Animal Connections & Feedings
The best way to learn about the animals is to see them interact with their keepers and to hear first-hand about their care and wellness.
Monthly Pop-up Events
Saturday September 5 and Sunday September 6: California Biodiversity Day
Location: Exploration zone entrance
Time: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Description: California Biodiversity Day is September 7th. Join the San Francisco Zoo in celebrating California’s amazing biodiversity. From Yosemite toads and Black Bears to Monterrey Cyprus, we have an amazing diversity of species native to California all around the zoo. At the zoo we are committed to preserving California’s biodiversity through our head starting programs, our ARC programs, and education programs. Stop by the exploration zone to learn more from USFWS, Sea Otter Savvy, Wildlife Conservation Network, our EVS department, and conservation departments. There will be biofacts, games, and free buttons and stickers (as supplies last). Special Keeper Chat @ Yosemite toads: 11-12pm
Saturday September 19: International Red Panda Day
Location: Red Panda
Time: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Description: Red pandas are truly one of a kind! Come visit our red panda and celebrate International Red Panda Day with us. Learn about the conservation efforts for red pandas, and what is threatening them in the wild. We will have activities, a keeper talk, information, and maybe you could become a Red Panda Ranger yourself!
Tuesday September 22: World Rhino Day
Location: Eastern Black Rhino
Time: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Description: The San Francisco Zoo is home to two species of Rhinoceros, the Greater one horned Rhino and the Eastern Black Rhino, which is Critically Endangered. Visit the conservation pop-up to learn what is threating rhinos worldwide, how the Zoo helps and how you can help!
Thursday September 24: World Gorilla Day
Location: Gorilla Preserve
Time: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Description: Celebrate our Critically Endangered western Lowland gorillas with us, and learn about conservation efforts, what the zoo does and how you can help. The official results of the 2026 Gorillas on the Line campaign will be announced and we can celebrate how we have been able to forward gorilla conservation through this program. Help us start the 2027 strong and bring your small electronics to recycle on world gorilla day!
Friday September 25: Australasia Conservation pop-up
Location: Koala Crossing
Time: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Description: Koalas have been added to as a SAFE species! Come celebrate this step in Koala conservation with us on Save the Koala day. The Australian government has recognized koalas as being endangered, and they need our help more than ever. Learn what is threatening wild koalas, how the Zoo is helping, and how you can help koalas in the wild.
Animal Connections
Weekdays
| Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 10:45 a.m. | Penguin Feeding | Penguin Island |
| 11:00 a.m. | Goat Enrichment | Family Farm |
| 11:15 a.m. | Pelican Feeding | Upper Lake |
| 12:15 p.m. | Prairie Dog Keeper Chat | Prairie Dog Exhibit |
| 2:30 p.m. | Insect Zoo Keeper Chat (Thursday and Friday only) | Insect Zoo |
| 2:45 p.m. | Pelican Feeding | Upper Lake |
| 3:00 p.m. | Penguin Feeding | Penguin Island |
Weekends
| Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 10:45 a.m. | Penguin Feeding | Penguin Island |
| 11:00 a.m. | Goat Enrichment | Family Farm |
| 11:15 a.m. | Pelican Feeding | Upper Lake |
| 11:30 a.m. | Wolverine Keeper Chat | Wolverine Exhibit |
| 12:00 p.m. | Axolotl Keeper Chat | Amphibian Alley |
| 12:15 p.m. | Koala Keeper Chat | Koala Crossing |
| 12:15 p.m. | Giraffe Keeper Chat (Sundays only) | Savanna Donga |
| 12:30 p.m. | Mandrill Keeper Chat | Mandrill Exhibit |
| 12:30 p.m. | Parrot Keeper Chat | Binowee Aviary (Across Koala Crossing) |
| 12:30 p.m. | Orangutan Keeper Chat | Orangutan Exhibit |
| 12:45 p.m. | Greater one-horned rhino Keeper Chat (Saturdays Only) | Greater one-horned rhino Exhibit |
| 2:30 p.m. | Przewalski Horse and Bactrian Camel Keeper Chat | Nature Play Area |
| 2:30 p.m. | Insect Zoo Keeper Chat (Saturdays Only) | Insect Zoo |
| 2:30 p.m. | Sloth and Toucan Keeper Chat | Tropical Building at Sloth Enclosure |
| 2:45 p.m. | Black bear Enrichment (Saturdays Only) | Black bear Exhibit |
| 2:45 p.m. | Pelican Feeding | Upper Lake |
| 3:00 p.m. | Penguin Feeding | Penguin Island |
| 3:15 p.m. | Lion Keeper Chat (Sunday Only) | Lion Exhibit |
Throughout the Zoo
Around every corner, there are opportunities for learning and fun at the Zoo.
Docents: You’ll find uniformed docents throughout the Zoo who are eager to answer your questions, tell stories, and share their wealth of information.
Bio-fact Carts
Storybooks and more: Don’t forget to pick up a keepsake Zoo Key to use in our Talking Storybooks throughout the Zoo. Other
Zoo Manners
To ensure your visit to the Zoo is safe and pleasant, please follow the guidelines below.
- Respect the animals.
Our animals are wild and possess all their natural instincts. You are a guest in their home. They are sensitive and have feelings. Please do not tap on glass, cross barriers, throw anything into habitats, make excessive noise, tease them, or call out to them. Please report any disturbance to wildlife by calling (415) 753-7069 immediately. Be advised to not disturb free-roaming animals such as peafowl and our wild visitors, such as gulls and other birds. - Please do not feed Zoo animals, peacocks, gulls, or squirrels.
- Please do not let children stand on railings and fences.
- Do not toss coins.
Coins in water are very harmful to animals, so please do not toss coins into habitats, pools or streams. Instead, donate your change to conservation at donation boxes around the Zoo. - Smoking is not allowed anywhere on Zoo grounds.
- Authorized transportation only.
Strollers and wheelchairs are available for daily rental in the Friend and Taube Family Entry Village, so please leave your bicycles, tricycles, scooters, skateboards, and rollerblades at home. - Photo guidelines.
Photography is welcome, but always stay safely behind any barriers and remain in the public areas at all times. Selfie sticks are never allowed to be held over barriers at any time. The Zoo does not permit photos of its animals to be sold for profit or used for any commercial purposes without prior consent. - Some animals may not be on exhibit the day of your visit. They have indoor/outdoor access.
Zoo Policies
We value everyone’s safety.
For the safety and comfort of the animals and our guests we cannot allow the following items in the San Francisco Zoo. Anyone in violation of these rules may be asked to leave at any time without a refund. Any guest verbally or physically threatening anyone will be escorted from the property immediately without a refund.
Please no,
- Straws, disposable lids, glass containers, balloons, pets
- Radios, stereos, musical instruments, or any sound amplifiers
- Solicitation material
- Bicycles, tricycles, scooters, skateboards, rollerblades, or skates
- Sports Equipment including but not limited to balls, bats, etc…
- Alcoholic Beverages or any illegal substances
- Firearms or any other weapons including but not limited to knives
- Toy weapons of any kind
Respect the Animals
- Do not tease or shout at the animals
- Do not throw anything into the exhibits
- Do not feed the animals
- Do not cross exhibit or path barriers
- Do not tap or bang on the glass
For the comfort and safety for all
- Smoking/Vaping is not permitted anywhere on Zoo grounds
- Pets are not allowed inside the Zoo (see below for service animals)
- Please do not enter or damage the planted areas
- Children ages 14 and younger must be accompanied by an adult at all times
- Guests under the influence will not be allowed in the Zoo and will be asked to leave
- Solicitation of any kind is not permitted on Zoo Grounds
Service Animals
- Service animals only. Pets can spread diseases to our animals. No dogs or other pets are allowed on Zoo grounds, except service dogs. Service dogs may be taken to any area in the Zoo except where animals are free-roaming.