San Francisco Zoo

San Francisco Zoo To connect all people with wildlife, inspire caring for nature & advance conservation action

The San Francisco Zoo connects people with wildlife, inspires caring for nature and advances conservation action.

Introducing Dara! Since her arrival from Como Zoo in April, the newest member of our troop of western lowland gorillas h...
06/06/2026

Introducing Dara!

Since her arrival from Como Zoo in April, the newest member of our troop of western lowland gorillas has been acclimating to her new home. She’s been slowly but surely getting to know the rest of the troop: silverback Cecil, and the females Bawang, Monifa and Kimani!

This past week she’s been exploring the outdoor habitat on her own, which has been going so well that she’s ready to meet the public. While the social introductions of Dara and our other gorillas continue to unfold you might see her on her own, or paired with another female (possibly Kimani, they have become fast friends!) On occasion you might not see her out with the rest of the troop, while she spends time inside.

According to her caretakers, 22-year-old Dara is quite the climber! She is also bold in her exploration of the habitat, having scoped out places for the best views, and has the hang of using tools to forage for her favorite treats.

06/06/2026

Maisie - potato, tomato, armadillo!

🎥: Emma & Alexis/ARC

06/05/2026

Summer Zoo Camp is just around the corner!

Here’s Casi introducing our latest group of dedicated Zoo Camp instructors, getting ready for the summer camp season!

If you’re interested in signing up for Zoo Camp, visit our web site to learn how. We’ve still got some slots available for our most popular camp program, which this year, includes DINOSAURS!

https://bit.ly/3SoH69N

06/04/2026

A Giganotosaurus experience is coming your way starting July 1st! Get ready to journey back to the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods when DINOS RULE! opens here for the summer season starting July 1 and running thru September 15.

During this limited-time exhibition, you’ll encounter 21 realistic, life-sized, animatronic dinosaurs set along a wooded pathway. Learn more about this prehistoric adventure by visiting sfzoo.org. Become a Zoo Member for discounted exhibition tickets!

06/03/2026

Our two Western Santa Cruz Giant tortoises recently moved from their outdoor habitat by the Southern pudu to Puente al Sur, and they love their grassy environment!

They are a subspecies of Galapagos tortoise, and each of the 13 living subspecies have different shell shapes, depending on the ecology of where they are found on the Galapagos Islands. On drier islands, for example, a subspecies may have a saddleback shaped shell and longer limbs and neck as there is sparser vegetation. The more humid and densely vegetated islands are home to larger tortoises with domed shells and shorter necks and limbs. The variation in shell shapes between the islands helped Charles Darwin formulate his theory of evolution.

The Western Santa Cruz Giant tortoise is, as the name implies, one of the larger subspecies, with males growing up to 600-700 lbs., and females 300-400 lbs. Come see them at Puente al Sur!

06/02/2026

One of the longest Farm Farm's residents – Siesta - celebrated her 27th birthday!

Arriving to the Zoo as just a wee youngster in March 2000, Siesta is a gorgeous female Gotland pony and favorite character among staff, volunteers and guests.

Though friends with both alpacas, her favorite playdates are with two, much shorter, equines – miniature horses Carmela and Viggo. Exercise with the minis, playing in the rain, and regular yoga sessions help keep this old gal young at heart.

Siesta is a rare horse breed, one of the oldest in Europe AND the only pony native to Sweden. Well-designed for harsh winter conditions, Gotlands are known for their gentle disposition, determined spirit, and keen intelligence!

For her birthday, she was feted with a colorful party atmosphere and her favorite foods spelled out in her age. Happy Birthday, Siesta!

You may have seen our latest ad campaign on social. You Zoo You is all about connecting with our animals and the Zoo. No...
06/01/2026

You may have seen our latest ad campaign on social. You Zoo You is all about connecting with our animals and the Zoo.

Now you can find our fun and expressive series of colorful pole banners along City streets and neighborhoods all summer long! Maybe your mood matches some of the many moods expressed in bold type alongside some of your favorite animals. We’re excited to increase visibility of the Zoo, let us know if you spot any of them!

t’s World Bongo Day! Celebrating our Eastern mountain bongo herd, 11-year-old male Ricky, and 2 year-old females, Hayley...
05/31/2026

t’s World Bongo Day!

Celebrating our Eastern mountain bongo herd, 11-year-old male Ricky, and 2 year-old females, Hayley and Leanne! This species is listed as critically endangered by the IUCN , with fewer than 100 remaining in the wild, they exist exclusively in a few isolated forests near Mt. Kenya. SF Zoo participates in the AZA Species Survival Plan for Bongos.

You can learn how you can support conservation of this distinctly beautiful ungulate species by visiting the International Bongo Foundation’s web site. And of course, come see them at the Zoo next to our black rhino.

📷: Katie T.

05/30/2026

Recently, Bird staff started prepping the flamingo habitat’s beach area in anticipation of breeding season!

Chilean flamingos construct distinct cone-shaped mounds made up of mud, feathers, and stones, and in the wild, the raised mounds keep their eggs above the ground to help regulate temperature and protect them from heat in their naturally arid environment. The elevated mounds also serve as flood protection if their shallow waters suddenly rise.

At the Zoo, staff identified Dura Edge’s Dura Pitch as the perfect substrate to use to prep the mounds, with extra dirt added to nearby flat surfaces. The flamingos can choose to use these mounds, or build their nests with the extra added substrate between the water and the fence. Until their nesting season really kicks off, you may see keepers out working to provide the best conditions possible for our flock to nest build.

Incidentally, this is the same brand used in Major League Baseball stadiums, including the Giants! This type of substrate allows the flamingos to manipulate and place the dirt as they please, which they did pretty quickly once they got started. Generally, courtship and nest-building lasts 1-2 months, incubation is up to 30 days per egg, and chick rearing is about 65-70 days. We’ll be sure to keep you updated on how things progress!

And while we’re on the topic of baseball, did you know that 4 of our flamingos are named after Giants players? McCovery, Marichal, Sandoval and Romo!

05/29/2026

The best days are when crickets are on the menu!

Here’s our Mission Golden-eyed tree frogs being hand-fed using tongs by caretaker Stephanie.

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Sloat Boulevard And The Great Highway
San Francisco, CA
94132

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Friday 10am - 5pm
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