San Francisco’s only rainforest reopens after three month closure

A beloved rainforest in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park has reopened after a three-month closure. 

The California Academy of Sciences temporarily closed the doors to its Osher Rainforest exhibit for infrastructure maintenance earlier in the fall. During that time, the 1,600 animals who call the facility home were removed from the glass dome, which originally opened in 2008, while a large net covered the 100,000-gallon tank housing tropical fish to protect it from falling debris.

After enduring 15 years of high heat, humidity and simulated rainfall, the curators stated in a blog post that the exhibit needed a thorough cleaning. 

“Roughly 90% of the rainforest’s exhibits were hollowed out, bleached, sanitized, and given new substrate,” Kelsey Paulling, an Academy biologist, said in a statement.

The exhibition reopened Saturday, Nov. 18. A week prior, mist machines simulating raindrops were activated, restoring the dome to its usual balmy conditions. The return of the animals was staggered, beginning with ants and butterflies. Biologists introduced new butterfly pupae, including tiny paper kites, green birdwings and owl butterflies, to join the 500 previously residing in the rainforest dome.

This was followed by the reintroduction of frogs, lizards, snakes and, finally, the invertebrates, including massive orb weaver spiders. 

While most of the enhancements may not be apparent to the average visitor, some notable improvements include the rebuilding of stairs, patching water leaks and thorough cleaning of the 90-foot structure.

The temporary removal of live animals and fauna facilitated structural repairs by Academy staff without disrupting their habitat. Among the diverse creatures inhabiting the dome are 250 free-flying birds, along with nearly 100 exotic reptiles and amphibians.

Reach Aidin Vaziri: avaziri@sfchronicle.com