Welcoming the newest and largest member of the herd 🐘
Sdudla (stood-la), a male African savanna elephant, has officially joined the eight pachys at Elephant Valley. Calm, patient, and playful, Sdudla will bring key social benefits to the group, and for younger elephants like 7-year-old Zuli, his presence also offers opportunities for mentorship and further social development while he continues to learn and grow.
Like the adult female pachys at the Safari Park, Sdudla was rescued from being culled in Eswatini, formerly Swaziland, in 2003 due to severe drought and limited resources, and comes to the Safari Park as part of the AZA Species Survival Plan for his species. African savanna elephants are endangered, and Sdudla’s presence will help support critical conservation efforts for these gentle giants.
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Share
The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is located 30 miles north of downtown San Diego & is operated by SDZWA. https://SDZWA.org
The Safari Park is an expansive conservation park that is home to more than 3,000 animals representing more than 300 species. Its renowned botanical collection represents 3,500 species and 1.75 million specimens. Over half of the Park’s 1,800 acres (730 hectares) have been set aside as protected native species habitat. It is located 30 miles (48 kilometers) north of downtown San Diego in the San P
06/02/2026
We gave the pachy care team at Elephant Valley disposable cameras. Here's what they saw 🎞️
05/30/2026
Bo-hemian Roarsody 🦁
Grow-ling up strong 💪
Dinner time looks a little different for three growing mountain lions. Rescued at just six weeks old and given a second chance at the Safari Park, Hemuk, Te'Oyee, and Pehkaay thrive on a nocturnal schedule that mirrors their natural instincts, and when it's time to eat, they don't hold back. Mountain lions can consume up to 20–30 pounds of meat in a single sitting, and this trio is here for every bite.
Earresistible content ahead ⚠️
Three bat-eared fox kits were born at the Safari Park in late April, the first born here since 2023. After some quality den time with mom Winter and first-time dad Teddy, the tiny trio is now out and about exploring their habitat. Teddy has been a truly pawsome father, keeping a watchful eye on his little foxpack as the curious kits venture out.
Between the oversized ears, tiny squeaks, and nonstop zoomies, it’s safe to say Nairobi Village has become the cutest little den of mischief around.
Hopping into action for local wildlife 🐸
The Western spadefoot toad is an awesome amphibian that spends most of its life hidden underground until seasonal rains arrive. More closely related to frogs than true toads, this remarkable species has the fastest metamorphosis of any known frog or toad, transforming from tadpole to juvenile in as little as 12 days.
At the Safari Park’s Biodiversity Reserve, our teams are restoring and protecting the seasonal pools that provide safe spaces for Western spadefoots and other native wildlife to thrive. The 900-acre protected reserve supports extraordinary biodiversity and serves as an important part of Southern California’s long-term conservation network. By protecting habitats like these, we can help local species recover and flourish for generations to come.
30 seconds in Elephant Valley > 30 seconds anywhere else 🐘
05/20/2026
A truly un-deer-niable winner: Papaya💚
A huge thank you to everyone who voted in our pudu naming contest. Papaya has officially taken the crown as the winning name, and we think it’s absolutely deer-lightful for this tiny bundle of joy.
This fawn-cy gal is already charming everyone she meets as she explores, nibbles, and keeps her care team on their toes. Visit her near the Mombasa Lagoon.
The little cheetah crew is hitting the habitat in style ✨
These five-month-old speedy sweethearts are now exploring the cheetah habitat in African Outpost. From cuddle puddles to showing off their climbing skills, these boys are already proving they're fur-midable adventurers.
As the curious cubs begin to settle in, different cheetahs in our care will continue to share the habitat at different times. When the cubs are out and about with mama Kelechi, the guest pathway from Okavango Outpost may be temporarily closed so their little family can enjoy some extra paws-on-al privacy. The Africa Tram will still be rolling, so you may just catch these fast friends zooming or lounging along the way.
05/16/2026
There are those whose presence touches everything, and whose loss is felt in everything, too. We are heartbroken to share the unexpected illness and loss of Paul Donn, a remarkable 37-year-old western lowland gorilla, at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
As with all wildlife we have the honor of caring for, Paul Donn’s comprehensive wellness was being carefully monitored daily. Shortly before his passing, his wildlife care team noticed his appetite had decreased, and he was urgently seen by wildlife health experts. Despite immediate treatment and the dedicated efforts of wildlife health and care team members, Paul Donn passed away suddenly on May 15 with his wildlife care specialists by his side.
Born at the Safari Park, Paul Donn spent more than two decades as a beloved member of the Zoo's gorilla troop before returning to the Safari Park, where he stepped into the role of silverback following the passing of Winston. His return to the Safari Park to carry on Winston's legacy was deeply poignant, and the ripples of his iconic presence have touched every part of our gorilla conservation program.
In Paul Donn, gentleness and strength existed in perfect balance. He was smart and stubborn, and moved through the world with a quiet, though unmistakable air of authority. As troop leader, he set the tone for what family meant, and he lived that every single day.
Above all, Paul Donn was the embodiment of what it means to be a devoted father. From the time his four children were small, he was deeply engaged in their lives, seeking them out for long bouts of wrestling and play that made his investment in them impossible to miss.
He was, in every sense of the phrase, a "super dad."
Nowhere was this more evident than in his fierce, unwavering protection of Frank, who became the first gorilla raised under the neonatal assisted care unit model, a groundbreaking approach that kept him living with his family while being hand-nursed by wildlife care specialists. Throughout that journey, Paul Donn remained steady and watchful. His love was not passive, but active, physical, and constant.
Paul Donn lives on through generations of gorillas at the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park, including his mother, Kami, and sons Denny and Frank. He was an inimitable member of our family and will be profoundly missed by all who knew him.
Paul Donn loved cucumber, splashing in water, and napping in the sun. In celebration of his incredible life, we invite you to enjoy some fresh veggies outside in the sunshine, perhaps by a pool or the ocean, and keep your days playful, and your heart kind.
Click here to claim your Sponsored Listing.
Location
Category
Telephone
Website
Address
15500 San Pasqual Valley Road
Escondido, CA
92027