Butterfly Jungle is in full swing at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. You have until April 7 to bask in the fluttery glory, but in the meantime, check out these gifs of butterflies in the exhibit and let us know which one is your favorite. You can tell us in the comments below or tweet it to us at www.twitter.com/sdzsafaripark. Enjoy!
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Johari the cheetah stopped by during the reception.
Last Saturday’s Brewmaster Dinner at the Safari Park featuring Ballast Point Brewing Co. held no surprises. Guests came expecting to make some animal friends, enjoy four courses of delectable food paired with equally delectable brew, and have an amazing time—and that’s exactly what happened.
The reception appropriately began with BBQ shrimp and grits crisps, jalapeño shrimp and tasters of Habanero Sculpin IPA. If you’re not familiar with Sculpin IPA, then you’ve clearly been living under a rock. It won gold in the 2010 World Beer Cup and has since been a craft beer staple. Take one of the best IPAs in the world, add a hint of habanero spice and pair it with spicy Creole appetizers, and you have instant melt-in-your-mouth awesomeness. After rubbing elbows with Johari the cheetah (of Cheetah Run fame) and Julio the female Eurasian eagle owl with a male’s name (long story), it was time to get the show on the road.
The first course was a sunburst salad with mesclun mix, port-soaked cranberries, sliced almonds, crumbled stilton, and cinnamon-raspberry Tabasco vinaigrette paired with Wahoo Wheat Beer. Head Brewer Colby Chandler from Ballast Point introduced this pairing as a no-brainer way to kick off the dinner (in more or less words), and he was right. The subtle tang of the beer played nicely with the fresh and fruity salad, allowing the dish to take center stage but not falling completely into the background.
Out came the second course, a Louisiana gumbo with shrimp, Andouille sausage, crab, okra, and all the trimmings, paired with a decidedly hoppy, big-boy beer—Big Eye IPA. The rich, bold gumbo needed a beer that could match it, and Big Eye IPA was up to the challenge. The copious amounts of the American Columbus and Centennial hops in the beer punched through the gumbo’s wall of flavor, enhancing the spice in all the right ways.
Brewmaster Colby and the culinary minds at the Safari Park put on their thinking caps for the next pairing, combining an incredibly unique beer, Smoke Screen Smoked Lager, with bacon-wrapped stuffed Berkshire loin with apple trinity pepper chutney, haricots vert and three potato boulanger. Whereas the previous course punched you in the face with flavor, this course took a more nuanced approach, massaging your palate with depth and complexity. I’m not even sure I have the lexicon to describe everything that was going on with this course, but trust me, I enjoyed every second of it.
Smoke Screen Smoked Lager paired with bacon-wrapped stuffed Berkshire loin with apple trinity pepper chutney, haricots vert and three potato boulanger
By this time I was about to explode, so I tragically couldn’t fit more than a few bites of the brioche bread pudding with whipped cream, Ballast Point Three Sheets Rum, and caramel butter raisin sauce paired with my favorite beer on the face of the planet, Victory at Sea Coffee Vanilla Imperial porter. This pairing was as decadent as it sounds, rounding out a finely executed dinner.
Brioche bread pudding with whipped cream, Ballast Point Three Sheets Rum, and caramel butter raisin sauce paired with Victory at Sea Coffee Vanilla Imperial porter
Cheers to Colby Chandler and Ballast Point Brewing for proving just how beautiful and complex beer can be, and cheers to the Safari Park staff for pulling off yet another flawless event. I’m already excited for the next one.
Ballast Point Brewmaster Colby Chandler (front), schmoozing with guests.
Matt Steele is the social media planner for San Diego Zoo Global.
Hey parents with an 18 month-old to 3-year-old, want to win a free Saturday morning KinderTots class for the family (admission required for non-members)? Send a photo of your 18-month-old to 3-year-old with some kind of animal to sdzoocontests@gmail.com for a chance to win. One grand prize winner will score a free KinderTots class for the family.
*By submitting your photo(s), you represent that you own the copyright to the photo(s) and that you have all necessary rights to grant a license to the Zoological Society of San Diego (DBA San Diego Zoo Global) to publish and to re-use such photo(s) for any purpose without compensation and that you hereby grant such license together with the right to use your name. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER. Odds of winning will depend on number of eligible entries. Winners will be determined by San Diego Zoo Global staff from among all eligible entries. Winners will be notified by e-mail and need not be present to win. Only one winner per household. Prize includes a KinderTots class for four ($48 value). Admission required for non-members. Contest void where prohibited by law. Must be 18 years of age and older to enter and claim a prize. San Diego Zoo Global employees and their immediate families are not eligible. Some restrictions apply.
Our animal cams aren’t just for fleeting entertainment. As a wildlife conservation organization, our mission is to connect people to wildlife and conservation, and our live cams are incredibly powerful tools that allow us to connect people to wildlife worldwide in real time. With the birth of our sixth panda, Xiao Liwu, Panda Cam has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity. We get comments from people all over the world about Panda Cam, but one in particular touched us, and we wanted to share it with you. Enjoy.
“My sister and I began watching these bears when our little gift was born. Then I took them to the hospital where I work and began sharing. For all of my patients and our nursing staff from Sutter Cancer Center in Northern CA, I say THANK YOU to all at SDZ. Your Panda cams and blogs have made a difference in how our very ill patients cope and get through their medical processes.
I am an Integrated Therapist & Medical Aromatherapist. The first thing I do for a new patient who will be staying for awhile is show them how to log on to the Panda Cam. We have all watched our “little gift” be born and grow & now make his debut. He is a wonderful deterrent to pain, depression, loneliness and hopelessness. We all thank you so much for providing this wonderful gift for us and our patients. It speaks to the Quality of their Life as they go through treatments.
This is something that should be put in all hospital long-term care and critical-care units. In the love of this little fuzz ball, my patients need less medication for coping and sleeping. I have been known to turn off their computer as they fall asleep with Xiao Liwu sleeping quietly on the screen in their lap. [All hospitals] should consider using this in their critical care and long-term care facilities.
We all love you Bai Yun and our little healing bear, “little Wu.” Happy anniversary to Gao Gao! Forever fans, Robin Gayle & Dixie Lee.”
Matt Steele is the social media planner for San Diego Zoo Global.
Giant panda cub Xiao Liwu was a very busy boy during his weekly exam at the San Diego Zoo. When brought from his den, the rambunctious cub went straight to his toys, climbing headfirst into a doughnut-shaped plastic ring, playing with a ball, and frolicking in a tub while chewing bamboo. He quickly indicated, by running off and squirming from his keepers, that he wanted to play versus being weighed and measured.
Click on chart to enlarge.
Yesterday at 4:30 p.m. we held our first-ever live, online video announcement and panel discussion of a panda birth using the video streaming service Ustream. Some of the members of our Panda Team offer their impressions and answer questions from viewers. We recorded almost the entire panel discussion (the first minute or so didn’t record due to a glitch) for you to see below in case you missed it. (From left to right: Associate Director of Veterinary Services Meg Sutherland-Smith, Animal Care Supervisor Gaylene Thomas, Conservation Program Specialist Megan Owen, Senior Public Relations Associate Jenny Mehlow.)
Stay tuned for more live Ustream events as we begin to hold regular cub exams and follow the cub’s growth. We’re very excited to use this new interactive technology to keep panda fans in the know! Check out our Ustream channel.
The new treetop aerial adventure, Jungle Ropes Safari, opens at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park on July 20, and we’re inviting a few adventurous families to join us for the media preview event on Thursday, July 19, at 9 a.m. to try out the experience the day before it opens.* Sound like fun? Here’s what you have to do to score the experience of a lifetime for you and your kids:
1. Follow the Safari Park on Twitter
2. Tweet these exact words: “My family wants a free ride on #JungleRopesSafari at the @sdzsafaripark on July 19!”
3. Sit back and see if you won.
The first few people who tweet the above will get a direct message from us with an invite to the event. If you’re not one of the first, you’ll be put on the waiting list. We can’t wait to introduce a few lucky families to the awesomeness that is Jungle Ropes Safari. Now hurry and get tweeting!
*Due to the strenuous nature of this adventure, children must be at least 7 years old to participate. Safety restrictions require that only guests who are between 50 and 275 lbs., fit in the provided harness, and have a reach of 55 inches (measured from the sole of the foot to the up-stretched tips of the fingers) can take the Safari. Secure, close toed shoes are required footwear.
Matt Steele is the social media planner for San Diego Zoo Global. Read his previous post, Ropes What!? Jungle Ropes Safari Opens 7/20 at Safari Park.
Matt rides the Jungle Ropes Safari zip line.
It wasn’t until I completed the first few challenges that a huge grin appeared on my face. I was getting the hang of the clicking and unclicking of the “smart belay” system. The ducking and dodging and balancing and climbing became more comfortable and familiar. I was learning to exist in another world–an arboreal world high above the ground full of pulleys and wires and intricately designed floating obstacles. The rush from accomplishing previous challenges drove me forward, and the anticipation of the challenges ahead manifested in a big, defiant smile that said “bring it on.” I was hooked.
When I first heard a “ropes course” was being installed at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, my first reaction was “ropes what!?” I had never heard of a ropes course. I had an idea that it might be some kind of obstacle course, but I never envisioned the otherworldly treetop labyrinth that is Jungle Ropes Safari. When you head to the Safari Park and see it for yourself, you’ll know what I mean. It’s pretty impressive. I was lucky enough to be offered a sneak peek at Jungle Ropes Safari, and I can safely say it’s unlike anything I’ve ever done.
After suiting up in a super-stylish harness and watching a quick safety briefing, I was let loose on the course. It took me a few minutes to get in the groove, but soon I was brachiating with the best of them. I could say I felt like a monkey or an orangutan, but I’d be lying. I was way too clumsy with my awkward, bipedal human body that was clearly adapted for ground dwelling. It didn’t make me feel like an arboreal ape, but it gave me A TON of respect for them. Honestly, an orangutan wouldn’t bat an eye at Jungle Ropes Safari. Child’s play.
When I was about halfway through the course, I noticed a peaceful feeling falling over me. Sure I was breaking a sweat and trying not to fall, but after a while I forgot about all that. I was focused on nothing but finding my next footing. It was just me and the trees and the course as I conquered challenge after challenge. It was an unexpected kind of meditation, but very welcome.
Think you have what it takes to make it across?
I finally arrived at the zip line portion of the course. It’s nothing compared to our Flightline Safari zip line, which is 2/3 of a mile long, but it’s a nice breather from the rest of the course. You get to sit back and enjoy the ride to the next platform without expending much energy. I clicked my smart belays onto the line and attached my trolley. I knew where to put my hands, almost like second nature at this point–one on the trolley and the other on the straps. I leaned back and pushed off the platform. Gliding through the lush canopy with dappled sunlight lighting my way, I found myself thinking, “I could do this all day.”
Jungle Ropes Safari opens to the public on July 20, 2012.
*Due to the strenuous nature of this aerial adventure, children must be at least 7 years old to participate. Safety restrictions require that only guests who are between 50 and 275 pounds and have a reach (measured from the sole of the foot to the up-stretched tips of the fingers) of 55 inches can take the Safari. We don’t have a price solidified yet, but we’ll keep you in the loop.
Matt Steele is the social media planner for San Diego Zoo Global. Read his previous post, Garden Fest Insect House Tweet-up.
The crew from last year's Festival of Flight tweet-up
UPDATE: The tweet-up is now full. Stay tuned for the next one!
Sure, we’re known for our animal collection, but did you know we’re also a world renowned botanical garden with over 700,000 rare and exotic plants? That’s why our next tweet-up (if you don’t know what a tweet-up is, educate yourself) at the Zoo will be on May 12 at 9:30 a.m. to celebrate our annual Garden Festival. However, unlike last year’s Garden Festival tweet-up, which was all about the plants, this year’s tweet-up is focusing on those cute little critters you might find in your garden at home: bugs!
Our very passionate insect keepers, Paige Howorth and Kelli Walker, will lead guests on a VIP tour of the Insect House in the Children’s Zoo, and they’ll bring out a few crazy bugs for guests to see up close. Unfortunately, our Insect House has a limited capacity, so we can only allow 30 tweeps to join us. If you want in (Zoo admission required), tweet these exact words:
I want to make friends w/bugs @ the #GardenFest tweet-up at the @sandiegozoo on May 12
The first 30 people who tweet the above will get a direct message from us with an invite to the tweet-up. If you’re not one of the first 30, you’ll be put on the waiting list. Please note, Zoo admission is required. If you want to bring guests, let us know and we’ll try to make accommodations depending on space available, but no promises. Our apologies for the limitations, but we’re excited to introduce 30 lucky tweeps to our creepy crawly friends. Now hurry and get tweeting!
Matt Steele is the social media planner for San Diego Zoo Global. Read his previous post, A Story of Love at the Zoo.
We came across this touching story on Twitter and wanted to share it with you. Thanks to Mike Markulis for reaching out to us. If you have any cute stories like this, tweet them to us. We hope you enjoy Mike’s story as much as we did:
“My name is Mike Markulis. This is my girlfriend Leah Venegas, and this is our story of our trip to the San Diego Zoo. In 2011 Leah and I were proud annual pass members of both the Zoo and the Safari Park, after many memories and experiences we decided to upgrade to Diamond members! Nearly 3 whole months have passed and we hadn’t gone to either park! We had to visit!!! Leah’s birthday was April 1, and she wanted to share OUR Zoo with our friends. I had plans of my own……
I met Leah 5 years ago at Disneyland where we both worked. We were fast friends, and did not start dating until a year after we met. We have been together ever since, and I have found the woman that I want to spend the rest of my life with. We have had many memories at the Zoo and Safari Park, but no trip would compare to our March 31st visit. I made a video for Leah, and it was filled with pictures and music, most pictures from our many zoo visits! I wanted to show the video at the end of the day in front of her favorite, The Polar Bears! The day was coming to an end, and the big moment was coming. Nearly emptied, Leah and I sat on a bench in front of the above water habitat of the Polars, and I gave her my birthday present, the video. As it ended I reached into my bag and grabbed a “Tangled” jewelry box (her favorite Disney princess) and I asked her to share the rest of her life with me. She said YES! I could not be happier that that special moment took place at the Zoo, and with our good friends in tow. They made it more magical and provided Mickey groom ears and an engaged Minnie head band. They brought Disney to us! We are both avid followers on Twitter, but this story could not fit in 140 characters!! We are excited and happy and the San Diego Zoo is forever intertwined with our love story and we will forever remember that special trip to the San Diego Zoo!
All our thanks and admiration for what you do,
Mike Markulis and Leah Venegas
@mikemarkulis and @xxoLeahxx”
Matt Steele is the social media planner for San Diego Zoo Global. Read his previous post, Condor Chick Receives Name.
Planning a Perfect Desert (Tortoise) Getaway
A Mister for Every Panda
“Fiddler on the Roof” Meets Conservation Biology
Perfect Parrotbill Puppets
Catering to Animals in the “Back 40”
Bowling for Rhinos
Building Conservation Foundation by Training Teachers in Peru
Planning a Perfect Desert (Tortoise) Getaway
A Mister for Every Panda
“Fiddler on the Roof” Meets Conservation Biology
Perfect Parrotbill Puppets
Catering to Animals in the “Back 40”
Bowling for Rhinos
Building Conservation Foundation by Training Teachers in Peru