San Francisco Zoo

San Francisco Zoo To connect all people with wildlife, inspire caring for nature & advance conservation action

The San Francisco Zoo connects people with wildlife, inspires caring for nature and advances conservation action.

Monday is California Biodiversity Day and we’re celebrating all weekend long! Learn about the conservation work we do at...
09/05/2026

Monday is California Biodiversity Day and we’re celebrating all weekend long!

Learn about the conservation work we do at the Zoo every day to protect California’s biodiversity. Visit our pop-up area in front of the Exploration Zone —
Zoo staff and docents will be on hand to talk about conservation alongside our Environmental Services team.

Plus! We have some very special guests sharing the work they do to protect California’s biodiversity! Come visit our friends from: U.S. Fish and Wildlife, Wildlife Conservation Network and Sea Otter Savvy!

Stop by for activities, information, and a limited-edition button from the Zoo! (limited to quantity).

Saturday and Sunday, September 5 & 6
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Select Photos: May Woon, Steve Franks, Zoo staff

We are saddened to share the loss of Lulu, one of our beloved female mandrills, who passed away late yesterday. Lulu was...
09/02/2026

We are saddened to share the loss of Lulu, one of our beloved female mandrills, who passed away late yesterday.

Lulu was anesthetized for a recheck of her blood work and to better assess a potentially cancerous mass on her neck. She had previously been diagnosed with anemia, chronic kidney disease, spinal lesions, and abnormal blood calcium levels, which her care team had been monitoring over the past year. Although complete results are not yet available, preliminarily, her blood tests indicated that her condition had worsened. After she was returned from the Zoo hospital to the mandrill night quarters, she passed away despite efforts including CPR and advanced life support. She was surrounded by her family troop, including her offspring with male Big Joe, males Kiburi and Johari and female Benny, who were allowed a grieving period where they could be close to her one last time.

Lulu, who came to the Zoo as a toddler in 2004, recently celebrated her 24th birthday in July. According to her caretakers, she was quirky and unique, which added to her charm.

Lulu was a beloved member of her troop and an ambassador for her species and the conservation challenges it faces. Her animal care team, fellow mandrills, and all who knew her will miss her deeply.

08/31/2026

Sunflowers have a way of making us smile, as a flower that naturally boosts moods because of their vibrant yellow color and shape that looks like the sun.

For Camilla, however, she much preferred the stem and leaves!🌻🌻

08/30/2026

Guess who’s 11!

African lion Jasiri was born at the Zoo on this date in 2015! And it’s a good bet he’ll spend his day doing what he loves to do - sleep! And when he and female Marvella are not cat-napping, it’s a sure bet he’ll be vocalizing like this, at least a few times!

Happy Birthday Jasiri! ❤️🦁

08/28/2026

Snaggletooth is a 23-year-old male northern spider tortoise, native to Madagascar. Even though he and his pal, Ralph, also 23, are currently not viewable, we’re sharing some of their behind-the-scenes care!

Snaggletooth is seen getting a warm soak and gentle brushing with a toothbrush. He’s still getting used to the brush, so you’ll see keeper Stephanie offering it to him to inspect. Their shells, like all tortoises, are sensitive to touch, and they can feel even the lightest touch, even a finger stroke, or drop of water. The shell acts as a receptor for low-frequency vibrations, and it helps them to detect approaching predators or shifts in their environment. As such, the shell is a living tissue connected to their central nervous system, and they can also feel pain.

08/27/2026

How cool is this! Our emerald tree boas, siblings Spot and Bert, are seen drinking water while being misted!

In the wild, emerald boas will also drink when it rains, and will defecate during rain showers as a way to keep clean and to disguise their scent from predators. Rain also prompts them to drink water droplets off their own body as a way to help them to digest.

According to keeper Stephanie, she will rub misters for a while in the exhibit to simulate rain, and sometimes offers showers for several minutes by hand (as seen here!)

08/26/2026

What a beauty!

Female eastern mountain bongo, Leanne, turns 3 years old today! She received a little extra treat from keeper Katie, and we’re there for it!

Address

Sloat Boulevard And The Great Highway
San Francisco, CA
94132

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

+14157537080

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