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Today At the Zoo
Friday, February 1, 2019
Jaguars Temporarily Off Exhibit for Habitat Enhancements
The Sacramento Zoo is excited to announce that the resident jaguar pair, Sasha and Tikal, will be receiving an exhibit renovation and additions to their living space! The renovations, which are currently underway, will take place in phases over the coming weeks and months. The improvements will include necessary structure upgrades including a roof replacement, tree removal and trimming, various horticulture upgrades, a long-awaited repair of the river, water system and fountain and more. As a conservation organization, the zoo...Read More
Thursday, January 17, 2019
Mourning the Sudden Death of Wolf’s Guenon “Rori”
The Sacramento Zoo is saddened to announce the loss of Rori, an active and vibrant one-year-old Wolf’s guenon after a short battle with a respiratory infection. A full necropsy (animal autopsy) will be performed at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Early last week, the zoo’s veterinary and animal care teams observed Rori displaying abnormal behavior on exhibit. Rori was taken to the Sacramento Zoo’s Dr. Murray E. Fowler Veterinary Hospital for treatment and care where he received a...Read More
Experience the Zoo
Jaguars Temporarily Off Exhibit for Habitat Enhancements
The Sacramento Zoo is excited to announce that the resident jaguar pair, Sasha and Tikal, will be receiving an exhibit renovation and additions to their living space! The renovations, which are currently underway, will take place in phases over the...Read MoreMourning the Sudden Death of Wolf’s Guenon “Rori”
The Sacramento Zoo is saddened to announce the loss of Rori, an active and vibrant one-year-old Wolf’s guenon after a short battle with a respiratory infection. A full necropsy (animal autopsy) will be performed at the UC Davis School of...Read MoreSacramento Zoo primate expert travels to China to help lead the country’s first orangutan husbandry workshop
In a rare occurrence, China invited U.S. primate experts, including a representative from the Sacramento Zoo, for the China National Orang-utan Workshop on great ape husbandry and welfare. From October 25 to October 30 experts from Sacramento Zoo, Cameron Park...Read MoreSafety in numbers: there’s a new clan in town
For the first time in the Sacramento Zoo’s history, we welcome a vivacious clan of meerkats! Brand new to the zoo, this all-female clan originated from the Brevard Zoo in Melbourne, Florida is now on exhibit in Small Wonders next...Read MoreHerkimer the desert tortoise's annual exam
As the zoo’s oldest animal, at a spry 91-years-old, Herkimer the desert tortoise is a favorite amongst zoo staff and visitors alike. A key component to making sure Herkimer is healthy and fulfilled in his long life, is his annual...Read MoreSnow leopard cub to receive rare eyelid surgery
On Wednesday, October 24th Coconut, the snow leopard cub born at the Sacramento Zoo earlier this year, will be the recipient of a rare eyelid surgery performed by Sacramento Zoo veterinarians as well as veterinary specialists from UC Davis. Shortly...Read MoreA little snow leopard cub gets a big name just in time for his exhibit debut
The Sacramento Zoo’s snow leopard cub made his first (brief) exhibit debut late last week, after much anticipation from staff and visitors alike. Accompanied by his keepers, the 15-week-old cub named “Coconut” eventually warmed up to the space enough to...Read MoreSac Zoo lands a new parrot species
Along with some changes to aviaries throughout the zoo, we have recently welcomed a male hawk-headed parrot to our collection. Bert, the 20-year-old parrot from Denver’s Downtown Aquarium is quite the character. Throughout the day, guests and staff may be...Read MorePassing of red panda cub
We are heartbroken to announce the loss of the three-week-old red panda cub early the morning of July 16th, after a battle with pneumonia. A full necropsy will be performed at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. The red panda...Read MoreWorld Chimpanzee Day: Celebrating our Closest Cousins in the Animal Kingdom
Saturday, July 14th marks the inaugural World Chimpanzee Day. This day is a celebration of chimpanzees, humans’ closest cousin in the animal kingdom, but it’s also a reminder about the critical need for global participation in their care, protection and...Read MoreOrzo the Black and White Ruffed Lemur Visits UC Davis Veterinary School
By Jenessa Gjeltema, DVM, Dipl. ACZM When Orzo's caretakers noticed that he was holding his left hind leg up when walking, both his keepers and the veterinary team were concerned that he may have sustained an injury to his leg....Read MoreExciting changes ahead at the Sacramento Zoo!
Animal welfare is a key element in the mission of the Sacramento Zoological Society. It is of the utmost importance to all the staff and dedicated volunteers at the zoo to ensure that the zoo’s residents receive the best possible...Read MoreKeep up with the Zoo
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Our Impact
As the only aquatic turtle native to California, we feel strongly about our direct involvement in their future – in the zoo community and in the wild.
Making a difference in Western Pond Turtle Populations
Eleven western pond turtles hatched at the Sacramento Zoo in 2016. Weighing only five to six grams at hatching, these tiny turtles have big shells to fill as they grow to their adult weight of between 6000 and 1200 grams (1.3 to 2.6 lbs.). All the western pond turtles at the Sacramento Zoo play important roles as animal ambassadors at the zoo, aiding in our commitment to the species.
Western pond turtles are found in the most western of the United States. In Washington and Oregon it is designated as “Endangered”. In California (and Baja California) it is a “Species of Special Concern” and listed as “Threatened”. Their population is drastically declining primarily due to habitat loss from urbanization and conversion to agricultural needs.
The Sacramento Zoo is home to one of the largest populations of western pond turtles housed within an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) facility and the Zoo is an active participant in the AZA Species Survival Plan® (SSP) for them.
The Sacramento Zoo is helping this species in a number of ways. Read More
Happening at the Zoo
Featured News
Friday, February 1, 2019
Jaguars Temporarily Off Exhibit for Habitat Enhancements
The Sacramento Zoo is excited to announce that the resident jaguar pair, Sasha and Tikal, will be receiving an exhibit renovation and a...
Thursday, January 17, 2019
Mourning the Sudden Death of Wolf’s Guenon “Rori”
The Sacramento Zoo is saddened to announce the loss of Rori, an active and vibrant one-year-old Wolf’s guenon after a short battle wi...
Monday, December 31, 2018
Conservation Connections: Saving Snow Leopards in the Wild
In Mongolia’s remote Tost Mountains, a team of researchers works tirelessly to track snow leopards in the wild with GPS collars. This...
Wednesday, November 28, 2018
Sacramento Zoo primate expert travels to China to help lead the country’s first orangutan husbandry workshop
In a rare occurrence, China invited U.S. primate experts, including a representative from the Sacramento Zoo, for the China National Or...
Monday, November 12, 2018
Safety in numbers: there’s a new clan in town
For the first time in the Sacramento Zoo’s history, we welcome a vivacious clan of meerkats! Brand new to the zoo, this all-female cl...
Thursday, November 8, 2018
Herkimer the desert tortoise’s annual exam
As the zoo’s oldest animal, at a spry 91-years-old, Herkimer the desert tortoise is a favorite amongst zoo staff and visitors alike. ...
Tuesday, October 23, 2018
Snow leopard cub to receive rare eyelid surgery
On Wednesday, October 24th Coconut, the snow leopard cub born at the Sacramento Zoo earlier this year, will be the recipient of a rare ...
Wednesday, August 22, 2018
A little snow leopard cub gets a big name just in time for his exhibit debut
The Sacramento Zoo’s snow leopard cub made his first (brief) exhibit debut late last week, after much anticipation from staff and vis...
Wednesday, August 8, 2018
Grand Opening! Slide on over to the new playground!
Thanks to the hard work of our in-house facilities team, the zoo’s new and improved playground is opening today! We talked to Facilit...
Saturday, July 21, 2018
Sac Zoo lands a new parrot species
Along with some changes to aviaries throughout the zoo, we have recently welcomed a male hawk-headed parrot to our collection. Bert, th...
Friday, July 20, 2018
Q&A with a zookeeper: meet Matt Cline, team carnivores!
In celebration of National Zookeeper Appreciation Week, we are going to showcase the hard work, passion and dedication of our animal ca...
Thursday, July 19, 2018
Q&A with a zookeeper: meet Bill Bennett, team reptiles!
In celebration of National Zookeeper Appreciation Week, we are going to showcase the hard work, passion and dedication of our animal ca...
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