PASADENA, Calif. — On New Year's Day when the 135th Rose Parade rolls through the streets of Pasadena, the San Diego Zoo will let out a mighty roar. In this Zevely Zone, I headed to Pasadena to take a sneak peek at their ferocious float.
At 55 feet long and 30 feet high, the San Diego Zoo's float is its biggest ever. "We are starting with a polar bear and ending on an African lion how crazy is that?" asked Marco Wendt.
He is the ambassador of the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance who wanted to show us Rex the lion standing tall and ready to roar on the back of the float.
The float's theme "It Began with a Roar" features heartwarming stories that inspired generations of conservation. "It doesn't get old, every day I get a little more excited and hopeful about what the future may hold," said Marco. From Karen, the orangutan, who survived open heart surgery, to Chinook the Polar Bear and Omeo the koala, the zoo is sharing stories of hope. "Omeo's mother passed away from cancer when he was five months old," said Marco.
"For 107 years, we've experienced the spirit of Rex the Lion's mighty roar, which sparked a dream to bring our world-renowned organization to life—right in the heart of San Diego," said Paul A. Baribault, president and chief executive officer, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.
"Over the past century, we've evolved to meet the growing needs of wildlife, offering millions of guests who visit our two leading zoos every year the opportunity to explore immersive conservation experiences and connect with the world's wildlife. The Rose Parade is near and dear to many, and we want to share our stories of nature and conservation with the world."
The zoo showcases their jungle of colorful characters on the streets of Pasadena. With a new year comes a call for new hope to protect the planet we share with the heart of a lion.
The Rose Parade takes place on New Year's Day. For more information about the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance's conservation efforts, click here.