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Monday, October 7, 2013

San Diego's Safari Park in Escondido - find a cool day to go and the animals love cooler days!

October is a great month to visit San Diego - they call it the Kidvasion!  This link shows all the free-for-kids attractions in San Diego: http://www.sandiego.org/promotions/kids-free.aspx

We had a great day at Safari Park on a day forecast to rain from 1pm onwards.  It was a few minutes of drizzle as we drove up at 8.30am, and it was a wonderful cool day all day till a brief downpour for 10 minutes AFTER the cheetah run at 3.45pm and just a very light drizzle after that and we continued with an umbrella and with going to to the condor ridge to see the last part of the park we did not see earlier.  What the rangers tell me is the animals are happier and are more active on cool days.  We have great photos of cheetahs and rhinos close up on the walking trail after being on the Safari Tram.









We learned a lot by speaking with the Rangers.  Did you know that there are 4 cheetahs rotating on the cheetah run?  All were handraised and each have a plush toy that is their favorite thing to chase after.  We saw Kaburi chase after his plush zebra and first his best friend dog did the run in 9 seconds and Kaburi did it in 6.5 seconds.  Did you know that there are about 13 cheetahs at the park?  Two on safari grounds for us to see, and most are secluded from view in the breeding program.

Here's more info to help you plan your schedule at the park if you want to see the shows as well as walk around to different parts of the park after seeing the park from a 20-minute overview tram ride. Bring extra clothes if you wish to do water play.  All planning details are at the Safari Park site:  http://www.sdzsafaripark.org/planyourtrip/index.html  This is helpful when you plan your own trip :)

Start with the map to see where you are when you get in and how to plan to be at specific places by the time a show starts and remember that the park closes at 5pm!
See http://www.sdzsafaripark.org/planyourtrip/map.html and their address to google is:

15500 San Pasqual Valley Road
Escondido, CA 92027-7017 
Below are information from various links from the official Safari Park website and you can click on the links below ... including curriculum ideas, post-trip arts and crafts, video cams from both safari park and zoos.
Everything you need to refer to at one webpage while you are at the park :)  Enjoy.


OVERVIEW

SAFARI BASE CAMP

Safari Base Camp bustles with shops, restaurants, animal exhibits and presentation areas, and activities, including our Conservation Carousel and Discovery Station for children. Chat with Robert the Zebra, a digital, animated character who interacts with the audience!
learn more

NAIROBI VILLAGE

At the edge of Mombasa Lagoon, Nairobi Village brings you close to red river hogs, Rodrigues fruit bats, our Animal Care Center, where young or injured animals stay for extra care, and the Petting Kraal, where kids and kids at heart can give gentle antelope, sheep, and deer a loving pat.
learn more

GORILLA FOREST

Watch gorillas watching you and bee-eaters catching their next stinging meal. Admire more birds in Hidden Jungle, a neotropical aviary with an abundance of tropical plants, and delight in the antics during one of our entertaining presentations in the Bird Show Amphitheater.
learn more

AFRICAN WOODS

Amble along the winding path to view okapis, white-backed vultures, gerenuk, giant eland, and secretary birds. Families will also enjoy the Fisher-Price Jungle Gym play area, adjacent to the Samburu Terrace dining facility.
learn more

AFRICAN OUTPOST

You'll find warthogs, cheetahs, flamingos, and other denizens of Africa, as well as our Jameson Research Island, where you can hear animal tales or get wet in our cool zone. African Outpost is also the starting spot for the Africa Tram Safari and Cart Safari tours.
learn more

LION CAMP

Get nose to nose with a lion! Is this it—are you lunch? No, you're just experiencing the close encounters of the Safari Park's Lion Camp! There is a thick glass window between you and the lions, designed to bring you right into their world.
learn more

THE GROVE

Relax at picnic tables near a grassy hillside, splash around in the Savanna Cool Zone, or watch as Flightline Safari participants swoop down to their landing pad. The Grove is also home to our popular Roar & Snore campgrounds.
learn more

ELEPHANT VALLEY

View our African elephant herd from the viewing patio or the overlook to see our youngsters frolicking and the adults munching. Tembo Stadium is the site of various shows throughout the year.
learn more

TIGER TERRITORY

The largest carnivores at the Safari Park reside in Tiger Territory. A large viewing platform overlooks their spacious exhibit. How many can you find?
learn more

CONDOR RIDGE

Celebrate animals unique to our own continent! You'll get a close look at California condors as well as bighorn sheep, thick-billed parrots, prairie dogs, and burrowing owls, and a panoramic view of our African Plains exhibit below.
learn more

WORLD GARDENS

Stroll through a botanically delightful area of the Park to see a variety of flora. Here you'll find our Conifer Forest, and Baja, Succulent, and Nativescapes gardens. Linger in the beauty of our Bonsai Pavilion and Epiphyllum House.
learn more

ASIAN SAVANNA

Home to greater one-horned rhinos, Arabian oryx, Przewalski's wild horses, gaur, and a variety of unusual deer species from Asia, this large area of the Park can be viewed from select safari tours.
learn more

AFRICAN PLAINS

Our largest field exhibits are home to herds of rhinos, giraffes, ostriches, zebras, oryx, and gazelles, as well as flocks of cranes, storks, and flamingos, and so much more. Go on a safari to Africa without the need of a passport!
learn more


http://www.sdzsafaripark.org/parkwildlife/index.html

There are additional shows/show times during October Kids Free!

 

ALL SHOWS ARE INCLUDED WITH PARK ADMISSION

 

Training Talk

Daily at 10:30 a.m.
Get an up-close look at free-flight bird training as birds prepare for the popular Frequent Flyers show. Located in the Bird Show amphitheater between Gorilla Forest and African Woods.

Elephant Keeper Talk

Daily at 1:30 p.m.
Come to Tembo Stadium in Elephant Valley to hear stories about our amazing elephant herd.

Frequent Flyers Bird Show

Daily at noon and 2 p.m.
Watch with delight as birds of various species show off their flying talents—with many soaring right over the audience! The feathered fun happens in the Bird Show amphitheater between Gorilla Forest and African Woods. 

Cheetah Run

Daily at 3:30 p.m., weather permitting
Witness the fastest land mammal up close and personal doing what it does best: run!Cheetah Run, located near Lion Camp, is a unique, jaw-dropping experience. The spotted sprinter races on a straight 330-foot-long track that allows the cheetah to really stretch its legs and reach an astounding speed: 0 to 70 miles per hour in just 4 seconds while chasing a mechanical lure attached to its favorite toy. If you're close enough, you may feel the wind as the cheetah passes by. Cheetah Run is made possible through the generosity of local philanthropist Darlene Shiley and is named in honor of Shiley, one of the participating cheetahs.

Animal Encounters, presented by Natural Balance

Natural BalanceCheck Park map insert for times and locations.
This interactive program gives you an opportunity to have face-to-face contact with the Park’s animal ambassadors like a cheetah, alligator, serval, and other rare and exotic animals. You may interact with trainers and ask questions about the species. Interactions happen throughout the Park.

ACTIVITIES

Check for additional activities during October's Kids Free!

 

Nairobi Station

9 a.m.–closing
Enjoy close-up animal encounters and talk with Robert, our interactive digital zebra, at various times throughout the day.

Village Playground

9 a.m.–closingVisit our interactive play area designed as an African village.

Lemur Walk

9 a.m.–closingExperience this walk-through exhibit featuring ring-tailed lemurs. Guests must be 5 years or older to enter the exhibit.

Savanna Cool Zone

9 a.m.–closing Walk through palm trees offering a gentle mist to find three slippery toy critters that spout water: a turtle, a lion, and a crocodilian. Located next to Lion Camp, the Savanna Cool Zone is a wild way to cool off!

Jameson Research Island

9 a.m.–closing Interactive water play open all day. Located in African Outpost.

Fisher-Price Samburu Jungle Gym

9 a.m.–closing Kids love to climb and explore in this safari-themed play area; parents love the shade-covered picnic area! Located below Benbough Amphitheater.

Balloon Safari

9 a.m.–closing (subject to weather conditions)Enjoy unbelievable views shared only by the birds that soar over the Safari Park's grounds! Modeled after the hot air balloon tours of the Serengeti, the Balloon Safari can hold up to 30 passengers as the tethered helium balloon rises silently 400 feet. The Balloon Safari is 10 to 12 minutes long. $20 per person, adult or child (ages 3 and older) for guests; $17 per person, adult or child (ages 3 and older) for members. Children through age 11 must be accompanied by a paid adult. Balloon Safari operates weather permitting.

Africa Tram

Guided tour rides depart 10 a.m. until 4:15 p.m. (busiest 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on peak attendance days).
The Africa Tram is an exciting expedition with brightly colored tour vehicles and our diverse animal collection creating a relaxing adventure. The ride path takes you around some of the field exhibits, giving you a chance to connect with the animals on a closer level. More...

Conservation Carousel

10 a.m.–closing
For kids and kids at heart, our colorful Conservation Carousel features 60 ride elements to choose from, many of which replicate rare and endangered animals. You can ride a giraffe, rhino, zebra, cheetah, and more—which will be your favorite? $3 per person for one ride or $6 per person for an all-day wristband.

Lorikeet Landing

10 a.m.–3:45 p.m.
Watch our colorful rainbow lorikeets swoop down to enjoy nectar offered by guests. Exhibit entrance is free; lorikeet food is available for purchase to experience the thrill of feeding these birds by hand.

Petting Kraal

10 a.m.–4:45 p.m.Let your kids meet ours! Touch our gentle goats.

Frequent Flyers Bird Show

Daily at noon and 2 p.m.
Watch as our avian stars soar over your head and perform other feats that showcase their amazing natural abilities! Located at Bird Show Amphitheater, between Gorilla Forest and African Woods.

Elephant Keeper Talk

Daily at 1:30 p.m.
Hear stories about our amazing elephant herd, at Tembo Stadium.

Cheetah Run

Daily at 3:30 p.m. 
Witness the fastest land mammal up close and personal doing what it does best: run! During Cheetah Run, watch as the sleek cat races on a straight 330-foot-long track that allows it to really stretch its legs and reach maximum speed of about 70 miles per hour.
Note: Park hours, attractions, and animal exhibits are subject to change or closure without notice. Weather may affect some activities and exhibits.
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
View Safari Park Map
15500 San Pasqual Valley Road
Escondido, CA 92027-7017
Map It
Here's a video of the cheetah run and how it is built to run fast!


http://www.sdzsafaripark.org/parkwildlife/cheetah.html


http://www.sdzsafaripark.org/video/elephant_cam.html

http://kids.sandiegozoo.org/animal-cams-videos

For maximizing educational benefit from your fieldtrip, check out these curriculum pdfs for different topics and grade levels:

CURRICULUM

Safari Park Resources & Activities

What do you think of when you hear the word safari? It’s a common English word now, but it’s borrowed from the Swahili word for “journey,” which originated from the Arabic safara, meaning “travel.” Today in Africa, a safari refers to any type of travel, but to Americans, it brings to mind exotic locations and fascinating wild animals. And that’s what you and your students will encounter when you visit the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
This guide suggests several safaris for grades K–8. Modify them to suit your students and your time constraints.

Elephant Odyssey Curriculum

The materials contained in this packet have all been specifically designed to prepare students for their visit to the San Diego Zoo's Elephant Odyssey. Everything we do is aligned to California State Science Standards. We support your classroom studies in all curriculum areas: science, language arts, social studies, and math.
If you plan your own tour of the Zoo, use the free self-guided materials we provide when you make your reservation to ensure
the optimal experience. It is our hope that you and your students will come away from your visit with a new-found understanding of the unique creatures that once called Southern California home and of their descendants, now found all over the world.

Polar Bears & Me

At the Zoo's polar bear exhibit, one of the main goals is to inform visitors about the effects of climate change on the Arctic and polar bears. In order to take steps to help the bears and other Arctic wildlife, it is important for people to understand how polar bears live, their connection to their environment, the severity of the problems they are facing in the wild, and what we can all do to make a difference.
This packet contains materials designed to prepare students for their visit to Polar Bear Plunge. The curriculum is aligned with California State Science Standards, and it provides hands-on activities and challenges for various grade levels to develop an understanding of polar bears, their habitat, and the threats they face.

Conserving San Diego’s Habitats!

(Grades 6–12)
San Diego’s diverse wild lands are a rich tapestry of life woven from many different habitats. You can move from one of the richest coastlines in the world, through mountains and ancient forests, to rugged desert wilderness in just one day. San Diego County has more threatened and endangered species than any other county in the continental U.S. But, San Diego still has hundreds of miles of healthy, thriving wild lands, too. Through conservation planning, wise development practices, and increased public awareness, these lands can remain healthy and wild for generations to come.

Koala Pouch Pack

(Grades Preschool–12)
Meet the koala. For centuries these little, sleepy, fuzzy, gray marsupials have intrigued children worldwide. Today, very real threats face the iconic eucalyptus forest denizen. Discover the secrets of the koala! The koala curriculum is an interdisciplinary learning resource that allows pre-school through high school students an opportunity to engage in hands-on, koala-centric activities. This curriculum is in line with National Science Content Standards and provides authentic learning experiences in the classroom as well as at the San Diego Zoo. Students gain a greater understanding of the renowned Australian koala, as well as a deeper appreciation for the wildlife in their own backyards. Download the appropriate field trip and classroom activities PDF:

Andros Iguana

(Grades 5–7)
The Andros iguana Cyclura cychlura cychlura is the largest native land animal on Andros Island, Bahamas. Like many of its Caribbean rock iguana kin, this large lizard is endangered. The iguanas’ primary threats are cats that eat juveniles, dogs that kill adults, and hogs that destroy the termite mounds that the females use as their nest. This education kit is designed to help students understand more about our endangered rock iguana’s situation and what we can do about it.
Where Have All the Iguanas Gone?
This activity helps students understand that native iguanas survive in just 40 percent of their original habitat.
Iguana Bead Tagging
Students mimic scientists by using bead tags to help them identify individual iguanas for research over time.
Make a Sign, Save an Iguana
Protecting iguanas from cats, dogs, pigs, and humans is a big job. This activity has students use their creativity to make signs that will work to educate people about the importance of protecting iguanas from humans and non-native animals.

Buddies or Siblings? Determining Relatedness in Anegada Iguanas

(Grades 9–12)
When six confiscated Anegada iguanas were given to the San Diego Zoo by authorities, it was a mixed blessing. On one hand, they were the only representatives of the critically endangered species outside of the British Virgin Islands. And if keepers at the Zoo could get them to breed, the iguanas would become the founders of a captive population, serving to safeguard against the loss of the few hundred individuals left on the Caribbean island of Anegada. But first the Zoo had to know if and how these iguanas were related.
To get to the bottom of this mystery, scientists knew they would have to compare the genes of the six iguanas to those of the wild population. Like most animals, including humans, iguanas have two microsatellites at each locus, or point, where a microsatellite occurs: one microsatellite from each parent. This lesson helps introduce students to methods for examining microsatellites to determine relatedness.
Funding for this project was provided by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Eco-pressure: Conserve Biodiversity of Wildlife

(Grades 6–9)
Biodiversity, short for biological diversity, is the term for the number of kinds of life forms and their interactions. As the definition points out, biodiversity can be measured at different scales from the number of genes in an individual to the number of species in an ecosystem to the number of ecosystems in an area. This lesson helps students explore what biodiversity is, why it’s important, and how to protect it.
Funding provided by the Foundation for Sustainability and Innovation and the Samuel I. and John Henry Fox Foundation.

Butterflies

(Ages 7–12)
The existence of many species of butterflies is endangered because their living space—swamps or forests, for example—is being destroyed. Some kinds of butterflies only feed on one particular species of plant. If this plant disappears, the butterfly disappears, too. This is an after school curriculum for ecology-based groups to explore butterflies and their role in conservation.
http://www.sdzsafaripark.org/education/curriculum.html

CURRICULUM

Safari Park Resources & Activities

What do you think of when you hear the word safari? It’s a common English word now, but it’s borrowed from the Swahili word for “journey,” which originated from the Arabic safara, meaning “travel.” Today in Africa, a safari refers to any type of travel, but to Americans, it brings to mind exotic locations and fascinating wild animals. And that’s what you and your students will encounter when you visit the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
This guide suggests several safaris for grades K–8. Modify them to suit your students and your time constraints.

Elephant Odyssey Curriculum

The materials contained in this packet have all been specifically designed to prepare students for their visit to the San Diego Zoo's Elephant Odyssey. Everything we do is aligned to California State Science Standards. We support your classroom studies in all curriculum areas: science, language arts, social studies, and math.
If you plan your own tour of the Zoo, use the free self-guided materials we provide when you make your reservation to ensure
the optimal experience. It is our hope that you and your students will come away from your visit with a new-found understanding of the unique creatures that once called Southern California home and of their descendants, now found all over the world.

Polar Bears & Me

At the Zoo's polar bear exhibit, one of the main goals is to inform visitors about the effects of climate change on the Arctic and polar bears. In order to take steps to help the bears and other Arctic wildlife, it is important for people to understand how polar bears live, their connection to their environment, the severity of the problems they are facing in the wild, and what we can all do to make a difference.
This packet contains materials designed to prepare students for their visit to Polar Bear Plunge. The curriculum is aligned with California State Science Standards, and it provides hands-on activities and challenges for various grade levels to develop an understanding of polar bears, their habitat, and the threats they face.

Conserving San Diego’s Habitats!

(Grades 6–12)
San Diego’s diverse wild lands are a rich tapestry of life woven from many different habitats. You can move from one of the richest coastlines in the world, through mountains and ancient forests, to rugged desert wilderness in just one day. San Diego County has more threatened and endangered species than any other county in the continental U.S. But, San Diego still has hundreds of miles of healthy, thriving wild lands, too. Through conservation planning, wise development practices, and increased public awareness, these lands can remain healthy and wild for generations to come.

Koala Pouch Pack

(Grades Preschool–12)
Meet the koala. For centuries these little, sleepy, fuzzy, gray marsupials have intrigued children worldwide. Today, very real threats face the iconic eucalyptus forest denizen. Discover the secrets of the koala! The koala curriculum is an interdisciplinary learning resource that allows pre-school through high school students an opportunity to engage in hands-on, koala-centric activities. This curriculum is in line with National Science Content Standards and provides authentic learning experiences in the classroom as well as at the San Diego Zoo. Students gain a greater understanding of the renowned Australian koala, as well as a deeper appreciation for the wildlife in their own backyards. Download the appropriate field trip and classroom activities PDF:

Andros Iguana

(Grades 5–7)
The Andros iguana Cyclura cychlura cychlura is the largest native land animal on Andros Island, Bahamas. Like many of its Caribbean rock iguana kin, this large lizard is endangered. The iguanas’ primary threats are cats that eat juveniles, dogs that kill adults, and hogs that destroy the termite mounds that the females use as their nest. This education kit is designed to help students understand more about our endangered rock iguana’s situation and what we can do about it.
Where Have All the Iguanas Gone?
This activity helps students understand that native iguanas survive in just 40 percent of their original habitat.
Iguana Bead Tagging
Students mimic scientists by using bead tags to help them identify individual iguanas for research over time.
Make a Sign, Save an Iguana
Protecting iguanas from cats, dogs, pigs, and humans is a big job. This activity has students use their creativity to make signs that will work to educate people about the importance of protecting iguanas from humans and non-native animals.

Buddies or Siblings? Determining Relatedness in Anegada Iguanas

(Grades 9–12)
When six confiscated Anegada iguanas were given to the San Diego Zoo by authorities, it was a mixed blessing. On one hand, they were the only representatives of the critically endangered species outside of the British Virgin Islands. And if keepers at the Zoo could get them to breed, the iguanas would become the founders of a captive population, serving to safeguard against the loss of the few hundred individuals left on the Caribbean island of Anegada. But first the Zoo had to know if and how these iguanas were related.
To get to the bottom of this mystery, scientists knew they would have to compare the genes of the six iguanas to those of the wild population. Like most animals, including humans, iguanas have two microsatellites at each locus, or point, where a microsatellite occurs: one microsatellite from each parent. This lesson helps introduce students to methods for examining microsatellites to determine relatedness.
Funding for this project was provided by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Eco-pressure: Conserve Biodiversity of Wildlife

(Grades 6–9)
Biodiversity, short for biological diversity, is the term for the number of kinds of life forms and their interactions. As the definition points out, biodiversity can be measured at different scales from the number of genes in an individual to the number of species in an ecosystem to the number of ecosystems in an area. This lesson helps students explore what biodiversity is, why it’s important, and how to protect it.
Funding provided by the Foundation for Sustainability and Innovation and the Samuel I. and John Henry Fox Foundation.

Butterflies

(Ages 7–12)
The existence of many species of butterflies is endangered because their living space—swamps or forests, for example—is being destroyed. Some kinds of butterflies only feed on one particular species of plant. If this plant disappears, the butterfly disappears, too. This is an after school curriculum for ecology-based groups to explore butterflies and their role in conservation.

http://kids.sandiegozoo.org/activities

Here are two post-trip activities for your family to do at home :)

http://kids.sandiegozoo.org/activities/tissue-paper-butterfly

http://kids.sandiegozoo.org/activities/fuzzy-koala-friend
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