Photos: Riverbanks Zoo highlights endangered species with holiday display ‘Wild Lights’

The zoo has a new look this holiday season.

Riverbanks Zoo and Garden has officially opened the newest version of its nighttime holiday display, now known as Wild Lights. The display, which traded longtime name Lights Before Christmas for Lights at Riverbanks last year, is emphasizing the addition of 57 larger-than-life lanterns.

The lanterns highlight multiple endangered species along with dinosaurs and some mystic creatures. They come through a partnership with Tianyu Arts & Culture, a premium service provider for world-class lantern and light festivals, according to Michael Collins, the zoo’s events manager. 

Collins said that the 57 lantern displays comprise more than 1,000 individual lanterns. Construction for Wild Lights began in October before the zoo’s Halloween event, Boo at the Zoo, even began.

He said the new name is here to stay, adding that the exhibit really brings the zoo back to its mission of conservation. He added that the plan is to highlight new animals every year.

“We really feel like this brings us closer to our mission which is really conservation and highlighting these animals,” he said. “ It's all inspired by nature.”

As guests walk around, they will see some of the animals have a description in front of them, helping to educate them about the creatures.

“Maybe it will inspire someone to go home and say, ‘Hey, I really loved the slow loris lantern, let me look into that animal and see what I can do to protect them and their environment,’” Collins said.