San Diego Zoo Global began the new year with an immense amount of gratitude. Just before the end of 2019, a tally revealed that the conservation organization’s volunteers logged a total of 2 million hours of service since the launch of the volunteer engagement program in 2009. 

As part of San Diego Zoo Global’s ongoing effort to raise awareness of the crisis facing wildlife in Australia due to catastrophic fires, the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park are inviting guests to a weekend-long Australia Day Celebration event—Saturday, Jan. 25 and Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020. 

Researchers supported by San Diego Zoo Global are looking for surviving wildlife in Australia, using the talents of a specially trained dog named Smudge.