Swing into the San Diego Zoo for a roaring good time. With beautiful and unusual creatures from around the world, the Zoo offers a rare opportunity to visit some of the world�s most imperiled and precious wildlife � and learn ways to help save them.

With large, naturalistic habitats, the 100-acre San Diego Zoo is home to more than 4,000 animals representing 800 species � from armadillos to apes, komodo dragons to kiwis, lizards to lions -- the diversity is unparalleled.

The Zoo�s newest exhibit �Absolutely Apes� opened in Spring 2003 and features two charismatic ape species -- orangutans and siamangs. This is the first time in San Diego Zoo�s history that two different species of apes are living and playing together in one lush, tropical setting. The enormous, glass-fronted habitat features numerous trees, play structures, ropes and sway poles and has quickly become a favorite for many Zoo guests. Guests can go nose-to-nose with the curious and playful apes, and the primates are always up to something fun.

Near the Absolutely Apes exhibit, construction is underway for the largest and most elaborate animal habitat project in San Diego Zoo history called New Heart of the Zoo. Slated for completion in Summer 2005, the Asian and African forest exhibits will feature a wide variety of primates, reptiles, birds, pygmy hippos, clouded leopards, bearded pigs and more.

The San Diego Zoo is one of only four facilities in the United States to house critically endangered giant pandas, and is the only U.S. zoo to successfully breed, birth and rear healthy cubs. The rare birth of a panda cub took place on August 19, 2003. The healthy male cub, Mei Sheng, which means �Born In The USA,� went on exhibit to the public Dec. 19, 2003. His half-sister, Hua Mei, the first giant panda to be born at the San Diego Zoo in August 1999 is scheduled to relocate to China this year, as part of our loan agreement.

Dozens of rare and obscure animals can be found throughout the facility alongside more familiar zoo critters such as polar bears, lions, tigers, bonobos and much more. Guests to the San Diego Zoo become immersed in lush, tropical environments such as Tiger River, Gorilla Tropics and Ituri Forest. In these naturalistic habitats visitors will find a wide array of plants and animals native to various regions of the world, such as the elusive Okapi found deep in Central Africa�s Ituri region, along with hippos, otters, forest buffalos and primates. In other areas of the Zoo, guests may come face-to-face with gorillas, bears, big cats and more.

Guided Tours of the Zoo One of the best ways to orient oneself to the Zoo�s 100-acres is by taking a Guided Bus Tour. The open-air, double-deck buses leave the station every few minutes for a 40-minute narrated excursion that covers about 75 percent of the Zoo. With a valid ticket for a Guided Bus Tour, guests may also board an Express Bus, an un-narrated, but convenient and quick way to get around the large facility. Guests can hop on and off the bus at five different locations throughout the zoo, and save themselves some walking. Rides on the Express Bus are unlimited with a paid ticket for the Guided Bus Tour. If bought separately from admission, tickets are $10 for ages 12 and older, and $5.50 for children 3 to 11 years old.

A Best Value admission ticket is the most economical way to enjoy all that the San Diego Zoo has to offer, including admission, bus tours and Skyfari Aerial Tram rides. Best Value admission for adults is $32, and $19.75 for kids ages 3 - 11. Two years and younger are always free.

Skyfari Aerial Tram A convenient and fun way to quickly get from one end of the Zoo to the other is by taking the Skyfari Aerial Tram. This gondola-type ride transports guests 180 feet above the ground over the treetops of Scripps Aviary, Gorilla Tropics and Ituri Forest to the other side of the Zoo. The Skyfari also provides a view of Polar Bear Plunge, Balboa Park, Downtown San Diego and the harbor at the city�s edge. Tickets are $3.00 each way (if a Best Value admission ticket is not purchased).

Children's Zoo The Children's Zoo features more than 20 exhibits designed with children in mind. Low glass windows in many exhibits create easy viewing. Two viewer-friendly nurseries are positioned centrally. A petting paddock allows children to interact with friendly sheep and goats. The newest exhibit in the Children�s Zoo is �Bugtown� where guests can see a variety of different bug species, including scorpions, tarantulas, beetles and more. Other unique features include a scent garden and animal plant garden (plants that are named after animals). With over 200 birds, mammals and reptiles there�s a wide variety of animals to see. Visitors to the Children�s Zoo often have the opportunity to participate in unscheduled and informal animal walk-arounds, giving guests up-close encounters with animals such as a North American porcupine, an African serval, a Malayan binturong, macaws and many more.

Animal Shows The San Diego Zoo features two different and exciting animal shows several times a day. At Wegeforth Bowl, the National Park Sea Lion Show mixes high-energy music, humor and appearances by some of the San Diego Zoo�s most charismatic animal stars � sea lions -- to demonstrate the delicate balance of the world�s ecosystems. At Hunte Amphitheater, various animals ranging from the world�s rainforests to the Arctic tundra can be found demonstrating their agility and wild instincts at the educational Wild Ones Show. Guests may have an opportunity to see a clouded leopard or cheetah, or see energetic otters swim down slippery slides and fish for food. Guests are entertained and also educated about the importance of habitat conservation for these animals.

Nighttime Zoo During summer months, the Zoo features both day and night family activities. At �Nighttime Zoo,� special shows, features, musical and magical entertainment abounds.

Zoo-goers may also spot not-commonly-seen, after-dark animal behaviors. Evening dining is available throughout the Zoo, and guests may stay on grounds as late as 10 p.m.

Education A variety of unique educational programs for children and adults are offered year round at the San Diego Zoo ranging from art classes, to sleepovers, V.I.P. tours, behind the scenes tours and more. Program information and dates are posted on the Zoo Web site at www.sandiegozoo.org/calendar/cal_families.htm Teacher and school group activities are also offered. Some of the conservation education programs the Zoo offers off-grounds includes school assembly programs, ecology clubs, and video conferencing to classrooms.

History The Zoo�s collection was created from a scattering of specimens that remained in Balboa Park at the close of the 1915-1916 Panama-California International Exposition. The not-for-profit Zoological Society of San Diego was incorporated on Oct. 2, 1916, by a local surgeon, Dr. Harry M. Wegeforth, and friends. The Zoo has been in its present location in Balboa Park since 1922.

For years, Dr. Wegeforth traveled around the country and the world finding animals and plants, and building good business relations with other zoos. His mission was to create one of the country�s most modern Zoos. He served as president of the San Diego Zoo until his death in 1941. Mrs. Belle J. Benchley was Dr. Wegeforth�s �right arm� from the time she was hired in 1925. When he died in 1941, Benchley ran the Zoo for 12 more years -- she was the first woman in history to hold such a position. When Benchley retired, Dr. Charles Schroeder, who first worked for the Zoo as a veterinarian, took over as director until 1972. Dr. Schroeder had a dream of a larger branch of the San Diego Zoo. Due to his vision and persistence, the 1,800-acre San Diego Zoo�s Wild Animal Park opened in 1972, thirty miles north of the Zoo. A few years later, in 1975, CRES was created.

Today, the executive director of the Zoological Society of San Diego is Douglas G. Myers, who assumed the position in 1985. Twelve trustees volunteer to oversee the management of the Zoo, along with its sister facility, the Wild Animal Park and CRES.

General Zoo Information The Zoological Society is the largest zoological membership association in the world, with more than 250,000 member households and 130,000 child memberships, representing more than a half million people. Members enjoy free admission to the Zoo and the Wild Animal Park, a subscription to the monthly magazine ZOONOOZ and other benefits. Membership pricing varies, based on the level of membership benefits desired.

The San Diego Zoo is open every day of the year. General admission pricing is $21 for ages 12 and older, and $14 for children ages 3 -11. Best Value Admission (which includes a Guided Bus Tour, unlimited Express Bus rides and Skyfari Aerial Tram rides) is $32 for adults, and $19.75 for children (3 -11).

If visitors are interested in visiting several of San Diego�s animal attractions, several discount tickets options exist, including the Two-Park Ticket which includes admission to the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo�s Wild Animal Park for one visit each within five consecutive days. Adults (12 years and older) is $52.65, children (3 �11) is $35.35.

The 3-for-1 discount ticket includes the Zoo, Wild Animal Park, and Seaworld San Diego for unlimited visits within five consecutive days. Adult tickets are $92, and children are $67. For more information about the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo�s Wild Animal Park, please visit the Web site at www.sandiegozoo.org or call 619-231-1515.

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Media Contact: Paul Garcia +1 619-685-3291 pgarcia@sandiegozoo.org