The real news has been one depressing thing after another with real world implications, such that I completely stopped watching nightly newscasts. I still read news, but I'm more selective about my sources and just want to know what has happened, not talking heads discussing it endlessly. And as you know if you come to this page a lot, or know me through socials or IRL, that I spend most of my days at the San Diego Zoo. And this summer, I stepped it up and would zip to Seaworld on basically every possible night it was open later than the Zoo, which was most of the summer since the zoo changed their summer to close at 8pm. Anyway, the point here is that I spend A LOT of time with animals.
That's why this week has been so. fucking. hard. Last week, I found out, pretty much on the same day that Polar Bear Talluk and Giraffe Nicky from the Zoo had died, and that Basa the Walrus from Seaworld had died. To be fair, I never spent a lot of time with Talluk, because he loved his air conditioned bedroom, but who doesn't have an affinity for the polar bears and their origin story at the Zoo? But Nicky was someone that I spent many hours with over the years. Especially when Mawe was born and I witnessed her first steps...I would hang out by them for hours at a time. I learned how to tell the giraffes apart in person, though it's much more challenging in my photos, I concede. And I always loved watching their care specialist interact with them. He'd whistle and wave his arm, and they'd all come running to him like puppies, and they'd wait patiently on one side of the habitat doors while he filled their feeders with food and browse, until he remotely opened them and they would feast.
And same for Seaworld. I've often shared how I fell in love with a walrus named Mitik, who had been raised by humans and would play with me at the glass and was my sole reason for buying an annual pass. In loving him, I got to often spend time with the rest of the walruses - Chouchou, Dozer, and Basilla. When he passed very young of medical issues, I was heartbroken, but so grateful that he had a life at all instead of dying as an abandoned infant. Eventually Seaworld sent Chouchou to Seaworld Orlando, and so just the two adults remained...Dozer and Basilla. Admittedly, the belugas became my new obsession, because I'd get to the park so late that usually the walruses had already retreated to their bedroom pools, but I still visited them often and attempted to play with them at the glass like I had with Mitik, though they would mostly just swim over for a hot sec that could've been acknowledgement or coincidence.
All three were known to be senior animals, and just like losing my Ficus earlier this year, you always kinda know in the back of your mind that these aging animals aren't going to live forever, though it is amazing that they all far exceeded typical life expectancy for their respective species, a testament to the incredible compassion and care they receive from their care teams.
But Monday of this week came, and I was not ready for the news that Maka, the eldest of the resident bachelor brother gorillas had died that morning. It was known that he'd had at least one seizure, because it was seen on surveillance camera, but it wasn't known just how many he'd had. Gorillas are also known for heart disease and with Maka's chromosomal abnormalities, his health was always monitored extra close. But the news was and is still so devastating. If I tried to calculate the amount of time I've spent with the gorillas over the past several years--since COVID, really, well, let's just say it's a lot. It wasn't the responsibility of the gorillas to teach me anything about life, and death, but they did. When we were going through it with my dad and having to drive to Chula Vista every night to help move him into bed, I was spending all day with the gorillas. Sure, I'd be working on my phone or laptop for the duration, but I was still there. And when I got the call that my dad had died, I was with the gorillas. I watched the little brother, Denny, transition from his family group with his mom and dad to the bachelor group, with his three older half-brothers, Ekuba, Mandazzi, and Maka.
Maka was known to be so even keeled and so mellow that he was Denny's first introduction, and Maka protected him fiercely, even though he was completely outsized by the two middle brothers. Watching them test their boundaries and learn to live together was a beautiful, albeit sometimes stressful, thing to witness. On one particular day, Maka took a tooth or a finger nail to his cheek and was bleeding profusely. No volunteers were around because they had a volunteer appreciation brunch, so I called security to have them alert the care specialists of what happened. They called in all the boys, and it turned out they had to go into emergency surgery to give Maka subcutaneous stitches, that they could see an artery exposed from the depth of the gash. That day, I was bonded to Maka forever.
Unlike his brothers, however, Maka just didn't really give a shit about the humans, which made it all the more special if he acknowledged you at all. He would do this cute little posture to run from one side of the habitat to the other, and Denny would follow with one hand on his shoulder, like watching a football offense trying to run the ball, and if Maka stopped at you with his butt to you on the glass, you knew that it was because he felt safe with you.
After Mandazzi left to start a family of his own at Sedgwick County Zoo, the dynamic was thrown off once again. Whereas Ekuba was left to take on the alpha qualities, being the biggest of the group, Maka was the wisest and sweetest and always trying to be the peacemaker, letting Denny know when he pushed too hard on their social boundaries. Recently Paul Donn and Jessica were moved to Safari Park, so Paul Donn can take over as silverback of the family troop up there, and it once again threw everything off, because now the three boys were to be outside all day, whereas before they'd swap half the day with the parents. Again, this new dynamic was confusing, in the way humans hate daylight saving time, or just want to be home when sometimes we don't have a choice in the matter, or you wake up on a Monday and dread going to work, primates do not like change. But they finally seemed like they were coming along, finding that they could take their naps by the waterfall or hang out in the back, or be near the humans only when they wanted to be. It actually felt like Maka had grown to like it, actually sitting at the glass facing the humans instead of with his back to it. Just about a week ago, I was standing in the little corner I love, working on my phone, and I look up and he's standing facing me eye to eye and I couldn't believe I wasn't just getting his butt smooshed at me! He was often overshadowed by his brothers antics or their size, but his soul was so sweet. It is amazing how much you can know and love an animal, to feel such intimacy in moments and deep communication, even through glass.
It's been like a wake around the gorillas this week. All my zoo friends have been by to commiserate and cry and share pictures and to be present for Denny and Ekuba, the remaining two gorillas, who are just trying to figure out what the hell is going on as they move into a new relationship with each other, without Maka. It's hard and painful to watch. It's devastating to wonder what they understand and what they don't. But we've seen them adapt. They certainly continue to be a lesson for me in that respect. They were comfort when I've lost family, and when we lost Ficus. I hope in some small way, we can be that for them.
- SAN DIEGO REGIONAL POLITICS:
- ZOO GOSS:
- San Diego Zoo's Insider Alert announced the birth and subsequent ambassador debut of a porcupette: We recently welcomed a prehensile-tailed porcupine baby, the first ever born at the San Diego Zoo. After bonding with first-time mom Gracie, he’s now sniffing out his new home with his signature marshmallow-like nose...you might catch a glimpse of this porcupette as he follows in his parents’ padded footsteps as a wildlife ambassador.
- 24-year-old Kalluk the polar bear dies at San Diego Zoo - Times of San Diego/City News Service (8.16.25)
- SDZWA Statement: It's been an incredibly difficult week for all of us here at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.
With profound sadness we share the passing of Kalluk, a truly extraordinary polar bear and special member of the San Diego Zoo family. At the advanced age of 24 years old, Kalluk passed peacefully on August 14, surrounded by the Wildlife Care team who knew him best and cared for him deeply since he was a cub.
Recently Kalluk began to show signs of age-related illness, prompting our dedicated wildlife care and health experts to conduct a proactive and comprehensive wellness evaluation. After thoroughly reviewing the results and evaluating all options, wildlife experts made the difficult and compassionate decision to say goodbye.
Kalluk's story began in 2001, when he and his sister, Tatqiq, arrived as orphaned cubs alongside their companion, Chinook. Without mothers to guide them, the three cubs found a second chance at life here at the San Diego Zoo, where they have thrived for decades ever since. Kalluk became an ambassador in the truest sense, opening eyes and hearts to his species and the urgent need to protect it.
At 24 years old, Kalluk lived a remarkable life, as male polar bears live an average of 15–18 years in native habitats. Wildlife Care Specialists will remember him as a calm strength within the trio, with an inquisitive and adventurous nature that left an indelible mark on his care team and the countless guests who were inspired by him. Over his 24 years, Kalluk acted as a bridge between worlds, contributing to groundbreaking research on polar bear physiology, sensory perception, and adaptation. These studies have provided global conservationists and scientists with crucial insights into how polar bears navigate a rapidly changing world, helping to ensure a future for his counterparts.
After his passing, Tatqiq and Chinook were given the opportunity to say their goodbyes. Being with them in this moment reminded us that the feeling of loss transcends species, and our team remains committed to supporting them through this transition.
Kalluk lived a life of purpose, dignity, and connection. His legacy will live on through the conservation work he made possible and the lives he touched along the way. We are grateful for the time we had with him and for your support as we honor his journey. Please join us in celebrating Kalluk’s life and offering condolences to all who are feeling his absence.
- Oldest Masai giraffe in North America dies at San Diego Zoo. On its social media pages, the San Diego Zoo said that 'Nicky', who is believed to be the oldest Masai giraffe in North America, died on Aug. 14. - NBC San Diego (8.18.25)
- SDZWA Statement: Today, we are also heartbroken to share the loss of Nicky, a beloved Masai giraffe and the remarkable matriarch of our giraffe herd. At 28 years old, Nicky was believed to be the oldest Masai giraffe in North America, a testament to the extraordinary care she received throughout her long and meaningful life.
Over recent years, Nicky had been showing signs of her advanced age, and our dedicated team provided expert care to ensure her comfort and well-being. However, this past week, her condition declined significantly, and on August 14, our team made the compassionate decision to let her go.
Nicky arrived at the San Diego Zoo in 1999, making her our herd's longest-standing resident and a treasured member of the San Diego Zoo family. As our herd's steadfast matriarch, she watched over everyone with unwavering devotion, embodying wisdom and grace in every interaction. Throughout her lifetime, she lovingly raised five calves—including her son Chifu, who is the father of her grandson Madoadoa, born at the Zoo last month—passing on her gentle strength as a grandmother to generations and contributing to strong and healthy global populations of Masai giraffe worldwide.
Nicky's exceptional legacy endures through her family and the lives she touched as a powerful ambassador for her species. She forged connections between guests and the natural world, inspiring deep appreciation and conservation efforts for these gentle giants. Her impact will resonate for years to come.
We welcome you to celebrate Nicky’s life and to share your sympathies with all who loved her.
- 30-year-old Western lowland gorilla dies, San Diego Zoo says. During this week’s exam, Maka experienced an unexpected cardiac arrest and passed away, despite the efforts of the zoo’s wildlife health and care teams. - CBS 8 (8.19.25)
- SDZWA Statement: In what stands as one of the most challenging periods in recent memory for our San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance family, we share with deep sorrow the passing of Maka, an inimitable 30-year-old Western lowland gorilla, who left us this week surrounded by the wildlife care team who knew and loved him deeply.
When he was 5 years old, Maka was diagnosed with chromosomal abnormalities, but thrived under the dedication and skill of his wildlife health and care teams, exceeding expectations and living with grace and vitality for decades. Recently, he began experiencing brief seizures, prompting our team to monitor his wellness closely and schedule ongoing comprehensive evaluations. During this week's exam, Maka unexpectedly experienced a cardiac event. Despite the heroic and sustained efforts of our wildlife health and care teams, we lost our gentle giant.
Born at the San Diego Zoo, Maka was truly the heart of our bachelor troop. He guided his younger brothers, Ekuba and Denny, with patience and steadiness, a small-but-mighty leader who naturally took on the role of mentor and earned their respect and devotion. His brothers were given the opportunity to spend time with Maka after his passing—a poignant moment that reminded us once again that connection and loss are universal languages we all share.
Each of the over 12,000 wildlife at the San Diego Zoo touches our lives in immeasurable ways, and this has been an unimaginably difficult period for our wildlife health and care teams, who forge profound bonds with each individual in their care. We ask for your continued support and understanding as they navigate the complex journey of grief while maintaining their unwavering commitment to all the wildlife under their stewardship.
Maka's legacy lives on through the conservation work he helped advance and the countless guests who came to understand the intelligence and gentleness of Western lowland gorillas through knowing him. His quiet leadership and enduring spirit will always be remembered.
- SEA WORLD GOSS:
- Seaworld Opened the Bayside Aquarium. It's this tiny little thing under the Bayside Amphitheatre, but is worth a visit to see the two-spot octopus or to try to catch a glimpse of one of the axolotls. It's basically like four small aquariums smaller than your average flatscreen, plus a larger aquarium in the middle. It's tiny. I waited in a helluva line for the opening which was underwhelming, but you can pretty much just walk in without a line, and hopefully the tidepool thing reopens to make it a more destination part of Sea World. I visited on Sunday and the little tiny octopus decided to play with me and I was quickly obsessed. So now I'll be visiting whenever I make it to Seaworld to visit the belugas.
- ‘Basa,’ one of oldest walruses in captivity, dies at SeaWorld San Diego - Fox5 San Diego (8.18.25)
- SeaWorld San Diego Facebook: We’re saddened to share that our beloved walrus, Basilla (affectionately known to our guests as Basa), has passed away at the age of 42.
Basa was a cherished member of our SeaWorld family, known for her gentle spirit and the special bond she formed with her animal care team. As one of the oldest walruses in human care, Basa has played an important role in research that advances conservation for walruses throughout the Arctic. Most recently, she participated in a measurement study that helps scientists assess body conditions of wild walruses, work that will continue to benefit her species for years to come. She inspired countless guests to care for and protect marine life, leaving an enduring impact on everyone who met her.
Our hearts are with all who loved Basa, both here at the park and beyond. She will be deeply missed.
- CALIFORNIA NEWS:
- US GOVERNMENT DESTRUCTION:
