Butterfly Jungle Is Back At San Diego Zoo Safari Park

ESCONDIDO, CA — Spring has sprung, which means Butterfly Jungle is back at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

The immersive habitat, which opened over the weekend, bursts to life with hundreds of butterflies each spring.

The transformed Hidden Jungle aviary attracts butterfly enthusiasts from across the region. During the 20-minute experience, visitors can offer nectar to butterflies, capture photos and discover the essential role butterflies play in nature.

Butterflies and moths are one of the largest animal groups on the planet and are foundational to the success of many other species. While they are pollinators, they are also a key piece of the food web, having a profound impact on ecosystems worldwide.

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance leads active conservation initiatives to protect endangered butterflies, including the Quino checkerspot and Laguna Mountains skipper.

Each spring, adult female butterflies are collected and lay eggs in the Butterfly Conservation Lab at the San Diego Zoo, where larvae are reared under protected conditions before being released. This process, called "headstarting," safeguards butterflies during a vulnerable life stage and provides critical data to inform future conservation efforts.

The organization has released around 16,000 Quino checkerspots into native habitats since 2016 and has released close to 800 Laguna Mountains skippers since 2021. Laguna Mountains skippers are extremely rare, with only one population left residing in the Palomar Mountain area in San Diego County.

Butterfly Jungle will be open through April 20 at the Safari Park. The habitat is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Safari Park is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

A Butterfly Jungle Safari ticket costs $18 per person and is required for visitors ages 1 and older, including members. Children under 1 require a complimentary infant pass, which is available at the ticket booth. A separate admission ticket or membership is required for Safari Park entry.