San Diego Zoo

San Diego Zoo The San Diego Zoo is operated by the international non-profit San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. https://SDZWA.org
(211606)

The 100-acre (40-hectare) Zoo is home to more than 3,500 rare and endangered animals representing more than 650 species and subspecies, and a prominent botanical collection with more than 700,000 exotic plants. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (SDZWA) empowers people from around the globe to support their mission to conserve wildlife through innovation and partnerships. SDZWA supports cutting-edge

conservation and brings the stories of their work back to the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park—giving millions of guests, in person and virtually, the opportunity to experience conservation in action. The work of SDZWA extends from San Diego to strategic and regional conservation “hubs” across the globe, where their strengths—via their “Conservation Toolbox,” including the renowned Wildlife Biodiversity Bank—are able to effectively align with hundreds of regional partners to improve outcomes for wildlife in more coordinated efforts. By leveraging these tools in wildlife care and conservation science, and through collaboration with hundreds of partners, SDZWA has reintroduced more than 44 endangered species to native habitats. Each year, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s work reaches over 1 billion people in 150 countries via news media, social media, their websites, educational resources and the San Diego Zoo Kids channel, which is in children’s hospitals in 13 countries. Success is made possible by the support of members, donors and guests to the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park, who are Wildlife Allies committed to ensuring All Life Thrives.

11/27/2025

Family chaos, solo snackin', or somewhere in between, happy Thanksgiving 🤎

11/26/2025

The first rule of fossa pup parkour: no rules 🤸

The San Diego Zoo has welcomed a litter of three fossa pups, a rare and exciting arrival as the first fossa births at the Zoo since 2017. Born in July to first-time mom Kintana, the trio, brothers Isalo and Fiaro and sister Volana, spent their first few months bonding with mom in their den, and are now springboarding around their habitat in Africa Rocks, showing off their pro leaping and climbing already.

Over the past three decades, the Zoo has helped welcome more than 40 fossa pups, contributing vital knowledge to protect this vulnerable species around the world.

11/21/2025

For nearly a century, Gramma the Galápagos tortoise has been a quiet and constant presence at the Zoo, a witness to history, a beloved icon, and an extraordinary ambassador for her species. It is with immense sadness that today, we share her passing on November 20.

Gramma’s dedicated wildlife care specialists and her expert health team had been closely monitoring her ongoing bone conditions related to advanced age, and as these conditions recently progressed, they made the compassionate and exceptionally difficult decision to say goodbye.

Gramma's storied legacy at the Zoo spans nearly the entire history of the institution itself. She arrived between 1928–1931 as part of the first group of Galápagos tortoises to come to the Zoo, and legend has it that San Diego Zoo founder Dr. Harry Wegeforth himself welcomed her arrival. Born in her native habitat, her exact birth date remains unknown, though experts estimate she may have reached the incredible age of 141 years, which would have made her the oldest individual thriving at the Zoo.

It is astonishing to consider what Gramma lived through in her lifetime. While enjoying sunshine, endless herbivorous snacks, and puddles in her habitats throughout Reptile Mesa, this sweet, shy tortoise observed the Zoo's creation and evolution. As the world around her experienced more than 20 U.S. presidents, two World Wars, and two pandemics, she gently touched countless lives over nearly a century in San Diego as an ambassador for reptile conservation worldwide.

Her story has become woven into the very fabric of the Zoo community, a thread connecting generations of team members, guests, volunteers, and conservationists. Through decades of technological advancement, she went from appearing in a handful of black-and-white photographs to becoming an ever-endearing social media star. Her care specialists affectionately called her "the Queen of the Zoo,” and she truly was.

Caring for such a remarkable tortoise was a privilege. Gramma's devoted care team shared that she particularly loved romaine lettuce and cactus fruit. In her memory, we invite you to enjoy a generous, fruit-filled salad, a special tribute for a very special tortoise.

11/15/2025

Saturdays are for the boys 🐘

The elephant boys at the Zoo had a trunk-load of fun digging for buried treats. Our expert wildlife care teams provide them with dynamic experiences like these to encourage natural foraging skills, hiding snacks marked with scents like cinnamon so they know exactly where to investigate.

11/14/2025

Pumpkin spice szn color palette 🍂 Whose fall hue stands out to you?

🦧 Orangutans
🦧 François' Langurs
🦧 Red-ruffed Lemurs
🦧 Sifakas
🦧 Squirrel Monkeys

11/09/2025

Sea bears enjoy a snowy San Diego snow day ❄️

Arctic ambassadors Chinook and Tatqiq recently spent time chillin’, rollin’, and snackin’ on their favorite foods while basking in some slick snow. These snowy experiences spark curiosity and encourage natural behaviors like digging and diving, providing new ways for our polar girls to interact with and explore their environment. By observing the polar bears in our care, we’re able to support our partners like Polar Bears International in advancing research that benefits polar bears in their native Arctic habitats.

10/30/2025

Letting the gourd times roll on Halloween Eve 🎃

10/17/2025

Get tricked, become a treat 🌸

That's the orchid mantis endgame. These teeny nymphs molt through 5 to 6 stages, perfecting their flower disguise with each transformation. The glow-up is about becoming the perfect trap, and by adulthood, they're so convincing that pollinators land willingly.

10/14/2025

One tough Cookie (the honey badger) 🦡

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Jane Goodall, a true pioneer in wildlife conservation and a cherished frien...
10/01/2025

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Jane Goodall, a true pioneer in wildlife conservation and a cherished friend of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. Dr. Goodall’s lifelong commitment to wildlife conservation and education has inspired countless individuals around the world.

In 1974, we had the immense honor of presenting her with the Gold Medal of Conservation from the San Diego Zoological Society, recognizing her extraordinary contributions to understanding and protecting wildlife. More recently, in 2022, Dr. Goodall joined us on the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance podcast, where she shared her wisdom, insights, and a powerful reminder of the importance of individual action and collective efforts to protect our planet.

On behalf of the entire San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance family, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Dr. Goodall’s loved ones and the global community of conservationists who mourn her loss. She will be profoundly missed, and here at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, we will continue to honor her lasting legacy.

A Bleptember to remember 🫶
10/01/2025

A Bleptember to remember 🫶

09/19/2025

When summer break is over but your kid is still monkeying around 🐒

09/16/2025

This just in: Ernest is still the silliest goose 🪿

09/12/2025

Treetop tours hosted by some highly koal-ified canopy consultants 🐨

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2920 Zoo Drive
San Diego, CA
92101

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+1 619-231-1515

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Who We Are

San Diego Zoo Global

San Diego Zoo Global is a not-for-profit organization that operates the San Diego Zoo, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research, and the San Diego Zoo Global Wildlife Conservancy. The Zoo was founded on October 2, 1916, by Harry M. Wegeforth, M.D.

San Diego Zoo

The 100-acre Zoo is a not-for-profit wildlife sanctuary home to more than 3,500 rare and endangered animals representing more than 650 species and subspecies, and a prominent botanical collection with more than 700,000 exotic plants. It is located just north of downtown San Diego in Balboa Park.