Santa Barbara Zoo, Santa Barbara, CA Videos

National Zookeeper Week | Part 1
Get to know our animal care team this #NationalZookeeperWeek! 👋 We sat down (technically, stood up) with a few of our keepers as they took some time out of their busy days to do a quick interview. Here’s Part 1! They swear they don’t play favorites, but we got them to cough up some answers for us after some mild hemming and hawing… Alt-text: Interview footage of our keepers answering questions for National Zookeeper Week. We see keepers Ellie, Wyatt, Cassie, Brooke, Ryan, Addy, and Karen in different spots around the gorgeous Santa Barbara Zoo.

Open Mouth Behavior Training | Video Promo
In addition to their daily responsibilities, our keepers work hard on training certain behaviors to the animals geared toward optimizing our ability to deliver excellent animal care. One such behavior is this first-of-its-kind voluntary mouth opening behavior our Masai giraffe tower has been learning in consultation with the wonderful zoologist and animal trainer Barbara Heidenreich. We’re continuing this training with our giraffe and are excited about the new doors to will open for future, low-stress veterinary care for these gentle giants! See the full YouTube video on our Masai giraffe open mouth behavior training here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFBrG1c5aOM&t=1s&ab_channel=SantaBarbaraZoo Alt-text: A clip from our latest YouTube video all about open mouth behavior training our keepers are working on with the Masai giraffe. We see members of the tower inhaling herbivore pellets handed to them by their keepers as keeper Ariel introduces the new training protocol.

Is there something on my face? Alt-text: A short video of the many goats of the Barnyard! The goats all stop, turn, and stare at our camera in unison (and make our camera person slightly self-conscious).

Meerkat Monday | Reel
Just poppin’ out to say, “Happy #MeerkatMonday!” 👋 Alt-text: A short reel featuring our slender-tailed meerkat mob! We see the meerkats emerge from their tunnels to make a worm-snatching appearance near their habitat’s observation window. The meerkats get curious about our camera giving us a series of cute close-ups.

Cat gonna cat! 🤷 #TBT Alt-text: A throwback reel of Kisa the snow leopard enjoying some autumn enrichment. She suddenly springs up into the air as she bats around an orange pumpkin before she lands on all fours and continues to smack the gourd about.

Penguin Swim Lessons
Summer is a great time for young ones to learn to swim, and the Zoo’s three Humboldt penguin chicks are no exception! 🏊🤿🐧 The chicks hatched in March and have been behind the scenes learning to eat whole fish and also learning to swim! It's safer for the chicks to learn to swim in a controlled environment as their waterproof feathers grow in. Once they are fully comfortable in the water, they will go back to the habitat, which will be in the next 1-2 weeks. Adult penguins have visited the chicks during their time behind the scenes, ensuring they will see familiar faces when they return to the habitat. Though the chicks aren’t small anymore, you'll be able to tell them apart from the rest of the colony by their silver and white appearance and lack of the black "stripe" the adults have. Alt-text: A short video featuring our three Humboldt penguin chicks doing their best to swim in their pool behind the scenes. We see keeper Dana guiding the penguin chicks along as they splish and splash through the water rather clumsily.

World Croc Day | Xiao the Chinese Alligator
Happy #WorldCrocDay from the coolest crocodilian in town: Xiao the Chinese alligator! 😎🐊 The Chinese alligator is the most endangered species of alligator in the world with fewer than 120 individuals remaining in the wild. It’s our pleasure to provide Xiao with a safe and happy home in sunny Santa Barbara! Alt-text: A short reel featuring Xiao the Chinese alligator. We see Xiao climb out of her pool and settle into one of her favorite spots to sun herself.

Early Explorers Promo Reel
Who doesn't want to go to outdoor school? ✏️🚸🪴 Sign your child up today for the Zoo's play-based Early Explorers Preschool, which is rooted in discovery and curiosity for our natural world! Students explore the outdoors through nature-based play while surrounded by the most beautiful plants and animals on the planet. Early Explorers accepts students ages 3 to 5. Space is limited, especially for the summer session. SB Zoo Membership is required to attend. Register your preschooler here: https://zoopreschool.org/register/ Alt-text: A reel showcasing our Early Explorers Preschool! We see a slice of preschool life at the Zoo with fun games and activities, animal encounters, and a unique outdoor learning environment.

Zoo Brew 2024 | :15
📣 LAST CALL! 📣 Zoo Brew is tomorrow, Saturday, June 1 from 4 to 7 PM! Tickets are still available! Make sure you don’t miss out: https://www.sbzoo.org/zoobrew/ Alt-text: A short reel giving you a sneak peek at what’s in store for Zoo Brew 2024! We see shots from last year’s event with plenty of dancing, merriment, and of course, brews!

Zoo Brew 2024
Looking forward to next weekend already? We know we are! 💃🍻 Zoo Brew is back this weekend on Saturday, June 1 from 4 to 7 PM! Featuring unlimited tastings from a STACKED lineup of vendors (seriously, you’ve gotta see the full list on our website!) including Kona Brewing Company, Night Owl Ciderworks, Lama Dog Tap Room + Bottle Shop, and many more, you do not want this FOMO! Get your tickets and more information here: https://www.sbzoo.org/zoobrew/ 𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘴 21 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺. 𝘊𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘢𝘥𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘥. 𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘥 𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘦. Alt-text: A short reel giving you a sneak peek at what’s in store for Zoo Brew 2024! We see shots from last year’s event with plenty of dancing, merriment, and of course, brews!

Little known fact: Poppy the capybara is a magician! 🧙✨ She can make leafy greens …disappear! Alt-text: A reel featuring the Perplexing Poppy the Magician (read: capybara)! With the wave of a lettuce leaf, Poppy swallows several helpings of leafy greens and wiggles her ears in satisfaction.

Fennec foxes are om-nom-nom-ivores! 😋🪱🍳🌿 The cunning canids eat a diverse, omnivorous diet which includes insects, small rodents, reptiles, and birds. They’ll also eat roots, fruits, and leaves when their momentary persuasion is plant-based. 📸: Keeper Ariel Alt-text: A shot clip of one of the fennec foxes munching on its breakfast. The hungry critter snatches up kibble, a hunk of sweet potato, and a worm in the blink of an eye!

Summer’s right around the corner and so is Zoo Brew! ☀️🍻🎉 Toast with us on June 1 from 4 to 7 PM at the annual fundraiser that brings beer lovers and animal lovers together! Featuring unlimited tastings from your favorite breweries including Institution Ale Co., Island Brewing Company, Topa Topa Brewing Company, and more, this is a beer fest you won’t want to miss! Tickets are on sale now! Get those and more information here: https://www.sbzoo.org/zoobrew/ 𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘴 21 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺. 𝘊𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘢𝘥𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘥. 𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘥 𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘦. 𝘐𝘵'𝘴 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘺 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩. Alt-text: A short reel giving you a sneak peek at what’s in store for Zoo Brew 2024! We see shots from last year’s event with plenty of dancing, merriment, and of course, brews!

Ssssay hello to Chief the Burmese python! 👋🐍 Our resident Burmese python Chief recently moved from his habitat behind the scenes and now slithers about his new home in the Tropical Aviary. Chief will turn 28 on April 30, is about 11 feet long, and has lived at the Zoo since 1996. Burmese pythons are native to Southeast Asia and are excellent swimmers. Alt-text: A short reel showcasing Chief the Burmese python’s public reintroduction in his Tropical Aviary habitat. We see ZM Mark help the huge serpent settle in as Zoo guests peek in at the patient python.

Malia’s Breakfast in Bed
Breakfast in bed! 🛌🍳🦒 📸: Keeper Ariel Alt-text: A short video from keeper Ariel’s POV. She opens the door to Malia the Masai giraffe’s room in the giraffe barn. she finds Malia sitting down and feeds her some herbivore pellet snacks as a breakfast treat.

Breakfast in bed! 🛌🍳🦒 📸: Keeper Ariel Alt-text: A short video from keeper Ariel’s POV. She opens the door to Malia the Masai giraffe’s room in the giraffe barn. she finds Malia sitting down and feeds her some herbivore pellet snacks as a breakfast treat.

"All About Animal Enrichment" YouTube video clip
Our latest YouTube video “All About Animal Enrichment” is live now! 🎥✨🦘 Many of you, our loyal Zoo followers, have requested more long-form video content from us. Well, the wait is over! Head on over to our YouTube channel to see the full video and learn more about some of the enrichment we do around the Zoo! More videos are on the way, so don’t forget to subscribe: https://youtu.be/-h2T8MK5Wac?si=3MNLdewmV9Dz-qlq Alt-text: A clip from our YouTube video “All About Animal Enrichment” that we released today. Keeper Ariel talks about our commitment to animal care as we watch our slender-tailed meerkats sniff, search, and scratch about their habitat as they hunt for buried worms.

Bangori says, “WAKE UP!” 💦🦍 One of Bangori the Western lowland gorilla’s favorite things to do in his newly remodeled habitat is splashing water from his creek at the observation window! Get in the splash zone on your next visit if you dare! 📸: Keeper Katie Alt-text: A quick clip of Bangori the Western lowland gorilla splashing water at keeper Katie. Bangori dips one of his big mitts in the water of his new creek and flings it suddenly against the observation window in our direction!

Tesso Eating | Reel
Big squirrel’s gotta eat! 🤷🥜🐿️ Alt-text: A reel featuring Tesso the Prevost’s squirrel. Keeper Martin holds a bowl up to Tesso as the hungry squirrel grabs its favorite fingernail-sized foods (often acrobatically while hanging upside down) and nibbles away.

Zoo Brew 2024 Promo
Summer’s just around the corner and so is ZOO BREW! 🍻😎🎉 Join us on Saturday, June 1 from 4 to 7 PM for the annual fundraiser that brings beer lovers and animal lovers together! General Admission tickets include unlimited tastings and a Zoo Brew commemorative cup. Zoo Brew VIPs enjoy early entry at 3 PM and appetizers! Toast to Santa Barbara’s wildest beer fest and get your tickets here: https://www.sbzoo.org/zoobrew/ 𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘴 21 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺. 𝘊𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘢𝘥𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘥. 𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘥 𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘦. Alt-text: A promo reel flashing back to Zoo Brew 2023! We see the event in full swing with brews being poured, games being played, and a dance floor that’s absolutely hopping on the Zoo’s iconic hilltop.