The zip line will cost around $800,000 and is actually the first phase of the master plan, Dertinger said, noting that the zoo is already in talks with the manufacturer. Another aspect of the master plan zoo officials are touting is a 150-foot-tall, two-seater zip line that will allow guests to soar over the animal exhibits while getting a great view of the surrounding city at the same time.
GLADYS PORTER PLUS
The new and improved Small World will boast a new meerkat exhibit, naked mole rats(!) and an inclusive play area for kids to indulge in all kinds of activities, a sensory garden and quiet room plus a number of other amenities for special-needs children and adults. “We’re going to completely re-imagine this as a new African village.” Burchfield said losing AZA accreditation would be a serious blow to the zoo’s world-renowned rare and endangered animal breeding program.Īnother big feature of the master plan is a complete overhaul of the zoo’s Small World exhibit, which Dertinger described as “in dire need of restoration.” Tighter AZA standards were the reason Gladys Porter Zoo had to find a new home for its last elephant, Ruth, more than 15 years ago. Pat Burchfield, the zoo’s executive director, who wasn’t able to attend Wednesday’s event, said in a presentation to the Brownsville city commission the night before that the new larger, lion exhibit isn’t merely good for the animals and zoo visitors, but is essential if the zoo wants to keep having lions and remain accredited, thanks to increasingly strict requirements by the accrediting body, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. (Miguel Roberts/The Brownsville Herald)ĭr. A white-handed gibbon hangs out in his exhibit at Gladys Porter Zoo on Wednesday, Oct. “The exhibit also includes a brand new nocturnal exhibit where people can get out of the sun and into an air conditioned space to see animals up close that aren’t currently in the zoo’s collection,” Dertinger said. The redesign will also include covered viewing areas so visitors don’t have to view the animals from a resaca boardwalk, as is the case now. Jay Dertinger of Seattle-based PJA Architects, which designed the master plan with input from the zoo staff and board of directors, the city and community members, described the camel yard as a desolate and underutilized space. Search more with Google for Gladys Porter ZooThe link will automatically include Gladys Porter Zoo and open a new browser window.The Gladys Porter Zoo will receive a substantial makeover of its existing footprint according to a new 10-year master plan unveiled on Wednesday.Īmong the many changes contained in the multi-phased plan is a greatly expanded lion exhibit to be located at the current site of the zoo’s camel yard, which once upon a time held elephants. Gladys Porter Zoo, Elephant Encyclopedia. References for records about Gladys Porter Zoo Recommended CitationKoehl, Dan (2021). Her departure marked the end of the zoo\'s elephant exhibit. The Gladys Porter Zoo is land locked by residential neighborhoods, parks and a middle school and had no room to expand. Of elephants, the decision was made to relocate Ruth to Milwaukee. After new rules came from the Association of Zoo and Aquarium Standards for Elephant Management and Care requiring the zoo to expand its exhibit area for a Herd Ruth had been the only elephant on display at the zoo since then. Zoo officials began discussing what to do with Ruth after the death of her companion Macho. Sams (the zoo is named for his daughter)." The last elephant left in 2006.Ĭomments / pictures"The zoo was started in 1971 by the foundation of former J.C. , was founded in 1971 and the first elephant arrived in 1971.
Gladys Porter Zoo, located at 500 Ringgold Street, in Brownsville, Texas, United States
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