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Today At the Zoo
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 clan originated from the Brevard Zoo in Melbourne, Florida is now on exhibit in Small Wonders next to Padme the aardvark. What’s a meerkat? The “kat” isn’t a “cat” but rather a small carnivore belonging to the mongoose (herpestidae) family native to Africa. These gregarious animals are often seen in groups called “clans”, mobs or gangs. These...Read More
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. A key component to making sure Herkimer is healthy and fulfilled in his long life, is his annual exam. Sacramento Zoo veterinarians and staff examined Herkimer recently at the Dr. Murray E. Fowler Veterinary Hospital, performing blood work, taking x-ray images of his internal organs, checking his heart rate using Doppler ultrasound equipment, checking his respiratory rate and...Read More
Experience the Zoo
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 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 MoreIt’s a girl! The Sacramento Zoo welcomes the birth of an endangered red panda cub
On Monday, June 25 one of the Sacramento Zoo’s red pandas gave birth to a female cub. The cub was born to seven-year-old mother, Pili, and nine-year-old father, Takeo. The pregnancy was confirmed last month during Pili’s annual exam. The...Read MoreSnow Leopard Cub Gets Unique Physical Therapy Regimen
The zoo’s snow leopard cub is one lucky cat. Despite being born with several birth defects affecting his eyes and abnormal development of his rear legs and chest, the cub is receiving the very best care and world-class veterinary treatment...Read MoreFlapping Flamingos!
By Nicole Wong During breeding season, Caribbean flamingos display all kinds of funky movements and dances, and the flamingos at the Sacramento Zoo are certainly no exception! What exactly do these synchronized “dances” mean? These movements are group courtship rituals...Read MoreKeep up with the Zoo
Upcoming Events
With your help, we can make exciting changes!
Help us bring okapis and meerkats to the Sacramento Zoo AND improve and expand our lions’ living space.
Animal welfare and conservation education are at the forefront of everything we do at the Sacramento Zoo. It is with these very important considerations in mind, that we announce some exciting improvements and new species coming soon to the Sacramento Zoo – with YOUR help!
We can’t bring these amazing new species to the Sacramento Zoo without YOUR help! Please donate to our Exciting Changes Fund TODAY.
Read MoreDonate Now
Your Help.
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
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...
Wednesday, July 18, 2018
Q&A with a zookeeper: meet Rachel Winkler, team ungulates!
In celebration of National Zookeeper Appreciation Week, we are going to showcase the hard work, passion and dedication of our animal ca...
Tuesday, July 17, 2018
Passing 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 pneumon...
Tuesday, July 17, 2018
Q&A with a zookeeper: meet Andrea Haverland, team primates!
In celebration of National Zookeeper Appreciation Week, we are going to showcase the hard work, passion and dedication of our animal ca...
Monday, July 16, 2018
Q&A with a zookeeper: meet Jason Skaleske, team birds!
In celebration of National Zookeeper Appreciation Week, we are going to showcase the hard work, passion and dedication of our animal ca...