San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Journal September 2025
October is Kids Free month at the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park, when youths 11 years and younger receive free admission all month long (with an adult). Young explorers can connect with their wild side by meeting wildlife, and on weekends enjoy some super seasonal fun! The Zoo’s HalGLOWeen lights up the night Friday through Sunday until 9 p.m., and the Safari Park’s Autumn Festival features the best of down-home entertainment Saturday and Sunday until 7 p.m. Don’t miss the fun! sdzwa.org/kidsfree
SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER 2025
MANAGING EDITOR Peggy Scott STAFF WRITERS
Eston Ellis
Mike Hausberg
Aubrey Lloyd
Ellie McMillan
Elyan Shor, Ph.D.
DESIGNER Christine Yetman
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Ken Bohn
Tammy Spratt
DESIGN AND PRODUCTION
Kim Turner
Lisa Bissi
Jennifer MacEwen
PREPRESS
Let's Stay Connected Follow @sandiegozoo & @sdzsafaripark Share your #SanDiegoZoo & #SDZSafariPark memories on social media.
The Zoological Society of San Diego was founded in October 1916 by Harry M. Wegeforth, M.D., as a private, nonprofit corporation, which does business as San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.
The printed San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Journal (ISSN 2767-7680) (Vol. 5, No. 5) is published bimonthly, in January, March, May, July, September, and November. Publisher is San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, located at 2920 Zoo Drive, San Diego, CA 92101-1646. Periodicals postage paid at San Diego, California, USA, and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, PO Box 120271, San Diego, CA 92112-0271.
Hub can count on the Alliance’s Wildlife Health team for the type of care that helps them thrive.
Explore the intricate, hidden connections that weave together California’s many ecosystems.
San Diego County is home to over 1,570 native plant species, and those homegrown heroes support many other life-forms.
Following devastating wildfires, western pond turtles are slowly recovering in their native habitat.
Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s commitment to conservation, This product is made of material from wellmanaged FSC ® -certified forests, recycled materials, and other controlled sources, chlorine free, and is Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC ®) (COC) certified. FSC ® is not responsible for any calculations on saving resources by choosing this paper.
If your mailing address has changed: Please contact the Membership Department by mail at PO Box 120271, San Diego, CA 92112, or by phone at (619) 231-0251 or 1-877-3MEMBER
For information about becoming a member of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, please visit our website at ZooMember.org for a complete list of membership levels, offers, and benefits.
Paid subscriptions to San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Journal are available. Contact the Membership Department for subscription information.
On the Cover: California condor Gymnogyps californianus Photo by: Ken Bohn, SDZWA photographer
Celebrating California’s Biodiversity
At San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, our mission to ensure all life thrives brings us to diverse places across the globe, but the conservation efforts in our own backyard in the Southwest region hold special significance.
While we are inspired by distant places like the African savanna, Amazonia, and Australian forest, we remain deeply committed to the remarkable species that share our California landscapes. San Diego County, recognized as the most biodiverse county in the continental United States, offers unique and critical opportunities to protect wildlife and their habitats.
This issue of the Journal highlights how San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance team members collaborate locally and statewide to create lasting success for wildlife for generations to come. In our Southwest Conservation Hub, the Wildlife Health team brings together expertise in disease investigation, laboratory science, veterinary medicine, and preventive care to help species
like the California condor, the Pacific pocket mouse, and the mountain yellow-legged frog recover and thrive. Together with our partners, we implement effective solutions to support wildlife health both in our care and in their natural habitats. Our region faces challenges such as wildfires and biodiversity loss, but through collaboration and determination, we are finding innovative ways to protect California’s incredible biodiversity—now and for the future.
Together for Wildlife, Shawn Dixon
Interim President and Chief Executive Officer
2025 Board of Trustees
Officers
Steven S. Simpson, Chair
Rolf Benirschke, Vice Chair
Adam Day, Treasurer
Gary E. Knell, Secretary
Trustees
Tom Chapman
E. Jane Finley
Clifford W. Hague
Bryan B. Min
Kenji Price
Corinne Verdery ‘Aulani Wilhelm
Trustees Emeriti
Javade Chaudhri
Berit N. Durler
Thompson Fetter
Richard B. Gulley
Robert B. Horsman
Steven G. Tappan
John M. Thornton
Executive Team
Shawn Dixon
Interim President and Chief Executive Officer
David Franco
Chief Financial Officer
Erika Kohler
Senior Vice President and Executive Director, San Diego Zoo
Pat McTigue
Interim Executive Director, San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Nadine Lamberski, DVM, DACZM, DECZM (ZHM)
Chief Conservation and Wildlife Health Officer
Wendy Bulger
General Counsel
David Gillig
Chief Philanthropy Officer
Aida Rosa
Chief Human Resources Officer
David Miller
Chief Marketing Officer
PHOTOS
Locals Only
Considered a global diversity hotspot, California is home to more species of plants and animals than any other state in the nation. And San Diego is regarded as the most biologically rich county in the continental U.S. Here’s a look at the area and its ecosystems.
More than 500 species of birds wing their way around San Diego County.
900
The San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Biodiversity Reserve spans 900 acres of protected wilderness habitat.
2 92
When it comes to herpetofauna (reptile and amphibian) species, 92 are native to San Diego County. 500+
San Diego County is home to 2 of the 3 small populations of Pacific pocket mice still living in their native range.
There are 140 endangered plant species in San Diego County.
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance protects and restores nature in eight Conservation Hubs on six continents. Below are recent discoveries and progress reports from around the world.
NEW SPECIES BIOBANKED
The cells of several reptile and amphibian species were recently banked in our Frozen Zoo ® for the first time. These include cell lines of Aruba Island rattlesnake, yellow tree monitor, common chuckwalla, and European fire salamander. The European fire salamander cells (pictured) represent an exciting development, as this is only the second salamander species to be added to the Frozen Zoo. Establishing cell lines from amphibians is notably difficult due to the cells’ slow growth rate and susceptibility to contamination; amphibians are therefore the most challenging vertebrates to bank. The addition of these salamander and reptile cells to the Frozen Zoo is a testament to the skill and commitment of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s team of biodiversity banking experts.
MONITORING BIODIVERSITY IN CAMEROON
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s Cameroon-based team and our partners at Mbam Djerem National Park (MDNP) deployed 30 trail cameras paired with passive acoustic recorders in MDNP. By pairing cameras with audio recorders, we expect to significantly boost our understanding of the diversity and abundance of wildlife species inhabiting this unique forestsavanna interface. Beyond gathering essential data on species presence and population dynamics, the high-quality wildlife vocalizations gathered by the recorders will serve as training data for the development of machine learning models. These models will enable automated species identification within both MDNP and Ebo forest, due to the similarities between the species found in the two areas. These efforts will enhance our capacity to quickly analyze monitoring data so that we can make timely recommendations for effective management of Cameroon’s rich biodiversity.
ANALYZING BAMBOO
Our Wildlife Nutrition and Horticulture teams regularly collect bamboo samples from multiple locations at the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park to study bamboo nutritional value. Following collection, our team, including San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s volunteers, carefully strips the leaves from the bamboo stems. Cutting the stems with shears can change the nutrient
composition of the plant, so it’s important that we individually pull each leaf by hand. These leaves are then sent to a partnering laboratory for nutrient analysis. The data reveal how factors like heat, water, and soil affect bamboo nutrients throughout the seasons. By comparing these data with information about what pandas at the San Diego Zoo eat throughout the year, we are gaining valuable insights into how the nutrient changes in bamboo align with the bears’ eating preferences. Understanding bamboo nutritional value and panda preferences supports our science-based approach to wildlife health and well-being.
Go further with 1,000+ global destinations and 30+ airline partners. Plus, Alaska Airlines still o ers the most nonstop ights from San Diego.
Our research could have significant implications for conservation and wildlife management in California’s grasslands.
AMAZING GRAZE
One Tool for Grassland Conservation and Wildfire Mitigation
Colleen Wisinski, conservation program manager, and Melissa Merrick, Ph.D., associate director, both of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s Burrowing Owl Recovery Program, offer food for thought on a certain type of habitat management.
Loss, fragmentation, and degradation of habitat are some of the biggest threats to wildlife today. Grasslands are among the most endangered ecosystems globally, yet they provide essential biodiversity and ecosystem services, such as carbon storage, water filtration, and erosion control. In California, grasslands have been significantly degraded by urban development, invasive species, and the loss of native grazers. Today, these ecosystems are dominated by non-native grasses and forbs (herbaceous, non-flowering plants), which increase wildfire risk and require intensive management to maintain as wildlife habitat.
Grazing by livestock, both large (cattle) and small (sheep and goats), is a promising tool for managing grasslands. Properly managed grazing can reduce invasive plant coverage, change vegetation structure, benefit native species, and decrease fuels that contribute to wildfires. However, the effectiveness of
grazing likely depends on environmental factors, grazer type, and timing and intensity of grazing.
We are collaborating with range scientists from the University of California, Berkeley, and partners from local, state, and federal agencies, and other non-governmental organizations to evaluate grazing’s ability to meet dual objectives: reducing wildfire risk and enhancing habitat for key grassland species.
Our proposed research focuses on two grassland indicator species in the Southwest Conservation Hub: the western burrowing owl Athene cunicularia hypugaea and the California ground squirrel Otospermophilus beecheyi. These species are considered indicators of grassland ecosystem health as their habitat requirements—such as lowstature vegetation, bare ground, and burrow complexes—support higher biodiversity. For example, burrowing owls depend on open grasslands for nesting and hunting while
ground squirrels play a role in soil aeration and burrow construction for owls and other species, and serve as prey for predators. These habitat requirements also align with fuel management targets to reduce the risk of wildfire spread.
Our research could have significant implications for conservation and wildfire management in California’s grasslands. It will provide a framework for using grazing as a cost-effective tool to manage over 10 million acres of grasslands and 63 million acres of rangelands statewide. The findings will inform land managers, municipalities, fire agencies, and conservation organizations on best practices for integrating grazing into regional management plans.
Additionally, our project builds alliances and fosters collaboration among academic institutions, conservation groups, land managers, ranchers, and policymakers. Importantly, because ranching as a livelihood faces mounting challenges, our research
highlights grazing as an economic opportunity for livestock producers while promoting sustainable land use practices.
California’s grasslands face escalating threats from invasive species, habitat fragmentation, and wildfires. This collaborative study underscores the potential of grazing as a scalable solution to balance ecological restoration with fire risk reduction. By focusing on indicator species like burrowing owls and ground squirrels, it aims to create healthier ecosystems that benefit both wildlife and human communities. The results could serve as a model for grassland conservation efforts across the state and beyond.
Grazing Study Objectives
ASSESS GRAZING EFFECTS ON FUELS
Evaluate how different types of grazers (large versus small ruminants) influence grassland vegetation structure and potential wildfire behavior.
DETERMINE HABITAT SUITABILITY FOR INDICATOR SPECIES
Monitor whether grazing helps create conditions that support the occupancy, survival, and reproduction of burrowing owls and ground squirrels.
LEVERAGE TECHNOLOGY
Advanced tools like genomic analysis and machine learning models applied to trail camera photos and audio files will be used to efficiently monitor changes in plant and wildlife communities.
IN THE BEST OF HEALTH
BY ELYAN SHOR, PH.D. | PHOTOGRAPHY BY KEN BOHN
Conservation is dynamic and deeply collaborative. It takes many hands, minds, and disciplines working together to solve some of nature’s most pressing challenges. At San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (SDZWA), our Wildlife Health team plays a crucial role in this interconnected effort. From health monitoring to disease detection and prevention, to customized medical care and species-specific nutrition, this expertise is essential to the success of our conservation programs.
For wildlife in SDZWA’s Southwest Conservation Hub, our Wildlife Health team merges leading expertise in disease investigation, clinical laboratory techniques, veterinary medicine, and preventive care to ensure that our regional wildlife thrives. Together we explore underlying causes and implement solutions to support the health of wildlife, both in our care and in their native habitats.
The health of every individual animal is important. This is especially true when a species hangs on the edge of extinction, as is the case for much of California’s wildlife. Embracing
innovation and adaptiveness and working closely with teams across SDZWA, our Wildlife Health team is committed to comprehensive well-being and holistic conservation, starting in our local ecosystems.
Under Our Wing
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance has long been a leader in California condor health. Our conservation breeding and release efforts boosted their numbers from only 22 in the 1980s to more than 550 today. In 2007, our studies of lead poisoning in condors helped secure a legislative ban on lead ammunition throughout areas inhabited by condors in California.
But despite these conservation milestones, these birds are still critically endangered, so the health of each condor remains vital. The unique health care we provide begins before the birds have even hatched: we pioneered the clinical use of computed tomography (CT) imaging to monitor chicks inside their eggs, enabling our team to assist with and ensure successful hatches.
Our dedicated health care continues throughout every stage of condor life. Regular medical checkups— including physical exams, vaccines, and bloodwork, much like in human medicine—create a window into the well-being of condors in our care and assure us that we are releasing healthy birds into their ranges in the United States and Mexico.
SDZWA also recently helped pilot a vaccine to protect condors against highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). These efforts provided insight into vaccine efficacy and informed vaccination protocols for free-flying condors and others in managed care.
Leaps Forward
Infection by invasive chytrid fungi is a leading cause of death for mountain yellow-legged frogs in Southern California. To provide an immune system boost, the Alliance is working on a collaborative immune priming study in which we expose frogs in our care to chytrid and clear their infections with an antifungal treatment before we release them in native mountain streams. Our veterinary expertise informed dosing, treatment, and medical needs throughout the study. Our in-house Conservation Science and Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory teams isolated and cultured the chytrid from a local site and identified the amount of fungus to use for exposures. This approach, similar to a vaccination, requires exacting knowledge to challenge and ready the frogs’ immune systems to respond to chytrid exposure after reintroduction.
Our efforts to protect frog health continue after
Committed to Condors
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance has been dedicated to California condor conservation for more than 40 years, and our wildlife health expertise critically supports the well-being of condors in our care and in native habitats. From egg to juvenile to geriatric, we provide care for birds at every age and phase of life. Juvenile condors (identifiable by their dark gray heads) in our care are candidates for future release in the southwest United States or northern Mexico.
Egg Innovation
We pioneered the clinical use of CT imaging to visualize chicks while they are still inside their eggs (above). These images (left) allow our team to “peel away” the shell and create a three-dimensional reconstruction of the chick’s skeleton and position.
DID YOU KNOW?
Disinfecting your boots and gear after hiking can help avoid accidentally spreading chytrid across sites.
In the Lab
Infection by invasive chytrid fungi is decimating frog populations in California and around the world. Our team is developing an immune priming system to boost mountain yellow-legged frogs’ resistance to chytrid infection. This process includes culturing the fungi in our laboratories to identify strains and determine the precise quantity of infectious agents necessary to safely challenge the frog immune system.
the frogs leave our care. We validated a handheld polymerase chain reaction (PCR) machine that tests individual frogs for chytrid on the spot, providing critical data about infection presence that allows us to make rapid decisions about administering antifungal treatment in the field. Deceased frogs found in the field are also brought back into our laboratories for post-mortem examination and diagnostic testing. Additionally, our team is conducting toxicology testing at frog release sites to assess contaminants in the water, supporting our strategies to find optimal locations for releases.
Small-Scale Care
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is the only conservation organization with Pacific pocket mice in managed care, and our conservation breeding program raises mice for reintroduction to their endemic scrublands. We are uniquely positioned to gather the health information that is fundamental to our mission of establishing new, genetically diverse populations of this critically endangered species.
Pacific pocket mice measure just five inches in length from nose to tail tip. Unsurprisingly, these miniature animals produce miniature droppings, though these are anything but insignificant. In
our state-of-the art clinical laboratory, we regularly analyze fecal pellets from individuals in the field and in our care. Doing so allows us to check for parasites and monitor the health status of pocket mouse populations. The mice’s size also means that medical care must be shrunken down to a tiny scale. It isn’t easy to do procedures such as modifying an anesthetic circuit and performing a C-section on an animal whose body is approximately the size of an adult human’s thumb. But we constantly innovate to meet challenges like these, adapting existing tools to create novel setups for delivery of cutting-edge care to even the smallest of patients.
A Healthy Dose of Effort
These cases are a glimpse of the many ways our world-class Wildlife Health team upholds the highest standards of care. Whether we are taking proactive steps or responding to emerging threats, we devise evidence-based methods to advance both local conservation and the well-being of wildlife everywhere. We go the extra mile for wildlife health because for Pacific pocket mice, mountain yellow-legged frogs, California condors, and dozens of other species in the Southwest and beyond, efforts like these are a lifeline for their future.
BY:
PHOTOS
Tammy Spratt/SDZWA
SIP, SNACK , SAVE SPECIES
Stay fueled up by enjoying a delicious treat at one of our specialty snack stands on your next visit. The San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park thank our partners for their continued support!
Journey with us to experience some of Southern California’s breathtaking biodiversity. This region is home to a wide variety of ecosystems, including lush wetlands, rugged forests, rolling grasslands, and towering mountains. Dynamic wildlife are at the heart of these magnificent landscapes, helping maintain healthy balance within them. We’re securing their future through our Southwest Conservation Hub. Come along as we explore nature’s tapestry layer by layer, a reminder that we’re all interconnected and part of something far greater than any individual person, species, or place.
The Western mastiff bat is the largest in North America and just 1 of the 23 species that can be found flying above San Diego County.
BY ELLIE MCMILLAN ILLUSTRATED BY AMY BLANDFORD
California condors in flight are an unforgettable sight. Unfortunately, by 1982, only 22 of the birds remained, putting their future in jeopardy. Through collaborative conservation efforts, they’ve made an extraordinary comeback, and today hundreds soar once again across the Southwest.
Cactuses might not seem ideal for nesting, but coastal cactus wrens are right at home in their prickly leaves. These small birds are only found in Southern California and rely on dense low-growing scrub habitats to thrive.
California boasts 20 native oak tree species, with San Diego County serving as a hotspot for at least 10 of them. They provide crucial food and shelter for moths, butterflies, and birds.
Local rattlesnake species are found from the Pacific coast to inland deserts, varying in color and behavior depending on where they live. The red diamond rattlesnake is San Diego’s largest species.
Burrowing owls repurpose underground shelters excavated by other wildlife, including ground squirrels, tortoises, and even rattlesnakes.
Did you know?
Found only along a short stretch of the Southern California coast, Pacific pocket mice are critical “ecosystem gardeners” that disperse seeds through native habitats and aerate the soil when they dig.
The burrows of Mojave desert tortoises extend 3 to 6 feet deep. They serve as essential shelters by safeguarding tortoises from extreme temperatures and potential predators.
Feel good about booking with us!
Looking to create an unforgettable experience for your team this holiday season? Elevate your corporate events when you host them at the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Make a difference for wildlife worldwide as you enjoy delicious food, sip refreshing drinks, and encounter fascinating wildlife—all in one-of-a-kind surroundings.
What inspired you to get into wildlife conservation?
CHARLIE DE LA ROSA, PH.D.
As a scientist with San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Charlie oversees research and land management activities in San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance natural areas in San Diego County, including the 900-acre Biodiversity Reserve adjacent to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Charlie also manages conservation programs in Southern California and northwestern Mexico for iconic Southwestern species such as mountain lions, red diamond rattlesnakes, and coastal cactus wrens.
I was lucky enough to be raised by two conservation biologists, so I was exposed to this world at a very early age. When I was 6, my family moved to a biological field station in northwestern Costa Rica, and we lived there and in other locations in the country until I was in high school. I spent most of my childhood in the rainforest, and it had a big impact on me.
What are your responsibilities for the Alliance?
My responsibilities are to manage the Alliance’s nature preserves, the Safari Park Biodiversity Reserve and Samataguma Ranch Reserve, and to research and manage conservation projects with several Southwest Hub species. My job is very diverse—on a given day, I could be writing a grant, doing native plant or bird surveys, meeting with project partners, checking trail cameras, working with students, or prepping for a mountain lion rescue!
How important is the Southwestern Conservation Hub?
San Diego is the most biodiverse county in the continental United States, and also the fifth most populated! We have big conservation challenges, but also a vast community of engaged residents and conservationists addressing them. The stories of the species and habitats of the American Southwest and northern Mexico feel very personal to me.
Do we work with any community groups to help maintain the Biodiversity Reserve?
A key part of conservation in the 21st century is to create diverse coalitions of people who care about a species, a place, or a habitat. We work with researchers, educators, and many others to share the stories of our local species and ecosystems. We especially value our relationships with local Indigenous groups. We host gatherings, outdoor educational opportunities for Tribal youth, and work on restoration projects in collaboration with our Tribal partners.
What projects are currently underway there?
Currently we are conducting drone flights across the Biodiversity Reserve to get detailed spatial data. The sensors we are using include LIDAR, which can be used to create digital 3D terrain models and model vegetation in precise detail. We also have a project studying red diamond rattlesnake movement and behavior with a lab at San Diego State University, using radio tracking and accelerometers that provide incredibly detailed movement profiles. We are surveying coastal cactus wren territories with our partners at the U.S. Geological Survey to see how their populations have responded to environmental restoration work we have been doing in the reserve for the last seven years. This summer, we will be working with our friends in the Environmental Wellness Ambassadors, a Tribal youth group of the San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians, to collect native plant seeds for restoration work in the reserve.
What are some of the unique wildlife species that live in the Biodiversity Reserve? Do you have a favorite?
I absolutely love spotted skunks. They are smaller, less common, and I’d say a little bit cuter than striped skunks. We’ve gotten trail camera videos of them following gray foxes, maybe to co-hunt with them. I also love our annual migratory birds, and look forward to seeing and hearing blackchinned sparrows, lazuli buntings, and Phainopeplas every year.
The Diversity and Resilience
San Diego County is the most species-rich county in the contiguous United States, with over 650 native bees, 520 birds, 1,380 butterflies and moths, 91 terrestrial mammals, 75 reptiles, 17 amphibians and 339 spiders calling the county home. What supports this incredible array of wildlife? Native plants! Plants are the backbone of the biosphere, supporting all other life-forms by capturing energy from the sun, producing oxygen, absorbing carbon dioxide, cleaning pollutants from the air, building soil, driving the water cycle, and moderating climate.
Grounds for Growth
San Diego County lies within the California Floristic Province, a distinct system characterized by a Mediterranean climate with cool, wet winters and hot, dry summers. It is one of only five regions in the world with this climate pattern. This unusual climate, coupled with California’s diverse topography, has
resulted in a recipe for speciation, leading to over 6,500 plant species native to the state. In San Diego County alone, there are over 1,570 native plant species with new species still being described. Of these species, 26 are endemic to the county, meaning they grow nowhere else in the world. In supporting all this life, California and, by association, San Diego County, are considered biodiversity hotspots—defined as a region that has a high level of species richness that is threatened by human activity and is at a high risk for destruction.
Loss of biodiversity results in a decrease in ecosystem resiliency, which in turn can lead to consequences that affect human well-being as well as that of the natural world. Urban development, especially along the coast, along with agricultural development has resulted in habitat loss and fragmentation. Many species have had their habitat reduced to a mere fraction of what it once was. Introduced non-native species out-compete natives for
resources and provide fuel, causing higher-intensity and more frequent wildfires. Environmental sustainability may be affected by increased periods of drought, more extreme weather, and reduced frequency of the marine layer that many coastal plant species depend on.
On the Horticultural Homefront
At the San Diego Zoo, the Horticulture team has been working to preserve and protect local biodiversity by installing native plant gardens in various locations. Since 2018, the Horticulture team has created eight gardens dedicated to native plant species, as well as incorporated natives into plantings in Denny Sanford Wildlife Explorers Basecamp, and augmented the scattered natives planted during the creation of Elephant Odyssey. More native gardens are in the planning stages enabling Horticulture to increase the number of species we are growing on grounds. Goals of this project are to create
of San Diego County Flora
BY LESLEY RANDALL PHOTOGRAPHY BY TAMMY SPRATT
a series of gardens across the Zoo that will showcase the beauty and diversity of Southern California flora; be a sanctuary for rare and endangered plant species; and educate guests on the importance and benefits of planting native species.
By planting a wide variety of species, the Zoo supports wildlife codependencies that have evolved in the region. Studies have shown that even small areas planted with natives provide habitat for native fauna, which in turn aid the plants by providing pollination and seed dispersal. If these native gardens are planted fairly close to each other, they allow for survival and movement of wildlife through a predominantly urban landscape. At the Zoo, plant species are selected for a variety of flower colors, sizes, and shapes to attract a wide variety of pollinators. Many native bees are specialists, collecting pollen from only one plant species to feed their young, while other insects and birds feed on the nectar the flowers
provide. Caterpillars of butterflies and moths are typically dependent on a limited number of host plant species, so selecting a diversity of plants increases the number of pollinators that can thrive in our landscape. Horticulture team members collaborate with the Entomology team to grow host plants for the imperiled Quino checkerspot, Laguna Mountains skipper, and western monarch butterflies. Birds rely on native plants for food, nesting material, and nesting sites. As our gardens have grown and matured, team members have noted more species of birds and insects visiting the area. They have also found seedlings of many species coming up—all signs of a successful and thriving habitat.
San Diego Zoo grounds are in an area that was once a mix of coastal sage scrub and maritime chaparral, two of the most rare and threatened habitats in the state due to rapid urbanization along the coastal corridor. Planting species that would have naturally occurred here is a primary goal for our native
plant collection. Because of environmental similarities, the Zoo is also ideally situated for growing Channel Islands species. Building internal and external partnerships has expanded our collection to include some of the rarest species in the state, such as Catalina Island mountain mahogany Cercocarpus traskiae, Encinitas baccharis Baccharis vanessae, and Del Mar manzanita Arctostaphylos glandulosa ssp crassifolia
Prime viewing areas for spotting native California plants on grounds at the San Diego Zoo include the Eagle Bridge slope, the slopes below Bashor Bridge on the Elephant Odyssey side, the elephant pool perimeter by Mammoth Plaza, and the turtle habitat near Sabertooth Grill.
The Mighty Oaks
Zoo Horticulture plays a major role in the conservation of Southern California oak species. New landscape areas will be centered around
Up and growing
Clockwise from upper left: Catalina Island mountain mahogany Cercocarpus traskiae, narrow-leaved milkweed
Asclepias fascicularis, San Diego willowy mint Monardella viminea, coastal sage scrub with Artemisia californica and Diplacus puniceus, Monarch butterfly Danaus plexippus.
Southern California oak species and reflect the plant communities these species coexist with in their native habitat. Oaks are a keystone species, meaning they are a critical component of the ecosystem and support many other forms of life. The oak conservation Horticulture team has partnered with other organizations across Southern California to collect and propagate acorns of five species from many populations. Some of the saplings planted from these collections will be planted on Zoo grounds as assurance populations to safeguard the genetic diversity of the species. Others have been or will be shared with our partners in the Global Conservation Consortium for Oak, ensuring the species is protected in gardens across the
United States. Preserving genetic diversity in oaks and other native species is key to their survival by allowing for adaptation to rapidly changing environments.
Backyard Conservation
Native plant gardens serve as a living laboratory that illustrates the relationships between plants and wildlife and promotes backyard conservation by demonstrating even small native gardens create a thriving habitat. They are an ideal space to observe, appreciate, and connect with nature. In addition, these gardens highlight the benefits of planting natives— wherever you live. Local species are adapted to local conditions, so they reduce the need for
maintenance, water use, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides, saving you money, labor, and time.
A key point of our native plant program is that everyone can make a difference and participate in backyard conservation. Of course, the more different types of plants you put in an area, the greater the number of wildlife that will visit. But even a few potted native plants on a patio will attract local wildlife.
Lesley Randall is a horticulture manager at the San Diego Zoo.
Explore the Wilds of Borneo
Orangutans and Beyond
October 6–17, 2026
Experience Flora and Fauna from Beaches to Tropical Jungles
Discover Primates, Pygmy Elephants, Sun Bears, Monitor Lizards, Colorful Birds, and More. You’ll encounter amazing wildlife every step of the way on this once-in-a-lifetime adventure through the natural wonders of Borneo, from rivers and rainforests to beaches, waterfalls, and mangroves.
Book now! For details about this trip and all our Adventures, visit adventures.sdzwa.org .
Photo Provided by Natural Habitat Adventures/Thomas McDonald
RISING from the ASHES
In September 2020, the Bobcat Fire erupted in Los Angeles County and would burn more than 100,000 acres of critical habitat before being extinguished some three weeks later. The raging flames and the decimation of their native range meant severe peril for native wildlife. With the collaboration of several agencies, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) removed and relocated several species, including endangered mountain yellow-legged frogs, to the Los Angeles Zoo and the University of California, Los Angeles. For another rescue, USGS teamed with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the U.S. Forest Service, Endemic Environmental Services Inc., and San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance to save 11 western pond turtles, some of which were part
The Post-Wildfire Life of Western Pond Turtles
BY BRETT BALDWIN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY TAMMY SPRATT
of a 1990s study, making those individuals 35 to 40 years old. These turtles (four males, six females, and one juvenile of unknown sex) were taken to the San Diego Zoo, where they were housed in a large, open habitat and cared for by Wildlife Care and Veterinary Care teams until their native habitat recovered enough for their return. It would take four years for the turtles’ range to rise from the ashes.
A Fresh Start—and a New Chapter
In 2024, the western pond turtles’ habitat in the San Gabriel watershed was deemed sufficiently restored, and plans were arranged for their big return home. They received full veterinary exams and workups, and the 11 turtles were
released back to their habitat in early August 2024—but not before leaving their mark on (or at) the San Diego Zoo.
During their time inhabiting the Elephant Odyssey pond turtle habitat, a hatchling was found in late January 2023. This turtle was raised in a habitat alone until release. Just days before their scheduled release on July 31, 2024, one female laid a clutch of four eggs. These eggs were set up in an incubator in an isolated building with no other reptiles, to ensure there was no cross contamination of pathogens or disease. One of those eggs hatched on December 1, 2024, and was also housed in a protected habitat to monitor growth and health while keeping it safe from predators. Still another hatchling was found in the Elephant Odyssey
pond turtle habitat later in December 2024. This hatchling was placed with the other hatchling until its planned release this year.
Ready for a Challenge
Given the obstacles they face, it’s lucky pond turtles are hardy little reptiles. The southwestern pond turtle Actinemys pallida and the northwestern pond turtle Actinemys marmorata are the only native aquatic turtle species in California. They are very resilient and have evolved to withstand droughts, survive in small pools of standing water, and live through drastic seasonal differences. Found in marshes, grasslands, woodlands with irrigation ditches, creeks, streams, and rivers, the San Gabriel population faces some serious challenges.
Their numbers have been in decline due to the introduction of non-native species like bullfrogs that eat small turtles, and another turtle species, the red-eared slider, that can out-compete the pond turtles. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife lists it as a Species of Special Concern, and the Endangered Species Act lists it as Proposed Threatened. Historically, western pond turtles have dealt with other issues, such as early-20th-century wetland drainage projects that depleted, removed, and altered many rivers and lakes. And in the 1930s, they were harvested for food. Another recent serious concern for these turtles is turtle shell disease, a fungus Emydomyces testavorans. Populations of pond turtles on the West Coast have been testing positive for this disease, which is specific
Hope for Tomorrow
Through cooperative rescue and reintroduction projects, as well as habitat and disease studies, we hope to set pond turtles up for success for many generations to come.
to turtles and is very deadly. Universities and zoos are working to learn more about it, and ways to control it and treat it. Through cooperative rescue and reintroduction projects, as well as habitat and disease studies, we hope to help set pond turtles up for success for many generations to come.
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance veterinary team and Herpetology and Ichthyology wildlife care teams would like to thank our partners, including the USGS, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Endemic Environmental Services Inc., and the U.S. Forest Service.
Brett Baldwin is curator of herpetology and ichthyology at the San Diego Zoo.
A GREAT START TO ADVENTURE
The San Diego Zoo Safari Park’s new Safari Excursions is an immersive welcoming space of connection and community. Styled along the lines of a classic Kenyan safari camp, the lodge gleams with character, framed by exposed wood beams. Inside, guests can relax before their excursion with plenty of comfortable couches, cozy chairs, and even wooden stools with distinctive tusk marks left by the Safari Park’s African elephant herd.
The design and décor tell the story of the Safari Park since its founding in 1972, with our commitment to a world where all life thrives woven into every detail. In the entryway, a map introduces guests to San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s eight Conservation Hubs. Travel posters line the walls, each one representing destinations and species from these Conservation Hubs that you can connect with at the Safari Park.
The reviews are in from guests who have experienced Safari Excursions:
The boarding area for the tour was close to the main entrance and their new loading area was easy—no steps to climb—the truck just backed up and opened the truck gate.
The new safari check-in is AMAZING! It’s like a hotel lobby.
The check-in area at the wildlife experience made us feel special and welcomed. It was a nice welcoming area with helpful people.
Located in Base Camp, Safari Excursions is your gateway to opportunities to build lifelong memories and a deeper love for wildlife.
EVERY FRIDAY, SATURDAY, & SUNDAY IN OCTOBER!
The glittering, glimmering, and glowing Halloween extravaganza is back! When the sun goes down, enjoy safe, family fun at this light-up-the-night annual spectacular full of amazing entertainment, interactive festivities, and surprises! Youths 11 and younger are free and may come in costume.
There is fun for the whole family, with musical entertainment, dance parties, special performances, and more—plus Dr. Zoolittle, Zoo characters, and tempting food specials.
sandiegozoo.org
EVENTS
&SEPTEMBER OCTOBER
FRIDAYS, SATURDAYS, AND SUNDAYS IN OCTOBER
HalGLOWeen
The glittering, glimmering, and glowing Halloween extravaganza is back! When the sun goes down, enjoy safe family fun at this light-up-the-night annual spectacular full of amazing entertainment, interactive festivities, and surprises! On October 3, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance members are invited to enjoy a HalGLOWeen Member Preview. (Z)
SEPTEMBER 19, OCTOBER 17
Plant Day and Orchid Odyssey
On these special days, guests can take a rare look inside the Zoo’s Orchid Greenhouse from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., learn about the Zoo’s botanical collection from Horticulture team members on the Botanical Bus Tour at 11 a.m. and noon, and check out the Carnivorous Plant Greenhouse from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Each month during Plant Days, a variety of plants will be available for purchase—all grown on site by Zoo Horticulture staff. The Plant Sale takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Orchid Greenhouse entrance. (Z)
SEPTEMBER 20–21
Wild Weekend: African Forest
In anticipation of World Gorilla Day (September 24), Treetops Plaza will be in full swing with a celebration of the wildlife and culture of our African Forest Conservation Hub. Come learn more about our projects and take part in special activities, wildlife care specialist talks, and more. (Z)
OCTOBER 1–31
Kids Free
Throughout the entire month of October, youths ages 11 and younger receive free admission to the San Diego Zoo. Kids Free month gives youths an opportunity to visit the Zoo, and learn about Earth’s wildlife and the conservation efforts underway to save, protect, and care for species worldwide. (Z)
OFFERED DAILY Wildlife Wonders
During Wildlife Wonders at the Zoo’s Wegeforth Bowl amphitheater, presented daily at 2 p.m., wildlife care specialists will introduce you to wildlife ambassadors representing San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s conservation work around the world. Learn about amazing wildlife—from the Amazon to right here in San Diego—and find out what everyone can do to help conserve wildlife and the world we all share. The presentation runs 15 to 20 minutes. (Z)
OFFERED DAILY
Early Morning with Pandas Walking Tour
Put on your walking shoes and join us for an exclusive early morning visit at Denny Sanford Panda Ridge! Led by a knowledgeable Zoo educator, this 60-minute walking tour takes a stroll past several different habitats and includes exclusive visits to see giant pandas. Separate ticket required. Book online or call (619) 718-3000. (Z)
FOR MEMBERS
SEPTEMBER 7 & OCTOBER 5
Member Exclusive Early Hours Rise and shine with the sights and sounds of the San Diego Zoo. One Sunday each month, qualifying members* can enter the Zoo one hour before the general public. To join us, simply present your membership card at the main entrance beginning at 8 a.m. *Excludes memberships with blockout dates. (Z)
EXCITING NEW OFFER
In honor of Denny Sanford’s generosity to San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and Great Plains Zoo, we are proud to announce an exclusive, reciprocal program for members of each organization! Please visit https://sdzwa.org/great-plainszoo for more information about this exciting membership offer. (Z)
SAN DIEGO ZOO
SAFARI PARK
Member September at the Safari Park!
We’re celebrating YOU with Member September at the Safari Park. Our loyal members make it possible to achieve our vision of a world where all life thrives, and we’d like to thank you with exclusive perks all month long. Join us at the Safari Park to enjoy double Wild PerksSM savings on almost all purchases, free carousel rides for Wildlife Explorers, Member Early Hours* every Saturday and Sunday, and half-off parking for San Diego Resident and Resident Premium members, plus surprise giveaways through the month. (P)
*Early Hours not eligible for memberships with blockout dates.
WEEKENDS IN OCTOBER Autumn Festival
The San Diego Zoo Safari Park celebrates the return of the season of color during Autumn Festival. Amazing wildlife, colorful specialty entertainment, and delicious culinary
comforts will create heartwarming memories and good ol’-fashioned family fun! On October 4, eligible San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance members are invited to an Autumn Festival Member Preview. (P)
OFFERED DAILY
Journey into the Wild
Join our wildlife care specialist team as they introduce you to wildlife ambassadors representing San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s conservation work in our Amazonia, African Savanna, and Southwest Conservation Hubs. This conservation presentation takes place daily in Benbough Amphitheater. (P)
OCTOBER 1–31
Kids Free October is Kids Free month at the Safari Park, and youths ages 11 and younger receive free admission all month long. Kids Free is designed to give youths an opportunity to visit the Safari Park and learn about Earth’s wildlife and the conservation efforts underway to save, protect, and care for species around the world. (P)
FOR MEMBERS
ALL SEPTEMBER
Member Exclusive Early Hours
Rise and shine with the sights and sounds of the Safari Park. During Member September, qualifying members* can enjoy Early Hours every Saturday and Sunday. There will also be a special Early Hours on Monday, September 1. To join us, simply present your membership card at the main entrance beginning at 8 a.m.*Excludes memberships with blockout dates. (P)
San Diego Resident and Wildlife Protector members with blockout days: upgrade your membership today to enjoy weekend Early Hours at the Safari Park. If you’re not a member yet, become one today to access these perks and help save, protect, and care for wildlife. Visit sdzwa.org/membership. (P)
For San Diego Zoo and Safari Park operating hours, visit sdzwa.org
sdzwa.org
(619) 231-1515
Programs and dates are subject to change—please check our website for the latest information.
(Z) = San Diego Zoo (P) = Safari Park
Visit the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Explorers website to find out about these and other animals, plus videos, crafts, stories, games, and more! SDZWildlifeExplorers.org
What’s the Attraction?
Without pollinators, our world would be very different. Many of the crops we depend on for food would become scarce or could disappear entirely. Also, the overall health of natural ecosystems would be affected. San Diego County is home to many of these important pollen spreaders and the plants that host them. Can you match the pollinators below with the greenery that has the scents—and colors—that keep them coming back for more?
This easy-to-grow plant brings a certain pollinator fluttering by for a snack.
This brightly colored bloom fits the bill for one popular pollinator.
The buzz is that 35% of our food is connected to the success of this species that finds this blossom irresistible.
Oh, man, does California buckwheat attract this flying mammal pollinator.
LAST LOOK
While the common wombat may resemble a short, stocky bear, this robust mammal is actually a nocturnal marsupial found throughout southeast Australia, including Tasmania. Built for life in the dirt, wombat females even have pouches that face backwards, protecting their young from debris while they dig. Photo by Ken Bohn, SDZWA Photographer.
