Tag Archives: Butterfly Jungle

The butterflies are fluttering, the birds are chirping, and the nectar plants are in. This week, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park’s Butterfly Jungle opens to the public, and the excitement is palpable. Thousands of butterflies from more than 20 species will flitter around guests as they make their way through the tropical Hidden Jungle aviary. Safari Park visitors will get the chance to see butterflies from Asia, Africa and Central, South and North America—including the electric blue morpho, the exotic giant owl, and the brilliant orange Julia. There may even be a surprise species or two this year.

“We are always pleasantly surprised if we get an unusual species that is on our import permit, and so will our guests be,“ said Michael Mace, curator of birds at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. “With 20 species of butterflies, there’s every color, shape and size for everyone.” Guests will also be mesmerized by the lush greenery and many exotic birds that populate Hidden Jungle, such as red-crested turacos, African pygmy geese and beautiful sunbirds.