“Dad, look at this one!” a child exclaimed, pointing at a large blue butterfly, roughly the size of an adult hand, as it flew over their heads toward the wall of the enclosure. “Look, now he’s resting, Dad!” Santa Ana Zoo’s Flight exhibit opened July 25, exposing visitors to a live butterfly experience where zoogoers…

Big plans to expand and upgrade an aging Santa Ana Zoo are now underway, thanks to a robust public-private partnership making the $60 million project possible. Aimed at renovating the oldest areas of the 70-year-old zoo, the overall project will include sprucing up the property, improving existing animal habitats, and adding new exhibits and attractions….

The Santa Ana Zoo is bringing its creatures into the community. Its city council on April 20 unanimously approved the purchase of a Ford Transit Crew T-350 van that will serve as a mobile zoo. It will be used to provide offsite youth educational programs by transporting ambassador zoo animals to designated locations. “I think it’s fantastic: An opportunity to take our…