It’s A Jungle Out There

Butterfly Jungle, an annual springtime event, is fluttering back to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

Every year, guests at the Safari Park can view thousands of butterflies as they walk through the Hidden Jungle aviary during the Butterfly Jungle event.

Butterfly Jungle runs from April 5-27. Timed tickets are available for guests who want to plan their visit and this year’s event will have increased open viewing times from 8 to 10 a.m. and again from 3 to 6 p.m. The Safari Park is open early during the Butterfly Jungle event, with operating hours from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The 30 butterfly species highlighted for Butterfly Jungle hail from Africa, Asia and Central and South America and include the zebra longwing, orange-barred tiger and Grecian shoemaker. Old favourites such as the monarch, giant swallowtail and blue morpho will be there as well.

There are 15 bird species that co-exist with the butterflies in the Hidden Jungle aviary. Guests can be on the lookout for some new bird species in the aviary this year — red-crested turacos and sunbirds.

Guests who are interested in learning more about butterflies will have the opportunity to speak with an educator stationed inside the Hidden Jungle aviary to learn a little more about the fluttering critters.

Butterfly Jungle is included with admission to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Admission is $46 for adults and $36 for children ages 3 through 11. Children 2 and younger receive free admission.