It’s snow joke! On Sunday, Jan. 26, the forecast at the Santa Barbara Zoo calls for snow, sledding, and a day full of frosty fun at the annual Snow Leopard Festival, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (9 a.m. early admission for SB Zoo members only).
Kids can enjoy sledding and “snow” much fun amidst 80 tons of snow, while the Zoo’s animals, including Kisa the snow leopard, will get to play in the snow in their habitats as enrichment that day. The Snow Leopard Festival is part of the Zoo’s commitment to raising awareness about this endangered species and the challenges they face in the wild.
The Snow Leopard Festival is free with regular paid admission or Zoo membership, and there is an additional fee for sledding ($10/pass, $8/pass for Zoo Members). The snow play area is open to children 12 and under (and parents/guardians), and sledding is for children ages 2-12 only. Sleds are provided – no personal sleds please. Reservations are required for Zoo tickets and Zoo Member visits; click here to make reservations.
The Santa Barbara Zoo strives to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals to engage and participate fully. To request accommodations or for inquiries about accessibility, please email the accessibility team at welcome@sbzoo.org. For more information about the Snow Leopard Festival, call 805.962.5339 or visit www.sbzoo.org.
Snow leopards have a variety of adaptations that enable them to live in the extreme conditions of the high mountains in Central and South Asia, including large paws that act as snowshoes, thick fur that insulates the body in a variety of temperatures, and enlarged nasal cavities to facilitate breathing in cold climates. Despite their name, snow leopards are also adapted to thrive during the extreme heat of the summer months, including the grey-white color of their fur, which blends into the environment even when the snow is gone.
In September 2017, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) announced that the snow leopard has been downgraded from “endangered” to “vulnerable” on the Red List. Preservation efforts are paying off, but the species is still at high risk due to habitat loss, diminishing prey, competition with livestock, and poaching. Recent estimates put the global population at around 4,000, which is on the low end of the scale between endangered (less than 2,500 mature individuals) and vulnerable (less than 10,000 mature individuals).
About the Santa Barbara Zoo
The Santa Barbara Zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. for members and 9:30 a.m. for general admission until 5 p.m. General admission is $35 for adults, $25 for children 2-12, and free for children under 2. Buy online and save $7 per ticket. Parking is $11. The Santa Barbara Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). AZA zoos are dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great visitor experience, and a better future for all living things. With more than 200 accredited members, AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation and is the public’s link to helping animals in their native habitats. Visit www.sbzoo.org.