Meet Sophia during a Backstage Pass adventure.
So why does the San Diego Zoo, which prides itself on having an amazing collection of exotic wildlife, have one? For the simple fact of pleasure. Our guests let out shouts of glee when they first lay eyes on this hooved beauty. Children from all walks of life come running to greet her. She loves her adoring fans, so she’ll stop right in her tracks and let you pet her, and she’ll take in all the cooing and laughter that accompanies this interaction.
Where can you see her? She lives in our Backstage Pass area in the Zoo’s Urban Jungle zone. When she’s not entertaining ticket holders of this new guest adventure, she’s out having her daily walks by the giraffes. If you want to get a portrait with a movie star named Sophia, come and be a part of the San Diego Zoo’s Backstage Pass program. We’d love to act as the paparazzi . . . just this once.
Maureen O. Duryee is a senior animal trainer at the San Diego Zoo. Read her previous post, Jirra, the Not So Red Kangaroo.
Watch video of Backstage Pass.
Bellisima! I can see why the kids would love her, she’s adorable.
Sounds like Sophia is a striking beauty. Glad the children who visit get to interact with a gorgeous movie star.
she is beautiful…are they rare?
She’s absolutely adorable.
Adorable has been the adjective most used — but it is what came to mind as soon as I saw her photo.
Hi Maureen, Thank you for introducing us to Sophia. She is indeed “molto carina” (very pretty). If I lived on a farm, I would definitely love to have a Sicilian donkey as a pet. I’m looking forward to meeting Sophia on our next visit to the Zoo.
In Sicily, during special festivals, the locals enjoy dressing their donkeys with colorful head feathers. The donkey then pulls an ornately decorated cart through the village square. Musicians and dancers follow the cart to the delight of the townspeople.
Sophia is very beautiful, just like her namesake. The name Sophia comes from a Greek word meaning “wisdom” and from her demeanor, it sounds like she lives up to the origins of her name, too. Although I’m not a child, I think I would also be tempted to run to greet her and “ooh” and “ahh.” Her ears are gorgeous!
Yet another reason to get a Backstage Pass! Sophia is indeed beautiful.
I have a miniature Sicilian donkey named Sophia. Her color is dark auburn. I named her after Sophia Petrillo on the Golden Girls and she lives up to her name. The word “wisdom” really applies. She is into everything!
Hello Maureen,
My niece and I enjoyed the Backstage Pass tour on May 27, 2010. We can’t remember what the very large rodent which love eating the bananas was called. We are wanting to make notes about the animals we met that day and hope that someone can help us with our memory.
We wish you much success with this new program. We had a wonderful time!
Moderator’s note: Those rodents of unusual size are pacaranas. We’re glad you enjoyed the Zoo’s Backstage Pass program!
Sophia is so beautifully photographed. Thanks to the zoo!