Gladys Porter Zoo

Gladys Porter Zoo
Gladys Porter Zoo
	Front entrance on Ringgold St. The Gladys Porter Zoo Sign
	25°54′44″N 97°29′46″W / 25.9123°N 97.4962°W
Date opened	3 September 1971
Location	Brownsville, Texas, USA
Land area	31 acres (13 ha)
No. of animals	1600
No. of species	400
Annual visitors	424,000+
Memberships	AZA
Website	gladysporterzoo.org

Gladys Porter Zoo is a zoological and botanical park located in Brownsville, Texas, United States. The zoo officially opened on September 3, 1971, and currently averages over 424,000 visitors annually. Situated on 31 acres (13 ha), the zoo houses about 400 animal species (including 47 endangered species) and over 250 tropical and neo-tropical species and subspecies. It is the first zoo to have successfully bred the endangered Jentink's duiker (although none are currently in captivity in the US).^[3] It is also the birthplace of Harambe, the gorilla.^[4]

The zoo is named after Gladys Porter, the daughter of Earl C. Sams, former president of J. C. Penney. Porter, a wildlife enthusiast, helped to plan and stock the zoo, which was entirely funded by the Earl C. Sams Foundation. After its opening, the zoo was given to the city of Brownsville.

History

The zoo was planned, built, stocked, and given by the Earl C. Sams Foundation to the City of Brownsville. It opened on 3 September 1971. The first addition to its exhibits was the Herpetarium, which opened in April 1973. The zoo has been the single largest recipient from the foundation funds established by Sams.^[1]

The zoo published the first issue of its Zoo News (its official newsletter and now a quarterly publication) in January 1972. The naturalistic exhibits at the zoo won the 1979 Texas Building Branch of Associated General Contractors Outstanding Construction Award.^[1]

In 1978, the zoo launched its summer study programs on a trial basis with classes for children in grades 1 through 12. Although only four classes were taught that summer, the program has expanded over the years and now includes classes in the spring and fall as well as summer. The zoo also received accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) in 1978.^[1]

In subsequent years, Orangutan Island was enlarged, the Herpetarium was expanded with a new aquatic wing, and many other exhibits as well as facilities such as the gift shop, offices, and concession stands were remodeled or added. Most of these projects were made possible by the zoo's annual Zoofari fundraisers.^[1]

In 1986, the zoo created an endowment fund with the help of matching grants from the Earl C. Sams (dollar for dollar up to $2 million) and the Lightner Sams Foundation (dollar for dollar up to $1 million). Income from this permanent endowment now ensures that the zoo can maintain and improve itself.^[1]

The Australian exhibit opened in February 1988 — the largest addition to the zoo since its opening. The Education department was also expanded in 1989 and a walk-through aviary (Zack's Aerie, made possible by private donations) was also opened.^[1]

Animals and Exhibits

Africa

Asia-Australia

Asia-Australia (Indoor Exhibits)

(*)=actually an African species (**)=actually an American species

Herpetarium

Russell Aquatic Ecology Centre

Small World

Small World Petting Zoo

South Texas Butterfly Garden

South Texas Discovery Centre

Tropical America

Tropical Free Flight Aviary

Un-Themed General Zoo Area American Animals

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g "History". gpz.org. ladys Porter Zoo. Archived from the original on 20 May 2011. Retrieved 27 April 2011.
^ "Currently Accredited Zoos and Aquariums". aza.org. AZA. Retrieved 27 March 2011.
^ Ellis, Richard (2004). No Turning Back: The Life and Death of Animal Species. New York: Harper Perennial. p. 262. ISBN 0-06-055804-0.
^ Bigfoot Journeys (January 27, 2014). "Announcing the name of a baby lowland gorilla, "Harambe"". Archived from the original on 2021-12-18 – via YouTube.

External links

[zoo_history-1] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g "History". gpz.org. ladys Porter Zoo. Archived from the original on 20 May 2011. Retrieved 27 April 2011.

[aza_list-2] "Currently Accredited Zoos and Aquariums". aza.org. AZA. Retrieved 27 March 2011.

[EllisNTB-3] Ellis, Richard (2004). No Turning Back: The Life and Death of Animal Species. New York: Harper Perennial. p. 262. ISBN 0-06-055804-0.

[namevideo-4] Bigfoot Journeys (January 27, 2014). "Announcing the name of a baby lowland gorilla, "Harambe"". Archived from the original on 2021-12-18 – via YouTube.

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v t e Zoos of Texas
Zoos	Abilene Zoological Gardens Amarillo Zoo Austin Zoo Bear Creek Pioneers Park Wildlife Habitat/Aviary Caldwell Zoo Cameron Park Zoo Capital of Texas Zoo Crocodile Encounter Dallas Zoo El Paso Zoo Ellen Trout Zoo Fort Worth Zoo Fossil Rim Wildlife Center Frank Buck Zoo Gladys Porter Zoo Houston Zoo Moody Gardens Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch San Antonio Zoo Sharkarosa Wildlife Ranch Texas Reptile Zoo The Texas Zoo Tiger Creek Wildlife Refuge The Wild Animal Sanctuary - Texas
Aquariums	Austin Aquarium Children's Aquarium at Fair Park Dallas World Aquarium Downtown Aquarium Kipp Aquarium Moody Gardens Aquarium Richard Friedrich Aquarium San Antonio Aquarium SeaWorld San Antonio Seven Seas Marine Life Park (closed) Texas State Aquarium
Unaccredited AZA facilities are italicized

Authority control databases
International	VIAF
National	United States