Some species that spend time in the water just might surprise you.

As the world comes together to cheer on our top athletes, let’s take a moment to celebrate and admire the wildlife that could rival them.

African penguins and California least terns share marine habitat challenges.

It takes a team and some careful observation to keep the San Diego Zoo's colony of 25 black-and-white African penguins in the pink.

SAN DIEGO (May 23, 2023) – The 25 African penguin residents of the Dan and Vi McKinney Penguin Habitat at the San Diego Zoo are starting their Memorial Day weekend festivities early by doing what penguins do best—swimming. The endangered birds, along with schools of sardines that share their habitat, zipped to and fro through the salty waters of a vast 275,000-gallon pool before eating breakfast and relaxing on the rocky beach.

SAN DIEGO (Aug. 29, 2022) – Lucas, a prominent member of the San Diego Zoo’s African penguin colony who was diagnosed with a degenerative foot condition, has a new opportunity to thrive, thanks to intervention by the Zoo’s wildlife heath and wildlife care specialist teams. Team members—with the help of Thera-Paw, a national organization that designs and manufactures rehabilitative and assistive products for animals with special needs—created and fitted Lucas with custom orthopedic shoes made of neoprene and rubber, to prevent pressure sores from developing on his feet and ankle when he stands and walks.

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (SDZWA) recognizes the importance of conserving lands and oceans for the sustainability of wildlife populations. Find out how we support the 30x30 initiative.