San Antonio Zoo

 San Antonio Zoo

Colonel George Washington Brackenridge, one of the city's major residents, established the San Antonio Zoo in 1914 by putting bison, deer, monkeys, African lions, and bears on land he had deeded to the city. The area was developed into Brackenridge Park and Golf Course. In November 1929, the San Antonio Zoo unveiled two of the first cageless displays in the United States, providing visitors with views of the animals not possible in caged exhibits. The Richard Friedrich Aquarium opened in 1948, and the Hixon Bird House, donated by Colonel Frederick C. Hixon, opened in 1966.

In 1969, the San Antonio Zoo housed the first herd of addra gazelles in captivity, and it is now actively involved in the breeding effort for this critically endangered species. Because of the past hoofstock quarantine point in San Antonio, the San Antonio Zoo has always featured a diverse range of hoofstock species.

The zoo breeds a number of endangered species, including black rhinos, leopards, golden lion tamarins, dama gazelles, Attwater's prairie chickens (housed and bred off-exhibit), black mangabeys, African lions, black-footed ferrets, Komodo dragons, Andean condors, and Caribbean flamingos.

In 2010, the zoo inaugurated Phase II of Africa Live. Phase I, which debuted in 2007, included a new exhibit for hippos with an underwater viewing area, as well as one for new Nile crocodiles and many other smaller creatures. Phase II has Angolan colobus monkeys, okapi, African hunting dogs, rock hyrax, and different bird species in the world's second biggest aviary. A two-headed turtle and three one-headed turtles born on June 18, 2013. After the 1991 film Thelma and Louise, the two-headed turtle was renamed Thelma and Louise. Thelma and Louise died on July 29, 2014, of undetermined circumstances.

As part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Plan, Josh the African lion will be permanently transported to the Birmingham Zoo in April 2022. Colonel George Washington Brackenridge, a prominent resident of the city, installed bison, deer, monkeys, lions, and four bears on land he surrendered to the city in 1914, which is now known as Brackenridge Park. This collection is transformed into the San Antonio Zoo.

The zoo housed around 8,500 animals in July 2013, with 779 different species spread across 56 acres. Every year, almost one million people visit.