New Santa Ana | Tag Archives: Santa Ana Zoo

The Santa Ana Zoo has reopened today

Posted on January 31, 2021 by Editor Posted in Civic Affairs, Entertainment, Family, Parks and Recreation, Santa Ana, Santa Ana Zoo, Youth Activities Leave a comment

The Santa Ana Zoo is reopening on Sunday, January 31, 2021, from 10 am to 4 p.m.

The Santa Ana Zoo is subject to capacity and with the following safety modifications:

Masks are required for all persons age 2 and up, at all times, unless seated to eat or drink. For details, please click here for details.
The following attractions are OPEN: Exploration Maze, Colors of the Amazon Aviary, Conservation Education Theatre, Primates, Camels, Tierra de las Pampas, Anteaters, Crean Family Farm (cow, pony, new miniature donkeys!), Treetop Toys Giftshop.
The following are closed: Rides, Indoor spaces (Exploration Outpost & Barn), Playground, Beansprouts Café, Goat Yard & all direct animal-contact interactions.

Regular Hours: Wednesday — Sunday, 10am – 4pm (Closed Monday and Tuesday). FREE PARKING!

We welcome you back to our Urban Oasis. The Zoo remains a great OUTDOOR place to relax and escape and learn about the natural world.

Your support cares for the wildlife at the Zoo and endangered species worldwide. Thank you for all you do. We can’t wait to see you soon!

Check our website for details on safety protocols before you arrive.

Admission:

Adults (13+) – $12
Children (3 – 12) – $9
Seniors (60+) – $9

Students can sign up for the Santa Ana Zoo’s free virtual Lab

Posted on December 13, 2020 by Editor Posted in Santa Ana Leave a comment

Join the Santa Ana Zoo for at-home nature activities! Santa Ana youth in preschool through middle school are invited to sign-up for your kit and join zoo staff for a FREE virtual program.

Community Connections: The Zoo & You is a new program dedicated to connecting the zoo to our community through fun, interactive programs for youth of all ages. Nature Lab programs include kits of all of the materials needed to complete activities during a live, Zoom session with zoo staff. Participants will love getting their hands dirty as they investigate, observe, construct and share their discoveries.

Slither into the world of snakes! Reserve your kit and mark your calendar to discover why snakes are so important to our environment!

Sign-Up:

Visit https://forms.gle/V37Mxd98vCExTbLR7 to reserve your activity kit. Kits are designated for students in preschool – 2nd grade or 3rd grade through middle school.

Confirm:

A confirmation email will be sent letting you know when your kit is in the mail. When registration is full, a wait list will be created for the next program.

Log-On:

Log-on to Zoom on Saturday, December 19 with the information in your kit to join the LIVE program for your grade level with zoo staff and special animal guests!

Questions? Please submit all questions using the registration form.

Learn about snakes at the Santa Ana Zoo’s next virtual nature lab

Posted on November 18, 2020 by Editor Posted in Nature, Santa Ana, Santa Ana Zoo Leave a comment

Join the Santa Ana Zoo for at-home nature activities! Santa Ana youth in preschool through middle school are invited to sign-up for your kit and join zoo staff for a FREE virtual program.

Slither into the world of snakes! Reserve your kit and mark your calendar to discover why snakes are so important to our environment!

Sign-Up: Visit https://forms.gle/V37Mxd98vCExTbLR7 to reserve your activity kit. Kits are designated for students in preschool through 2nd grade or 3rd grade through middle school.

Confirm: A confirmation email will be sent letting you know when your kit is in the mail. When registration is full, a wait list will be created for the next program.

Log-On: Log on to Zoom on Saturday, Nov. 21, with the information in your kit to join the LIVE program for your grade level with zoo staff and special animal guests!

The Santa Ana Zoo steps up to help animals evacuated from the O.C. Zoo

Posted on October 27, 2020 by Editor Posted in Santa Ana Zoo Leave a comment

The Santa Ana Zoo is providing shelter for about 150 animals from Orange County Zoo in Irvine Regional Park that were evacuated on Oct. 26 because of the Silverado and Blue Ridge wildfires. Animals were evacuated and transported by 25 County staff and assisted by 12 City staff upon arrival at Santa Ana Zoo.

The evacuated animals range in size from bears and mountain lions to Madagascar hissing cockroaches and a desert hairy scorpion. The Santa Ana Zoo is using off-exhibit holding and indoor spaces to provide the animals with safe and comfortable temporary homes until it is safe for them to return to Orange County Zoo.

As in 2017 when the OC Zoo evacuated during the 2017 Santiago fire, the Santa Ana Zoo is proud to be part of a supportive community and to provide aid to its zoo neighbors.

The Santa Ana Zoo’s trees have been recognized as an accredited arboretum

Posted on May 10, 2020 by Editor Posted in Nature, Santa Ana, Santa Ana Zoo, Trees Leave a comment

SANTA ANA, CA – The Santa Ana Zoo at Prentice Park’s collection of over 500 trees has been recognized as an accredited arboretum.

The ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program awarded the Zoo a Level 1 Accreditation in March for achieving particular standards of professional practices deemed important for arboreta and botanic gardens. An arboretum is like a botanical garden devoted to planting trees and shrubs for educational and scientific purposes.

“The Santa Ana Zoo is an important educational, recreational and conservation resource for the residents of Santa Ana and the greater region,” Santa Ana Mayor Miguel A. Pulido said. “The recognition of the Zoo’s significant botanical collection compliments the animals living in its care, and I congratulate our Zoo staff on this achievement.”

The ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program is the only global initiative to officially recognize arboreta at various levels of development, capacity and professionalism. The Zoo’s accreditation is listed in the Morton Register of Arboreta, a database of the world’s arboreta and gardens dedicated to woody plants maintained by the Morton Arboretum in Illinois.

Just as the animals living at the Santa Ana Zoo come from varied environments and habitats, so too do the trees that comprise the Zoo’s urban forest. It is made up of more than 100 species of trees, including an Argentinean Ombú tree, African fever tree and massive Moreton Bay Fig, which can reach over 150 feet in diameter. Signage throughout the Zoo highlights such notable specimens, and a visitor’s botanical guide is available for interested guests.

The Zoo is currently closed to the public due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

About Santa Ana Zoo

The Santa Ana Zoo at Prentice Park’s mission is to empower the community to save wildlife and wild spaces through fun, adventure, and learning. The Zoo is owned and operated by the City of Santa Ana, and receives additional support from Friends of Santa Ana Zoo, a private 501(c)3 non-profit entity. The Zoo opened in 1952 on land donated to the City of Santa Ana by Joseph Prentice on the conditions that it must always be a city park named Prentice Park, and that the city must maintain a zoo with ample accommodations for at least 50 monkeys.

About ArbNet

ArbNet is an interactive, collaborative, international community of arboreta. ArbNet facilitates the sharing of knowledge, experience, and other resources to help arboreta meet their institutional goals and works to raise professional standards through the ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program. The accreditation program, sponsored and coordinated by The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois in cooperation with American Public Gardens Association and Botanic Gardens Conservation International, is the only global initiative to officially recognize arboreta based on a set of professional standards. The program offers four levels of accreditation, recognizing arboreta of various degrees of development, capacity and professionalism. Standards include planning, governance, public access, programming and tree science, planting and conservation. More information is available at www.arbnet.org.

Snow Days with the Critters storms into town this weekend at the Santa Ana Zoo

Posted on December 12, 2019 by Editor Posted in Civic Affairs, Family, Nature, Parks and Recreation, Santa Ana Zoo, Youth Activities Leave a comment

The Santa Ana Zoo’s annual Snow Days with the Critters event will take place Saturday, Dec. 14, and Sunday, Dec. 15.

Watch animals receive icy treats and snow enrichment, listen to festive music, enjoy the winter decorations, discover how animals adapt to surviving in freezing environments, create cool crafts and listen to delightful winter stories. There also will be a special area for children to play in “snow.” Snow enrichment for the animals is being provided by Kona Ice, which also will be selling their delicious and colorful shaved ice at the zoo.

The event is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on both days. Residents of Santa Ana receive free admission to the zoo on Dec. 15. Proof of residency (such as a utility bill or ID with a Santa Ana address) is required for free admission.

The Santa Ana Zoo in Prentice Park is located at 1801 E. Chestnut Ave., Santa Ana.

More information at santaanazoo.org

The Santa Ana Public Library presents “Guanaco Storytime” at the Santa Ana Zoo

Posted on August 12, 2019 by Editor Posted in Entertainment, Family, Literature, Parks and Recreation, Santa Ana, Santa Ana Zoo, Youth Activities Leave a comment

Santa Ana, CA: The Santa Ana Public Library will be hosting “Guanaco Storytime” on Saturday, August 17, 2019 at the Santa Ana Zoo from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm. The event will offer an innovative storytime to children that will engage curiosities about the vast world of camelid species like Guanacos, Llamas, Vicunas and Alpacas while developing basic literacy skills as the community comes together to learn more about these remarkable mammals native to South America.

All ages are invited to participate in the storytime readings, sing-a-longs, and arts and crafts activities that will help the community learn more about our South American camelid friends!

The program will be held on the front lawn by the playground at the Santa Ana Zoo. Zoo admission is required to attend. Free parking is available on a first-come-first serve basis.

For more information, please call (714) 647-6913 between the hours of 3-8 pm Monday through Thursday, Fridays 3-6 pm, and Saturdays between 10-6 pm. Additional information is available online at https://www.santa-ana.org/events/guanaco-storytime.

Location:
Santa Ana Zoo
1801 E. Chestnut Ave, Santa Ana, CA 92701

“Zoofari Safari” gala tickets now on sale; Sponsorships available

Posted on July 22, 2019 by Editor Posted in Charities, Civic Affairs, Santa Ana Zoo Leave a comment

The Friends of Santa Ana Zoo (FOSAZ), a non-profit organization, is pleased to announce its 27th annual gala fundraising event, “Zoofari Safari,” taking place Saturday, August 24 from 5:30 pm to 11 pm at the Santa Ana Zoo in Prentice Park, located at 1801 East Chestnut Avenue in Santa Ana. Throughout the fundraiser guests are welcome to bid on wonderful trips, unique baskets, artwork and one-of-a-kind gifts during the event’s live and silent auctions.

Tickets sales, media and sponsorship opportunities are now available to the public for purchase online at www.santaanazoo.org or by calling (714) 953-8555 x10.

With an expected attendance of more than 400 people, Zoofari guests are treated to complimentary valet parking, a first-class catered dinner by Parties by Panache, and a hosted bar of spirits, wine and beer. Partygoers will enjoy a “Serengeti Sunset” signature drink, themed photo op, décor by R.W.B. Party Props and dancing to the “Groove Factory” live band.

“Zoofari is a first-class fundraising event that demonstrates the love and investment that the local community, surrounding businesses and FOSAZ have for the Zoo,” says David Exline, President of the FOSAZ Board. “Our 2019 gala promises to be full of fun and laughter. Thank you to our local community, sponsors, and loyal FOSAZ members for your continued sponsorship and support of the Santa Ana Zoo. We have an awesome master plan in play at the Zoo and are accomplishing so much thanks to the Zoo’s amazing leadership team, staff, and all those who support and advocate for the Zoo.”

Honorees this year are Jane Olin and Tim Jerkovich who have supported the conservation programs at the Zoo over the years and most recently the “Frog Pod” saving endangered species.

“Zoofari has and will continue to play an integral role in raising the funds needed for all the special projects and improvements going on here at our favorite community Zoo including educational programs, breaking ground on new animal habitats, tackling important conservation initiatives, introducing new rides and upgrading service facilities for our guests to use and enjoy,” says Cathi Decker, event manager and Executive Director of FOSAZ.

Tickets to this exclusive black-tie, fundraising gala under the stars are $325 each. Private tables for 10 are available for a special rate of $3,000 each. Space is limited. Guests must purchase tickets and tables in advance of the event.

The Santa Ana Zoo is home to more than 260 animals, including 60 of the most interesting and engaging monkeys and several endangered species. The parking, park and grounds are wheel-chair accessible. The Zoo is beautifully landscaped and showcases a wide array of succulents, flowers and other conservation-friendly varietals. Inside the Zoo there is a wonderful playground with nearby seating for parents and guardians. Also available throughout the Zoo are picnic tables and rest areas, and tons of shade, as well as the famous Zoofari Express Train, the Conservation Carrousel and the new Fifty Monkey Ferris Wheel.

Open daily from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm, the Santa Ana Zoo participates in conservation efforts to save local and South American species, including frogs, turtles, and lion tamarins. To become a Member of the Zoo, please call (714) 953-8555 x12. The Santa Ana Zoo in Prentice Park is located at 1801 East Chestnut Avenue, Santa Ana, CA 92701.

For more information call 714-836-4000 or visit our website at www.santaanazoo.org. You can also follow us on Twitter, join us on Facebook, or discover us on Instagram.

Newport Beach man pleads guilty to stealing endangered lemur from the Santa Ana Zoo

Posted on July 9, 2019 by Editor Posted in Crime, Federal Government, Santa Ana, Santa Ana Zoo Leave a comment

SANTA ANA, California – A Newport Beach man pleaded guilty today to a federal criminal charge for breaking into the Santa Ana Zoo after hours and stealing North America’s oldest-living ring-tailed lemur in captivity in order to keep the endangered animal as a pet, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office.

Aquinas “Quinn” Kasbar, 19, pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of unlawfully taking an endangered species. United States District Judge Andrew J. Guilford has scheduled an October 28 sentencing hearing, where Kasbar will face a statutory maximum sentence of one year in federal prison and a $100,000 fine.

Kasbar admitted in his plea agreement that he broke into the Santa Ana Zoo on July 27, 2018 after it had closed for the day. Kasbar used bolt cutters to cut a hole in the zoo’s enclosures for lemurs and capuchin monkeys, which enabled several of the animals to escape, though they were later recovered, court documents state.

Kasbar then stole Isaac, a 32-year-old, ring-tailed lemur (lemur catta), and North America’s oldest ring-tailed lemur in captivity. (A lemur’s life span typically is 20 to 25 years.) The ring-tailed lemur is on a list of the 25 most endangered primates, and ring-tailed lemurs are endangered, in part, because of the illegal pet trade, the plea agreement states.

Kasbar then placed Isaac in a plastic drawer that lacked ventilation holes, court papers state. The next day, Kasbar abandoned the animal in front of a Newport Beach hotel, leaving him in the same plastic drawer with two notes placed on it, which read, “Lemur (with tracker)” and “This belongs to the Santa Ana Zoo it was taken last night please bring it to police,” according to court documents. Kasbar’s actions resulted in a loss to the Santa Ana Zoo of approximately $8,486. Isaac later was returned unharmed to the zoo.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the Newport Beach Police Department, and the Santa Ana Police Department.

This matter is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Daniel H. Ahn of the Santa Ana Branch Office and Erik M. Silber of the Environmental and Community Safety Crimes Section.

The suspect who stole a lemur from the Santa Ana Zoo has been identified

Posted on May 16, 2019 by Editor Posted in Crime, Newport Beach, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

Quinn Kasbar, 19, has been identified as the suspect who allegedly stole 32-year-old Isaac — the oldest lemur in North America, from the Santa Ana Zoo, by the Newport Beach Police, according to CBS.

Kasbar is the serial burglar who targeted a number of unoccupied homes in Newport Beach and Corona del Mar last year, as previously reported by CBS.

Kasbar was previously known for surfing the infamous Wedge at Newport Beach – on an air mattress, as reported by ABC.

Kasbar was captured after security video showed a man in a hoodie dropping off a box with the endangered primate inside and a note saying “this belongs to the Santa Ana Zoo. It was taken last night. Please bring it to police.”

Apparently the Newport Beach police spoke to an individual who said that Kasbar had bragged to him that he had taken the lemur from the Santa Ana Zoo. The police later found evidence that proved this.

The Newport Beach Police passed the case on to the SAPD and they are now working with federal officials as stealing a lemur is a federal offense. They are an endangered species.

The Newport Beach police are also still pursing charges against Kasbar stemming from several burglaries on Balboa Island, Corona del Mar and Newport Beach. While the police recovered some of those items they also found pictures on his phone of items that were never recovered.

Kasbar is set to appear at the state court in Newport Beach next month with regard to the burglary charges.

Check out the Santa Ana Zoo for free this Easter Sunday

Posted on April 17, 2019 by Editor Posted in Deals, Family, Nature, Santa Ana, Santa Ana Zoo, Youth Activities Leave a comment

On Resident Free Day, the third Sunday of each month, residents of Santa Ana may visit the Santa Ana Zoo for free. This time the free day falls on Easter Sunday! So after you go to church and eat a big lunch come on down to the Santa Ana Zoo and check out all the fun things to do:

50 types of monkeys!
Bean Sprouts, a hip & healthy cafe that offers a variety of choices for the entire family including those who have picky eaters, allergies and other dietary challenges
Tierra de las Pampas – multi-species exhibit, showcasing Anteaters, Guanacos and Rheas
The Zoofari Express – a fun train ride for the kids
The Conservation Carousel, featuring endangered animals
The Fifty Monkeys Ferris Wheel
At the Crean Family Farm, you can peek into the barn doors and experience a farmyard adventure. Learn about life on an Orange County farm while you feed goats and sheep and milk a replica cow. Learn what it’s like to care for farm animals, and learn about the roles rare breeds of animals play on a farm.
The Colors of the Amazon Aviary
Amazon’s Edge opened to guests on September 1, 1993 and is home to howler monkeys, mallards, black-necked swans and crested screamers.
The Rainforest Maze puts you on an exciting journey descending from the Emergent Layer and exiting on the Forest Floor!

Celebrate Halloween at the OC and Santa Ana Zoos

Posted on October 9, 2018 by Editor Posted in Irvine, Nature, Orange County, Parks and Recreation, Santa Ana, Santa Ana Zoo Leave a comment

The County of Orange and OC Parks are pleased to present the annual Halloween Zoo-tacular at the OC Zoo located inside Irvine Regional Park on Saturday, October 27 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Activities include trick-or-treating*, spooky kids crafts, a scavenger hunt*, and fun games! (*children ages 12 & under). Continue reading→

Why is security at the Santa Ana Zoo so bad that a Lemur was stolen?

Posted on August 1, 2018 by Editor Posted in Crime, Santa Ana, Santa Ana Zoo, SAPD Leave a comment

By now you have heard that a lemur was stolen from the Santa Ana Zoo over the weekend. The good news is that it has since been recovered after it was dropped off at a Newport Beach hotel, according to the O.C. Register.

Apparently a group of suspects climbed over a wall on the Zoo’s perimeter then cut fences on two enclosures that contained a group of Capuchin monkeys and the lemur, according to the SAPD. Continue reading→

The Santa Ana Zoo’s new Fifty Monkey Ferris Wheel opens on May 26

Posted on May 15, 2018 by Editor Posted in Santa Ana, Santa Ana Zoo, Youth Activities Leave a comment

“FIFTY MONKEY FERRIS WHEEL” OPENS AT THE SANTA ANA ZOO on Saturday May 26!

The 64-Foot Ferris Wheel at the Santa Ana Zoo will Soar Up in the Air Carrying a Projected 65,000 Riders Every Year!

Cathi Decker, Executive Director of Friends of Santa Ana Zoo (FOSAZ), announced the Grand Opening of the “Fifty Monkey” Ferris Wheel at the Zoo on Saturday, May 26. It is the first Zoo in the United States to put in a permanent thatched-roof style wheel. Nestled between the Zoofari Express Train and the Conservational Carrousel, the Fifty Monkey Ferris Wheel is the perfect addition for this local Zoo, providing a total of three child-friendly attractions to be shared and enjoyed by all ages. The ribbon cutting will be at 11 AM.

Editor’s Note – the Santa Ana Zoo’s next free day for Santa Ana residents is this Sunday, May 20. Proof of residency (driver’s license, utility bill) will be required upon arrival… Continue reading→

The Santa Ana Zoo will unveil their new 20-year master plan this Saturday

Posted on April 17, 2018 by Editor Posted in Family, Nature, Santa Ana, Santa Ana Zoo, Youth Activities Leave a comment

City of Santa Ana

Community: GRAND UNVEILING OF THE NEW VISION FOR THE SANTA ANA ZOO

We are pleased to announce the Grand Unveiling of the Santa Ana Zoo’s new twenty-year Master Plan to the General Public. A reception will be held on Saturday, April 21 from 2-3 PM in the Crean Family Farm Barn Classroom.

CLR Design Group, the design team behind the Master Plan, will be on hand to detail the exciting plans for the Zoo’s future with concept drawings and colorful photos of how the Zoo will transform in the next twenty years. Take a peek at the planned new additions and upgrades to current habitats as the Zoo approaches its 75th anniversary. Continue reading→