Animals

Wild Love Languages

mhausberg — Mon, 03 Feb 2025 20:00:00 +0000

Wild Love Languages mhausberg Mon, 02/03/2025 - 12:00

Mike Hausberg Senior Editor for San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

Some whispered words, a lingering glance, a long embrace. It’s the stuff of rom-coms and reality shows everywhere. But love is all around for wildlife, too. The five “love languages” people can use to express and receive love aren’t unique to us. From romantic gestures to family bonding, wildlife show their affection, friendship, and support in ways that don’t seem that different from ours.

Siamangs use large throat sacs to amplify their singing, allowing them to communicate with their partners from up to two miles away.

Words of Affirmation: Gibbons

Love is in the air—quite literally, for gibbons. When these primates pair up, they synchronize their individual mating calls into a unique song, making sweet music together that can be heard across the areas we protect through our Asia Conservation Hub. While grooming each other or exploring the forest canopy, gibbon partners use their duet to maintain their bond and keep track of each other. In fact, the female sings while her mate is out so he doesn’t stray too far away from home.

Hum a tune as you visit siamangs, the largest of the gibbon subspecies, along Treetops Way at the San Diego Zoo.

Evidence suggests that injured dolphins can emit distress calls to ask for help, and their pod mates can vocalize in return to express their support. Photo Credit | NaluPhoto/iStock/Getty Images Plus

Acts of Service: Dolphins

Just as we bring soup and tissues to a friend when they’re sick, bottlenose dolphins care for each other in times of need. When a fellow dolphin is ill or injured, groups of up to a dozen or more swim into action. Some help push the dolphin to the water’s surface to aid their breathing and let them rest. Others circle the support group to protect them from predators during this vulnerable period. Groups have been known to stay with their ailing friend for hours at a time. Just as we care for wildlife through our Oceans Conservation Hub, these caring communities look out for each other, lending their strength and compassion when it’s needed most.

Young elephants learn how to use their trunks starting around one year old, and soon after can interact with each other in many meaningful ways.

Physical Touch: Elephants

Like a handshake, high five, or healing hug, elephants use their trunks to show and strengthen their relationships. Just as humans hold hands, elephants entwine their trunks during courtship. If an elephant is sick or grieving, others use their trunks to gently caress their friend. They even place their trunks in each other’s mouths during bonding ceremonies to celebrate reunions and births. Touch can be for fun, too, as elephants engage in lighthearted trunk wrestling matches with their pals. And sometimes tough love is in order: older elephants are known to use trunk slaps to discipline younger elephants!

You can see these elephant interactions for yourself at the Zoo’s Elephant Odyssey and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park’s Elephant Valley.

Tree bark is tasty but low in nutritional value, so Eurasian beavers require a lot of it. By sharing the food-gathering duties, beaver parents ensure the whole family gets fed. Photo Credit | Karl Weller/iStock/Getty Images Plus

Quality Time: Beavers

Home is where the heart is, and few species know that better than Eurasian beavers. These semiaquatic rodents live in nuclear family groups in their cozy wood lodges. Beaver mates share household chores, such as maintaining their nearby dam and guarding their territory. When their kits (babies) are born, mom stays inside to nurse while dad protects their home. And as the kits grow up, the parents gather tree bark together to feed the whole group while the older siblings take over babysitting duties. A family that shares is a family that cares.

A pebble might seem like a simple gift, but it’s the beginning of lasting love, as many penguins form monogamous relationships. Photo Credit | NicoElNino/iStock/Getty Images Plus

Giving Gifts: Penguins

Humans may propose to one another with diamonds, but nothing makes a penguin swoon more than a pebble. During mating season, a male gentoo or Adélie penguin scours his rocky coastal landscape for the smoothest, shiniest pebble he can find. He presents his gift to a potential partner, and if she accepts, it becomes the first stone in a nest they build together. But it’s not all wedded bliss: if the male can’t find a suitable stone on his own, he might secretly steal one from a neighboring nest. If he gets caught, a penguin scuffle may ensue, but nothing will stand in the way of true love!

We save, protect, and care for penguins through our Oceans Conservation Hub. To see these charming birds for yourself, just hop your way over to Africa Rocks at the Zoo.

We feel your love as an ally every day. Your support of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance makes our conservation efforts possible, and together we’re saving, protecting, and caring for wildlife and their ecosystems worldwide.

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Oceans Conservation Hub

Savanna Conservation Hub

Panda Ridge

clerit — Tue, 30 Jul 2024 13:00:00 +0000

Panda Ridge clerit Tue, 07/30/2024 - 06:00

Enter the World of China’s Giant Pandas

When you think of giant pandas in their native habitats, do you imagine them spending their days lounging in leafy glades surrounded by vast, flat expanses of fast-growing bamboo stalks? If so, you’re not alone. But think again.

The bears’ native bamboo forests in China are dynamic, colorful, and incredibly diverse landscapes in mountainous areas that compel active exploration. They are among the most scenic—and vulnerable—places on the planet. At Denny Sanford Panda Ridge, San Diego Zoo guests will have the opportunity to step inside these remarkable forests and discover new perspectives on how these iconic and beloved bears live their lives.

Panda Ridge offers expansive new experiences for both giant pandas and guests, with areas for learning and discovery about these bears, their vibrant ecosystems, and ongoing conservation efforts to secure their future.

To welcome the next generation of giant pandas, we’ve created a unique, new-generation environment. Panda Ridge is inspired by the breathtaking verdant landscapes and natural beauty of areas in and around giant pandas’ native habitats in Sichuan, Gansu, and Shaanxi provinces. Located in the heart of the Zoo’s Asian Passage, this special place offers an expanded, enhanced, and immersive naturalistic habitat for Xin Bao, a nearly four-year-old female, and Yun Chuan, an almost five-year-old male, to explore.

Reflecting the rocky and mountainous forests of China, Panda Ridge’s dynamic, colorful, and incredibly diverse landscapes compel active exploration.

The multidimensional habitats are four times larger than the previous space, and there is much to discover: rocky and mountainous areas, large full trees for climbing, a diverse array of plants, and hillsides that allow pandas to navigate and explore vertically, just as they do in China. Panda Ridge will offer expansive new experiences for giant pandas and guests alike, with new areas for learning and discovery about these bears, their vibrant ecosystems, and ongoing conservation efforts to secure their future. Here, you’ll experience the bears exploring and climbing among tall grasses, tree lines, and shrubs, much like how conservationists and scientists encounter giant pandas in China.

The pair’s arrival is the latest chapter in our long-running collaborative partnership with China Wildlife Conservation Association. Working closely together for the last 30 years, we have transformed conservation—and the future—for this once endangered species. Our work in the coming years will address vital issues of panda health and well-being, help prepare giant pandas for future translocations to their native habitats, develop new and emerging technologies for conservation strategies, and share insights to help conserve giant pandas and their fragile ecosystems.

When guests enter Panda Ridge, they will experience pandas exploring and climbing among tall grasses, tree lines, and shrubs, much like how conservationists and scientists encounter these iconic bears in China.

Securing the future for wildlife begins with people, and with understanding. When you step into the compelling new Panda Ridge experience, you’ll have unparalleled opportunities to enter the world of giant pandas and create lifelong connections with them. Here you’ll discover more about their vulnerable habitats and the challenges they currently face, finding inspiration to help save and protect them. Giant pandas are a keystone species, inherently connected to the health of their native ecosystems—and both need to be protected.

While experiencing Panda Ridge, visitors will become immersed in the mountain forests that are home to giant pandas, while discovering more about the lives of these remarkable “bamboo bears.”

Pandas are unusual in a number of ways, including that they eat only one food. As you traverse the space, you’ll also discover more about their bamboo diet. All the bamboo they rely on is sustainably grown in our accredited botanical collections at the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Of the 135 varieties grown here, select species make up the pandas’ daily diet and others are offered to provide variety. Informative signage spotlights some of these species, including the varieties most preferred by giant pandas. In addition, a new, advanced cinematic camera system has been configured for Panda Cam, which will provide unparalleled viewing opportunities for fans around the world to connect with and be inspired by these magnificent and beloved bears.

Key elements of the Panda Ridge habitats are inspired by the breathtaking verdant landscapes and natural beauty of areas in and around China’s Sichuan, Gansu, and Shaanxi provinces.

We are honored to share this extraordinary opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of giant pandas and the importance of protecting them. Panda Ridge offers an immersive experience while sharing the species conservation story, incorporating iconic features from native ecosystems, and offering an unforgettable experience that transports guests of all ages across the globe while creating moments and memories that will last a lifetime. Each visit is one spark of hope that can ignite a better future where pandas thrive. We can’t wait to see you soon at the San Diego Zoo.

For the latest information on how and when to visit giant pandas at the San Diego Zoo, check out our Giant Panda FAQs. Zoo guests can secure a complimentary Giant Panda Timed Ticket or make reservations for a premium Early Morning with Pandas Walking Tour.

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giant panda

giant panda conservation

panda

san diego zoo

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

Conservation Begins At Home

clerit — Tue, 14 May 2024 16:07:54 +0000

Conservation Begins At Home clerit Tue, 05/14/2024 - 09:07

There’s an important part of the San Diego Zoo Safari Park that most guests never see. The Biodiversity Reserve encompasses and protects about 1,000 acres of native coastal sage scrub and chaparral habitat. It’s one of the largest remaining expanses of this type of landscape in the region and is located at the intersection of two critical wildlife corridors. While the rest of the Safari Park is known for sprawling savannas and other immersive habitats from around the globe, this wilderness is home to wildlife we save, protect, and care for right here through our Southwest Conservation Hub.

San Diego County is the most biodiverse county in the contiguous United States, with extraordinarily high numbers of plant and animal species. The Biodiversity Reserve alone provides support for 179 bird, 24 mammal, 28 reptile, and 4 amphibian species. Unfortunately, as San Diego County is also a biodiversity hotspot, much of this wildlife is threatened.

To protect local flora and fauna, our conservation scientists are working to better understand how resident and migratory animals use this vital landscape. They’re also developing effective monitoring techniques and studying new methods to foster coexistence with mountain lions and other local wildlife. Read on to discover more about the incredible work happening every day in this one-of-a-kind place.

Cactus wrens rely on prickly pear cactuses for nesting—and this crucial plant thrives in the Biodiversity Reserve.

HOME IN THE CACTUS

Found only in Southern California, coastal cactus wrens are at risk due to disappearing cactus scrub habitat. Most of the remaining population in San Diego County relies on cactus scrub in the San Pasqual Valley, where the Safari Park is located.

Our Plant Conservation team has been diligently restoring and enhancing vegetation in this critical area. By planting prickly pear cactus in the Biodiversity Reserve, they’ve been able to increase the number of healthy cactuses available for nesting, giving the wrens a better chance at a flourishing future. These efforts are now informing ongoing restoration projects in other areas of Southern California.

We’re using trail cameras and GPS monitoring to learn more about mountain lions in the Biodiversity Reserve—and using that knowledge to inform future conservation efforts.

COUGAR VISION

While they’re not yet categorized as endangered, mountain lions face serious threats from urbanization and habitat fragmentation, which have dramatically reduced their numbers. We’re using trail cameras and GPS monitoring to learn more about mountain lions in the Biodiversity Reserve. That knowledge helps inform larger conservation programs that foster coexistence with people, pets, and livestock.

Together with our partners, we’re working to address current threats to these cats and develop noninvasive deterrents. Solutions include noises and lights that are neutral to people and domestic animals, but cause mountain lions to avoid specific areas.

New technology allows us to monitor the movement of red diamond rattlesnakes in the Biodiversity Reserve, gaining insight into their behaviors and their relationship with other wildlife.

DIAMOND LIFE

The red diamond rattlesnake has one of the smallest ranges of any rattlesnake in the U.S., and the Biodiversity Reserve is a hotspot for this species. These snakes are important ambush predators in their ecosystem. This also makes them elusive, and historically red diamond rattlesnakes have been difficult to study.

We’re collaborating with partners on a new way to study these snakes in the Biodiversity Reserve using accelerometers. These noninvasive transmitters are attached to the base of a snake’s rattle, which is at the end of their body. The devices can provide up to 75 data points per second on the snake’s movements, direction, speed, and location. Using machine learning technology, the accelerometer data patterns are used to assemble a behavior profile of each snake. These insights are helping scientists better understand the red diamond rattlesnake’s relationship with other wildlife and learn more about their conservation needs so that we can protect the species.

The Biodiversity Reserve’s coastal sage scrub is an important habitat for a wide array of wildlife—including plants like the prickly pear cactus, which provides food for many species and nesting spots for cactus wrens.

FOR THE FUTURE

This year, the Biodiversity Reserve was officially designated as a protected space by 30×30 California. This is a state- and community-driven initiative with the goal of protecting 30 percent of California’s lands and coastal waters by 2030. It’s aligned with national and international goals to preserve biodiversity and connect people to nature around the globe.

The 30×30 California initiative encourages conservation organizations, community groups, land trusts, and indigenous peoples to work together to help restore balance in our ecosystems and help mitigate climate change. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is participating in the San Diego Regional Group and working with our conservation partners to promote biodiversity, protect ecosystems, and encourage access to nature for all.

The Biodiversity Reserve’s inclusion in 30×30 California strengthens climate resilience in several ways. By keeping this natural coastal sage scrub ecosystem from being developed, we’re preserving biodiversity as we safeguard a unique blend of habitats and species. And we’re offering community benefits by serving as a “living laboratory” for scientific research and conservation projects, enriching educational and research opportunities, and fostering deeper community engagement with nature conservation.

In addition to the Biodiversity Reserve, the undeveloped Descanso Ranchland (also known as Samataguma Ranch) managed by San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance has been designated as a protected space by 30×30 California.

Another area we manage—the Descanso Ranchland (also known as the Samataguma Ranch by Indigenous communities)—has also been designated as a protected space by 30×30 California. It encompasses nearly 700 acres of undeveloped land and chaparral vegetation located in the Cuyamaca Mountains of southeastern San Diego County. Like the Biodiversity Reserve, this natural landscape is home to diverse wildlife and serves as a field research laboratory for conservation science. Here we gain greater insights on restoration and preservation of native species and habitats, as well as how to restore balance to ecosystems.

OUR SOUTHWEST CONSERVATION HUB

We look forward to a bright future as we work together to preserve local wildlife and ecosystems through these partnerships across our Southwest Conservation Hub. As an Alliance, we know that we can accomplish so much more when we work together. With allies like you by our side, vital conservation work happens each and every day—within the Biodiversity Reserve and Descanso Ranchland, throughout the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park, and across all eight of our Conservation Hubs around the globe.

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30x30

30x30 California

Biodiversity Reserve

cactus wren

Descanso Ranchland

mountain lion

Prickly Pear Cactus

rattlesnake

Safari Park Biodiversity Reserve

Samataguma Ranch

San Diego Zoo Safari Park

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

Southwest Conservation Hub

Trunks Together

smaher — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 17:39:20 +0000

Trunks Together smaher Mon, 09/29/2025 - 10:39

Sara Maher Senior Editor for San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

As the sun rises over the rolling hills of the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, a herd of elephants is already on the move. The matriarch, Swazi, gets first choice of the abundant resources spread across her lushly planted habitats. Tagging along is her daughter Qinisa (Nisa), eager to enjoy the perks of mom being in the top spot. Next is second-in-command Ndlulamitsi (Ndlula), who keeps an eye on the others as she and her young son Umzula-Zuli (Zuli) head for a different pile of browse. The third-ranking female, Umngani, calmly follows along with her daughter Mkhaya, happy to take whatever the others leave behind. Umngani’s older daughter, Khosi, wants to hang out with Nisa, so she heads over to see if Swazi will let her join them for breakfast. Phakamile (Kami) eats by herself for a bit before deciding to join Nisa and Khosi. These interactions are the first of hundreds the eight elephants will experience as they spend their day together at Denny Sanford Elephant Valley.

Elephants live in highly social groups led by an experienced matriarch. This herd's matriarch is Swazi (front left, next to daughter Nisa).

Elephants are highly social and live in multigenerational family groups made up of a matriarch and her sisters, aunts, and cousins, plus their female calves and young male calves. As with any complicated family, it helps if they can choose who they spend time with, and when. There are days they want to be together, and others where they prefer some alone time; they may go from peacefully sharing a sleeping space to trying to steal a snack. Even with the occasional disagreement, group members across native habitats depend on one another for resources, protection, and survival in their challenging African savanna environment. It takes a reliable leader to keep such a vibrant herd on track, which is where the matriarch comes in.

Matriarchs are the experts at finding resources. In a group where every enormous member can eat up to 7% of their body weight daily, they have to continuously engage with their environment to seek out what they need to thrive. Just as in native habitats, matriarchs like Swazi spend most of their lives investigating their habitats, and use their incredible long-term memories to recall all the best and safest spots for food, water, and shelter. Swazi uses these skills to guide her herd through their dynamic experiences and lives at Elephant Valley. They have to maneuver around clusters of plants, large boulders, and hidden water features as they search for food and other resources, and the other elephants know Swazi has her eye on the best spots.

The herd's youngest members, Mkhaya (left) and Zuli, grow up with care and guidance from the entire group.

Matriarchs are also the most experienced when it comes to identifying and responding to danger. In moments of uncertainty, the herd at Elephant Valley looks to each other. When they first saw a newly reimagined area of their habitats at Elephant Valley, their immediate reaction was to stop moving forward and instead come closer together. They entered the unfamiliar space clustered together and stayed that way as they explored. They quickly realized this area was actually full of amazing things for them to enjoy, so they spread out and settled in. The herd’s resilience and ability to adapt to new situations comes from feeling safe together and taking care of each other.

The foundation of this close-knit herd is the bond between the three oldest females: Swazi, Ndlula, and Umngani. They were rescued and welcomed to the Safari Park around the same time, so they have a respectful and trusting relationship, like sisters. When Ndlula had Zuli and Umngani had Mkhaya just six weeks apart, Swazi and the older female calves acted as babysitters, giving lots of care and attention to the small, clumsy newborns. Unlike male calves, who live with their mother’s herd until they reach maturity and are pushed out by the older elephants, females stay with their mothers their entire lives. As Kami, Khosi, Mkhaya, and Nisa grow and mature, they will become older aunties themselves, passing along their knowledge and guidance to another generation. These strong intergenerational relationships help the herd work together, adapt to changes, and always have each other’s backs.

PACHY FACT: Elephants walk on their toes. Behind their toes is a pocket of fatty tissue that acts like a shock absorber. That’s why they are so quiet!

Matriarch Swazi leads the herd with quiet confidence. From left: Ndlula, Khosi, Swazi, Nisa.

Leading by Example

The herd’s matriarch is typically the largest, strongest, or oldest female, but that is not the case with Swazi. Though she is one of the oldest and largest elephants in the group, she is also one of the kindest. She uses her quiet confidence to lead and support the herd. When a little one’s horseplay caused Ndlula to trip over a log, Ndlula got frustrated and chased him, trying to give him a swat. Another matriarch may have pushed away the offender, but Swazi got between them and stood there calmly until they quieted down. Just her presence, and a subtle flare of her ears, is enough to keep potential disagreements at bay. She will also intervene if there’s a perceived potential threat, even if it’s just soothing someone who got spooked by a rabbit jumping out behind them. When Swazi isn’t busy keeping the peace, she loves to swim, and will often bond with the younger ones by joining them for a pool party!

As the daughter of the herd's matriarch, Nisa knows she's in a top spot.

Swazi’s daughter, Nisa, is a bit of a princess. She knows mom is in the top spot, and that means she doesn’t have to be concerned about finding all the best snacks and opportunities throughout the day. The group responds to Swazi’s movements and defers to her wishes, so all Nisa has to do is follow along. Nisa also has a lot of friends, as the other elephants know they may also benefit if she favors them. Lower-ranking Kami thought she could improve her standing in the herd by building a better relationship with Swazi’s family, so when Nisa was born, she started babysitting her. Now she can sometimes enjoy the same browse and opportunities as Swazi if she comes over when Nisa is there.

Kami is very alert and never misses anything going on.

Kami is also closely bonded with Swazi. She has very high social intelligence and knows that as the lowest-ranking female, she will benefit from a tight relationship with the highest-ranking female. Her lower position also means she has to stay alert, so she is very aware of her surroundings and never misses anything happening within the herd or her environment. She loves being around the younger calves, but if she notices strict Ndlula nearby, she might not go over to play with them until Ndlula has moved farther away.

PACHY FACT: An average-size elephant produces about 300 pounds of poop per day.

Ndlula (right) is second in command and keeps the little ones in line, especially her own son, Zuli (left).

A Force for Good

Powerful Ndlula is second-in-command and makes sure no one forgets it. She subtly tests Swazi by pushing her to follow through with her requests, but she also knows her place is subordinate to Swazi, and will yield prime browse if Swazi shows she’s interested in it. Ndlula is naturally a bit more confrontational than Swazi and isn’t afraid to make a point with the others. She’s only ever had male calves, who are typically more feisty and pushy than females, so their mothers tend to be a bit stricter to help guide and teach them as they grow older. This, along with her appreciation for consistency in her environment, makes her more of a rule-follower than the other mothers.

Young Zuli learns from watching his mother, Ndlula. Clockwise from top left: Ndlula; Zuli (left) and Ndlula; Zuli.

Ndlula keeps all the little ones in line, especially her own. When one of Ndlula’s young sons decided to knock Khosi down when she was just a few weeks old, Ndlula immediately pushed him away; even though he was still a calf himself, Ndlula knew she needed to teach him he couldn’t bully the females and younger calves. Her youngest son, Zuli, has learned from watching his mother and gets along well with the younger females. He loves to go swimming with them in the watering hole.

PACHY FACT: Elephants don’t have pores, so they can’t sweat. Their extra-wrinkly skin helps them stay cool. Taking baths or rolling in mud fills their wrinkles with water and dirt, which helps protect them from the sun.

Umngani (back middle) and her daughters, Mkhaya (front left) and Khosi (right), are content with their place in the herd.

Perky Ears, No Fear

The lady with the longest tusks is the lovely Umngani. As the least dominant of the three adult females, she has to be the most alert, so her ears are usually perked. She’s the herd’s patient, dedicated, and sweet-natured supermom whose daughters, Khosi and Mkhaya, round out her quirky, fun-loving family group. Umngani is very comfortable with her position in the group and doesn’t challenge the others; instead, she uses her resourcefulness and intelligence to cruise the area and pick up things others have left behind. Her calm contentedness has allowed her daughters to become very confident members of the herd, even though their mom has the lowest rank.

Umngani is patient and resourceful, and also has the longest tusks.

Umngani’s oldest daughter, Khosi, is easy to spot because she’s the unicorn—the only elephant with one tusk! Khosi was the herd’s first female calf, so everyone immediately adored her. The other adults were very protective of her, and all wanted to take turns babysitting her. Even as a teenager, she is still a social butterfly who has a great relationship with every adult in the group. She is confident and smart, and likes to take the herd on adventures. Along with Swazi, Khosi is the first to discover something going on in the habitat. When an underground pipe was leaking, she smelled it, dug it up, and turned the resulting geyser into a hollow filled with muddy fun for everyone! She’s first into the watering hole for an evening splash, and gets the other little ones to join her for a pool party. It’s no surprise she’s also the best babysitter.

Teenage Khosi is a social butterfly and loves to take the herd on adventures.

Khosi’s little sister, Mkhaya, is the youngest in the herd. She’s still nursing and a few years away from maturity, but she’s already a little spitfire who’s not afraid of anything. She’s very social and well-established within the group; everyone accepts her and lets her hang around them to eat.

The herd's youngest member, Mkhaya, isn't afraid of anything.

Have you herd? There’s lots more to look forward to from Elephant Valley. Keep checking Story Hub and the Elephant Valley website for more details—including when you’ll be able to experience these incredible elephants yourself!

PACHY FACT: An elephant’s body has thick skin, but sensitive hairs. This means they can take big hits without bruising, but can still feel a fly walking across their back.

Experience incredible elephants, including Kami (left) and Zuli, when Elephant Valley opens at the Safari Park.

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elephant

african elephant

Elephant Valley

Savanna Conservation Hub

Class Is in Session

mhausberg — Tue, 02 Sep 2025 19:15:00 +0000

Class Is in Session mhausberg Tue, 09/02/2025 - 12:15

Mike Hausberg Senior Editor for San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

Every day is an opportunity to learn something new, and that holds true for wildlife too. Animals both young and old rely on keen observation, practice, and collaboration to hone the skills essential for success in their habitats. No matter the subject, lessons abound at every turn, showcasing the remarkable resilience and adaptability of wildlife across the globe.

Young San Clemente loggerhead shrikes learn to vocalize in several ways so they can imitate the rasps, buzzes, and trills of their community’s songs.

Language Arts

For songbirds like San Clemente loggerhead shrikes, communication is key for life in native habitats. Young birds start by listening to nearby adults and practicing their sound-making before mastering songs and calls. Songs are long and complex, used to establish territory and attract mates, while calls are simpler and can signal a location change, a potential threat, or the presence of food. Though they’re different, they’re both essential for staying connected and protected.

As songbird populations unfortunately decrease, so does the diversity of their vocalizations, with some at risk of disappearing forever. We work to protect songbirds like loggerhead shrikes through our Southwest Conservation Hub to keep their voices ringing loud and clear.

Elephant matriarchs can show the herd how to find reliable water sources, and then how to use that water for drinking, hygiene, and cooling off.

History

Every student needs a good teacher, and an elephant matriarch brings decades of experience to the position. This elder female is a role model, showing calves how to get along and adolescents how to care for the little ones. She can also bring the herd to reliable sources of food, water, and shelter, even if it’s been years since her last visit there.

This is especially important during times of drought or scarcity, which are unfortunately increasing due to climate instability. We work to protect elephants and their ecosystems through our Savanna Conservation Hub, helping ensure these pachyderms keep gaining experience they can pass down for generations.

Walk side by side with the herd when you discover the reimagined Denny Sanford Elephant Valley, opening early 2026 at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

As mountain yellow-legged frogs learn to swim and hop, they can more easily avoid the garter snakes, blackbirds, and coyotes that prey on them.

Biology

As amphibians, mountain yellow-legged frogs go through several stages of development, and during each one they perfect their natural physical abilities. Tiny tadpoles propel themselves through California lakes and streams with their tails, much like fish. When they grow legs as juveniles, they refine their kicking technique and coordinate their limbs for efficient swimming. And finally, once they’re adults living mostly on land, they add hopping to their repertoire.

This progression of skills helps the dexterous frogs find food, seek shelter, and evade predators. Though this species is endangered, we work through our Southwest Conservation Hub to reintroduce them to their native habitats so they can thrive at every stage of life.

By learning how to find and feed on fruit, ʻalalā also fulfill their role as seed dispersers, which helps keep their island forests healthy.

Geography

ʻAlalā, also known as the Hawaiian crow, thrived on the Hawaiian islands for generations, but because of disease and habitat loss, they became extinct in the wild in 2002. Thanks to strong partnerships through our Pacific Islands Conservation Hub, we recently supported a reintroduction plan for five birds we cared for at our Keauhou and Maui Bird Conservation Centers.

Teams ensured the ʻalalā could first develop skills they’d need to thrive in their island forest habitats. This included foraging for fruits and insects and hiding from predators in shrubs. The birds also bonded with each other, building solid relationships that would help them survive together.

Today, these magnificent birds are thriving in Maui, using every skill they learned as they soar through the island trees once again.

When a giraffe is born, its nervous system is already partially developed, so it’s ready to stand from the start.

Physical Education

With their long, strong legs, giraffes stand tall in their savanna habitat from the very beginning of their lives. After some wobbling and trial-and-error, newborns usually learn to stand within the hour and walk soon thereafter. Moms will even lovingly kick their calves to encourage them to get up and move around. Once they’re on four feet, most young giraffes are already a staggering six feet tall!

This important skill allows calves to reach their moms to nurse, as well as keep up with the herd to avoid predators such as lions, hyenas, or, unfortunately, poachers. We work with partners through our Savanna Conservation Hub to improve human-wildlife coexistence so every giraffe can thrive.

Giraffe calves are standing out at both the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park. Gallop over to connect with them on your next visit.

At around eight to ten months old, tiger cubs tag along on hunting trips and learn how to find a meal by observing the adults’ skills.

Recess

Tiger cubs really know how to scamper and roughhouse throughout their Asian forest habitats. What looks like play, though, is actually an important stage of their development.

By wrestling, pouncing, and stalking each other—or their very patient mother—they practice skills essential for hunting. They also increase balance and coordination, which are useful both on the ground and in the trees, and they strengthen their developing muscles.

Tigers only begin hunting in earnest when they’re 18 to 24 months old, so these early years of play are the perfect time for them to practice, learning every stealthy step of the way.

Sumatran tiger cub Barong is growing fast as he learns important skills every day at the Safari Park. Connect with him and mom Jillian when you explore Tull Family Tiger Trail.

A bee’s waggle dance is a remarkably expressive performance, describing their habitat’s physical layout and even the sun’s location to help others find food.

Performing Arts

While honeybees are often seen flying around, it’s their dancing that really expresses what they’re thinking. When a worker bee finds a new food source, she returns to the nest and performs what’s called a waggle dance. Moving in a figure-eight pattern, her fast-paced wiggling indicates to others the direction, distance, and even quality of the food.

Best of all, younger bees learn how to do the dance by watching. This example of social learning keeps the hive fed so the bees can continue their vital work as pollinators.

Young female chimpanzees learn to find termites earlier than young males, who spend more time wrestling to develop important hunting and defense skills.

Home Economics

Finding nutritious food is a crucial skill for any animal, and chimpanzees learn through observation how to feed themselves using tools. Mothers show their young how to carefully strip leaves from twigs, dip them into a termite mound, and slurp up the insects they pull out. Little chimps similarly learn how to use twigs to grab gobs of honey out of bee nests.

There’s more to learn than just this dipstick trick. Certain species crack open nuts with stones, or sharpen twigs with their teeth to hunt smaller mammals. We work to protect the Ebo forest through our African Forest Conservation Hub so endangered chimpanzees and other wildlife living there have all the resources they need to thrive.

Something we know for sure: your support helps us protect wildlife and ecosystems around the world. Discover more about the conservation work we do through our eight Conservation Hubs.

Chimpanzee photo credit: slpu9945/iStock/Getty Images Plus.

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A Spotlight on Stripes

emcmillan — Fri, 29 Aug 2025 17:13:18 +0000

A Spotlight on Stripes emcmillan Fri, 08/29/2025 - 10:13

Ellie McMillan Writer for San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

In the dappled light of the forest, a flash of orange, black, and white moves like a shadow. Tigers are masters of contradiction: boldly striped yet perfectly camouflaged. Their striking colors actually help them blend seamlessly into the tall grasses and dense foliage of their native habitats. Even more interestingly, each tiger sports a completely unique stripe pattern. No two are alike.

The largest big cats have some other fascinating traits that set them apart from the rest of their feline cousins. They’re natural swimmers with excellent night vision, both of which help make them expert hunters. And when they do catch their next meal, tigers can carry prey twice their body weight 10 feet up into a tree.

Unfortunately, despite their incredible adaptations, tigers face a fragile future. All six subspecies of tigers across the globe are endangered due to threats including wildlife trafficking, habitat loss, and challenges related to human-wildlife coexistence. The good news is we’re working with partners across the globe to secure their striped future.

In Sumatra, trail cameras are used to locate and identify wildlife, including tigers. | Credit: © BKSDA West Sumatra, SINTAS, and SDZWA

Digital Pawprint

With only an estimated 400-600 Sumatran tigers remaining in native habitat, protecting each one is paramount. Through our Asia Conservation Hub, we’re using cutting-edge advanced monitoring technology, like drones, to detect and prevent possible challenges to human-wildlife coexistence so that all who share these ecosystems can thrive.

These drones soar above croplands throughout Sumatra, carrying a thermal sensor that uses tigers’ heat signatures to reveal their locations. If and when a tiger is detected too close to communities, the field team can quickly dispatch mitigation measures to keep both people and tigers safe.

GPS collar tracking is another technological conservation game-changer. Our team placed a tracking collar on an adult tiger when they were translocated away from a local community and to the province of West Sumatra. During the following months, monitoring the tiger showed that they moved, establishing a new territory over 130 kilometers (80 miles) away from the release site. While more data needs to be collected to fully understand the factors influencing translocation outcomes, this information is crucial to finding solutions for human-wildlife coexistence as tigers and people continue to share spaces.

Tigers leave behind traces of their DNA through their pawprints, scent marks, and even when they deposit scat.

Tiger Tracks

Efforts to save, protect, and care for these big cats continues back at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Here our expert teams non-invasively collect DNA samples from tigers we care for as part of a long-term collaborative conservation program. All living things are constantly shedding their DNA into their environment. Tigers slough off traces of their DNA in their pawprints as they walk, while they seasonally shed fur, regularly deposit scat, and as they mark their territories with pungent scent marks. They even shed DNA on the prey they eat and in the water they drink.

Of course, it’s easier to collect the samples at the Safari Park than in native habitats, where tigers can be difficult to locate and where the elements—wind, sun, and rain—quickly degrade DNA. The samples we’re able to collect are analyzed and used to create DNA profiles. While our teams are still figuring out the data’s limitless potential, the samples begin to help us understand global populations and genetic diversity of critically endangered Sumatran tigers. It's detective work at its finest, expanding scientific boundaries to solve complicated conservation puzzles.

With only an estimated 400-600 Sumatran tigers remaining in native habitat, every birth is a beacon of hope for the critically endangered species' future.

All Paws In

Over the last few years, we’ve celebrated the births of three Sumatran tiger cubs at the Safari Park—dynamic duo Puteri and Hutan, and, most recently, Barong. These adorable arrivals represent far more than just cute faces: they’re critical additions to the global population and beacons of hope for their critically endangered species.

Tigers are crucial for healthy, thriving ecosystems and maintain the delicate balance of their native habitats. Wildlife allies like you can help Sumatran tigers without ever needing to travel to Asia. When you choose products made with sustainable palm oil, you’re helping protect the landscapes that tigers rely on. Your visits to the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park also help safeguard their future. Most importantly, you can spread awareness about them and their conservation needs in your everyday life. Together, we’re making a difference for tigers, one day at a time.

Discover what wildlife allies like you make possible for Sumatran tigers and other wildlife through our Asia Conservation Hub.

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Looking Back

emcmillan — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 18:30:41 +0000

Looking Back emcmillan Thu, 08/07/2025 - 11:30

Ellie McMillan Writer for San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

Panda-monium is only just getting started. One year ago, we welcomed giant pandas Xin Bao and Yun Chuan to the San Diego Zoo. They were the first pandas to enter the United States in 21 years, kicking off a new chapter of collaborative conservation with our Chinese partners and bringing renewed hope to the future of their endangered species. Since the opening of Denny Sanford Panda Ridge, this pair has spread friendship across the Earth and inspired countless others to join us in saving, protecting, and caring for pandas and their bamboo forest ecosystems.

Earlier this spring, we shared some updates on how the dynamic duo has been settling into Panda Ridge. Now, let’s tumble in and explore a few incredible moments throughout their first year here.

Xin Bao has a large round face, fluffy ears, and a distinctive bow-shaped marking on her back.

(Giant) New Neighbors

Last August, wildlife allies like you connected with the bears for the very first time in San Diego. Together we met Xin Bao, whose name means “precious treasure of prosperity and abundance.” She’s best recognized by her large round face, big, fluffy ears, and a distinctive bow-tie shaped marking on her back.

We also got to know Yun Chuan. He’s identifiable by his long, slightly pointed nose and the solid black stripe across his back. His arrival also marks a full-circle moment in our 30 years of collaborative conservation efforts. Yun Chuan is the son of Zhen Zhen, who was born at the Zoo in 2007, and the grandson of Bai Yun, who lived here for decades.

Not too long after their debut, our Giant Panda Cam launched. With this extraordinary broadcast, you can experience the pandas from anywhere in the world as they climb, tumble, nap, and—most importantly—munch on fresh bamboo.

Countless allies have connected with Xin Bao and Yun Chuan at Panda Ridge since it opened.

VIPs: Very Important Pandas

The pandas’ first year continued with lots of fun at the Zoo. In February, we rang in Lunar New Year in style, slithering into the Year of the Snake. There were plenty of exciting activities, traditional crafts, and opportunities to learn about how you’re helping make a difference for Asian wildlife through our Asia Conservation Hub. The weekend was a joy-filled way to connect culture and conservation while honoring giant pandas and their origins.

Fast forward to March, and it was none other than National Panda Day! To mark the occasion, the first 2,000 kids (ages 11 and under) who visited Panda Ridge received their very own pair of panda ears to wear. This day brought allies of all ages together to celebrate our shared love for wildlife and highlight the importance of conservation.

During the dynamic snow experience, Xin Bao brought her bamboo on top of the snow-covered ground to enjoy.

Snow Day

When the weather’s warm, you might see Xin Bao and Yun Chuan making a splash in the water. But they have been known to enjoy a fresh powder day, too. Giant pandas’ native misty bamboo forests are spread throughout a variety of mountainous terrain across the provinces of Sichuan, Shaanxi, and Gansu in South Central China and they do sometimes encounter snow. So with that in mind, our expert Wildlife Care team prepared a very cool day just for the bears.

The two pandas had a (snow)ball during this dynamic experience. It encouraged a series of new behaviors and decision-making opportunities that align with seasonal changes they’d encounter in native habitats. Xin Bao gathered her bamboo and took it above the snow-covered ground to chow down. Yun Chuan, on the other hand, followed a different strategy. He slid around on the blanketed landscape and ended up waiting until after the snow melted to forage for his food.

Yun Chuan approached the snow day differently by sliding around on the blanketed ground.

Looking Ahead

Recently, both Xin Bao and Yun Chuan had bear-y special celebrations. Xin Bao turned five, while Yun Chuan turned six. Their birthdays remind us that the best is yet to come, both in our journey of caring for these remarkable bears and for giant panda conservation efforts.

Together with our Chinese partners, our work in the years ahead will address vital issues of giant panda health and well-being, help prepare pandas for future translocations into native habitats, develop new and emerging technologies for conservation strategies, and share insights to help conserve this keystone species and their fragile ecosystems.

On your next visit to Panda Ridge, take in the experience. Look, listen, and engage with the unique and intriguing world of giant pandas—full of large trees for climbing, bamboo for eating, and rolling hillsides ready for exploration. With the support of wildlife allies like you, we’re helping giant pandas thrive for generations to come. We can’t wait for more moments of connection, joy, and panda-filled fun, and we can’t wait to see you at the San Diego Zoo!

Discover how you’re making a difference for giant pandas and other wildlife through our Asia Conservation Hub.

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12 Fascinating Facts About Giant Pandas

emcmillan — Fri, 01 Aug 2025 18:12:34 +0000

12 Fascinating Facts About Giant Pandas emcmillan Fri, 08/01/2025 - 11:12

Ellie McMillan Writer for San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

Giant pandas are iconic and incredibly unique. Before your next visit to connect with Xin Bao and Yun Chuan at Denny Sanford Panda Ridge, brush up on your knowledge about their species. Impress your friends and loved ones while gaining a deeper appreciation for these dynamic bears. With the support of wildlife allies like you, we’re making a difference for giant pandas across the globe through our Asia Conservation Hub.

Giant pandas are part of the bear subfamily Ailuropodinae.

Giant pandas live in damp, misty forests across the provinces of Sichuan, Shaanxi, and Gansu in South Central China.

There are only eight species of bears. Pandas are the only member of the subfamily Ailuropodinae.

Their "psuedothumbs" help make them bamboo-eating experts.

Panda diets are 99% bamboo. On average, they eat up to 50 pounds of fresh bamboo leaves, stems, and shoots daily. Because of all that fiber-dense material, they poop almost the same amount every day!

You might be wondering what the other 1% of their diet consists of. It’s far more infrequent, but they might eat grass, fruits, insects, eggs, and carrion, in addition to sand and soil. Interestingly, giant pandas have lost the ability to taste proteins because of their plant-based diet.

Pandas can eat up to 50 pounds of bamboo every day.

And speaking of bamboo, panda’s opposable “pseudothumbs”—which are actually enlarged wrist bones—have uniquely adapted to grasp and manipulate bamboo so it’s easier to eat. Now that’s finger food.

These bears are chewing machines. A panda’s skull, jaws, chewing muscles, and teeth are adapted for crushing and chewing bamboo.

Sometimes, male pandas will do "handstands" to leave their rear-end scent marks higher.

Giant pandas have short, powerful limbs. Proportionally, their legs are shorter than those of other bears and their front legs are longer than their back ones.

Giant pandas use scent marking to communicate with each other. When leaving their mark with rear-end scent glands, sometimes male pandas will do handstands. If their scent markings are the highest, they’re obviously the biggest, tallest panda.

Pandas make at least 12 distinctive sounds. Young cubs are known to croak or squeal.

Pandas are about the size of a stick of butter when they’re born, which is about 1/900th the size of their mother.

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They make at least 12 distinctive sounds. Friendly bleats can be heard most commonly. A huff, snort, or chomp may indicate apprehension. Sometimes, they can also be heard barking and chirping in varying combinations and with varying intensities.

When you visit Panda Ridge, you might find Xin Bao perched up in a tree enjoying a snack.

Scientists can’t agree on why they have black and white coats. Pandas don’t have any natural predators so they might not be for camouflage. On the other hand, they also don’t hunt, so their markings probably aren’t to confuse prey either. Maybe their fur pattern is either an invite during breeding season or a warning for other bears to stay away. Although we don’t know the exact reason why, pandas’ coats still help them seamlessly disappear into the bamboo forest.

Despite spending most of their days resting, sleeping, and eating, some giant pandas, like Xin Bao, enjoy climbing trees and hanging out among the high branches.

Explore what you’re making possible for giant pandas and other wildlife through our Asia Conservation Hub.

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Family Matters

mhausberg — Tue, 24 Jun 2025 23:45:04 +0000

Family Matters mhausberg Tue, 06/24/2025 - 16:45

Mike Hausberg Senior Editor for San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

A school of fish darting in perfect unison, a litter of puppies snuggling together, baby ducks waddling behind their mother in a neat row. Across the animal kingdom, family connections come in countless forms. Whether they’re sprawling groups or small circles, these structures of belonging also reveal a fascinating mosaic of survival strategies. While every animal family is unique, they all share one purpose: to help their species thrive.

For zebras, living in a herd means more eyes, ears, and noses to detect threats like lions and hyenas.

It Takes a Village

Whether it’s a flock, pod, or brood, many animals thrive in a group, and for good reason—herd living offers many advantages.

Sometimes it’s protection: when a zebra is injured by a predator, the herd will circle their fallen friend and protect it with powerful kicks, bites, and head butts.

Sometimes it’s teamwork: meerkats share responsibilities like standing sentry or foraging for grubs so the whole group can benefit from the collective efforts.

And sometimes it’s caretaking: African wild dogs feeding on a hunt return to the den to regurgitate food for the ill, the old, and the very young.

For species like these, having a friend (or a hundred) keeps everyone safe, strong, and successful.

Bring a group along when you visit zebras at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park and meerkats at the San Diego Zoo.

By bringing her infant along while exploring, a mother lemur bonds with her baby and shows it around their African island habitat.

Mama Knows Best

Many herds are matriarchal, meaning a mother or other female leads the group.

Lemurs are led by an alpha female and her relatives who search for food and defend their territory—all while carrying babies on their backs.

A queen bee earns her title as the whole colony works to support her and her reproduction, and they dutifully follow her to a new hive location when nearby resources become scarce.

For elephants, which we work to protect through our Savanna and African Forest Conservation Hubs, the oldest, most experienced female maintains the herd’s social network and ensures its survival. As seen during the recent earthquake in Southern California, when the adults formed an “alert circle” around the babies, expertise and leadership are essential skills for any mom in charge.

Elephants also demonstrate the “grandmother effect”: when an elder is present to share their years of experience and knowledge, the health of the group increases. An older elephant can show the herd how to pick the best plants, navigate steep terrain, and find water sources she visited years prior.

Killer whales exhibit the effect too, as a post-reproductive female can care for babies during younger moms’ mating seasons to ensure the calves receive attentive and uninterrupted care.

Swing by to check out lemur dynamics at Africa Rocks at the Zoo, and don’t miss a chance to observe these relationships in the herd at the Safari Park’s Elephant Valley.

Groups of male turkeys puff their feathers, fan their tails, and scrape their wings on the ground to attract nearby females for their brother.

Sibling Solidarity

Sometimes wildlife look to their family peers for support and camaraderie as they explore the wide world around them.

For beavers and Asian short-clawed otters, older siblings help raise newborns so the adults can focus on finding food and guarding their den.

As lions grow up, siblings break off and start new families together. While most people are familiar with a pride of lions, those are only formed by sisters—brothers create their own group called a coalition as they search for a new family to join.

Similarly, wild turkey brothers leave the nest and stay together for life, and the younger toms even act as “wingmen” to help the top turkey find mates. Talk about brotherhood!

We care for lions every day through our Savanna Conservation Hub and right here in San Diego. Feel proud of the difference you make when you visit these big cats at both the Zoo and the Safari Park.

The flamingo fathers at the Safari Park kept their chick fed with crop milk, a nutritious substance produced in their digestive tracts.

Like One of Their Own

Parents come from many places. Alloparenting, where animals care for children that aren’t biologically their own, is not only helpful but can often be lifesaving.

When a young mountain gorilla loses its parent, the troop will raise the little one with such dedication that it maintains its social standing and likelihood of survival.

Red squirrel populations may be spread across the northern hemisphere, but they know how to keep family near: a female squirrel may adopt an orphaned baby if they’re closely related.

And for northern elephant seals, it’s common for a pup to get separated from its parent on their crowded Pacific beaches. Hope is not lost though: another mother who has lost her own child may nurse and protect the young one as if it were her own.

Even when animals can’t have their own children, they may find ways to be loving and devoted caretakers. Monogamous, same-sex penguin couples have been known to follow their innate parenting instincts by trying to incubate egg-shaped rocks. They get their chance at parenthood when they take in an egg that has been abandoned, hatching it and keeping the baby safe and warm.

Recently at the Safari Park, wildlife care specialists gave mated male lesser flamingos an egg from another pair already raising a second hatchling. The pink pair were naturals and attended to the chick’s needs as they alternated dad duty.

While we work to protect marine life through our Oceans Conservation Hub, you can visit the flamingos for yourself at the Safari Park, or hop over to the penguin colony at the Zoo’s Africa Rocks.

A beehive can house 80,000 bees or more, but no matter how many roommates they have, every bee works to support the queen as she lays more eggs.

Wildlife show us that family is about more than just lineage—it flourishes with connection, care, and community. Next time you visit the Zoo or Safari Park, take a moment to admire these incredible animal groups and the unique ways they support each other. No matter what shape it takes, family is a force that helps species thrive in wondrous ways.

As ally for wildlife, you’re part of a family of conservationists creating a world where all life thrives. Discover how we’re protecting wildlife groups of all shapes and sizes through our eight Conservation Hubs.

Photo credits: turkey photo: Gerald Corsi/E+/Getty Images; bee photo: StockSeller_ukr/iStock /Getty Images Plus.

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Hoʹi ke Kāhea

pscott — Mon, 12 May 2025 20:50:18 +0000

Hoʹi ke Kāhea pscott Mon, 05/12/2025 - 13:50

Photo by Zach Pezzillo

Brissa Christophersen and Bryce Masuda

The inextricable relationship between people and their environment has lasted for millennia, and here in Hawai'i, this connection is no different. The people of Hawai'i have long understood what it means to live in reciprocity; however, the effects of colonization and the influx of foreign, invasive species have resulted in a staggering decline in overall health of both people and wildlife. As one of the most isolated island archipelagoes in the world with a large human population, Hawai'i is not only home to the many people that live here, but to some of the world's rarest species.

Remembering Relationships

The word “home” carries with it a deep and powerful meaning that we can all relate to—a place where we feel safe, where we find comfort in the familiar, and where we are surrounded by loved ones. It’s where we’re from, where we belong. It is the foundation of our identity, rooted in the land, the sea, the mountains, and the skies that we’ve been linked to for generations. For us, home is not just a place, but a connection to 'āina, which translates to “land” or “that which feed."

The health of 'āina here in Hawai'i has become threatened over the years due to habitat degradation, invasive species, and the spread of introduced diseases. One species, the 'alalā, also known as the Hawaiian crow, plays a key role in a forest’s health. Once abundant across the landscape, the 'alalā population dwindled down to fewer than 20 individuals in the 1990s due to the aformentioned threats. As a result, 'alalā were brought into our care facilities in efforts to increase the population, yet the goal was always clear—to return them to their forest home, where they belong.

To revitalize 'alalā, it was not enough to simply care for them in our centers, the Keauhou Bird Conservation Center on Hawai'i Island and the Maui Bird Conservation Center on the slopes of Haleakalā. Our community had to address the root causes of their decline: habitat restoration, predator control, and the mitigation of disease. Over the years, many hands came together and this work paid off, and the population grew to over 140 individuals. Through collaborative efforts, the forests were restored and protected, and in 2016, a new chapter began.

'Alalā are cared for in aviary buildings like this one at two care facilities in Hawai'i: the Keauhou Bird Conservation Center on Hawai'i Island and the Maui Bird Conservation Center on the slopes of Haleakalā.

Ho'iho'i

Between 2016 and 2020, 30 'alalā were returned to their forest home on Hawai'i Island, where they could once again soar through the canopy, calling back and forth to one another from the treetops. They were finally among their family in the forest—back to the 'āina where they belonged. It was a moment of joy, of hope, of homecoming.

However, by late 2020, 'alalā weren’t thriving in the forest. As their numbers declined, we made the difficult decision with our conservation partners to recall the remaining individuals back to our centers. Fast forward to today, and the hope for the 'alalā continues to grow. In November 2024, we were able to return five more 'alalā to their fores thome on the island of Maui, a significant milestone in the ongoing effort to restore this iconic species. This return marks another step forward in ensuring the ʻalalā’s voices will once again fill the skies of Hawai'i, and that they will thrive in the forests that are their true home.

What does this process look like? Some people call it conservation breeding, or captive propagation. It may sound like a technical term, but this refers to producing offspring to increase the population from fewer than 20 'alalā to a peak of over 140. Some call it a sanctuary—a place of care and protection. We call it ho'iho'i, which translates as “to return, send back, or restore,” and represents what a joyous feeling it evokes.

'Alalā typically lay about three eggs per clutch.

Perseverance and Patience

For us, the work of conservation is about returning the 'alalā home to restore these familial ties to 'āina. Every step taken in the care facilities here in Hawai'i is purposeful, done with the intention of returning them home in a timely and righteous way. But this is not an easy task. It requires patience, attention to detail, and careful observation.

When we care for the 'alalā, we do not simply keep them in an enclosure or a sterile environment. We closely observe their behaviors and needs. We learn what makes them feel comfortable, what makes them feel safe. 'Alalā are part of 'āina, and as a result, part of what feeds us and allows us as people to thrive. In turn, it’s our reciprocal responsibility to provide the utmost care to 'alalā, as we would to our extended family. To help ensure 'alalā are as comfortable as possible,we replicate their forest environment as closely as we can, with aviaries filled with the same native foliage to mimic the natural layers of the forest and curating optimal humidity and rain conditions.

Here we also ensure the infrastructure needed to care for them is in good working condition. The team monitors the birds for any signs of stress or potential health concerns. Every aspect of what we do is attended to with intention and care, so that when the time comes to return ʻalalā to their forest home, they are as ready as possible.

Author Brissa Christophersen enjoying the sight of ‘alalā in their forest home.

Photo by Lauren Shearer

E Ola Mau (May They Live on)

As we all know, the field of conservation is not easy, but it is essential. It is a labor of love, of hope, and of responsibility. The 'alalā are not just birds—they are interwoven threads that make up the fabric of Hawai'i lifeways. They are part of Hawai'i’s story, part of the rich cultural and ecological heritage that has shaped this land. And just as we care for our own, we care for them, so they can thrive once again.

This effort is not just about saving a bird—it is about saving a piece of ourselves, a piece of our home. When the 'alalā return to the forest, itis a reminder of what is possible when we work together. It’s a reminder that no matter how challenging the road may be, we can always return home, and that home will always be there, waiting for us.

In this way, we are not just conserving birds—we are building a better tomorrow for Hawai'i. A tomorrow where the land is filled with life, where the skies are once again filled with the songs of native birds, and where the land is cared for as it has been for generations. There is hope in this work, and hope for the future of the native species of Hawai'i. We are not just returning the 'alalā home—we are ensuring the land, the forests, and the animals who call it home can live and thrive, as they always should.

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