Animals
Lynx, Amur Leopards and Snow Leopards Receive a Snowy Experience
A lynx, three Amur leopards and two snow leopards received a cool experience this past month, when fresh, powdery snow was placed in their exhibits at the San Diego Zoo. While all three species of felines appeared to thoroughly enjoy the icy substance in their habitats, the snow leopards especially lived up to their name, […]
San Diego Zoo Safari Park’s Big Baby Girl Gets a Name
The San Diego Zoo Safari Park announced that the newest baby elephant born at the Park has been named Mkhaya. The youngest member of the herd—born Sept. 26 to mother Umngani (pronounced OOM-gah-nee)—was named for Mkhaya, a wildlife reserve in the southern African nation of Swaziland. The name follows the Safari Park’s tradition of naming […]
Mustangs Participate in the Annual Fall Celebration for Tir Na Nog
Horses of Tir Na Nog, San Diego’s longest operating equine sanctuary, will be celebrating its mustang herd during its annual Fall Celebration. It will take place from 1 to 4 p.m., Saturday, October 13, 2018 at Horses of Tir Na Nog and Rancho Samataguma at 26930 Old Hwy. 80, Guatay, CA 91931. This year’s annual […]
An Equine Reunion Six Years In the Making
On August 17, 2012 a group of six emaciated mustangs arrived at the ranch after being rescued by the County of San Diego Department of Animal Services as part of an animal neglect case. This group has flourished in our Mustang Habitat and welcomed their seventh member with the birth of a filly in 2013. […]
San Diego Zoo Food, Wine & Brew Celebration Returns
Enjoy a globally inspired, all-inclusive food, wine and beer tasting event at the San Diego Zoo from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., Saturday, September 22. More than 160 of Southern California’s best vendors—along with animal encounters, live entertainment and dancing—will take place inside the world-famous San Diego Zoo. At the Food, Wine & Brew Celebration, […]
Compassion for Paws Thanks Donors
This past month, Isabela Skincare in Mission Hills was the site of a fundraiser for Compassion for Paws. To help with this effort, Isabela Skincare provided raffle items as an incentive to help with the fundraiser. Candice Dodge, who is an author of the children’s book “Phyto The Friendly Firefighter,” is also supporting this effort […]
Giant Panda Xiao Liwu Turns Six
Giant panda Xiao Liwu (pronounced “sshyaoww lee woo”) turned six-years old this past month, and the San Diego Zoo held a “Super Hero for Wildlife” conservation-themed birthday celebration to honor the much-visited white-and-black bear. Zoo guests and animal care staff packed the Barlin-Kahn Family Panda Trek and watched as Xiao Liwu—also known as “Mr. Wu” […]
Visually Impaired Horse Has New Home with Old Mate
Two new equines have arrived at Horses of Tir Na Nog. One is an eighteen year-old gelding that has been diagnosed with moon blindness. Moon blindness is an eye disease that is also known as equine recurrent uveitis. The causes of this disease are not completely understood. As an appaloosa, this gelding had a greater […]
Save Our Bees!
I have attended three lectures on bees since I began writing this column. Years ago, a speaker gave an anecdotal talk to Mission Hills Garden Club about how she and her sister took over their father’s hives after his death. A few years later, at the San Diego Horticultural Society a speaker from UCSD brought […]
Walkabout Australia Opens at San Diego Zoo Safari Park
The Safari Park is known for its expansive habitats featuring African and Asian species, but now it offers a view into the Land Down Under, featuring Australia’s interesting and unique species. Walkabout Australia takes guests through four different types of Australian habitats: grassland, rain forest, wetlands and desert. Featured animals include western gray kangaroos, red-necked […]
