Animals
Three-month-old Giraffe Calf Thrives Following Unique Orthotic Leg Brace Treatment
A three-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 […]
Percy the Porcupine Puppet Made Her San Diego Zoo Debut?
Percy the Porcupine puppet delighted guests when she made her San Diego Zoo debut, in celebration of Earth Day. She is an awe-inspiring prehensile-tailed porcupine that is 17 feet high. Percy was first unveiled in Los Angeles last month, before making her way to San Diego. Her first-ever appearance at the San Diego Zoo created […]
Podder Retires from the County’s Agriculture, Weights & Measures Department
By Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications After four years of service protecting the region’s agriculture industry, Podder is going to be sniffing out the life of leisure. The detector dog has retired from his work with the County’s Agriculture, Weights & Measures Department. County staff organized a small ceremony at the Waterfront Park […]
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Prepares to Open Denny Sanford Wildlife Explorers Basecamp at the San Diego Zoo
The past couple of months, burrowing owls and prairie dogs at the San Diego Zoo moved to their new “digs” in the Denny Sanford Wildlife Explorers Basecamp. Orb weaver spiders began spinning new webs, and other wildlife like Fijian iguanas, axolotls and dragon-headed katydids are now acclimating to their new habitats in preparation for the public opening March 2022. The public […]
The Pleasures of Age
For the past few years it seems that I devote one annual column to age. Before this goes to press, I will turn 81. I can honestly say that so far, this seems to be the best year of my life. First, I survived the COVID isolation; in fact, I turned it into a huge […]
San Diego Zoo Celebrates the Birth of a Critically Endangered Sumatran Orangutan
A new year brings new beginnings—and that is especially true for Indah, a 35-year-old female Sumatran orangutan at the San Diego Zoo, who gave birth to her third infant earlier this month. The healthy two-week-old male was born on January 4, and has been named Kaja, after an island in Kalimantan, the Indonesian part of Borneo, […]
Author Reaches Young Children with Timely Message About Fear and Bravery
Teachers and parents alike have seen increased levels of anxiety in children during the Covid-19 pandemic. School shutdowns, sick loved ones, and family stress have all taken their toll on children. San Diego-based children’s author John Dunn has a new book and two friendly dogs who just might help. Through “Boo and Ted’s Amazing Adventures – […]
A Three-Week-Old Giraffe Calf Gets a Name at the San Diego Zoo
Just in time for the New Year, a newborn giraffe calf at the San Diego Zoo has received the perfect gift—a name. The three-week-old female calf will be called Mawe (pronounced “maw way”), meaning stone in Swahili. She was born to first-time mom Saba; and at birth, she weighed a little under 150 pounds and stood approximately 5 feet, 10 inches tall. Mawe has […]
Inspirational Children’s Book Taps the Power of Music and Interactivity to Engage, Enthrall and Influence Children to Do Good
Whether gifting for the holidays, a birthday, Valentine’s Day or “just because,” children’s literature is a timeless gift that can impact the recipient, families and society at-large in meaningful ways. This truth is exemplified with “A Little Spark” children’s book authored by Chris Parsons—a truly unique title that was recently awarded the prestigious Mom’s Choice Award […]
Newest Destination at the San Diego Zoo Entering Final Phases
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (SDZWA) is expanding its mission to help all life thrive by cultivating some of its most important allies—the next generation. Opening in February 2022, the 3.2-acre Denny Sanford Wildlife Explorers Basecamp at the San Diego Zoo will be a place where guests and their families can enjoy an exciting experience […]
