NEWS RELEASE: Paws What You're Doing - There's a New Jaguar in Town

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT
Caitlin O'Hara, Conservation & Communications Manager, Happy Hollow Park & Zoo
408-838-2859; Caitlin.O'[email protected]

Photos and B-roll are available online.

Note: Members of the media are requested to reach out to the communications contact above to arrange interviews and visual opportunities. Due to the great amount of time required for the care of our zoo animals, all animal care staff interviews must be scheduled in advance.

Paws What You're Doing - There's a New Jaguar in Town
Happy Hollow Park & Zoo welcomes "Sonries," a 9-year-old male jaguar, through a collaborative conservation program

SAN JOSE, Calif. (August 27, 2026) - Happy Hollow Park & Zoo is excited to announce the arrival of Sonries, a 9-year-old male jaguar, who recently arrived in San José from the Los Angeles Zoo and has been getting comfortable in his new home with a brief behind-the-scenes acclimation period. Sonries was born at the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in Palm Desert, so as a native Californian, the team is confident he will fit right in.

Sonries, whose name is inspired by the Spanish word "sonreír" ("to smile"), has been getting to know his new caretakers and his daily routine since he arrived at Happy Hollow. His care team reports that, like many of us, he can be a bit moody in the morning, but once he heads outside for the day, he enjoys exploring his habitat and sleeping in lofty places. When it comes to mealtime, despite his large size (he weighs in at a healthy 130 pounds), one of his favorite foods is the mice that are part of his regular diet.

"I'm proud of our team for their incredible work in bringing a jaguar back to Happy Hollow Park & Zoo for our community," said City Manager Jennifer Maguire. "The Happy Hollow team provides the gold standard of animal care while giving guests the opportunity to meet Sonries and discover how they can help protect wildlife."

"For weeks, the team at Happy Hollow has been helping Sonries adjust to his new home, and we can't wait to welcome him to the San José community," said Mayor Matt Mahan. "Sophia the jaguar gave generations of San Joséans a special connection to these extraordinary animals, and we're excited for Sonries to continue that legacy and inspire a new generation of visitors."

His transfer was coordinated through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' (AZA) Jaguar Species Survival Plan (SSP), a collaborative program that helps maintain a healthy and genetically diverse population of jaguars in AZA-accredited facilities across North America.

As an ambassador for his species, Sonries will help guests learn about the challenges jaguars face in the wild and the efforts underway to protect them. Guests visiting Sonries may spot him climbing, exploring, scent-marking, or relaxing in the habitat as he settles into his new home. Sonries' zookeepers recommend patience to get the best view- while he continues to acclimate to his space, he may choose a resting spot near the back of his habitat or have the choice to go inside. But with a little patience and the right timing, you may be rewarded with a great view of this handsome big cat.

"Bringing a jaguar back to Happy Hollow Park & Zoo was truly a collaborative effort," said Happy Hollow General Manager Mario Day. "I'd like to thank the Los Angeles Zoo, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and the Jaguar Species Survival Plan for working together to make Sonries' arrival in San José possible."

Native to Central and South America, jaguars are the largest cats in the Americas and play a critical role in maintaining healthy ecosystems. Although jaguars remain widespread, many populations face increasing threats from habitat loss, fragmentation, and human-wildlife conflict. As part of housing this iconic species, Happy Hollow is committed to educating the public about the challenges these big cats face and supporting conservation efforts that protect jaguars and the habitats they depend on.

In addition to participating in the AZA's Jaguar SSP and Jaguar SAFE: Saving Animals From Extinction programs, Happy Hollow supports additional conservation organizations working to protect jaguars and their habitats in the wild, including Kaminando Habitat Connectivity Initiative in Panama, Jaguar ID Project in Brazil, and S.P.E.C.I.E.S. in the Gran Chaco region of South America.

Happy Hollow Park & Zoo is currently open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Weekday closing hours will change to 4 p.m. after Labor Day. For more information, visit www.happyhollow.org.

About the City of San José
With almost 1 million residents, San José is one of the most diverse large cities in the United States and is Northern California's largest city and the 13th largest city in the nation. San José's transformation into a global innovation center has resulted in one of the largest concentrations of technology companies and expertise in the world.

About Happy Hollow Park & Zoo
Happy Hollow Park & Zoo has provided outdoor play to the Bay Area since 1961. Happy Hollow is a facility of the San José Parks, Recreation, and Neighborhood Services Department, and is supported by the Happy Hollow Foundation. The mission of Happy Hollow is connecting people to nature through play. Happy Hollow features a unique combination of family rides and amusements, a Puppet Castle Theater, nature-themed play areas, special events for all seasons, an Association of Zoos and Aquariums accredited zoo, and a zoo education and wildlife conservation program with classes and camps for all ages. Happy Hollow also offers annual memberships for families and individuals. Visit www.happyhollow.org for more information.

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