SAN DIEGO (Aug. 17, 2022) – Orphaned animals of several mammal species suffer socially and physiologically, and even if their mother dies after weaning, they may have lower survival than non-orphans. One physiological consequence of orphaning – stunted growth – had been discovered in humans and chimpanzee orphans.  A new study, published recently in the journal Conservation Physiology, shows that orphaning also stunts the growth of African elephants by an estimated average of 13 centimeters.

SAN DIEGO (Aug. 12, 2022) – A big celebration got underway this World Elephant Day (Aug. 12) at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, as wildlife care specialists and conservation scientists raised awareness of the plight of elephants worldwide, kicked off the Safari Park’s Wild Weekend: Elephants event (Aug. 12–14) and also celebrated the fourth birthday of male elephant calf Umzula-zuli, better known as Zuli.

SAN DIEGO (June 9, 2022) – The largest study ever conducted on a free-ranging population of rhinoceroses reveals that about one in every seven rhinos in a key South African national park has been infected with Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis), the pathogen that causes bovine tuberculosis (bTB). The finding shines new light on the potential for diseases to disrupt global conservation efforts, and potentially increase risk to human health, if left unaddressed. 

SAN DIEGO (May 20, 2022) – The San Diego Zoo celebrated another milestone as wildlife care staff welcomed the birth of a male golden takin—the second of this takin subspecies to be born in the Western Hemisphere and the first male. The takin calf, named Jin Tong (pronounced jean tong), and means Golden boy in Mandarin Chinese, was born on March 21 to mom, Bona. The Zoo’s wildlife care specialists performed a comprehensive first exam and confirmed xxx is doing well and adjusting to life within the herd.

SAN DIEGO (May 10, 2022) – Today marks 50 years since the opening of the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. While festive music played and Safari Park team members and entertainers welcomed guests, an unsuspecting visitor, 10-year-old Ethan Kemerling, and his parents, Stacy and Eric, were taken aside by Lisa Peterson, the Safari Park’s executive director. Peterson informed Ethan that he was the 50th guest to enter the Safari Park, and presented him with an oversized San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance lifetime membership card. This surprise gift allows Ethan, who lives in Fargo, North Dakota, to have unlimited visits to the Safari Park and the San Diego Zoo, where he can explore and connect with wildlife for years to come.

SAN DIEGO (March 3, 2022) – This spring break, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park invites guests to celebrate in full color—with an escape into nature. Spring Safari Featuring Butterfly Jungle, March 19 through May 8, will allow guests to experience wildlife up close while enjoying the open spaces and stunning vistas of the Safari Park.

BOZEMAN, MONTANA (Jan. 26, 2022) – Polar Bears International is supporting a team of researchers from leading zoos and aquariums involved in the Polar Bear Research Council (PBRC) in devising a Masterplan to advance the understanding of polar bear biology and management by participating in scientific research that will help protect the world’s polar bears.