San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Journal September 2024
A Spotlight on Wildlife Care after Dark
October is Kids Free month at the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park, when youths 11 years and younger receive free admission all month long (with an adult). Young explorers can connect with their wild side by meeting wildlife, and on weekends enjoy some super seasonal fun! The Zoo’s HalGLOWeen lights up the night Friday through Sunday until 9 p.m., and the Safari Park’s Autumn Festival features the best of down-home entertainment Saturday and Sunday until 7 p.m. Don’t miss the fun!
4 No. 5
Journey through Our Conservation Work
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance safeguards wildlife in eight Conservation Hubs around the world.
To learn more about our collaborative conservation programs, including our wildlife care at the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park, visit sdzwa.org.
Story
From helping with pollination and seed dispersal to offering free pest control, bats play an important role in ecosystems— around the world and right here in San Diego County. Features
Working Late
After the sun sets at the Safari Park, there’s an entire team of wildlife care specialists who are just getting started. 20
The Night Life
Thanks to their amazing adaptations, some botanical wonders thrive in the dark—that’s when they’re at their blooming best.
Who glows there? Because of bioluminescence, some oceanic organisms can create their own light. See who (or what) can be seen in the sea.
Rodrigues flying fox Pteropus rodricensis Photo by: Ken Bohn, SDZWA photographer
JOURNAL
MANAGING EDITOR Peggy Scott
STAFF WRITERS
Eston Ellis
Elyan Shor, Ph.D.
Alyssa Leicht Arwen Neski Ellie McMillan
COPY EDITOR Sara Maher
DESIGNERS
Christine Yetman
Kaitlyn Lara
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Ken Bohn
Tammy Spratt
DESIGN AND PRODUCTION
Kim Turner
Lisa Bissi
Jennifer MacEwen
PREPRESS AND PRINTING Quad Graphics
Let's Stay Connected
Follow @sandiegozoo & @sdzsafaripark.
Share your #SanDiegoZoo & #SDZSafariPark memories on Twitter & Instagram.
The Zoological Society of San Diego was founded in Octo ber 1916 by Harry M. Wegeforth, M.D., as a private, nonprofit corporation, which does business as San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.
The printed San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Journal (ISSN 2767-7680) (Vol. 4, No. 5) is published bimonthly, in January, March, May, July, September, and November. Publisher is San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, located at 2920 Zoo Drive, San Diego, CA 92101-1646. Periodicals postage paid at San Diego, California, USA, and at additional mailing offices.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, PO Box 120271, San Diego, CA 92112-0271.
If your mailing address has changed: Please contact the Membership Department; by mail at P.O. Box 120271, San Diego, CA 92112, or by phone at 619-231-0251 or 1-877-3MEMBER.
For information about becoming a member of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, please visit our website at ZooMember.org for a complete list of membership levels, offers, and benefits.
Paid subscriptions to San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Journal are available. Contact Membership Department for subscription information.
Wildlife Care after Dark
As the sun sets across various vibrant ecosystems, many plants and animals begin their “day” and thrive in the darkness of night. At the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park, our dedicated team of wildlife care specialists prepares dynamic experiences that promote the natural behaviors of the nocturnal species in our care and help us drive greater outcomes for all the world’s wildlife.
The Safari Park Biodiversity Reserve, a sprawling 900-acre area, is a biodiversity hub for various species forming the San Pasqual Valley ecosystem. This area, located at the intersection of two wildlife corridors, is critical to the local wildlife that make San Diego the most biodiverse county in the contiguous United States. With the Safari Park right next door, we can directly apply our advancements in wildlife care to the wildlife we coexist with, ensuring a sustainable future for all.
Our work with the bats in managed care at the Safari Park connects with the 17 species that live on the biodiversity reserve. We monitor and support the native bats with shelter so they can roost and sustain their populations. Bats are one of our region’s pollinators, so we thrive when they have healthy populations and fulfill their critical roles in our ecosystems.
When dusk sets in, the mountain lion cubs given a second chance in our care begin to experience their changing environment. With a unique team of overnight wildlife care specialists, we are gaining greater insights into mountain lion development and how we can support sustainable populations across their native habitats. We’re proud to be a longstanding partner in efforts to conserve one of the Southwest’s most iconic species and collaborate with allies to promote human-wildlife coexistence in our local area.
Our work starts with your support. It takes all of us to bring these transformative initiatives to life and send ripples of hope for all wildlife.
Onward,
As part of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s commitment to conservation, this magazine is printed on recycled paper that is at least 10% post-consumer waste, chlorine free, and is Forest Stewardship Council ® (FSC ®) certified. FSC ® is not responsible for any calculations on saving resources by choosing this paper.
Paul A. Baribault President and Chief Executive Officer
Denizens of the Night
Since many people are most active during the day, we tend to be most familiar with diurnal (active during the day) animals. Check out adaptations that give these cathemeral (active both day and night) and nocturnal (active at night) species the upper nose, wing, beak, or neck, no matter the time of day.
An ability to swiftly glide over 150 feet from tree to tree under the cover of night helps nocturnal flying squirrels elude would-be predators.
The nocturnal oilbird uses 4 super senses to navigate the forests of northern South America— night vision, echolocation, tactile bristles on their beak, and a keen sense of smell.
There are around 2,000 species in the firefly family Lampyridae. Most are nocturnal and can produce light via chemical reactions that take place in their body—a process known as bioluminescence.
2,000
2024 Board of Trustees
OFFICERS
Steven S. Simpson, Chair
Steven G. Tappan, Vice Chair
Rolf Benirschke, Vice Chair
Gary E. Knell, Treasurer
E. Jane Finley, Secretary
TRUSTEES
Kathleen Cain Carrithers
Javade Chaudhri
Adam Day
Clifford W. Hague
Bryan B. Min
Kenji Price ‘Aulani Wilhelm
TRUSTEES EMERITI
Berit N. Durler
Thompson Fetter
Richard B. Gulley
Robert B. Horsman
John M. Thornton
With fixed eye sockets and a need to survey their surroundings for nocturnal prey, owls can turn their necks 135 degrees in either direction.
The cathemeral star-nosed mole has a nose ringed by 22 fleshy protuberances that feel the world around them as they dig through the dirt, sending over 100,000 signals to their brain.
Executive Team
Paul A. Baribault
President and Chief Executive Officer
Shawn Dixon
Chief Operating Officer
David Franco
Chief Financial Officer
Erika Kohler
Executive Director, San Diego Zoo
Lisa Peterson
Executive Director, San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Nadine Lamberski, DVM, DACZM, DECZM (ZHM)
Chief Conservation and Wildlife Health Officer
Wendy Bulger
General Counsel
David Gillig
Chief Marketing Officer 4
Chief Philanthropy Officer
Aida Rosa
Chief Human Resources Officer
David Miller
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (SDZWA) protects and restores nature in eight Conservation Hubs on five continents. Below are recent discoveries and progress reports from around the world.
A Safe Site for Palm Trees
Pacific Pocket Mouse Release
Earlier this year, 50 Pacific pocket mice (PPM) ventured into their native habitat at a new release site on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in Southern California, where we hope this endangered species will establish a new population. Our teams spent months preparing the mice for life in this habitat, as well as preparing the release site so we can monitor their survival, movement, and breeding success post-release. We also deployed a state-ofthe-art tracking system to determine, for the first time, how the broader community of small mammals interacts with released PPM. We hope these data will explain how PPM adjust and integrate into an environment where they are the tiniest members of a diverse set of competitor species.
Loulu palms are the only palm tree species native to Hawai'i, and they have a precious cultural value. However, these palms are endangered, and populations have rapidly declined in the last few years due to infestation by the invasive coconut rhinoceros beetle. To prevent these unique plants from disappearing forever, the San Diego Zoo is serving as a safe site: over the next 5 years, we will receive 160 individual plants from our partners in Hawai'i. By growing the palm trees in San Diego, we help preserve genetic diversity and can serve as a source population when restoring these plants to their native landscapes. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is honored to be chosen as stewards for these palm trees, and we are proud to work closely with our partners in Hawai'i to protect biodiversity.
A Different View of Sumatran Tigers
In support of the Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry, our team and partners in Sumatra successfully tested the use of a thermal drone to detect tigers in the landscape, marking the first-ever use of this technology to monitor tigers in Sumatra. As we navigate the drone above croplands, a thermal sensor reveals tigers by their heat signatures, allowing us to locate tigers that are coming too close to human communities. Once a tiger is detected, mitigation measures can then be quickly dispatched for the safety of both people and the tiger. Advanced technologies like drones—which can also be paired with artificial intelligence for additional monitoring capacity—have the potential to substantially reduce conflicts with tigers, and therefore foster effective human-wildlife coexistence.
What are some of the most rewarding parts of your job?
Knowing that there is a greater purpose beyond myself in serving and perpetuating our manu 'ōiwi (native birds) is deeply rewarding. I believe there are two essential things that make Hawai'i: our Indigenous people who have imbued a rich history of innovation and culture to form this 'āina (place that sustains us) melded with the unique species of these islands, which are found nowhere else. 'Alalā, 'akikiki, 'akeke'e, and palila are some of our most ancient ancestors who deserve our utmost respect and should be treated as the kūpuna (elders) that they are. As kanaka maoli (Native Hawaiian), I believe these pilina (relationships) are sacred and worth the dedication and effort our team invests daily.
What is a typical day like for you?
I'm excited by the variety of projects that fill my days, whether it's teaming up with avian recovery specialists to enhance daily care routines, lending a hand in veterinary procedures, or tackling intricate design challenges for an entire building renovation.
What aspects of your work fall outside a typical 9 to 5 schedule?
During the breeding season, our focus really
Lisa Mason is wildlife care supervisor at the Keauhou Bird Conservation Center (KBCC) in Kapāpala, Hawai'i— part of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s Hawaiian Endangered Bird Conservation Program. While leading her team, she oversees wildlife care and general operations.
zooms in on egg and chick care. Our hua (egg or offspring) team works from 6:30 a.m. until about 8:30 p.m., with two shifts each day. Occasionally longer, particularly during peak season. My priority is to be available to support staff in critical decision-making and respond to the medical needs of chicks in every case.
Q
Who or what inspires you?
Hands down, my staff. They are my eyes, hands, and feet in the field. I would not be able to do my job without them, and it is a rigorous and demanding job that they do each day. I am inspired by their questions and curiosities, unique perspectives and suggestions, and their aspirations and dreams of seeing these birds reintroduced to the landscape again.
Q
How is your team making a difference for Hawaiian birds and their ecosystems?
We are nā kia'i manu: the stewards and protectors of these birds. Our kuleana (responsibility) is to do the best job we can to take excellent care of the birds in our program for as long as they are with us. We constantly challenge ourselves to elevate our care and reinforce relationships between the birds and their environment that will help them thrive in their native habitats.
PHOTO BY: KEN BOHN/SDZWA
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Secrets of the Night
Nocturnal Wildlife’s Sensory Superpowers
SDZWA staff writer Arwen Neski sheds some light on how adaptations help nocturnal species thrive in the dark.
For nocturnal wildlife, nightfall is a friend and ally. It shields many species from daytime predators and the scorching heat of the sun, while others harness its cloak for stealthy hunting. Our vision might be limited when the sun goes down, but nocturnal wildlife have spe-
cialized senses finely tuned for thriving in the dark. Acute eyesight, heightened smell, and sharp hearing serve as invaluable assets in the realm of night. Certain species even possess unique sixth senses that keep them in tune with their surroundings.
Have you ever wondered why a cat’s eyes appear to glow in the dark? Lions,
Our vision might be limited when the sun goes down, but nocturnal wildlife have specialized senses finely tuned for thriving in the dark.
leopards, jaguars, and even house cats have “night vision” thanks to a special reflective layer in their eyes. Called the tapetum lucidum, this mirror-like structure reflects any available light back into their retinas, allowing them to see in the shadows and causing their eyes to shine.
Three-banded armadillos have poor eyesight, but they don’t need good vision.
Instead, these mostly nocturnal animals rely on highly developed olfactory senses. By pressing their noses into the dirt, they can sniff out insects several inches below the surface. To see this grub-sniffin’ expertise in action, stop by the San Diego Zoo’s Denny Sanford Wildlife Explorers Basecamp and meet some armadillo wildlife ambassadors.
While you’re there, it will be easy to guess a fennec fox’s superpower, considering their ears can grow half as long as their bodies. Emerging from their dens at sunset, they use their impeccable hearing to track down insects, rodents, lizards, and other prey.
Diving after dusk with their eyes and ears closed, platypuses rely on a different sense altogether to detect underwater prey. As crayfish, shrimp, worms, and other animals move, they give off subtle electrical impulses. Platypuses have thousands of electroreceptors in their bills that allow them to detect these movements, pinpointing the location of their next meal.
When it comes to hunting on land at night, pit vipers and various other snakes have specialized organs that give them a unique advantage: heat vision. The glands, or “pits,” on either side of their heads are powerful infrared sensors that allow snakes to detect the slightest temperature changes and help them “see” without their eyes.
Many bat species also navigate their world in a remarkable way. Using echolocation, they emit short bursts of high-pitched sounds that bounce off everything in their path and return to them as echoes. This sonar superpower offers information about the size, distance, and direction of objects in front of a bat, including prey.
Discover more nocturnal wildlife secrets and witness these astonishing senses firsthand when you visit us this fall. There will be much to see, hear, and smell after dark with HalGLOWeen and Jungle Bells at the Zoo and Autumn Festival and Wild Holidays at the Safari Park.
3 ways to better coexist with nocturnal wildlife
1. Lights out
Use dimmers, timers, or motion sensors to reduce outdoor illumination that might interfere with nocturnal wildlife’s habits.
2. Dig in
Plant a garden with night-blooming and night-scented greenery to supply moths and other species with pollen. (Bats will be attracted by the insects, too. They help the ecosystem as well).
3. Food for thought Don’t feed wildlife and keep trash cans secured at night. Besides threatening the ecosytem’s balance, associating people with food is dangerous—for all species.
Local Heroes
Bats Help Save Ecosystems
BY ANDI GOEHRS | PHOTOS BY KEN BOHN
Amazing creatures, bats come in a range of shapes and sizes big and small. They have a variety of sleeping habits, feeding habits, and anatomical features. Bats extend their arms and spread their fingers wide to fly through the sky. Many produce sound and then use their large ears or unique facial features to capture the echoes that are reflected, helping to locate their prey and navigate their environment. Fruit-eating bats gobble up seeds and then disperse them far and wide across the forest floor, where new trees will grow. Nectar-eating bats bathe in the pollen of one flower and then travel to another, pollinating each flower as they go. Insect-eating bats perform aerial acrobatics to capture insects mid-flight or even swoop to the ground and use their legs and tail membrane to scoop the insects up to their mouths.
With over 1,400 species worldwide, bats make up almost one-quarter of all mammal species on Earth. They can be found on every continent except Antarctica, and each species plays a unique and important role in their ecosystem.
Homegrown Helpers
Here in San Diego County, 22 species of bats patrol the night sky at different times throughout the year. At one end of the spectrum, the tiny canyon bat weighs only 5 grams (about
.18 ounces), roosts in rocky crevices, and feasts on insects. At the other end, the western mastiff bat weighs 70 grams (2.5 ounces), roosts in rocky cliffs, and hunts nocturnal insects. The pallid bat, with white fur and large ears, can be found patrolling open fields in search of scorpions and other ground-dwelling arthropods.
Several species stop in San Diego County during their migration north or south, depending on the season. The hoary bat, with its characteristic white and brown mottled fur, blends seamlessly with the trees in which they roost during the day. The Mexican long-tongued bat follows the blooming agave and seeks out cave-like structures to rest when the sun is out.
As the sun begins to set, the rolling hills and open landscape of the San Diego Zoo Safari Park and surrounding biodiversity reserves provide prime foraging habitat for as many as 17 of these wonderful bat species. Native plants attract night pollinators and other insects, which the bats feed on. Various water features throughout the grounds provide the bats with fresh drinking water, in addition to attracting nocturnal insects. The diverse landscape features provide safe roosting sites for maternal colonies to raise their pups.
Home Security Systems
Through the efforts of multiple departments, and with some outside help from the San Diego Natural History Museum, we have been working to identify the species we have at the Safari Park and striving to provide them with better resources, such as bat houses.
Over the past five years, our Construction and Maintenance team members have built bat houses of different sizes and styles to provide varying species of bats with a safe place to roost. There are currently 12 bat houses distributed throughout the Safari Park, and 5 are actively being used by different
species. There are plans to put up more bat houses as we identify the places where they are needed most.
In July 2023, a trail camera was set up underneath one of these bat houses to monitor which species were inside and how many were emerging each night. The videos revealed that just after sunset, big brown bats and Mexican free-tailed bats would crawl down to the bottom of the bat house, drop out, spread their wings, and fly away into the night.
Over the last year, we have also begun using acoustic monitoring to increase our knowledge of which species we have and where they can be found. Different species produce different echolocation calls based on their foraging strategy and the habitat they live/forage in. A single species can be identified from another by analyzing recordings of these calls. By learning about which species are utilizing resources found at the Safari Park, we can better learn how to continue helping them.
These 17 species of native bats are not the only ones that can be found around the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. The Safari Park is also home to a much larger, unique species of fruit bat called the Rodrigues flying fox. This endangered species is endemic to Rodrigues Island, a small island in the Indian Ocean east of Madagascar. They can be found in the Flying Fox House, where, contrary to common beliefs about bats, they can be seen roosting in the trees, soaking up the sunshine. Due to their diet of fruit in addition to their ability to fly long distances, this species serves as a critical seed disperser on Rodrigues Island and is responsible for forest regeneration. Unlike many of their batty relatives, they do not echolocate, as it is unnecessary due to their diet of fruit. As such, they have not evolved extremely large ears or unique facial features, but rather, as their name implies, they have a face similar to
DID YOU KNOW?
Male Mexican free-tailed bats will sing to the females, much like a male songbird.
Who am I?: A member of the Safari Park’s Rodrigues flying fox colony, Solitaire, a fouryear-old male, can be identified by his golden stomach and back.
Our colony has a wide age range, with the youngest bat being around 2 years old and the oldest being 20. Our wildlife care specialists offer them honeydew—their favorite fruit—from a skewer each day to help build trust with each colony member. The bats approach care specialists for the honeydew, which allows the team to assess the bats’ behavior and get a close look at their feet, wings, nails, teeth, etc. to assess their overall health. The remainder of their diet is offered high up in the trees,
where they can be seen navigating the tree branches upside down or showing off their 2.5- to 3-foot wingspan and flying from one tree to another!
How to Help
Anyone can help native bats! Some ways to do your part include installing bat houses, reducing pesticide use, and turning off outdoor lights at night. If you find a bat on the ground or out during the day, contact a local wildlife rehabilitator. Due to the
possibility of rabies, you should never pick up a bat with bare hands—use a cloth, bag, or glove. You can also educate yourself and others about bats native to your area, and leave dead trees in your yard if it is safe to do so. The bats could use the assistance—and so could the local ecosystem.
Andi Goehrs is a senior wildlife care specialist at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
At bat: (Above, clockwise from left) A bat’s wing is made up of skin that connects the fingers, arms, legs, and sometimes even the tail; this skin can be referred to as the flight membrane. A Rodrigues flying fox enjoying a piece of papaya. In a screenshot from a trail camera video, you can see a Mexican free-tailed bat and a big brown bat emerging from a bat house. Author Andi Goehrs checks for bats inside of a bat house.
EVERY FRIDAY, SATURDAY, & SUNDAY IN OCTOBER!
Our popular October event is back and bigger than ever! Join us to help us light up the night until 9 p.m.! Youths 11 and younger are free and may come in costume.
There is fun for the whole family with the all-new Enchanted HalGLOWeen Forest, Python Path, musical entertainment, dance parties, and more—plus Dr. Zoolittle, Zoo characters, and delectable food specials.
sandiegozoo.org
Working Late
BY
OLLIE ZIRBEL | PHOTOS BY KEN BOHN
Overnight Wildlife Care at the Safari Park
The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is known for some pretty incredible experiences for our guests during our operating hours. What folks may not know is that when our front gates close for the night, a whole other world is just getting started. We have a dedicated wildlife care team that works during nighttime hours, and they have a lot to do after the sun goes down.
Ready for Anything— and Anyone
As the sun sets on the west side of the Safari Park, we begin to see and hear a whole new array of animal activity. We load up our vehicles with supplies for working at night, including red LED flashlights, binoculars, night vision thermal monoculars, an iPad, and even a drone! A jacket, snacks, and a warm drink are also staples, as some nights can dip into the 20s in the San Pasqual Valley.
We start our patrols around the 1,800 acres to check on the more than 3,000 animals that live at the Safari Park. During
that drive we might see a newborn Cape buffalo calf nursing, a newly introduced male Angolan roan antelope mingling with his herd, or the trio of lionesses out patrolling Lion Camp.
Making our way from the wildlife habitats toward the more undeveloped part of the Safari Park, known as the Biodiversity Reserve, we observe a lot of other native species that also call the Safari Park home. In the summer months we might see the rosy boa and tarantulas on the ground, and even Yuma myotis bats flying around. In the spring we see spadefoot toads and swallows, and in the case of baby barn owls, we hear them—they are very vocal chicks! Year-round we see other local species like opossums, kangaroo rats, white-tailed deer, skunks, raccoons, the occasional bobcat, and an even bigger feline.
One of the most elusive animals out here is the mountain lion. They are incredibly powerful and stealthy hunters and have the largest range of any mammal (other than humans). Because of this range, they also have more names than any other an-
imal—they’re known locally as mountain lions, cougars, or pumas.
Helping the Locals
In some instances, native wildlife can end up in our care. After working with University of California, Davis, in 2022, we received a permit to collar a female mountain lion that had been hunting native mule deer. Late in 2023, we learned this female had been killed while predating livestock. The collar helped identify her and aided in the rescue of her three young cubs. The Safari Park was asked by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide a home for the trio, who are now ambassadors for their species.
The overnight wildlife care team has a unique opportunity to manage the three young mountain lions on a schedule that is more in tune with their nocturnal nature. When arriving at their habitat, wildlife care specialists are greeted with lots of vocalizations, which at their age (eight months) signifies their socialization is progressing nicely. Between the three of them,
Eye in the sky: (Above) Author Ollie Zirbel readies a drone to be used to unobtrusively monitor activity in the Safari Park’s field habitats.
DID YOU KNOW?
Mountain lions have the widest range of any land animal.
Keeping watch: (Facing page, clockwise from top) Wildlife care specialist Lindsay Stoner observes wildlife at dusk in one of the Safari Park’s field habitats; this is a time when some animals will start settling down, while others are becoming more active. Young mountain lions explore their habitat. Because of perceived predator danger, giraffes only sleep in short intervals.
we hear a few different sounds while we get their diet prepped for the night. They are eating a variety of items at this stage, and we do vary the type of food, the amount, when it’s offered, and how it’s presented. We work with them individually for relationship building and training, and we hold group feeds where we might put three racks of ribs in a pile with antlers or hide some rabbits in a pile of hay, mimicking the natural food source these local cats would find. Seeing how they navigate those group feeds and develop socially as a trio has been one of my favorite parts of working with them and watching them grow up.
Shifting Gears— and Species
The three mountain lion cubs are amazing, but we have lots of other wildlife to check on during the night. One of the unique characteristics of the overnight
wildlife care team is that no two nights are the same—the cubs are the only constant part of our shifts. Some nights we might be checking the camera system around the Safari Park to help monitor native species. We may help train a rhino for an early morning move to another facility or provide additional attention to a porcupine. We can even record what a group or individual animal is doing and where they spend time in their spaces—there’s an app for that, ZooMonitor, which puts all that data in our hand via a tablet.
We also assist with diet prep for a variety of species, whether that means bottle feeding an animal that needs overnight care or checking on a newly hatched kiwi chick. Working with our partners from the Wildlife Health team, we sometimes check on medical cases or help monitor expectant mothers as well. We even get to interact with some of our guests who are part of a
wedding or birthday party, or Roar & Snore Safari campers. Fostering the connection between our guests and Rodrigues flying foxes and explaining about our native bat population is a highlight of our work at the Safari Park. Watching a guest see an okapi for the first time, or their excitement as they snack on s’mores and listen to the elephant herd crunching browse—life-changing events for everyone.
There’s a lot that goes on after the sun goes down at the Safari Park. Come visit the nocturnal world here at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, and get inspired to learn more about your own native animals. I welcome you to join in a nocturnal visit here, and if you do, please be sure to say hello!
Ollie Zirbel is an overnight wildlife care supervisor at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
THE NIGHT LIFE
Plants That Bloom in the Dark
BY PEGGY SCOTT | PHOTOS BY TAMMY SPRATT
For many botanical species, the time to shine—and blossom—is while basking in the rays of the sun. For other flora, however, it’s the light of the moon that serves as a backdrop as they get up and growing. And while plants need the same things— light, air, water, nutrients, and space—when and how
these requirements are met is what sets the after-hour horticultural varieties apart.
Working the Late Shift
One of the main reasons for some plants to have nocturnal tendencies can be traced to adaptations that make the most of available resources, notes Adam Graves, director of horticulture for the
San Diego Zoo. “With many night-blooming plants, their pollinators are active at night, so their blooming cycle shifts accordingly,” he explains. “That’s why many nightblooming species are found in the desert—nighttime is when most pollinators are active to avoid the heat of the day.” So while a morning glory’s daytime flowers attract bees and butterflies, its sister,
the moonflower—like other night bloomers—plays host to different guests.
“After dark, bats and some moths take over pollinating duties,” says Raj Brown, director of horticulture for the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Raj adds that night bloomers entice their visitors by appealing to more than one sense. “Not only are nocturnal flowers usually pale or white,
DID YOU KNOW?
Hylocereus undatus is related to epiphyllums.
which makes them easier for pollinators to see in the dark, some are heavy with fragrance and copious dilute nectar, which are very attractive.” And it’s not just pollinators who are drawn to these flowers— plant aficionados and home gardeners find them irresistible as well. Luckily, both the Zoo and Safari Park have nightblooming floral species on grounds to provide inspiration.
Late Bloomers at the San Diego Zoo
Members of the night-blooming cereus group—flowering ceroid cacti that bloom at night—have put down roots at the Zoo. These flowers are short-lived, Adam notes, adding that the blossoms on some of these species, such as the Peruvian apple cactus Cereus repandus, bloom for only one night. Sharing a habitat with legless
lizards over by the Reptile House, this species, with its large, cream-colored blooms, is particularly important to pollinating bats. Its thornless fruit ranges in color from violet-red to yellow.
Given its sprawling size and ornate white blossoms, it’s hard to miss the dragon fruit Hylocereus undatus that grows near the Zoo’s Kopje. Its reddish fruit can reach six
inches in length.
With their floral-fruity scent, it’s likely the night scented orchids can be smelled before they’re seen. “We have orchids in the collection that emit a strong fragrance in darkness to attract their pollinators,” explains Heinfried Block, senior plant propagator and orchid specialist at the Zoo. “Epidendrum parkinsonianum and lady of the night Brassavola
After-hours flowers: (This page, top) With regular watering, Datura wrightii will bloom all summer. Its blossoms measure about five inches across. (Below) Also known as the pitaya, Hylocereus undatus (or dragon fruit) is a climbing cactus vine that uses its aerial roots to attach itself to trees. (Facing page) Pollinated by moths, Epidendrum parkinsonianum emits a citrusy fragrance.
nodosa are prominent examples of night scented orchids in our collection. They do not close their flowers during the day, they just stop producing the strong scent during daylight.” Heinfried adds that the appearance of the flower itself remains unchanged, and, like some other night-blooming plants, the flowers of those orchids pollinated by night hawks not only give off a strong scent, but they are also white in color, thus appealing to the insect’s sense of vision as well as sense of smell.
Intrigued by what goes bloom in the night?
Along with the family-friendly fun of HalGLOWeen, October weekends at the San Diego Zoo bring later hours, staying open until 9 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
Blossoming after Dark at the Safari Park
Night-blooming plants have also put down roots at the Safari Park. In the Hidden Jungle Aviary, the angel’s trumpet Brugmansia suaveolens beckons guests—and pollinators—to its branching trunks with a sweet fragrance. This evergreen tree can get up to 30 feet tall when grown outdoors.
The Safari Park’s World Gardens, on the way up to Baja Gardens trail, also contain Peruvian apple cactus. When local bats and moths show up to enjoy some nectar, pollination takes place. After pollination, the flower dies, but the base of its stem grows into a round, sweet fruit with crunchy seeds that, in turn, gives pollinators and various birds something else to eat.
Throughout the Safari Park, sacred datura Datura wrightii catches the eye with its large, dark green-gray velvety leaves. This California native plant is adorned with white flowers that grow to six or seven inches long and five inches wide. Also growing in multiple Safari Park locations is white-fleshed pitaya Selenicereus undatus, a lithophytic cactus (it grows on or around rocks) with sprawling stems. The scented, white, nocturnal flowers can reach up to 14 inches in length and 12 inches in diameter.
There are a lot of night-blooming beauties to see at the Safari Park, and October’s Autumn Festival is all about enjoying the season. Weekend hours (Saturday and Sunday) are extended to 7 p.m., so there’s extra time to see what’s “growing” on.
With many nightblooming plants, their pollinators are active at night, so their blooming cycle shifts accordingly.”
— ADAM GRAVES Director of horticulture, San Diego Zoo
Who Glows There?
Bioluminescence is a chemical reaction wherein living organisms produce their own light. It’s not something we get to see very often, as most bioluminescent wildlife is found deep in the depths of oceans across the globe. Species with this spectacular adaptation use their glow to communicate, lure prey, escape predators, and even attract mates. From the water’s surface down to the seafloor, bioluminescent wildlife transforms the dark into a mesmerizing, shimmering spectacle.
By Ellie McMillan | Illustrated by Amy Blandford
On unique occasions after the sun sets in Southern California, ocean waves explode in brilliant blue flashes before turning to a familiar whitewash. Dinoflagellates—a type of plankton—are tiny marine organisms that create this showstopping light when disturbed. Individually, their twinkling can go unnoticed. But together, it’s enchanting.
Japanese Firefly Squid
Watasenia scintillans
Like its land-dwelling namesake, the firefly squid emits a fascinating glow in dazzling blues and greens. These small squids use counterillumination to protect themselves. Their undersides mimic sunlight from the ocean’s surface, camouflaging them from predators lurking below.
Atolla Jellyfish
Atolla wyvillei
When threatened, the Atolla jellyfish radiates blue hues that pulse around the crown of its body. The bright bioluminescent flashes scare predators and expose the hunter to others that may be looking for a meal in the perpetual night of the deep sea where they live.
Vampire Squid
Vampyroteuthis infernalis
The richly red vampire squid protects itself in two ways. They can draw their umbrella-like tentacles over their body as a shield, and they can expel bioluminescent mucus. When the liquid is ejected, predators are left stunned—and briefly stained—in the luminous cloud as the squid swims away.
Brittle Star
Amphiura filiformis
Long, spiny, glimmering legs extend from a small, disc-shaped body on brittle stars. When attacked, this sea star can detach a leg to serve as a glowing distraction while they slink away to safety. But it’s not a permanent loss. Like others of their species, they’re able to regrow their legs.
Lanternfish
Myctophids
There are over 200 different species of these small, silver fish. Each fish has light-producing organs called photophores in their head, tail, and underside. They produce distinct patterns that vary among species and even between males and females.
Anglerfish
Lophiiformes
It’s a trap! One of the most well-known bioluminescent fish, this sea dweller dangles its iconic, shining lure off the top of its large head, waiting for curious fish to swim closer and investigate. Anglerfish then use their enormous, sharp teeth to strike the unsuspecting prey.
A.
D.
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C. F.
September Hours*
San Diego Zoo
9 a.m.–6 p.m.
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
9 a.m.–5 p.m.
October Hours*
San Diego Zoo
9 a.m.–6 p.m.
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
9 a.m.–6 p.m.
sdzwa.org
(619) 231-1515
*Programs and dates are subject to change—please check our website for the latest information.
(Z) = San Diego Zoo
(P) = Safari Park
EVENTS
September
SAN DIEGO ZOO
FRIDAYS, SATURDAYS , AND SUNDAYS IN OCTOBER
HalGLOWeen
The Zoo’s glimmering Halloween-themed celebration offers family fun, music, and live entertainment from 5 to 9 p.m. every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in October. On October 4, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance members are invited to enjoy a HalGLOWeen Member Preview. (Z)
SEPTEMBER 21
Food, Wine & Brew Celebration
This annual fundraiser for San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance features tastes of gourmet cuisine, wines, and beers from San Diego’s finest eateries, brewers, and vintners, plus live entertainment and up-close wildlife encounters. (Z)
SEPTEMBER 15 AND 20; OCTOBER 18
Plant Day and Orchid Odyssey
On September 20 and October 18, take a rare look inside the Zoo’s Orchid Greenhouse from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., check out the Carnivorous Plant Greenhouse
from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and learn about the Zoo’s botanical collection on the Botanical Bus Tours at 11 a.m. and noon. A variety of plants—all grown on site— will be available for purchase from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in front of the Orchid Greenhouse entrance. On September 15, visit the Zoo’s Orchid Greenhouse from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and check out the Carnivorous Plant Greenhouse from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Z)
SEPTEMBER 21–22
Wild Weekend: African Forest
In anticipation of World Gorilla Day (September 24), Treetops
Plaza will be in full swing with a celebration of the wildlife and culture of our African Forest Conservation Hub. Come learn more about our projects and take part in special activities, wildlife care specialist talks, and more. (Z)
OFFERED DAILY
Early Morning with Pandas Walking Tour
Put on your walking shoes and join us for an exclusive early-morning viewing of our new giant pandas! Led by a knowledgeable Zoo educator, this 60-minute early morning walking tour takes a stroll past several different habitats and includes an exclusive viewing of giant pandas. Book online or call (619) 718-3000. (Z)
FOR MEMBERS
SEPTEMBER 8, OCTOBER 6
Member Exclusive Early Hours Rise and shine with the sights and sounds of the San Diego Zoo. One Sunday each month, members can enter the Zoo one hour before the general public. To join us, simply present your membership card at the main entrance beginning at 8 a.m. (Z)
EVERY DAY
Wild Perks SM
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance members are eligible for Wild Perks SM . Show your membership card each time you make a purchase and save up to 20%, depending on your membership level. Some exclusions apply; for details, visit sdzwa.org/membership/ wild-perks (Z)
& October
SAFARI PARK
SEPTEMBER
Member September at the Safari Park!
We’re celebrating YOU with Member September at the Safari Park. Our loyal members make it possible to achieve our vision of a world where all life thrives, and we’d like to thank you with exclusive perks all month long.
Join us at the Safari Park to enjoy double Wild Perks SM ℠savings on almost all purchases, free carousel rides for Wildlife Explorers, Member Early Hours every Saturday and Sunday, and half-off parking for San Diego Resident and Resident Premium members, plus surprise giveaways throughout the month. (P)
WEEKENDS IN OCTOBER
Autumn Festival
During Autumn Festival weekends in October, Safari Park guests can celebrate the fall season with fascinating wildlife, special entertainment, and delicious culinary comforts for everyone to enjoy.
On October 5, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance members are invited to an Autumn Festival Member Preview. (P)
FOR MEMBERS
Member Exclusive Early Hours Rise and shine with the sights and sounds of the Safari Park. To join us, simply present your membership card at the main entrance beginning at 8 a.m. During Member September you can enjoy Early Hours every Saturday and Sunday. There will also be a special Early Hours on Monday, September 2. To join us, simply present your membership card at the main entrance beginning at 8 a.m.
San Diego Resident and Wildlife Protector members with blockout days, upgrade your membership today to enjoy weekend Early Hours at the Safari Park! If you’re not a member yet, become one today to access these perks and help save, protect, and care for wildlife. Visit sdzwa.org/membership. (P)
Visit the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Explorers website to find out about these and other animals, plus videos, crafts, stories, games, and more!
SDZWildlifeExplorers.org
Take a Spin
Every spider has two things in common: they have eight legs and make silk. Most of them make threads of silk with an organ called a spinneret, located at the tail end of their body. They use these threads for transportation, shelter, and catching prey. Not all spiders weave webs from their silk, but for those that do, each web has its own unique shape and pattern. Connect the dots below to find out what this spunky spider is up to!
LAST LOOK
Like many prosimians, lemurs are social animals. Bertarido, a 19-year-old Coquerel’s sifaka (a type of lemur) at the San Diego Zoo, shares a habitat at Africa Rocks with a group of six ring-tailed lemurs and a pair of red-collared lemurs. Coquerel’s sifakas are among the most critically endangered lemur species. Photographed by Ken Bohn, SDZWA photographer.
