“ I felt like I learned things about my culture that made me feel at peace and happy. Being active was more fun than I thought.” — Seanna Vega, year two participant.
By Lindsay Jarvis, Staff Writer and Katie Shaw, Conservation Social Scientist
THANKS TO A GENEROUS GRANT from the California Natural Resources Agency, The Living Desert began a new program in July 2022 to reconnect Indigenous youth to their land and explore relevant conservation initiatives and environmental issues. In collaboration with The Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indian Tribe, Native American Land Conservancy, Outward Bound Adventures, and Friends of the Desert Mountains, the Torres Martinez Youth Environmental Ambassador (TM-YEA) program aims to inspire a love of the surrounding wilderness to encourage more youth to become conservation leaders of the future.
The excursions, presentations, and workshops in this paid program help develop conservation and environmental professional interest among the participants. Throughout the Coachella Valley, these educational outings include not only exposure to the beauty of nature, but also a connection to culturally significant history, such as traditional uses for native plants.
“The Torres Martinez Youth Environmental Ambassador program is foundational to the protection of California deserts,” says Sienna Thomas, who has resided on the Torres Martinez Cahuilla Reservation for over 30 years and served as the Tribal Liaison for the TM-YEA program from its beginning. “Indigenous youth are reconnecting to their culture through land-based learning to create healthy communities and become new leaders in conservation.” Through this multi-faceted program, Indigenous youth are establishing personal goals, goals for their tribal community, learning federal and state environmental laws, and observing how Traditional
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LEFT: During a camping trip in October at La Jolla Indian Campground in collaboration with Outward Bound Adventures, year two participants set up tents, went hiking, explored nature, and enjoyed a nighttime campfire with s’mores.
LEFT: At Anza Borrego Desert State Park, participants hiked as they discussed local wildlife, plants, and geology along the way.
Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and western science can work together to support and protect their changing landscape.
The TM-YEA program aspires to encourage Indigenous youth to consider an environmental science path in higher education and expose them to the many diverse fields of employment in conservation. Bringing the program full-circle, Maya Nunez, who completed the TM-YEA program last year, has recently joined The Living Desert team as an Assistant Conservation Scientist! It is our goal to continue to inspire program participants to connect with nature and pursue career paths in related fields, helping to improve both the representation of Indigenous people in conservation and the quality of conservation that is done. The second year of the program, with a new group of participants, began in the summer of 2023. Future trips include camping, planting pollinator gardens on Torres Martinez land, and planting in the Zoo’s Ethnobotanical Garden!
By Lindsay Jarvis, Staff Writer
CONNECTED WITH The Living Desert since its inception, Susan Cooper’s passion for the desert and its precious species is shown through her incredible work as a volunteer, donor, past board member, campaign manager, and trustee. “When [The Living Desert] started with Karen Sausman [former CEO of over 40 years], my parents immediately became involved and supported it, and then I followed in their footsteps,” says Susan.
After taking over for her father, Susan served as an esteemed board member for over 15 years and, before rotating off, she started on a new journey within The Living Desert. “I decided I needed to have my feet on the ground to see more about what I was governing. So, I applied for interpretive training to become a volunteer,” shares Susan. Since then, she has volunteered in numerous roles, including the Kraal, the Discovery Center, and the giraffe habitat. Susan is currently a Welcome Center Host and a Rhino Interpreter Volunteer – where she shares the story of critically endangered black rhinos, Jaali and Nia, and the threats that their species is facing. Susan’s travels to Africa throughout the years
have enhanced her knowledge and deep appreciation for the country and its species, making her volunteer role at Rhino Savanna especially meaningful.
Susan supports the Zoo not only through her time and expertise, but also graciously contributes as a monetary donor. When her parents began working with Karen Sausman at The Living Desert, they were the first sponsor of the Grevy’s zebra habitat. After they retired, Susan kept the momentum going by working with Karen to renovate the zebra habitat – her first financial contribution to the Zoo. “That’s what got me hooked on supporting this place, seeing it grow, and trying to promote conservation, preservation, and education so that people have a real experience when they come here,” says Susan.
Perhaps one of Susan’s most innovative and hands-on acts of giving is her leadership and commitment to the Living Legacy Endowment campaign, working as co-chair with BJ Skilling to raise $21 million in 2015. Recently, Susan has shown her support for African lions by giving to the Pride of the Desert Capital Campaign, underwriting one of the Animal Care Outpost facilities for specialized veterinary care. The Living Desert team is incredibly grateful for Susan’s ongoing impact at the Zoo, which can be seen all throughout the park. Whether she is helping guests have a Best Day Ever experience, sharing conservation stories, or supporting future projects, Susan’s legacy at The Living Desert continues to grow each day.
On November 20, a male addra gazelle was born to sire (dad) Fossil and dam (mom) Hera. This was the second addra calf born at The Living Desert in 2023! Addra gazelle, also known as dama or mhorr gazelle, are critically endangered with fewer than 200 mature addra estimated remaining in their native habitat. The Zoo partners with organizations around the world such as Sahara Conservation, who work to repopulate addra gazelle into areas of Africa where they have disappeared. Additionally, The Living Desert team has done field work with the Sahara Conservation and the Scimitar Horned Oryx Reintroduction Project to bring them back from extinction by reintroducing the species within a reserve in Chad, ensuring the animals are safer and continually monitored.
In September, a new cohort of desert tortoise hatchlings arrived at the Zoo! This cohort is part of the headstarting program, a collaboration between The Living Desert, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Edwards Air Force Base, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Geological Survey. These hatchlings will be cared for at the Tennity Wildlife Hospital, where they will live in a temperature-controlled environment and given a nutrient-rich diet to help the young tortoises grow larger with a thicker shell — one of their main forms of defense against predators such as ravens — faster than they would in the wild. Sadly, these tiny tortoises had a tough start. Due to the heavy rains and wet soil conditions last year, the hatchlings were slow to emerge from their eggs and suffered a fire ant infestation and flesh fly larva attack. The Living Desert and San Diego Zoo teams jumped into action, saving many hatchlings from the predation. Veterinary staff treated the new arrivals, and they have since been thriving in the safety of our care. Make sure to stop by the Wildlife Hospital to see these little hatchlings!
Soleil Ellen, a three-year-old Mexican wolf, recently injured her front leg after landing awkwardly from a jump. These injuries are not uncommon in Mexican wolves as they are often running, jumping, and very active. She was taken to the hospital right away, and a thorough evaluation by The Zoo’s veterinary team revealed a mid-shaft spiral fracture of the right humerus. To determine the best possible treatment plan for Soleil Ellen, The Living Desert team consulted with experts in the field, including specialists from the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Mexican Wolf Species Survival Plan® (SSP). It was decided that the best course of action for Soleil was to amputate her leg.
While treatments such as surgical fixation with pins and wires or casting were considered, it is a hard recovery for active wolves — even in the wild — which involves confining them to a small area for a lengthy healing process. “Unlike
with people, we can’t prescribe bedrest or offer crutches to a wolf,” said Dr. Andrea Goodnight, the Zoo’s Head Veterinarian. “Considering the limitations of the other treatments, an amputation was the best choice for Soleil Ellen’s mental and physical wellbeing. This procedure will have minimal to no effect on her future and will allow her to resume normal activities with her pack as soon as possible.”
Soleil was moving around just one day after her successful surgery on November 29, and was back on habitat about two weeks later! She is being closely monitored by the animal care team as she reintegrates back with her pack, males Drew Hudson and Paul Newman. “Wolves are incredibly resilient,” said RoxAnna Breitigan, Chief Operating Officer and former Director of Animal Care. “Much like domestic dogs, wolves missing a limb learn to compensate and adapt well to walking, running, and even raising young.”
Soleil is an ambassador for the endangered Mexican wolf species, helping to share their success story. “Thanks to the long-term leadership of The Living Desert, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and our many partners across the Southwest, the Mexican wolf has rebounded from near extinction from only seven animals to over 600, with over 240 living in the wild!” says Allen Monroe, President/CEO.
Your adventure awaits! Explore the world’s wild places with The Living Desert through exclusive, expertly led travel opportunities around the world. Senior staff of The Living Desert will be your host for each trip, bringing years of knowledge and experience of travel, animal information, and conservation that will help you make the most of your journey. Visit LivingDesert.org/Travel to learn more.
Kenya
June 3 – 15, 2024
Botswana October 31 –November 12, 2024
Ecuador and The Islands of the Galapagos
July 24 – August 4, 2025
Every Tuesday and Thursday, 3:00pm-5:00pm
New at Kookaburra Café, join us for exclusive Hoppy Hour appetizers and half-off the entire bar menu! Access is included with your membership or paid park admission; food and beverages are an additional fee. Please note that last admission to the Zoo, including Hoppy Hour, is at 4:00pm — however members can now enter the Zoo until 4:30pm on Hoppy Hour Dates.
Visit LivingDesert.org/Events to learn more.
Namibia Fall 2026
Zimbabwe and Zambia May 20 – June 1, 2025
Visit LivingDesert.org/ Events for details aboutevents!upcoming
Now through April 30
This fun, free program takes place every Tuesday until April 30, except for April 2, from 9:00am-10:00am in the Hoover Learning & Impact Department Building near Kookaburra Café. This interactive, parent participation program meets each week for an hour of guided exploration and hands-on fun, designed for toddlers and their accompanying adults. This program is free with membership or paid park admission. No advance registration is required, so drop in anytime!
Visit LivingDesert.org/Events to learn more.
D I D YO U K N OW?
The cheetah is the fastest land mammal on earth!
How much do they weigh: 84 to 143 pounds
Where are they found in the wild: Sub-Saharan Africa
There are three cheetahs at the Zoo and they are sisters.
The Living Desert works with several cheetah conservation organizations in Africa to help this species in the wild.
47900 Portola Ave.
Palm Desert, CA 92260
Did you know that a membership to The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens includes unlimited access to miles of trails located within The Living Desert? Reconnect with nature as you explore the pristine Sonoran Desert through the Zoo’s three hiking trails, ranging from beginner skill level to adventurous!
Loop 1: Discovery Loop, 0.5 miles
Loop 2: Adventure Loop, 1.5 miles
Loop 3: Wilderness Loop, 5 miles
Located near Bighorn Mountain, the entrance to all trails is accessible until the trailhead gate closes at 4:00pm. Access to the trails is free for members or with paid park admission until June 1 when the trails are closed for the summer.
Learn more at LivingDesert.org/HikingTrails.
