The Houston Zoo welcomes approximately 2 million people a year. This is the second most visited zoological park in the United States, it is second in popularity only to the Zoological Park of San Diego. Albino reptiles, giraffes, Asian elephants, and even bats can be found in the Texas park. It has become a home for more than 6,000 animals.
History of creation
After the restoration of American bison, there was an abundance of them in the country. In 1921, a site was allocated in Herman Park for their maintenance, the site was fenced off so that the artiodactyl mammals would not escape and would not violate public order, would not put their health at risk. In September 1922, the Houston Zoo opened, and its first inhabitant was a bison named Earl, who was presented to the institution by the US Government.
After 3 years, the Houston Zoo already had 400 animals of various species, including elephants and sea lions, for which a special pool was built. This place has become one of the most popular in the city, and since 2002, the non-profit organization Houston Zoo has taken over the management of the zoo from the municipality.
Short description
The zoo's area is 22 hectares, it is located in Hermann Park, which is also called Hermann. Approximately 6,000 animals of 900 species live in this place. Each of them, without exception, is provided with proper care. The institution participates in conservation programs for North American zoos, and supports environmental projects around the world that help save endangered animals, including Brazilian tapirs, acapi, and Houston toads.
The Houston Zoo hosts lectures on animals and workshops. In 2024, the Houston Zoo, with the support of colleagues, developed the first mRNA vaccine against elephant endotheliotropic herpes virus (EEHV). And it was successfully injected into an Asian elephant that was under medical supervision.
Birds and animals
The layout of the Houston Zoo has been thought out to the smallest detail, and zones have been created here that mimic geographical regions.:
- The Houston Zoo has become home to more than 800 birds of 200 different species, including the scarlet macaw, Mariana fruit-eating pigeon, Guam kingfisher, Congolese peacock and others. It is one of the largest collections in the whole country.
- The African Forest is one of the largest projects of the Houston Zoo, which was launched in 2010. Zebras, ostriches, Masai giraffes, wild boars, white rhinos, chimpanzees, and western lowland gorillas occupied this territory.
- A special enclosure with a boardwalk was equipped for Asian elephants. The area of the paddock is 650 square meters. There is also a 160,000 gallon swimming pool.
- Monkeys from Africa and Asia live in a separate enclosure. This place contains orangutans, monkeys, mandrills and other primates.
- The Aquarium has more than 2,000 fish of 200 species from all over the world.
- 180 cold-blooded species are represented in the pavilion of reptiles and amphibians.
- The predator exhibit brought together lions, Malayan tigers, black bears, hyena dogs, leopards, and cheetahs.
- "The Natural Encounters of Allen H. and Ethel G. Carruth" are presented in the form of a special building in which a journey across the continent is recreated. Visitors can learn about the animals living on the riverbank, in tropical forests, coral reefs. Asian capless otters, Damaraland mole rats, golden-headed lion tamarins, and meerkats are found in this place.
- The exhibition "House for insects" was opened in 2014. It is represented by insects and arachnids from jungles, various forests, and deserts.
- The John McGovern Zoo is open for children. The contact zoo houses kangaroos and a Patagonian mara, and a realistic bat cave has been built.
- The Pantanal in South America, which opened in 2020, covers 1.7 hectares. This place was created for capybaras, giant anteaters, giant otters, tapirs, jaguars and blue-capped macaws.
- Galapagos Islands dedicated to turtles, crabs, sea lions, penguins appeared in 2023.
How to get
You can get here by MetroRail light rail: to do this, take the Red Line, get off at the Herman Memorial Hospital and Houston Zoo station, and walk 10-15 minutes through the park. Alternatively, taxi rides or car rentals are suitable. Please note that tickets are not on sale at the Houston Zoo – they can be purchased online.
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