accompanied by a caption that makes reference to the San Diego Zoo and/or San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Any uses in which the image and/or video appears without proper copyright notice, photographer credit and a caption referencing the San Diego Zoo, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, and/or San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance are subject to paid licensing. AP PERMITTED USE: Specific to the Associated Press ('AP') only, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance has provided to the AP one or more photograph(s)and/or video(s) for distribution by the AP to its subscribers and customers solely for editorial publication. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is the sole copyright owner of the photograph(s)and/or video(s)furnished to AP for editorial publication by AP and its subscribers and customers in all media now known or hereafter created. Said content is a factually accurate rendering of what it depicts and has not been modified or augmented except for standard cropping and toning. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
UPI
11-07-2025
- General
- UPI
Watch: American pronghorn calf rescued by San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
July 11 (UPI) -- Rescuers with the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance swooped in to save an underweight American pronghorn fawn found struggling on private land in New Mexico. Rescuers Melody Tayles and Marty Sawin made the 13-hour drive from the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido to the New Mexico property where the pronghorn, an animal that resembles a deer but is actually more closely related to the giraffe, was found underweight and dehydrated. "There was a landowner that saw this little fawn wandering around his property, and that's not normal for a pronghorn to do when they're just born. They're known as 'tuckers,' they'll tuck away into a little spot until their mom comes back and gets them," Tayles said. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Senior Public Relations Representative Amanda Martinez said fawn was given some initial care at the New Mexico Wildlife Center before being transported back to the San Diego Zoo. "Thanks to the quick work of everyone involved, from the local landowner who discovered the fawn to the multiple institutions, the young pronghorn survived and is now healthy, adjusting to his new home in San Diego," Martinez said.
USA Today
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Moo Deng turns 1! See how the iconic hippo is celebrating her birthday.
Moo Deng's birthday is today! And people everywhere are celebrating her. "She's an icon, an idol & our ultimate bestie," the Khao Kheow Open Zoo, the zoo where Moo Deng lives in Thailand, said in a post. "Today we're celebrating Moo Deng's 1st birthday!" Moo Deng and her mother, Jona, celebrated her first birthday by devouring a massive tropical fruit platter while the zoo threw a four-day party. Moo Deng has reached numbers that some online creators could only dream of, and it isn't hard to tell why. Her chubby, pink cheeks, tummy rolls and adorable expressions had the internet in a chokehold when she first went viral, even inspiring marketing campaigns, like Sephora's "blush like a baby hippo." The hippo is located in the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in eastern Thailand, about two hours from Bangkok. Who is Moo Deng? How old is she? Moo Deng, now 1 year old, is known for making a mess of her food dishes, stomping around and flinging platters full of veggies all over herself. She was born on July 10, 2024, to mother Jona, 26 and father Tony, 25, with two other siblings Pork Stew and Sweet Pork at the zoo in Chonburi, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK, reported. In Thai, Moo Deng's name means "bouncing pig." She is the seventh child born to the hippo couple and is also the sibling of Moo Toon, another famous hippo, Pattaya Mail reported. Moo Deng is also the granddaughter of Thailand's oldest hippo, Malee, who recently celebrated her 59th birthday. The median life expectancy of pygmy hippos is 27 years, according to the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. How did Moo Deng become famous? Moo Deng first went viral in 2024, when videos of her throwing temper tantrums, making of mess with her food, trying to bite her trainer and just overall being sassy were posted online by her zookeepers. The little hippo also garnered attention in November, when the zoo posted a video of her predicting who would become the next U.S. president. She was presented with two fruit dishes featuring former Vice President Kamala Harris' name and another with Persident Donald Trump's name. She accurately predicted Trump would win. In May. The hippo went viral again in June after photos and videos showed her sporting a new, glamorous look. The little diva was sporting two green leaves as eyebrows, which made hearts melt. Content creator Molly Swindall, who goes by @myreputation1989, even flew to Thailand to visit the little hippo for her birthday according to a video she posted to Instagram. "The cutest moist potato, whose rolls have rolls, is officially a whole year old," she stated in another post. "Life is brighter, funnier, and a lot more fabulous with this pink-cheeked, moisturized legend in it. Happy Birthday, Moo Deng!" What is a pygmy hippo? Pygmy hippopotamuses are a small breed of hippopotamus that are native to the forests and swamps of West Africa, according to the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. They are known to be solitary and nocturnal, but can sometimes be found in small family groups. Adults grow up to two and a half to three feet high and around five feet in length, weighing between 350-600 pounds. Thought of as the smaller cousin, pygmy hippos are about half the size of common hippos, weighing less than one-fourth of a full-sized common hippo, according to the Pygmy Hippo Foundation. In 2016, pygmy hippos were deemed an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. A 1993 survey conducted by IUCN found that only about 2,000-3,000 pygmies remained worldwide.
Scoop
24-05-2025
- General
- Scoop
Northern Mariana Islands: Endangered Mariana Crow Population Rebounds On Rota
, RNZ Pacific Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas correspondent The endangered Mariana Crow, known as "Aga" in Chamorro, is showing strong signs of recovery, with 70 breeding pairs now thriving in the wild on Rota. That figure represents approximately 300 individual birds, a significant milestone toward the species' downlisting and eventual removal from the endangered species list. Rota Avian Behavioral Ecology Program's primary investigator Sarah Faegre told Marianas Press that the conservation effort is in a critical and optimistic phase. "This is a very exciting time to be here on Rota," Faegre said. "We are seeing high rates of reproduction among the captive-reared birds that have been released into the wild." Since 2017, the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and the University of Washington have collaborated to rear and release 90 captive-raised Mariana Crows. These birds now make up 20 percent of the breeding population, and this year alone, they have already produced four fledglings. "It's significant because it means the birds we rear and release are not only surviving, but they're also displaying normal social behavior-they're pairing and reproducing in the wild, which is exactly what we need them to do," Faegre said. The Mariana Crow is a long-lived species, and Faegre noted that some of the birds released in 2017 are only now beginning to breed. "We saw a long delay. For a while, we were concerned about lower rates of reproduction, but even if it takes five or six years, they are breeding now," she said. "We're expecting to see the population increase faster going forward." Back in 2013, there were only 46 known breeding pairs. The recent rise to 70 brings the Rota population within reach of the US Fish and Wildlife Service's criteria for downlisting: 75 stable or increasing breeding pairs on Rota. "We could reach that 75-pair mark in just a few more years," Faegre said. However, full delisting requires not only maintaining 75 pairs on Rota, but also establishing a second viable population on another island. That means future conservation efforts may include translocating birds to other locations within the Marianas. While the progress is promising, challenges remain. "The biggest threat to the Aga is a poorly understood inflammatory syndrome that's killing young birds," Faegre said. Pathologists have been researching the syndrome since 2011 but have yet to determine its cause. One possibility is an autoimmune response triggered by mosquito-borne pathogens or high mosquito density. Other risks include potential future land-use conflicts with local populations, and the looming danger of the brown tree snake being introduced to Rota-an invasive species that has devastated native bird populations in Guam. Despite these concerns, Faegre said the focus remains on growth and recovery. "We are on the cusp of something really important," she said. "This species has a chance-not just to survive, but to thrive again." The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance operates a rear-and-release facility on Rota in partnership with the University of Washington. Their joint program continues to play a critical role in the recovery of one of the Marianas' most iconic and culturally significant birds.
