The Santa Barbara Zoo’s annual Snow Leopard Festival & Sledding at the Zoo event is on Sunday, January 26, 2020 and 80 tons of snow will be delivered to the Santa Barbara Zoo for some winter fun.
FEATURING
- Sledding for Kids, Snow Play Area, Snow Painting, Climbing Wall, and More
- Snow and Icy Treats Given to Snow Leopard and Other Animals
The snow will be shaped into sledding runs for kids (sleds provided), deposited in a snow play area, and provided as enrichment to many of the Zoo’s animal residents, including the highly endangered big cats honored at this festival.
ACTIVITIES
- Sledding** (six runs, including bunny slopes): Sledding is for children aged 4 to 12 only; no adult sledding. Sleds are provided; no personal sleds. S
- Snow play** for children: Snow play area is for children aged 12 and under.
- Keeper talks about Snow Leopard conservation
- Crafts
- Face painting
- Climbing the 25-foot tall “Mount Everest” climbing wall
- Sale of snow leopard-related toys and books to benefit the Snow Leopard Trust’s conservation work in the wild
**Tickets are $5 for all-day access to the snow areas, sledding and an expanded bounce house area are sold only at the snow area and the zoo’s retail outlets; there are no advance sales. Regular Zoo admission is also required.
WELCOME THE NEW ZOO SNOW LEOPARD
All activities continue as in previous years, though the event will be without the Zoo’s two snow leopards who both passed away in 2019 due to ailments related to old age. “This year, we’ll honor Zoe and Everett for their years as ambassadors of this highly endangered species,” said Dr. Julie Barnes, the Zoo’s vice president of animal care and health. “Unfortunately, advanced age caught up with both of them last year. Everett was the oldest snow leopard in the world, just short of his 22nd birthday, when he died in May.”
Kisa, the Zoo’s newest resident snow leopard may not be on view as she is still getting used to her new home. Kisa arrived in Santa Barbara earlier this month from Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Snow leopard-related toys and books are available for sale, as are wool products made by the native people who live near snow leopard habitat, as part of a program of the Snow Leopard Trust ( http://www.snowleopard.org). The Zoo supports the Snow Leopard Trust, and proceeds from sales of these items direct benefit snow leopard conservation.
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.
ZOO SNOW PLAY AREA
The snow will be shaped into sledding runs for kids (sleds provided), deposited in a snow play area, and provided as enrichment to many of the Zoo’s animal residents, including the highly endangered big cats honored at this festival.
There are six sledding runs, and two bunny slopes for younger children. The snow play area includes a place to “paint” in the snow using watercolors, a holiday card craft area, and more snow fun. A snow leopard-related craft is part of the Explore Store’s “Explorer Fundays.” There’s also face painting and climbing on the 25-foot tall “Mount Everest” climbing wall (additional fees apply).
Sledding tickets are $5 and are sold at Zoo’s front gate and at the snow area. No advance sales. Regular admission is required to enter the Zoo. Sledding is for children aged 4 to 12 only. No adult sledding. Sleds are provided–no personal sleds. Snow play area is open to children 12 and under.
FEES
- Purchase Zoo Tickets Here
- $18 for adults
- $13 for seniors aged 65+
- $11 for children 2-12
- Children under 2 are free
- Unlimited sledding and bounce houses $5/child**
- Parking is $11 on Saturdays and Sundays
**Tickets are $5 for all-day access to the snow areas, sledding and an expanded bounce house area are sold only at the snow area and the zoo’s retail outlets; there are no advance sales. Regular Zoo admission is also required.
For more information visit
https://www.sbzoo.org/event/snow-festival-sledding-at-the-zoo/
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