The Official Houston Zoo Blog

Are you looking for a fantastic experience that will satisfy both your sense of adventure and your desire to learn about and conserve wildlife?  Have you explored the Zoo Travel Program  link under the Conserve Wildlife  tab on our website?  Here you will literally find a world of opportunity for exploring new territories, both near and far.  A staff member from the Houston Zoo accompanies each trip and we are joined by guides at the various destinations that are experts on the areas in which they live and work.  The zoo’s conservation department works hard to establish on-going relationships in the areas we visit which affords zoo groups that oft sought after “inside scoop” on the animals and ecosystems.

One of the most understated, yet biologically diverse areas to be found anywhere is right in our own backyard in Baja California, Mexico. When someone mentions biological diversity most people think of the Amazon, or the Serengeti.  But the Sea of Cortez, which separates the Baja peninsula from mainland Mexico, is one of the most biologically rich areas on the planet.  The Sea of Cortez contains a series of small islands, many of which are home to species of reptiles and cactus that are endemic only to each particular island.  The waters of the area are perhaps most famous as the calving grounds of grey whales but they also teem with many other whale and dolphin species, birds, manta rays, whale sharks , and my personal favorites, California sea lions.

Our Baja Escape  scheduled for December 10th – 15th offers the opportunity to explore the Sea of Cortez aboard a National Geographic ship.  The ship is small which allows it to navigate the waterways in the Sea of Cortez.  A smaller ship means fewer guests so you’ll have ample opportunity to interact with the National Geographic biologists aboard.  The ship also boasts an ‘open bridge’ which means guests are free to visit the bridge and see what it takes to navigate a ship through challenging waterways.

We’ll have time not only for drinking in show-stopping sunsets and whale watching from the ship’s deck but also for hiking, kayaking and zodiac trips around the islands that we visit.  Of course the part I am most looking forward to is snorkeling with the sea lion residents on Islas Los Islotes.  This group of sea lions is well used to having humans snorkeling around their home beaches and the youngsters often come out to see what these awkward masked and flippered creatures are up to.

This is truly a destination that rivals anywhere on the planet for beauty and wildlife viewing opportunities so check out the links above and book your adventure to Baja and the stunning crystal blue Sea of Cortez.