San Antonio Zoo San Antonio Zoo News 2024

the website has been overhauled and that includes a new updated map. the map no longer shows the "safari and adventure park" coming on the other side of the highway which currently has the ice age animatronics. new/returning species to the zoo such as the capybaras, malayan flying foxes, and Yellow-Footed Rock Wallabies are on the map now(though I am worried about the bush dogs as the species is no longer present on the map). also Congo Falls and the expanded Savannah have been added to the map aswell.

Zoo Map | San Antonio Zoo

PGAV Destinations: Celebrating the community and the zoo

An interesting tidbit about this article from the zoo's director, Tim Morrow...

“But the elephants are returning,” says Morrow. “Our next phase is going to involve returning Asian elephants to the Zoo.” Undeveloped zoo property on the other side of the freeway, behind the parking garage and the Zoo School will become the Zoo’s Asian district, with the elephants being the main draw.
 
PGAV Destinations: Celebrating the community and the zoo
An interesting tidbit about this article from the zoo's director, Tim Morrow...

“But the elephants are returning,” says Morrow. “Our next phase is going to involve returning Asian elephants to the Zoo.” Undeveloped zoo property on the other side of the freeway, behind the parking garage and the Zoo School will become the Zoo’s Asian district, with the elephants being the main draw.
I also see they mentioned the safari park again, with San Antonio Zoo's rich history with hoofstock, could be something interesting.

"Also in the works is a safari park. Morrow recently visited zoos in St. Louis and Omaha to see firsthand their concepts for a second, more open campus."
 
I also see they mentioned the safari park again, with San Antonio Zoo's rich history with hoofstock, could be something interesting.

"Also in the works is a safari park. Morrow recently visited zoos in St. Louis and Omaha to see firsthand their concepts for a second, more open campus."
Yes, that is a nice extra tidbit. I love how local San Antonian Morrow is very ambitious for this little gem of a west-Texan zoo! Quite curious where they would site a safari park as I believe across the freeway road ... the plan is all Asian with the Asiatic elephants as the big welcoming ambassador species.
 
Piece of March 2024 News Not Mentioned:

On March 23rd, the zoo announced that a (0.0.1) red kangaroo named Ozzy was born and is now on exhibit.

Baby kangaroo has a name! Meet Ozzy! | San Antonio Zoo | San Antonio Zoo · Original audio

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On April 16th, the zoo announced that another (0.0.1) palm cockatoo hatched 4 days prior.

Another baby palm cockatoo! Just 4 days old and already so much to say! #animals #birds #cuteanimals | San Antonio Zoo | San Antonio Zoo · Original audio
 
Piece of March 2024 News Not Mentioned:

On March 23rd, the zoo announced that a (0.0.1) red kangaroo named Ozzy was born and is now on exhibit.

Baby kangaroo has a name! Meet Ozzy! | San Antonio Zoo | San Antonio Zoo · Original audio

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On April 16th, the zoo announced that another (0.0.1) palm cockatoo hatched 4 days prior.

Another baby palm cockatoo! Just 4 days old and already so much to say! #animals #birds #cuteanimals | San Antonio Zoo | San Antonio Zoo · Original audio
San Antonio has been having some great success with Palm Cockatoos as of recently!
 
On November 10th, the zoo announced they were gifted a $10 million donation (largest in the facility's history) by The Ralston Family, of which the zoo's new event center will aptly be called The Ralston. The new event center will be located atop the quarried cliff walls and will accommodate 500-600 people (500 indoors, 600 outdoors). There will also be a 60-foot tower that will let gorillas from their exhibit come to "The Ralston".

San Antonio Zoo - San Antonio Zoo is thrilled to announce...

On April 30th, the zoo announced they broke ground on The Ralston event center.

San Antonio Zoo
 
On May 30th, the zoo announced they received a $500,000 donation from the Texas Captial Foundation which will be distributed over 5 years. The zoo also shared a rendering of the Indoor Viewing/Holding building in Congo Falls, pictured here:

447040289_866992808807212_7922176215851440914_n.jpg


San Antonio Zoo
 
On May 30th, the zoo announced they received a $500,000 donation from the Texas Captial Foundation which will be distributed over 5 years. The zoo also shared a rendering of the Indoor Viewing/Holding building in Congo Falls, pictured here:

447040289_866992808807212_7922176215851440914_n.jpg


San Antonio Zoo

Looking at this picture, I have difficulties to find a reason for creating such an indoor gorilla exhibit in the climate of San Antonio. I must confess that I've only been there once (in fall). However: Checking climate diagrams/charts, I would say that this is - beside maybe a few weeks in winter - completely unnecessary and a waste of money (the visitor area, not the animal area/space per se).
 
Looking at this picture, I have difficulties to find a reason for creating such an indoor gorilla exhibit in the climate of San Antonio. I must confess that I've only been there once (in fall). However: Checking climate diagrams/charts, I would say that this is - beside maybe a few weeks in winter - completely unnecessary and a waste of money (the visitor area, not the animal area/space per se).
an indoor exhibit would allow the zoo to have more than 1 troop, that's a likely reason imo, also our winters here in Texas are getting more unpredictable, if we have another big freeze the gorillas will be very happy to have that indoor exhibit.
 
Thanks for your reply and the infos. The point with another troop makes sense, indeed. Regarding the "big freeze" theres is maybe a misunderstanding of my post (maybe I wasn't precise enough). I have nothing against an indoor exhibit for the gorillas, but I don't think it is necessary to give the visitors a heated indoor space as well. A shelter for them with a view into the indoor space for the animals would be fine as well and would be much cheaper (like the hippo exhibit at Zoo Beauval in France for example).
 
2 Pieces of June 2024 News Worth Mentioning:
A baby babirusa has been born to parents Kreacher and Sula!
San Antonio Zoo - Baby babirusa is here!! As the world...

On June 5th, the zoo announced the babirusa's name, Gunter.

San Antonio Zoo

On June 14th, it was announced that the zoo transferred (0.3) Madagascar teals to the San Francisco Zoo in California on May 8th.

https://sfrecpark.org/DocumentCenter/View/24113/JtZooAg62024

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On July 8th, it was reported that the zoo's Vice President of Animal Care and Horticulture Alan Kordon retired after 48 years at the facility the week prior.

https://www.expressnews.com/news/article/san-antonio-zoo-vice-president-19543848.php
San Antonio Zoo
 
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