PANDA-MONIUM AT THE SF ZOO!

• “Treehouse Masters” Pete Nelson welcomes the new furry friend with deluxe digs 

The San Francisco Zoo is thrilled to announce the arrival of an adorable new red panda! On May 7 from 9:00 – 10:00 am, Guardian Members and select members of the media will be the first to see this adorable 10-month-old male red panda in his new enclosure and hear the big announcement of his name by Emeritus Board Member, Barry Lipman, and his wife, Marie, who generously pledged $31 thousand to name what may just be the Zoo’s cutest creature. What’s more, Pete Nelson from the Animal Planet hit show, “Treehouse Masters,” will be on hand to see how this new resident likes his custom-made enclosure, which was built by Pete and his famed Treehouse Masters crew in March. The show featuring the SF Zoo’s red panda treehouse construction will air in June for the show’s 1.3 million viewers. The San Francisco Zoo is thrilled to welcome this species, which is native to the eastern Himalayas and western China and faces the threat of severely reduced habitat due to human encroachment. More about red pandas.

The Red Panda exhibit will open to the public on May 10, with an exclusive preview for SFZS Members from 9:00 – 10:00 am that morning.

San Francisco Zoo

The mission of the San Francisco Zoo is to connect visitors with wildlife, inspire caring for nature, and advance conservation action. Nestled against the Pacific Ocean, the SF Zoo is an urban oasis. It is home to over 1,000 exotic, endangered, and rescued animals representing more than 250 species and lovely peaceful gardens full of native and foreign plants. The majestic Roberts African Savanna offers a multi-species landscape with giraffes, zebras, kudu, ostriches, and more. At Hearst Grizzly Gulch, visitors can get nose-to-nose with rescued grizzly sisters Kachina and Kiona. Lemurs leap through the Lipman Lemur Forest, the largest outdoor lemur habitat in the country. Penguin Island is home to the largest colony of Magellanic penguins outside of the wild. The Zoo’s troop of gorillas lives in the lush Jones Family Gorilla Preserve. Farm animals for feeding and petting can be found in the popular Fisher Family Children’s Zoo. The historic 1921 Dentzel Carousel and the 1904 miniature Little Puffer steam train are treasured by generations of visitors and the newly renovated $3.2 million Elinor Friend Playground re-opened in fall 2013 to rave reviews. The SF Zoo offers a
rich history for its guests, including fun rides, educational programs, and exciting events for children of all ages. The SF Zoo is proud to be accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). More about the SF Zoo.

"Treehouse Masters”

Often described as a tree whisperer by his clients, colleagues and contemporaries, Pete Nelson dedicates himself to granting people's dreams of turning peaceful nooks in nature into the ultimate escapes. In “Treehouse Masters,” Nelson and his team execute the most outrageous treehouses designed to delight every whimsy, form, and function. Whether he's contriving magnificent multi-bedroom treehouses with state-of-the-art kitchens and bathrooms or rendering simpler, peaceful, one-room escapes, Nelson always goes out on a limb to create the most breathtaking treehouses with spectacular vistas. More about “Treehouse Masters.”