Rosamond Gifford Zoo

09/05/2026

Today is ! Our zoo is home to one turkey vulture, a female named Victoria. Did you know that their bald heads help keep them clean and reduce bacteria on their feathers as they eat? Vultures are very important to our ecosystem as they help recycle dead animals.

09/04/2026

Today is ! National Wildlife Day aims to bring awareness to endangered animals in the wild, and to acknowledge the zoos and animal sanctuaries that work to preserve these species and educate their communities about conservation. Amur leopards like Grover are critically endangered in the wild, and are considered the rarest big cat. By supporting The Association of Zoos and Aquariums accredited institutions like the Rosamond Gifford Zoo, you can help save their species.

Photo by Neela Kintzele

09/04/2026

After Labor Day, Creature Chats and Camel Feedings will take place on weekends ONLY until the end of September!

See the schedule below so you don’t miss a chat about your favorite species!

10:30 a.m. - Elephant Stretch Training
11:00 a.m. - Carnivore Chat
11:30 a.m. - Camel Chat/Feeding
Noon - Penguin Chat
12:30 p.m. - Hoofstock Chat
1:30 p.m. - Small Mammals Chat
2 p.m. - Elephant Chat
2:30 p.m. - Herp/Aquarium Chat
3 p.m. - Bird Chat
3:30 p.m. - Primate Park Chat

09/03/2026

Please join us in congratulating the winners of our Summer 2026 Seasonal Photo Contest! 📸

In first place is Alex Zimmerman's stunning photo of our Eurasian eagle owl, Eagon! Alex, we have a gift bag for you. 🎉

In second place is Regina Muscarella's amazing Amur leopard photo! Regina, we have a plushie and guest pass for you.

In third place is Santino Castillo's striking Amur tiger photo. Santino, we have a small plushie and guest pass for you.

Fourth place goes to Elizabeth Stauder's adorable photo of our fennec fox. Elizabeth, we have a guest pass for you.

Winners, you will receive an email detailing how to claim your prizes. As always, thank you to everyone who submitted photos. ❤️

09/02/2026

09/01/2026

It’s time to cast your vote for our Summer 2026 Seasonal Photo Contest! We had 174 photos submitted for consideration, and our team selected their top 10 – but now we need YOUR help!

Please LIKE the photo(s) you want to vote for – we will announce our winners on Thursday afternoon!

Voting also takes place on Instagram. Thank you to everyone who submitted photos!

08/31/2026

Photos for our Summer 2026 Seasonal Photo Contest are due TONIGHT, Monday, August 31, at midnight! Submit your photos for fun recognition and prizes. Photos will be posted Tuesday morning on Facebook and Instagram for public voting.

Enter your photos here: https://bit.ly/43X2bJr

Photos by Mark Avery and Colleen Goodwin

08/31/2026

Our Asian Elephant Month Silent Auction ends TONIGHT, August 31, at 9 p.m.! Bid on artwork created by our elephant herd as part of our enrichment program to benefit Asian Elephant Support, a non-profit dedicated to the care and conservation of Asian elephants in their range countries.

Bid now: https://bit.ly/4gsTOxW

08/30/2026

!

Private pet ownership fuels the global illegal wildlife trade, a major driver of extinction for over 60% of primate species. Primates suffer severe physical and mental trauma from early maternal separation and social isolation. These long-lasting psychological impacts often cannot be fully reversed, even with expert rehabilitation, and as primates mature, they become dangerous and capable of inflicting severe injuries and transmitting deadly zoonotic diseases to humans.

Learn more about how you can help fight the exploitative illegal pet trade TODAY, August 30, during , with Creature Chats at 1:30, 2:30, and 3:30 p.m.

Pictured: Rescued spider monkey Azules at the Oakland Zoo Veterinary Hospital. Photo from the Oakland Zoo.

08/29/2026

Did you know that Asian elephant Siri helped pioneer the practice of voluntary animal “painting” for enrichment? In fact, Siri's artwork was published in the book “To Whom It May Concern: An Investigation of the Art of Elephants” by David Gucwa and James Ehmann in 1985.

When Siri was 13 years old, she was observed doodling spontaneously on the ground with a pebble or stick. Her efforts were noted by her caretaker, who provided drawing materials and collected the results of her endeavors. At 59, Siri still enjoys painting, and is a certified Pachyderm Picasso. Our other elephants have been given the opportunity to do the same!

You can bid on some of her (and her herdmate’s) artwork in our Asian Elephant Awareness Month Silent Auction to support the conservation of elephants worldwide: https://bit.ly/4gsTOxW

This auction ends Monday, August 31, at 9 p.m.