Houston Zoo Houston Zoo News 2025

Other Late 2024 News Not Mentioned:
On November 2nd, the zoo announced they rehabilitated and released 2 loggerhead sea turtles back into the wild.

5.7K views · 150 reactions | Houston Zoo Partners Help Sea Turtles Get a Second Chance | Our team recently released two loggerhead sea turtles back into the wild, with the help of our partners, Drs. Jessica and Deo, visiting from the Rwanda... | By Houston Zoo | Facebook

On November 7th, the zoo announced they (along with the Diergaarde Blijdorp in the Netherlands) rehabilitated and released a (0.1) Kemp's ridley sea turtle back into the wild.

10K views · 153 reactions | Bringing Boeier Back | In a remarkable journey of adversity, Boeier, a Kemp’s ridley sea turtle was able return to the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico after being stranded... | By Houston Zoo | Facebook

On October 10th, it was announced that the zoo transferred (1.1) blue-billed curassows to the Los Angeles Zoo in California in August.

https://lazoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2-Zoo-Commission-MINUTES-APPROVED-8.20.24.pdf

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On January 22nd, the zoo announced they acquired a (1.0) North American river otter named Ravioli from Zoo Miami in Florida which is now on exhibit.

Houston Zoo
 
 
TheImmigrant1 said:
Houston Zoo on Instagram: "On Sunday morning, we said goodbye to 52-year-old orangutan, Cheyenne. She underwent an emergency vet exam to help diagnose and treat a sudden illness. During the exam, evidence of a severe kidney infection was found, and she received initial treatment. However, she died unexpectedly during recovery from the exam. Cheyenne was an integral member of our Zoo family for nearly three decades, arriving at the age of 21 and quickly capturing the hearts of staff and visitors. She will be missed by the entire Zoo family. Read more about our beloved orangutan. Link in bio."
The zoo has shared that 52 year old orangutan and surrogate mother to Aurora, Cheyenne has passed away.
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That is a big loss. I hope that the youngster Aurora will be able to be cared for on her own by staff and other orang utans in her group.
 
Kifaru Bwana said:
That is a big loss. I hope that the youngster Aurora will be able to be cared for on her own by staff and other orang utans in her group.
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I’ll make sure to ask about Aurora, this is a massive loss especially so soon after losing Kelly. Our new male Takai is meant to one day be a breeding partner for her. Hopefully she starts taking a liking to him as last I saw them together she was still a bit distant. Never afraid or aggressive but maybe a bit intimidated to approach the big guy. Takais a big gentle softy though so I’m sure she’ll get comfortable around him with time.
 
The Carruth Natural Encounters building will be closing after 60 years due to aging infrastructure. The last day of operation is March 23rd. All of the inhabitants will either be sent to other facilities or moved elsewhere in the zoo. The meerkats will remain in their outdoor enclosure connected to the house and the two-toed sloth will be moved to the Pantanal.

A Farewell to the Carruth Natural Encounters Building, The Houston Zoo
 
pachyderm pro said:
The Carruth Natural Encounters building will be closing after 60 years due to aging infrastructure. The last day of operation is March 23rd. All of the inhabitants will either be sent to other facilities or moved elsewhere in the zoo. The meerkats will remain in their outdoor enclosure connected to the house and the two-toed sloth will be moved to the Pantanal.

A Farewell to the Carruth Natural Encounters Building, The Houston Zoo
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Now that's some depressing news, but not unexpected. There was basically nothing in there during my November visit....
 
pachyderm pro said:
The Carruth Natural Encounters building will be closing after 60 years due to aging infrastructure. The last day of operation is March 23rd. All of the inhabitants will either be sent to other facilities or moved elsewhere in the zoo. The meerkats will remain in their outdoor enclosure connected to the house and the two-toed sloth will be moved to the Pantanal.

A Farewell to the Carruth Natural Encounters Building, The Houston Zoo
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Am I to assume that Madagascar is the next major project for the zoo? I do recall that the building was supposed to be repurposed into a Madagascar exhibit.
 
It seems they have decided it is more cost effective to knock down this building then to repurpose it. I’d imagine the zoo is gonna take some time to think out the next phase of construction. The zoo now does not really have any horrible exhibits, but does have some areas ripe for investment like this building’s site and the children’s zoo.

From what I understand the zoo is planning to align its exhibits and species with its conservation footprint, like the Bronx Zoo has done. They do projects in Madagascar so that very likely could still be the plan, but I doubt the build out will be in the same way we saw in graphics years ago.

Conservation Map, The Houston Zoo
 
With a new director being onboarded soon, it’s possible they may have a different vision for what to do with the building. A Madagascar house would still be my first choice, but this could also be a prime location for a new reptile house, which is a distinct possibility considering the Ancient Relatives development has seemingly been canned.

It'll be interesting to see how changes in upper management will impact the master plan. Regardless of what that looks like, I sincerely hope the zoo will continue to center new exhibits around regions where they do significant conservation work. It's an effective model that ties that work into the visitor experience and having the entire zoo organized like that would be excellent.
 
pachyderm pro said:
With a new director being onboarded soon, it’s possible they may have a different vision for what to do with the building. A Madagascar house would still be my first choice, but this could also be a prime location for a new reptile house, which is a distinct possibility considering the Ancient Relatives development has seemingly been canned.

It'll be interesting to see how changes in upper management will impact the master plan. Regardless of what that looks like, I sincerely hope the zoo will continue to center new exhibits around regions where they do significant conservation work. It's an effective model that ties that work into the visitor experience and having the entire zoo organized like that would be excellent.
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I second pretty much every point here. Right now, might be a good time to mention that originally Madagascar WAS cut from the master plan under Lee Ehmke about 2 years ago. With new leadership this could very well be subject to change. The entirety of Natural Encounters and possibly even the Nature Play Area that nobody uses would be just enough space for a nice and modest Madagascar area or a great Reptile House.

The inner child somewhere in me is crying over losing this nostalgic exhibit, goodbye piranha tunnel. But logistically, the entire building has been a ghost town for a while now doing nothing but collecting dust and being ignored by guests due to nearby construction. I'm excited to see what'll replace it.
 
The Horse Boy said:
I think in the long run it might become a nice paddock for bison and whitetail deer. Their old master had the texas land animal area with these two species situated where the children's zoo is. Some of that can still work because the petting zoo should stay where it is.
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I’d love for that area to one day be more than just seasonal animatronics. I understand why they keep it around though as they bring in a good amount of business (I’ve seen several families who show up just for the dinosaurs and nothing else), maybe one day.
 
The Horse Boy said:
I think in the long run it might become a nice paddock for bison and whitetail deer. Their old master had the texas land animal area with these two species situated where the children's zoo is. Some of that can still work because the petting zoo should stay where it is.
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I tend to think towards an overflow from South America (Pantanal - Jaguar-Giant Otter) to North America (Whooping Crane-American Alligator) ..., a connection between both Continents (Just speculation ... of course)!
 
Kifaru Bwana said:
I tend to think towards an overflow from South America (Pantanal - Jaguar-Giant Otter) to North America (Whooping Crane-American Alligator) ..., a connection between both Continents (Just speculation ... of course)!
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I still remember when an exhibit for Black Caiman was meant to go there for Pantanal...but got scrapped to keep the area for the dinosaur/bug animatronics
 
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