SF Zoo will open at 11 a.m. today, February 13th. 🦒🦓🐫

The calm before the storm…

When you get a hello from a tiger salamander, it totally makes your day… #sfzoo #salamander

Is Macaw Monday a thing? Now it is!   Here’s Beyonce, one of our three female rescued Hyacinth macaws, the largest macaw in the world, measuring over three feet in length (mostly made up of their tails!). To crack nuts, their powerful beaks are capable of exerting pressure up to 400 lbs. per square inch. Listed as vulnerable due to habitat loss and illegal wildlife trade, there are an estimated 6,500 Hyacinth macaws remaining in their native South America. Visit our trio in the Exploration Zone across from the Family Farm!

We join Thatcher, our Eurasian eagle owl, in wishing you a happy Superb Owl Day! 🦉Hope it’s a hoot! #sfzoo #superbowl

SF Zoo mourns the passing of Oscar Jonesy, the third oldest Western lowland gorilla in a US Zoo. Western lowland gorillas are listed as critically endangered by the IUCN, making Oscar an important icon of conversation at the Zoo. We invite visitors to honor his life by leaving flowers, cards, or drawings at the Jones Family Gorilla Preserve (please no balloons or food offerings).  Thank you for bringing joy and conservation education to millions of visitors over the past 20 years, Oscar. 📷: Rick Murphy, Marianne Hale, May Woon

A good day to zen by watching our female fossa Marie gnaw on a bone!

We love a rainbow 🌈 after a storm!

The heavy rains this morning did not deter this crew from building new shelters for our troop of mandrills. When the skies clear, the mandrills will find a nice surprise when they are given access to their outdoor enclosure! During inclement weather, many of our animal residents are either indoors or given access to outside if they choose to go out.

After a recent examination of Judy, our 21-year-old female Bornean orangutan, discovered dental disease, we enlisted the services of a board-certified veterinary dentist from Aggie Animal Dental Center to take a closer look. Overall, her teeth are mostly in good shape thanks to regular teeth brushing (yes! Judy brushes her teeth!). However, as suspected, she did have a few teeth extracted to prevent further complications.   During the procedure, our veterinary team partnered with Brave Unity Blood Bank for Animals to "bank" Judy's blood for future procedures if necessary or to share with other zoos across the country if another orangutan needs a blood transfusion. We are excited to be able to contribute to this life-saving cause.

Groundhog Day isn’t just about the superstition that a groundhog seeing its shadow will determine how long winter will last. It’s also a metaphor that refers to events or actions that recur over and over. On this Groundhog Day, we invite you to “change your way,” whether you ride a bike instead of drive, or avoid single-use plastic! Let us know how you’re contributing to saving our environment! Visit the Zoo today, Feb. 2, make a pledge to “change your way” and receive free admission! Happy Groundhog Day!

As Mexico’s national amphibian, axolotls are native to Lake Xochimilco in Mexico City where their populations only number between 50 and 1,000, making them a critically endangered species. At the Zoo, you can see our five axolotls in their serene habitat at the Conservation Corridor. These wild axolotls were confiscated by federal authorities as part of an illegal wildlife trade and placed here to ensure their care and welfare.   Happy National Day of the Mexican Axolotl, celebrating this popular salamander species, and we’re here for it!

Today is International Zebra Day! At the Zoo, we have a trio of female Grant’s zebras, a subspecies of the plains zebra, one of three zebra species (plains, Grevy’s and mountain). Though listed as a species of least concern by the IUCN, some populations have declined due to habitat loss, hunting and competition with domestic livestock. Not all zebras are alike! Here at the Zoo, their primary caretaker identifies them by the differences in their stripes as no two zebra stripes are alike, similar to a human fingerprint. And their stripes are unique to each one: 27-year-old Maxine has a diamond shape on her chest, 17-year-old Coco has almost a straight line that crosses her chest (or stripes, that connect) and 17-year-old Gigi has a stripe across her chest that is broken. Coco also has black spots behind her ears vs. Gigi, who has mostly white ears. The next time you’re at the Zoo, see if you can spot the differences! Happy International Zebra Day! 📷: Julianna B.

In honor of Lunar New Year and the Year of the Snake, you can find a variety of snake species throughout the Zoo, including at our Animal Rescue & Conservation Center (ARC), home to our ambassador animals. Those born under the Year of the Snake are considered wise beyond their years, strategic and charming! According to predictions, 2025 marks a transformative year, and snake years in general are a great time for growth and stability. Some of our snakes are viewable daily and during scheduled outdoor presentations. Happy Lunar New Year! 🏮🧧🐍

Did you know one of our oldest Zoo residents is one of our Chilean flamingos? Here’s Liz to introduce you to our senior flamingo, Red 11. He looks pretty good for his age!

Lunar New Year performances today & tomorrow!

Awwwww…judging by her tail, Marvella must have had a sweet dream! #sfzoo #Caturday

Join us as we celebrate Lunar New Year and the Year of the Snake with lion dance performances this Saturday (11:15 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 1:45 p.m.) and Chinese dancers on Sunday (11 a.m. & 12:15 p.m.). Gung hay fat choy! 🐍

Another hump day with handsome Bactrius Maximus II! 🐫 Out Bactrian camel is quite suave, wouldn’t you agree?

“Come here and let me groom you!”   When lemurs groom each other, it is a social behavior that helps to strengthen the bonds of the group. It also helps for hygiene, as they use their specialized bottom teeth that helps remove debris from fur.   📷: May Woon