Courtesy photos.
The community is invited to enjoy 80 tons of snow, sledding, and learn about snow leopards!
SANTA BARBARA — On Sunday, January 29, the forecast at the Santa Barbara Zoo calls for a 100% chance of snow, sledding, and a day full of frosty fun at its 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, get to play in their own snow as enrichment.
Regular admission or Zoo membership is required for entry, and there is an additional fee ($10/pass, $8/pass for Zoo Members) for sledding and snow play. The snow play area is open to children 12 and under (and parents/guardians), and sledding is for children ages 4-12 only (no adult sledding). Sleds are provided–no personal sleds.
The Zoo is “snow” grateful for this year’s sponsors: Bella Vista Designs, Inc., Delta Welding and Fabrication, Giffin & Crane General Contractors, LLC, Michael Hogan, MD and Rosalind Warner, MD, Hutton Parker Foundation, the Krainer Family, and the Muller Family.
For more information about the Snow Leopard Festival please call (805) 962-5339 or visit www.sbzoo.org.
About Snow Leopards — 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.
About the Santa Barbara Zoo — The Santa Barbara Zoo is open daily from 9 am for members and 9:30 am for general admission until 5 pm; general admission is $25 for adults, $15 for children 2-12, and free for children under 2. 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 its 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.