Paul Baribault

03/16/2025

Long before Xin Bao and Yun Chuan arrived at the San Diego Zoo, researchers from San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and China established a relationship grounded in a common goal: learn about giant pandas to protect their future and their ecosystems for years to come. On National Panda Day, we honor and celebrate this collaboration for panda conservation that continues today.

Over the past 8 months, we’ve had the immense joy of watching Yun Chuan and Xin Bao settle into their home at Denny Sanford Panda Ridge. Their arrival symbolizes the continuation of a collective commitment to giant pandas, with Yun Chuan’s family legacy adding to this rich story. Together, they highlight the enduring connection that makes this partnership so special.

The San Diego Zoo has been full of excitement today as we honor this incredible species and all the progress we’ve made together. I’m filled with optimism about what we'll accomplish next, as National Panda Day reminds us of the extraordinary achievements possible through shared purpose.

03/06/2025

What an inspiring opportunity to speak with San Diego State University Sports MBA students about leadership and the lessons I’ve learned throughout my career. Leadership comes in many forms, but at its core, it’s about building a culture of collaboration, supporting your team, and leading with empathy.

These principles have guided me in every role I’ve held, including my time at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, where our mission of conservation is driven by the shared passion and teamwork of our incredible people.

Seeing the enthusiasm and curiosity from these future leaders was truly energizing, and I’m excited for all they will achieve.

03/03/2025

Today, on World Wildlife Day 2025, we celebrate the profound impact of conservation efforts on the health of our planet and its incredible wildlife. This year’s theme, “Investing in People and Planet,” highlights a powerful truth—when we invest in protecting biodiversity, we invest in a better future for all of us.

At San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, we’ve been reminded of this through the recent birth of two sloth bear cubs—an inspiring milestone for a vulnerable species facing growing threats in their natural habitats. These tiny new arrivals symbolize what’s possible with dedicated conservation work and the support of those who share our mission to protect wildlife and the ecosystems we depend on.

02/22/2025

As a proud member of the Board of Directors for The Explorers Club, I’m thrilled to welcome this year’s cohort of 50 new explorers. These extraordinary individuals—from a crabber conserving marine life to an ecologist studying how elephants name each other—embody the spirit of innovation, collectively exemplifying the incredible diversity of thought and action that is pushing boundaries and creating a better future for us all.

This year’s visionary new members reaffirm the importance in reimagining what it means to be an explorer in today’s world, and the power of exploration in shaping new possibilities. It’s an honor to support their efforts to drive positive change around the globe, and I look forward to seeing where their journeys take us.

These 50 individuals are exploring, inspiring, and creating the future - the future of the planet, life upon it, and the boundless possibilities that await us all.

02/18/2025

This year, we proudly celebrate a century of collaboration with the Taronga Zoo Sydney—a partnership that began with the arrival of the first koalas to the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance in 1925. Over the past 100 years, this shared commitment to conservation and care has helped transform the future for Australian wildlife and their ecosystems.

It’s only fitting that we honor this milestone with the arrival of a very special addition—a female koala joey born to Adori, one of the remarkable koalas at the San Diego Zoo. Together with our partners at Taronga, we have named her Inala, meaning "place of peace" or "rest," which reflects the sanctuary this partnership continues to provide for endangered species.

Each new life represents a vital step forward in safeguarding the global koala population and symbolizes the success of collaborative conservation. Through efforts like the Australian Forest Conservation Hub, we remain steadfast in our mission to protect and care for vulnerable wildlife around the world.

Thank you to everyone who has supported this work over the years. Partnerships like these are proof of what we can achieve together for the wildlife we share our planet with. Here’s to 100 years of impact—and to the future we’re building, one species at a time.

02/16/2025

What a joy to celebrate Lunar New Year with our community at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, welcoming the Year of the Snake alongside so many cherished friends and partners.

The Lunar New Year tradition symbolizes renewal, hope, and prosperity—values that seamlessly align with our commitment to building a better future for wildlife and communities worldwide. I was deeply honored to be joined by Consul General Guo Shaochun once again for our annual event earlier this month and am profoundly grateful for our continued friendship.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this year's festivities. May the Year of the Snake bring wisdom, good fortune, and continued partnership in conservation!

02/12/2025

One of the most rewarding parts of my role is having the opportunity to help create meaningful connections across our San Diego community, and we were thrilled to welcome the San Diego Padres to San Diego Zoo earlier this month as part of their Community Tour.

The team's visit to Panda Ridge, where they surprised fans and met giant pandas Xin Bao and Yun Chuan, truly showcases our city’s spirit of collaboration, and how organizations can come together for both community engagement and wildlife conservation. Big shout out to the team for stopping by, and looking forward to an exciting 2025 season—go Padres!

02/06/2025

Proud to witness a landmark moment for San Diego on Tuesday at the ribbon-cutting of the Sharp HealthCare Performance Center, the new home of San Diego FC. The facility, built on the historic grounds of the Sycuan Band of Kumeyaay Nation, represents more than just a world-class training center—it's a testament to the power of visionary partnerships.

Huge congratulations to Sycuan for their transformative investment in San Diego's future, and to Sharp Healthcare for their commitment to excellence as the official healthcare partner. And, special thanks to Mark Cafferty and the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation team for their continued leadership in representing San Diego to the world.

This state-of-the-art complex embodies what makes San Diego truly extraordinary: our community, united in purpose, dedicated to building something remarkable together. Together, we're creating lasting legacies that strengthen our community.

01/23/2025

The devastating wildfires in Los Angeles County and across Southern California have affected hundreds of thousands of our fellow Californians. My wife and I grew up and raised our young family in the communities at the base of the Eaton fire, and as new fires continue to emerge across the region, our hearts ache alongside countless friends and families impacted.

On behalf of all of us at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, we extend our deepest sympathies to all who have faced unimaginable losses in this tragedy.

The word “heroes” often gets overused, though in times like these, it seems the only fitting sentiment to describe the tireless dedication and selfless resolve of the firefighters and first responders facing this crisis head on. In gratitude for their extraordinary service, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance will be providing first responders and a guest free admission to the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park, with discounted tickets for family members, to offer them a respite where they can recharge with loved ones. More on this invitation below.

Recovery and healing will take time, and our entire San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance family is committed to supporting the surrounding community in any way we can. We have maintained close communication with our partners and stand ready to assist at any moment, while also actively exploring opportunities to extend our resources and services further once the immediate threat has passed.

To the local communities that have come together for one another, and our dedicated partners working tirelessly to rescue and care for injured and displaced wildlife—we find hope in your resilience and service. Thank you. And to those directly affected: your safety and well-being are what matter most. We are here for you, today and in the days ahead.

Thank You, First Responders All of us at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance are saddened by the ongoing crisis that has recently unfolded in Southern California. Our hearts go out to the communities and all the people and wildlife impacted by these devastating fires.We are deeply grateful for the brave...

01/07/2025

This year's Rose Parade was panda-monium in the best possible way. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance's float, winner of the Sweepstakes Award (for the second year in a row!), showcased extraordinary wildlife like giant pandas Xin Bao and Yun Chuan in awe-inspiring fashion.

This achievement shines a light on the tireless work of our team members, allies, and partners across San Diego and globally to shape a better future for people and wildlife. My heart is full seeing how our volunteers and teams poured their creativity into this award-winning display—grateful doesn’t even begin to describe it!

01/01/2025

Ringing in 2025 with fantastic news from Pasadena! Our San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Rose Parade float has been honored with the Sweepstakes Award for the second year in a row. This award celebrates the most beautiful, thematic, and entertaining entry, and is a testament to our team's creativity and dedication.

The Rose Parade is an incredible platform to share our wildlife conservation stories with audiences around the world. I'm incredibly proud of our team who came together to make this happen!

12/31/2024

What an incredible day in Pasadena helping decorate San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance float for the 136th Rose Parade! Our float celebrates this year's milestone achievements and showcases the powerful impact of collaborative conservation around the world.

I'm deeply grateful to our dedicated volunteers and team members whose hard work and passion have brought these stories to life. Be sure to join us for this special moment—tune in January 1st at 8AM PST to see our float make its debut!