The Santa Barbara Zoo is saying goodbye to Amirah, their nearly two-year-old female Masai giraffe, and Wyatt, their seven-year-old Amur leopard. Their departure is part of the zoo's ongoing work to support two of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Special Survival Plans.
The Special Survival Plan was developed in 1981 by the AZA to guarantee the survival of selected species in zoos and aquariums, most of which are threatened or endangered in the wild.
Amirah was born at the Santa Barbara Zoo on March 14, 2018, and will depart on March 10. She will be going to the Sacramento Zoo.
Wyatt was born on April 25, 2012, at the Denver Zoo and arrived at the Santa Barbara Zoo on July 15, 2013. He will also depart on March 10 and will be moving to the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo in Indiana.
The zoo will also welcome a new Amur leopard and baby giraffes this Spring.
The public is encouraged to visit the Santa Barbara Zoo and say farewell to Amirah and Wyatt before they both depart. Wyatt will only be out on Sunday, March 8.
To learn more about the Santa Babara Zoo, click here.
