Gladys Porter Zoo

Gladys Porter Zoo and its collection

Gladys Porter Zoo, opened in 1971, is a zoo in Brownsville, United States.

The zoo covers 31 acres and holds roughly 400 animal species, 47 of them endangered, with attendance averaging more than 424,000 a year. It was the first anywhere to breed Jentink's duiker, a species no longer held in the United States.

History

The Earl C. Sams Foundation designed, constructed and stocked the zoo before handing it to the city; it is the biggest single beneficiary of the foundation's money. It opened on 3 September 1971, and a Herpetarium added in April 1973 was the earliest exhibit to follow. Its newsletter, Zoo News, first appeared in January 1972 and now comes out quarterly.

Animals and collection

Animals on show include Kemp’s ridley sea turtles, Western lowland gorillas, Philippine crocodiles, Galapagos tortoises and Matchie’s tree kangaroos.

Exhibits

Its exhibits include Herpetarium, Aquarium, Tropical America Free-flight Aviary, Macaw Canyon and Bear Grottos.

What the venue says

• The Oasis serves as the main concession stand offering a wide variety of food and beverages.
• The zoo provides free parking in its limited-access parking lot on a space-available basis.
• All zoo facilities are wheelchair accessible
• manual wheelchairs are available to rent at the Congo Bazaar Gift Shop