Z is for Zoo – San Diego Zoo
(This is part of a series, Blogging from A to Z April 2014 Challenge.
My theme for the challenge is Quintessential San Diego from A to Z, focusing on those things that are typical, or perfect, or classic examples of San Diego life. Today is our last one, Z!)
What could possibly be more Quintessential San Diego than the San Diego Zoo?
Photo by Penny Hyde
The San Diego Zoo was founded in 1916. It is in Balboa Park, next to downtown San Diego. The Zoo is home to more than 12,000 rare and endangered animals representing approximately 680 species and subspecies. Spreading over 100 acres (40 hectares), the zoo also houses over 700,000 exotic plants. The San Diego Zoo is a delight to visit, as you are walking through a lovely, huge botanical garden, that also happens to be full of animals.
But besides the entertainment value, the Mission Statement says:
San Diego Zoo Global is committed to saving species worldwide by uniting our expertise in animal care and conservation science with our dedication to inspiring passion for nature.
So visitors to the zoo benefit from both viewing and learning about the wonderful animals, while helping to preserve these endangered animals.
Some of our favorite animals at the zoo are the koalas. San Diego has the largest collection of koalas outside of Australia. The first ones came to the zoo in 1925. Since then the San Diego Zoo has successfully bred koalas, and even sent some to other zoos through their Koala Loan Program.
Koalas’ natural food is eucalyptus, which grow well in San Diego’s mild climate. Apparently, they are picky and so the koala keepers offer several different varieties of eucalyptus branches to the koalas, and they choose which one they want to eat that day. The zoo has its own browse farm, where they grow and harvest fresh eucalyptus for the koalas to eat each day.
Photo by Penny Hyde
A big ‘thank you’ to Penny Hyde for her amazing pictures. Her love for the animals shines through.
Photo by Penny Hyde
Many families in the San Diego and southern California area find investing in a Zoo membership is a great bargain. For the price of two admissions, you can visit both the Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park all year long.
We love to take our grandkiddos to the Zoo. Here’s a post about a recent outing.
https://www.donnaamisdavis.com/z-zoo/Animals Wild & TameKid StuffSan DiegoSan Diego A to ZSan Diego,San Diego Zoo (This is part of a series, Blogging from A to Z April 2014 Challenge. My theme for the challenge is Quintessential San Diego from A to Z, focusing on those things that are typical, or perfect, or classic examples of San Diego life. Today is our last one, Z!) What could possibly be...Donna Amis DavisDonna Amis Davis[email protected]AdministratorDonna Amis Davis
Great blog, Donna! What could be a better subject than my favorite place to visit? Thanks so much for sharing my photos!
Your photos are a hit, Penny! People love them.
Penny’s photos are awesome and this blog it terrific. Thanks to both of you.
Thanks for stopping by, Tracy. And thank you for the kind words.
You are right…San Diego is so well-known for its superb zoo! And beautiful photos Penny!
I think that jaguar is how we all feel at the end of the challenge! But we made it – well done all of us, and thank you. Your posts on San Diego have been a revelation.
Exactly, Anabel! I thought the jaguar was a very fitting close to this challenge. I have loved “meeting” new blogs and bloggers this month. But posting every day – whew! Ready for a break. Thanks for your kind comments!
I’ve enjoyed reading about San Diego and flipping through some of your other posts about the Philippines. What a great way to end the challenge with the thing San Diego is likely most famous for. Hope to make it there some day.
Thank you, Ann! San Diego is a great place to take kids. You would have blog fodder for sure!
It’s hard to think of San Diego without the Zoo – great post and a good job going out with a bang! Those pictures are incredible too 🙂
I’m lucky to have talented friends, who are generous, too! This challenge has been fun. I’ve really enjoyed meeting you and other blogs and bloggers. I’ve learned so much from you all!
One of our students commented, “I appreciated the cute pictures and I think that it would be cool to go to the San Diego Zoo.” Visiting from A to Z Challenge at Learning at Cedar Ridge Academy and Cedar Ridge Academy
I’m glad to hear they enjoyed the pictures!
Wonderful photos! Another treasure in San Diego that I take for granted.