San Diego Zoo - April 15, 2026

Sensing the Southwest 📡🌵

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NOTES FROM THE FIELD | 2026 | No. 5

If a mountain lion wanders through a ravine or a prickly pear cactus blossoms and no one witnesses it, did it still happen? Throughout our 1,000-acre Biodiversity Reserve, moments like these happen every day with local wildlife, and we don’t need to experience it firsthand to know.

The Sage Biodiversity Reserve Ubiquitous Sensing in Habitat system–more commonly called the SageBRUSH system–lets us observe the landscape through data collected by an array of sensors. Led by the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Conservation Technology Lab, this groundbreaking tool gives us critical insights to better understand how to save and protect wildlife at home in this native ecosystem.

With the help of wildlife allies like you, we’re pioneering sustainable and innovative conservation solutions using the power of technology through our Southwest Conservation Hub and beyond. Follow your senses to discover more about the Conservation Tech Lab and how the SageBRUSH system delivers crucial data right to our scientists.

FILLING GAPS

THE RIGHT TOOLS

Our tech lab utilizes another state-of-the-art resource: trail cameras. There’s thousands of hours of footage taken from these strategically-situated cameras, which means we have a lot of data to comb through. To process it all, we’re calling “Action!” on tapping into cutting-edge technology.

SAY CHEESE

PROTECTION CONNECTIONS

The savanna is home to the largest land animal on Earth. This landscape is also integral to the pastoralist communities that live there. Find out how community-based solutions are at the heart of fostering human-elephant coexistence through our Savanna Conservation Hub. And on your next visit to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, walk side by side with the herd at Elephant Valley and learn about the communities they share the savanna with.

LOCAL ACTION

ORCHID’S ODYSSEY

The beautiful blossoms of orchids have made them highly sought after for centuries. In turn, over 800 species are listed as vulnerable or endangered today. The most illegally trafficked endangered plants on the planet, explore how we’re propagating, protecting, and partnering to safeguard these vibrant species for generations to come.

NIP IT IN THE BUD

WILDLIFE HEROES
CHANGE THE WORLD.

, your ongoing support makes a lifesaving difference for vulnerable and endangered species here in the Southwest, African elephants, orchids, and wildlife everywhere. As a Wildlife Hero, your monthly gift will take us further as we shape conservation strategies for the extraordinary wildlife relying on us to thrive–and survive–each and every day. You make it all possible, and we’re forever grateful for you.

Your monthly gift will make a world of difference for wildlife.

BE A HERO

DONATE

Your support saves wildlife.

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is an international conservation nonprofit and a registered
501(c)(3) organization. Tax ID# 95-1648219.

With more than 100 years of wildlife care expertise and partnerships around the globe, we are saving, protecting, and caring for species worldwide.

Follow along on our mission to save wildlife

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