NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
April 3, 2020

CONTACT:  
San Diego Zoo Global
Public Relations
619-685-3291

WEBSITE:     
SanDiegoZoo.org

NEWS RELEASE

Fun, Excitement and Prizes Are at Your Fingertips This Season During the San Diego Zoo’s Virtual Mission: Spring Break

Log in to the Fun—April 3–19

Starting April 3, 2020, the San Diego Zoo is inviting anyone with a smartphone or computer to join a mission—if they choose to accept it—to virtually explore the wonders of wildlife by connecting to a myriad of delightful online happenings, including games, contests, livestreaming cams, videos, a dance party and much more. 

During Virtual Mission: Spring Break, San Diego Zoo fans can start their adventure in the comfort of their own home by clicking on the San Diego Zoo Kids website to enjoy a wealth of entertaining games, stories and fun learning activities. Find out about 101 Things for Kids to Discover—such as any animal with the color orange on its body. Boogie down with a kangaroo in the Danceabout Australia app, use sleuthing skills to hunt down Easter eggs hidden throughout the site and win a special prize, or tune into the San Diego Zoo Kids YouTube Channel to see entertaining content that is provided at children's hospitals and Ronald McDonald Houses around the world.

Online viewers can also check out the Zoo’s Facebook and Instagram pages daily for engaging posts and educational Wildlife Talks with experts from the San Diego Zoo; and visit ZOONOOZ Online to discover fascinating stories about wildlife and ongoing conservation projects around the world, with new features posted each week. 

 “We’ve learned that during times of difficulty, our numerous online resources have the ability to help provide many with a source of enjoyment and comfort as well as stress relief,” said Ted Molter, chief marketing officer at San Diego Zoo Global. “Although we’re not able to welcome guests in-person to the San Diego Zoo right now, Virtual Mission: Spring Break allows us to stay connected to the public as we weather the current situation.”

The San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park’s 12 livestreaming cams, including the newly launched Butterfly Cam at Butterfly Jungle presented by Wheelhouse Credit Union, continue to provide unmatched views as wildlife explore, eat, swing, roll, pounce and play throughout their day.  San Diego Zoo Global’s Wildwatch Burrowing Owl and Wildwatch Kenya projects are paving a path for anyone to becoming “citizen scientists” and contribute valuable data to conservation researchers—helping researchers to count, identify and track burrowing owls, giraffes and other wildlife by viewing and classifying images from remote trail cameras. And for children who want to learn more about a variety of animal species, including lions, tigers, and bears; over the next eight weeks, students ages 13 and above can gain free access to 22 self-paced online courses from San Diego Zoo Global Academy. Students and teachers can click here to create an account and start learning.

Virtual Mission: Spring Break runs April 3–19. Easter egg hunt prizes will be awarded each day April 3–12. Danceabout Australia is only available on the App Store. Record your experience, share with your friends, and upload your performance to Instagram using #DanceaboutAustralia. To learn more about all the fun adventures that await during Virtual Mission: Spring Break, and to obtain a chance to proclaim “Mission Accomplished!”—visit SanDiegoZoo.org.

Bringing species back from the brink of extinction is the goal of San Diego Zoo Global. As a leader in conservation, the work of San Diego Zoo Global includes on-site wildlife conservation efforts (representing both plants and animals) at the San Diego Zoo, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, and San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research, as well as international field programs on six continents. The work of these entities is made accessible to over 1 billion people annually, reaching 150 countries via social media, our websites and the San Diego Zoo Kids network, in children’s hospitals in 12 countries. The work of San Diego Zoo Global is made possible with support from our incredible donors committed to saving species from the brink of extinction.

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