SAN DIEGO (June 6, 2023) – Researchers are currently tracking over 40 wild ‘io, also known as Hawaiian hawks, on Hawai‘i Island with lightweight, solar-powered GPS transmitters. This work is part of a collaborative effort to conserve this beloved species and one of its natural prey—the ‘alalā. Researchers with San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and the State of Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources – Division of Forestry and Wildlife are collaborating on this effort as part of a large-scale GPS tracking program to better understand the extent to which ‘io move across the island and how they utilize different habitats. With the new insights that are gathered, scientists will be better equipped to conserve this iconic raptor, and simultaneously glean critical insights to aid in the future reintroduction of the ‘alalā, also called the Hawaiian crow, to their native habitats. The aim is to ensure that both ‘alalā and ‘io can coexist in their native habitats, as they previously did for many years.

For Andean bear conservation efforts to work, scientists must study the varying landscapes as well.

Using data from eDNA techniques, scientists are exploring how to protect platypuses and their watery habitat.

SAN DIEGO (May 12, 2022) – A 3-month-old giraffe calf at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park has received a new lease on life, thanks to swift intervention by the conservation organization’s wildlife health and wildlife care teams to correct abnormalities that threatened the calf’s survival. The female youngster—named Msituni (pronounced see tune neee), which means “in the forest” in Swahili— received a pair of specialized giraffe-patterned orthotic braces that attached to her front legs to help correct a hyperextension of the carpi, bones that are equivalent to those in the human wrist.

SAN DIEGO (Dec. 17, 2021) – Just in time for the holidays, a newborn giraffe calf at the San Diego Zoo has received the perfect gift—a name. The 3-week-old female calf will be called Mawe (pronounced “maw way”), meaning stone in Swahili.

On Mother’s Day (May 10, 2020), a 1-month-old giraffe calf at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park received her name after more than 18,000 fans cast their ballots in a week-long online voting campaign.