Teams of biologists and community scientists supported by the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation and San Diego Zoo Global are again sounding the alarm for the bright orange butterflies that are iconic images of Coastal California. 

San Diego Zoo Global conservationists reared young desert tortoises for one to two years before the planned release—a strategy referred to as “headstarting,” which provides a safe environment during their most vulnerable period, before translocating to the native habitat.

Young patients, their families and invited guests were treated to a virtual adventure, complete with meeting animal ambassadors from the Saint Louis Zoo—at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital earlier today (Oct. 22, 2020).