The Austin Zoo just added a rescue squirrel monkey, TJ.
From the post:
From the post:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CdmX6Cdt-GB/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Austin Zoo & Animal Sanctuary Austin Zoo News and Updates
- Thread starter SwampDonkey
- Start date
As an ex-zookeeper at Austin Zoo, it's unfortunate to say that many of the animals are in fact not rescues. I am not sure of the story of this squirrel monkey, but I have seen many "rescue stories" fabricated to attract donors. I hope that is not the case for TJ.
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While I would LOVE to see an AZA quality zoo in Austin, I don't think the city is really in the place to make it happen. With the SA Zoo and Natural Bridge a little over an hour away, I am not sure that Austin should expend the resources on a brand new Zoo - as much as I would absolutely love it.
I think a better course would be to work on shining light on issues at this zoo and then working on brining it up to snuff. If they are attracting donations and making propaganda in order to attract donors - that should be brought to light and they should be held responsible.
Since you were "on the inside" can you comment on animal care? I am sure the keepers do everything they can, but are they provided with the resources to do what they need to do? Is there a plan to move towards AZA or are they comfortable staying ZAA and being a decent roadside zoo/"sanctuary"?
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You'd be surprised! Many AZA zoos are in close proximity and still manage to attract a great number of visitors. Look at Dallas Zoo, Dallas World Aquarium, and Fort Worth Zoo - all great facilities within the same metropolitan area. Plus, many cities own or at least contribute to AZA zoos in their cities due to the economic benefits and attraction of tourists. San Antonio Zoo reportedly generates over $800 million annually in economic activity for the area. The cost of starting a zoo would probably be in the $5-$20 million range depending on the size and magnitude, which is comparably cheap.
As for changing the status of the zoo we have now - we've tried for years and nothing has really happened. In 2018/2019, 17 zookeepers revolted against the Board, mainly to ask the President, Patti Clark, to step down. She did step down from that role, but continues to be CEO and filled the Board with her personal friends with no animal experience, so she effectively runs the Board too. From what I've gathered about Patti Clark, she would rather the Zoo fall apart than for her to lose control over it. Of course we would love to change to zoo for the better, but it's been made obvious to us that Patti will never step down and the zoo will never progress.
The animal care is incredibly poor at the Zoo. I wouldn't say there is outright animal abuse currently occurring, but animal neglect certainly is. I actually got written up for taking a picture of a medical issue with one of my animals to send to the vet. We aren't allowed to have phones so that we can't take pictures of animal neglect (go figure). The keepers of course try to do everything they can, but the Zoo is reluctant to provide the needed resources. At some points we were actively discouraged from going beyond our duties to help the animals. At one point, I was given a verbal warning about staying past my formal work hours (off the clock) to assist in making diets.
And Patti has made it clear she has no ambitions to become AZA-accredited. Even if the Zoo were to fundamentally change their animal care, they will never become AZA-accredited due to lack of disability accommodations and lack of conservation funding/initiatives that AZA requires. The Zoo refuses to participate in endangered species conservation programs, despite having many of those endangered species at the Zoo.
Sorry this is so long-winded - I've just been trying to change the Zoo for so long and I really feel I've exhausted all of my options. In my experience, and many others like me, the ONLY way to prioritise animal welfare at zoos in Austin is for the City to help commission one. Even just providing public land in a central, accessible area would help tremendously to attract investors for an AZA zoo.
As for changing the status of the zoo we have now - we've tried for years and nothing has really happened. In 2018/2019, 17 zookeepers revolted against the Board, mainly to ask the President, Patti Clark, to step down. She did step down from that role, but continues to be CEO and filled the Board with her personal friends with no animal experience, so she effectively runs the Board too. From what I've gathered about Patti Clark, she would rather the Zoo fall apart than for her to lose control over it. Of course we would love to change to zoo for the better, but it's been made obvious to us that Patti will never step down and the zoo will never progress.
The animal care is incredibly poor at the Zoo. I wouldn't say there is outright animal abuse currently occurring, but animal neglect certainly is. I actually got written up for taking a picture of a medical issue with one of my animals to send to the vet. We aren't allowed to have phones so that we can't take pictures of animal neglect (go figure). The keepers of course try to do everything they can, but the Zoo is reluctant to provide the needed resources. At some points we were actively discouraged from going beyond our duties to help the animals. At one point, I was given a verbal warning about staying past my formal work hours (off the clock) to assist in making diets.
And Patti has made it clear she has no ambitions to become AZA-accredited. Even if the Zoo were to fundamentally change their animal care, they will never become AZA-accredited due to lack of disability accommodations and lack of conservation funding/initiatives that AZA requires. The Zoo refuses to participate in endangered species conservation programs, despite having many of those endangered species at the Zoo.
Sorry this is so long-winded - I've just been trying to change the Zoo for so long and I really feel I've exhausted all of my options. In my experience, and many others like me, the ONLY way to prioritise animal welfare at zoos in Austin is for the City to help commission one. Even just providing public land in a central, accessible area would help tremendously to attract investors for an AZA zoo.
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Great insight, thank you. I think your estimates may be a bit low, but I wish you well in the endeavor. I used to live in Austin and visit frequently, so I would love a new AZA quality zoo.
Other 2022 News:
On February 18th, the zoo announced they acquired a (1.0) osprey named Ozzie which is now on exhibit.
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On March 16th, the zoo announced they acquired a (1.0) Suffolk sheep named Wallie which is on exhibit.
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On May 11th, the zoo announced that it was donated a bronze bear statue which is now on zoo grounds.
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On June 16th, the zoo announced they moved their (0.1) genet (species not specified) named Janet into a new exhibit next to their patas monkeys.
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On February 18th, the zoo announced they acquired a (1.0) osprey named Ozzie which is now on exhibit.
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On March 16th, the zoo announced they acquired a (1.0) Suffolk sheep named Wallie which is on exhibit.
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On May 11th, the zoo announced that it was donated a bronze bear statue which is now on zoo grounds.
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On June 16th, the zoo announced they moved their (0.1) genet (species not specified) named Janet into a new exhibit next to their patas monkeys.
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Two cheetahs have been brought to the zoo from Metro Richmond under a ZAA AMP transfer:
Austin Zoo on Instagram: Cheetah
Austin Zoo on Instagram: Cheetah
I believe they are in the old bear exhibit across from the current bear exhibit. Its been vacant for quite some time. They should be easier to view now and the flat terrain will be better for them.
AH! OK, so to be clear, are you saying that the bears are now in this habitat that was UC about a year ago in December 2022 when I went:
and now the cheetah are in this habitat (that was actually vacant when I visited in December 2022):
That jives since the pictures shows the aforementioned peacocks from the Instagram post.
Any idea what is in the old cheetah habitat now?
On March 4th, the zoo announced they acquired a (0.1) miniature donkey which is now on exhibit. She was later named Willa.
Austin Zoo - Happy Saturday everyone! This adorable young...
Austin Zoo - Thank you to everyone who submitted a name...
On April 21st, the zoo announced that their (1.0) domestic cat named Macaroni passed away.
Austin Zoo - In our world of rescuing, loving and caring...
Austin Zoo - Happy Saturday everyone! This adorable young...
Austin Zoo - Thank you to everyone who submitted a name...
On April 21st, the zoo announced that their (1.0) domestic cat named Macaroni passed away.
Austin Zoo - In our world of rescuing, loving and caring...
On September 23rd, the zoo announced they acquired (0.2) generic tigers named Lila and Vimila from the Dakota Zoo in North Dakota which are now on display in the former cheetah exhibit.
Austin Zoo - We are beyond thrilled to share very exciting...
Ah, so a tiger habitat again. They have what, 4 tigers at Austin now?
Should be three right? One white tiger in the lion complex and 2 tigers in the cheetah habitat.
Cool, I thought there were an orange and white in the lion complex, but I could be completely wrong on that.
A few updates from a visit yesterday:
1. The cheetah exhibit is vacant, it is either under active construction or being used to store construction equipment.
2. The previously vacant large cage near the entrance now has a grey wolf (white color).
3. One of the green iguana cages now has a tegu. It's a really big cage for a tegu:
4. The larger bengal tiger habitat is currently vacant. It most recently had a orange tiger in it when I was last at the zoo in December 2023.
5. New cement pathways have been placed in various parts of the zoo.The zoo is still largely dirt paths, but cement seems to be going in over time. In one area beside the black bear they have added a nice walkway:
6. Six-banded armadillo have replaced the prairie dogs:
7. A genet is in the front area of the zoo. The sign indicated that it arrived in March 2025:
8. The smooth fronted caiman (not seen in my last visit) has been replaced with red-bellied sliders and red-footed tortoise:
9. The "three tortoise" cage beside the giftshop is vacant.
10. The sign for the "Coming soon: New African Savanna" and donation box are gone.
1. The cheetah exhibit is vacant, it is either under active construction or being used to store construction equipment.
2. The previously vacant large cage near the entrance now has a grey wolf (white color).
3. One of the green iguana cages now has a tegu. It's a really big cage for a tegu:
4. The larger bengal tiger habitat is currently vacant. It most recently had a orange tiger in it when I was last at the zoo in December 2023.
5. New cement pathways have been placed in various parts of the zoo.The zoo is still largely dirt paths, but cement seems to be going in over time. In one area beside the black bear they have added a nice walkway:
6. Six-banded armadillo have replaced the prairie dogs:
7. A genet is in the front area of the zoo. The sign indicated that it arrived in March 2025:
8. The smooth fronted caiman (not seen in my last visit) has been replaced with red-bellied sliders and red-footed tortoise:
9. The "three tortoise" cage beside the giftshop is vacant.
10. The sign for the "Coming soon: New African Savanna" and donation box are gone.