We hosted our annual gala fundraiser this past weekend and it was a sambalicious success! ZooFest 2026: Carnaval Under the Canopy was a colorful and vibrant affair, supporting our animal, conservation and education programs! A big thank you to our honorees, Connie & Bob Lurie, our generous sponsors, stellar attendees, and amazing staff and volunteers for making this an incredible night to remember! 💃

Who makes a beeline to see our Magellanic penguin colony when you first get to the Zoo?! 🐧🐧🐧

Northern spider tortoise Ralph likes what he sees in the mirror! 📷: Stephanie C.

Can we just take a moment and appreciate 46-year-old Bawang, the oldest Western lowland gorilla in our troop? Keeper Jessy helped quench Bawang’s thirst on another hot day, and when she had enough, she was done!

How are you bearing the heat? Ostrich Bernadette loves being sprayed with the hose, and according to her caretaker Julianna, she loves it so much that would sit there all day if we let her!

Our herd of Nigerian Dwarf goats recently got to try something new: rose petals! For our two older goats, this was a familiar treat, but the younger goats took a little time to warm up to their first taste. Before long, they were loving it! Even our donkeys joined in on the fun! Novelty items like these provide mental stimulation, encourage natural exploration, and add variety to our animals’ daily routines. Come visit the Family Farm and say hi to our four-legged friends on your next trip to the Zoo! 🌹🐐

We couldn’t resist sharing how our young capybaras are faring since their arrival last week! Today was also the official public opening to see them in person (members were able to see them yesterday). As it was a pool cleaning day, the siblings were at first unsure why the water was gone. However, once the female dipped her toes in the water, she was all about the “spa” experience as the water filled the pool and created massive bubbles and tides – quite a sight to see! The male, on the other hand, decided to take a pass… Thanks to everyone who came out just to see them!

Halloween can’t come soon enough! 👻 Male Bornean orangutan Berani seen giving off ghost vibes! His caretaker, Selena, was at the right place at the right time to capture this little moment. You’ll often see our orangutans hiding under blankets or sheets, or draping them over their heads, as a way of mimicking natural forest behaviors. They use large leaves or other plant material to use as umbrellas, sunshades or for play, and for building nests. The coverings also serve as enrichment and even used for warmth on cooler days.

The timing to shadow our bird department - who oversees South American species - couldn’t have been more perfect for our CEO, Cassandra Costello, as she was on hand for the arrival of our two new capybara, who arrived that morning from the Sacramento Zoo! In addition to being with the whole team as they made last minute preparations for the capys’ arrival and went over protocols, she learned about the soap opera-worthy dynamics of our colony of Magellanic penguins from their primary caretaker, Megan, how the team addresses every Individual penguin’s needs, and even got to prepare and place our Giant anteater’s morning enrichment! The best part of the day? Seeing the new capybaras for the first time, and sharing the excitement with staff. Here’s Cassandra and curator Quinn Brown.

Having a ball! Once Gauhati gets goin’ with his giant boomer ball, it’s all about focused play time! According to keeper Katie, when he pushes the ball out of reach or the ball gets stuck in a corner, he’ll start making sounds, a sort of communication. These rhinos have quite a repertoire of vocalizations and sounds, from snorts and grunts to bleats and squeaks, to what you hear here - whistles! Though whistles are often used as mating signals, that was probably not the case here. Maybe it was, “hey - where’s my ball, lady?” 🦏 🎥: Katie T.

Hey Members & Guardians! The new capybaras are busily adjusting to their new home at Puente al sur, which is currently closed during their acclimation period. But, we’re offering an exclusive sneak peek just for you on Monday, October 12 (Columbus Day) from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.! Be sure to bring your member or Guardian I.D. to show at the exhibit for this special opportunity! Not a member? You can become one by visiting sfzoo.org!

Exciting news! This morning, we welcomed our newest Zoo residents – a male and female sibling pair of capybaras, born four months ago at the Sacramento Zoo. In a departure from other quarantine situations, we are able to quarantine them at their new home in Puente al Sur, as they were separated for the impending move. In their first foray into the larger Puente yard, the male quickly beelined to the large pond, taking a dip into the pool, before moving off to explore the outer regions of the yard. The female was released into the yard and also made her way around the habitat, where animal care staff spread a variety of tasty treats. As part of the introduction period, staff were positioned around the habitat, and were able to observe how easily they acclimated to both the pool and the yard. To allow them some privacy for a few days, Puente al Sur will be closed to the public until next week, so they can better navigate and learn their new surroundings, and eventually be introduced to Baird’s tapir, Pacha. We invite you to see them for the first time next week, and thank you for understanding! We are excited to welcome back the world’s largest rodent to the Zoo!

Every day is a good day when you happen upon a goat pack walk! Nigerian dwarf goats Chunky Monkey and Moose are in “training” for ambassador programs, and took a little walk around Entry Village recently, including around the dinosaur skeleton!   The goat walk is a great opportunity for our goats to learn about the positive aspects of different environments so they are comfortable in new and (unexpected) surroundings. As you can see, they are curious, and seemingly brave enough to check out the giant dinosaur egg! 🐐

The lettuce crunchies you didn’t know you needed today. Here’s 12-year-old Walter for some peak wallaroo ASMR!

Our CEO, Cassandra Costello, continues to shadow departments at the Zoo, as a hands-on way to get the inside scoop on how we operate. Here, she learns directly from our Guest Services Representatives, the folks who greet you - our guests - sell you admission tickets and membership, operate our rides and attractions, answers your questions, and welcomes you! 🎟️🎠

Whew! Hot temps this weekend! And when it reaches 80° in the City, there are ways animals stay cool! In addition to pools, animal care staff may provide ice and ice treats, mud wallows, access to indoor areas, and habitats have shade shelters. 🎥: Kyle W.

Our lovely female giraffe, Barbro, is 18 today! She is now officially old enough to vote 🗳️! And well, if she could vote, it would be for extra treats! Stop by African Savanna and wish her a happy birthday! 🦒

We are so proud to share that San Francisco Zoo & Gardens was awarded top honors in the North American Conservation Award category this week at the 2026 Association of Zoos & Aquariums’ (AZA) Annual Conference. Over the past decade, SF Zoo has built one of North America’s most comprehensive amphibian recovery programs, supporting the conservation of five threatened amphibian species across California’s Sierra Nevada. The species are Mountain Yellow-legged frogs, California Red-legged frogs, Yosemite toads, Sierra Nevada Yellow-legged frogs and Foothill Yellow-legged frogs. Working alongside federal and state agencies and park services, universities, conservation organizations and other AZA institutions, the Zoo has advanced innovative approaches to head-starting for reintroduction. To date, the program has released more than 10,000 PIT-tagged juvenile frogs and toads across 46 lakes, streams, and meadows throughout the Sierra Nevada, helping establish one of the few documented, self-sustaining populations of a federally listed frog in North America. Additionally, the Zoo conducted a first-of-its-kind rescue and recovery effort for mountain yellow-legged frogs during a devastating chytrid fungal outbreak. Today, the Zoo operates the largest amphibian conservation rearing facility in California and serves as the sole recovery partner for Yosemite toads and California red-legged frogs in the Sierra Nevada. Accepting the award in front of our esteemed colleagues were our CEO, Cassandra Costello, and Director of Field Conservation, Dr. Rochelle Stiles, on behalf of our amazing conservation and veterinary team past and present. Thank you @zoos_aquariums and congratulations to our team! Well deserved!

IT’S BACK! After an 8-year hiatus, the magic of ZooLights is officially returning to San Francisco Zoo & Gardens - November 6 through January 3, 2027! Get ready to experience the Zoo like never before. We’re transforming the Zoo into a nighttime winter wonderland with over a million twinkling lights across 14 dazzling, interactive zones and attractions! Highlights include: 〰️A massive frozen forest with a life-sized ice throne & sleigh 〰️Holiday décor, 2D & 3D animals in a neon zoo, interactive play areas 〰️Immersive, dramatic night views of our animatronic dinosaurs at Dinos Rule! 〰️A larger-than-life botanical pathway with giant glowing flowers 〰️Nods to San Francisco with a Golden Gate Bridge and cable car 〰️Themed weekend events including Trivia Night, Silent Discos, and visits from Santa! The event will run Wednesdays thru Sundays from 5:30 to 9 p.m. evenings until Dec. 16 when it will operate daily until close of program on January 3, 2027. A separate ticket is required from daytime visitation. Tickets go on sale soon online, in-person, and on the SF Zoo app. Tag who you’re bringing in the comments!

Mid-week keeper’s eye view of our black and grizzly bears courtesy of keeper Kyle! Catch them while you can, torpor is soon approaching! Torpor is the period when our bears wind down for the winter and experience a reduced metabolic and physical state, not quite a hibernation, as you will occasionally see them; but they do not eat or drink (and sleep a lot!) during this time.🐻