Zoo Projects The Sacramento Zoo is always striving to improve and renovate. You can find out what we are up to and follow the current projects here. Tall Wonders - Giraffe Habitat Renovation and Expansion
Funds are currently being raised for the $2 million renovation of our giraffe exhibit. Find out more at the Giraffe Exhibit Project page. Conservation Carousel
Opening May, 20 2009, this handcrafted wooden carousel will feature 32 lifelike animals; some are endangered, all are children's favorites. Each carousel animal is carved from wood, then hand-painted to create a truly unique piece. See the process and find more information at the Conservation Carousel page. Red River Hogs
Construction has started on one of the Bongo barns and part of the yard to prepare for Red river hogs that will be here by summer. The Red river hogs will share the exhibit with the three Bongos, but some modifications had to be made. A section of the exhibit has been fenced off while workers build their barn. 
Temporary fence in the Bongo exhibit
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Barn modifications under way
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Savannah Snacks
The Ice Cream Station Zebra concession stand that used to be near the River otters has been demolished to make way for a newer stand with more up-to-date appliances. Savannah Snacks offers a better menu of foods and it also ties into the renovation of the giraffe exhibit behind the area. The new stand is in place and open on busy weekends. Be sure to check it out! 
Zebra station demolition
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Savannah Snacks delivery
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Placed on the slab near River otters
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What Savannah Snacks looks like all put together
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Zoo's Backyard Aviary - Education Bulletin
Providing a home for native wildlife here at the Zoo shines a spotlight on the rich biodiversity that exists all around us. The Mediterranean region of California is designated by Conservation International as a Biodiversity Hotspot (biodiversityhotspots.org). A biodiversity hotspot is an area with a large number of species that are only found locally and has lost over 70% of its original habitat. The California Floristic Province is home to the giant sequoia, the planet's largest living organism and holds a number of threatened endemic species. Two new aviaries are open in The Zoo’s Backyard with native species, Burrowing owls and Yellow-billed magpies. Burrowing owls are funny little creatures with long legs and big eyes that prefer to stand around on the ground and hunt at dawn and dusk. The burrowing owl population is considered at risk in California because of habitat degradation and destruction. Yellow-billed magpies are a new species to the Zoo. You may be familiar with these charismatic, colorful, and noisy birds, but you may not know that they are only found in California. In fact, birders from around the world travel to California specifically to add these striking birds to their “life list.” Unfortunately, their isolation in California means they are vulnerable because, as our population grows and habitat becomes scarce, yellow-billed magpies will have no where else to go. It is our hope that being surrounded by the animals at our Zoo will inspire you to conserve and “live green” in your daily life. The next time you are here, pay special attention to the California natives who call the Zoo home because these are the animals that will experience the greatest direct impact from your daily choices. 
Yellow-billed magpie aviary
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Burrowing owl aviary
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