SAN DIEGO (June 10, 2022) – Chinese giant salamanders are well camouflaged in the rushing waters of China’s mountain river system. Spotting this critically endangered species in its native habitat is exceedingly rare, but guests at the San Diego Zoo now have a unique opportunity to take a close look at this sleek and mysterious creature—at the newly opened Denny Sanford Wildlife Explorers Basecamp. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and conservation partners, including Ocean Park Hong Kong, are working toward the goal of creating a breeding group of Chinese giant salamanders.

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 25, 2022) – A new study from scientists at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (SDZWA), published today in the Journal of Applied Ecology, found endangered mountain yellow-legged frogs being reared for release into the wild have a greater chance of survival if introduced to artificial currents at early stages of their development. While the findings support a growing body of evidence that suggests raising bred animals in an environment similar to where they will be released can boost survival rates, the study goes even further, showing the timing of experiential exposure may be critical to successful species recovery translocations.

SAN DIEGO (May 18, 2022) – A new study has found contaminants that were banned decades ago are still imperiling critically endangered California condors. The condors may be at increased risk for reproductive impairment because they consume dead marine mammals along the California coast.

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 (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.

SAN DIEGO (Feb. 14, 2022) – San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance conservationists applaud the Australian government in declaring the koala an endangered species in Queensland, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. Koala populations in these areas have continued to show declines over the last decade.