United by purpose and fueled by passion, volunteers are helping us achieve our mission.

This critical leadership skillset makes all the difference.

Technology is making a powerful difference in the world of conservation, and our teams are at the forefront.

SAN DIEGO (Jan. 19, 2024) – Three baby spider monkeys confiscated at the United States-Mexico border are now safely with the wildlife care specialists at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.

Regenerative medicine is proving to be a vital new therapeutic tool, offering vast new possibilities in veterinary care.

SAN DIEGO (Jan. 9, 2024) – To apply cutting-edge technology to the conservation of koalas, San Diego Wildlife Alliance is partnering with Illumina, a leading genomic sequencing technology company, through the Illumina iConserve program to sequence the whole genomes (an individual’s complete set of DNA) of nearly 100 koalas residing in North America over the past 30 years. Whole genome sequencing is integral to learning more about Koala Retrovirus, KoRV – a virus that can insert into the koala genome and is associated with various health issues in koalas including immunosuppression and cancer.

SDZWA and our partners use customized drones to collect killer whale breath and monitor orca health in real time.

Local students are discovering the importance of collaboration and teamwork in wildlife conservation.

SAN DIEGO (Dec. 13, 2023) – San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife recently rescued three orphaned mountain lion cubs. The cubs—approximately 6 weeks old at the time of their rescue—were each found separately following an extensive search over the span of a week. Each cub was treated in the field for dehydration before being taken to Paul Harter Veterinary Medical Center at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Because the young lions were orphaned at an early age, they cannot be safely reintroduced into their native habitat. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife designated the San Diego Zoo Safari Park as a safe haven for the rescued cubs, offering them a second chance and lifelong care.

SAN DIEGO (Dec. 7, 2023) – In 2017, a team of medical experts—including specialists in the treatment of both human and wildlife patients—gathered to assess an esteemed elder resident of the San Diego Zoo Safari Park: Winston, a critically endangered silverback gorilla. Today, at age 51, he is considered one of the world's oldest male gorillas in managed care.