ZOOMEDIA

The African Savanna is the first stage of A Wilder Vision. Sitting on 10 acres of existing Zoo land, the Savanna allows guests to see giraffes, springbok, ostriches and more in one habitat. This habitat is surrounded by shaded walkways and an aviary with a variety of bird species for Zoo visitors to discover. A hippo river includes spectacular above-water and underwater viewing. The habitat also includes an elevated deck for giraffe feeding, restaurants, shaded viewing areas, private event space and much more.

A trip through the African Savanna gives guests multiple panoramic views to watch several species sharing a habitat. Reticulated giraffes, two African antelope species (lesser kudu and springbok) and a variety of African birds share this open space modeled after the spacious African grasslands. Guests can feed giraffes directly from the raised observation deck, making for an unforgettable experience. Varying shades of pink accent the Savanna’s watering holes as flocks of greater and lesser flamingos socialize in the water. An aviary sits amidst the African Savanna flora. Hippos drift, float and swim through a lazy river. A 70-foot-long underwater viewing area allows for an up-close-and-personal experience with the animals while they are fully submerged, as hippos spend most of their time underwater. Southern black rhinos roam the perimeters of the savanna. Guests can observe these magnificent animals from multiple viewing areas surrounding the habitats. Just across the brush, a mob of meerkats also call the savanna home.

Travel through Asia and into Africa while walking along geographically themed pathways to discover reimagined habitats that offer enriching, naturalistic spaces for the Zoo’s carnivores. Often separated by only a pane of glass, guests can interact with these apex predators like never before! Aviaries accent the habitat with a variety of exotic bird species for guests to discover. Grab a treat from Jambo Snacks within the African market or take a keepsake home with you from the merchandise cart.

The Zoo's Penguins habitat opened in 2008 and has both indoor and outdoor viewing areas available to watch these feathered friends. Though most people think of penguins as cold-weather creatures, African penguins are native to the southwestern coast of Africa. The birds are accustomed to warm temperatures, so the Texas heat feels like home.

Southern rockhopper penguins can be found in the indoor Penguins habitat. Large panels of Plexiglas give vantage points both above and below water. Watch the penguins waddle across the rocky terrain, or get an underwater view as they gracefully slice through the water.

The Fort Worth Zoo’s, Museum of Living Art (MOLA), a premier, award-winning herpetarium, brings guests eye-to-eye with some of the most exotic and endangered species on the planet. Each facet of MOLA is a piece of art — from the life-like, hand-painted murals on the building walls to the 5,000 reptiles, amphibians and more that are living, breathing works of art.

The 30,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor facility houses more than 250 amphibian and reptile species, representing more than 5,700 animals. Upon entering MOLA, guests see North America’s largest saltwater crocodile, measuring more than 15 feet long, in its "oceanfront" habitat. Other crowd-pleasers include the Zoo's 15.5-foot Burmese python, Fly River turtles, yellow-spotted climbing toads and a king cobra, all housed in bright, natural habitats with one-of-a-kind mural and rock work in each habitat. The Zoo's Komodo dragons reside in indoor and outdoor spaces, complete with a dirt bank ideal for digging holes and laying eggs, and a pool that's perfect for basking in the sun.

Open encounter areas encourage discussion and education and allow guests to come face-to-face with exotic reptiles such the Fiji Island iguana or the Puerto Rican crested toad. Complete with educational programming and correlating activities such as backpack tours and keeper chats, MOLA also shares messages of environmental stewardship with guests, students and teachers throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex.

Did you know that Texas is home to more animal species than any other state in the nation? Texas Wild! celebrates the state we all love and the wildlife that shares the land with us. Opened in 2001, Texas Wild! paints a picture of the Lone Star State by leading visitors through the state's different regional landscapes. By the time guests finish their tour through the space, they can say they've seen Texas in a day!

This location is highly focused on wildlife conservation, educating visitors about what is being done right now to conserve Texas wildlife and steps that need to be taken in the future in order to retain the state's natural beauty. As visitors travel through Texas Wild!, they are challenged to become stewards of the land. The eclipsing message is one of coexistence; that is, finding a way to live peacefully with wildlife in ways that benefit everyone.

The Toyota Children's Ranch and Petting Corral is located just inside Texas Wild!. Guests can get up close to and share space with animals, including goats and sheep and pet many farm/ranch species, such as miniature donkeys, pigs, chickens, snakes and more. This space is just one more opportunity for guests to personally connect with animals and learn more about them.

No need to travel halfway across the globe in order to view the wonders of Australia’s wildlife. The Fort Worth Zoo brings Australia’s aquatic and terrestrial animal species to guests in its Australian Outback and Great Barrier Reef habitats.

Australian Outback is home to several species of Australian birds and a group of red kangaroos. The large marsupials spend their days snoozing in the sun and bouncing through their habitat.

Zoo visitors can go to the depths of the Coral Sea at the Fort Worth Zoo's Great Barrier Reef, an aquatic space with three saltwater tanks containing more than 10,000 gallons of water. Australian aquatic wildlife including vibrant fish, eels, corals, small invertebrates and blacktip reef sharks are showcased for a close-up encounter.

Cross the entrance bridge and you'll find a flock of more than 70 flamingos. This location has two of the world's six flamingo species on display: Caribbean flamingos and Chilean flamingos.

In the spring and summer months, guests may spot flamingo chicks in the yard. The Zoo's bird department has had immense success with its flamingo breeding programs. The Fort Worth Zoo is one of a handful of institutions to successfully breed and hatch four of the world’s six flamingo species and has been the No. 1 lesser flamingo breeding facility in the world since 2002.

The pyramid that pierces the sky at the peak of the World of Primates habitat is the first sight that most people first notice upon entering the Zoo. Inside the space, a huge tree in the center of the aviary stretches to the ceiling. Around the perimeter, black-and-white colobus monkeys leap and play with their white hair flowing behind them. The Zoo's bonobos (an ape species similar to chimpanzees) also have an indoor habitat. Outside, the World of Primates stretches even further, providing habitats for orangutans, mandrills and white-cheeked gibbons. A troop of gorillas lives outside in a lush forest habitat. The bonobos have a large outdoor area as well.

Primates are known for being active and entertaining. The gibbons display impressive speed and artistry as they swing through their jungle-gym-like structure, and the orangutans like to make a toy out of an unlikely item: burlap sacks. Whether guests are inside or outside, there is plenty to see across the 2.5 acres of the World of Primates.

The first major exhibit of its kind to showcase the remarkable wildlife of the legendary island chain, the Houston Zoo’s Galápagos Islands immerses guests in an environment evoking the archipelago’s unique landscapes and oceanic habitats. No place on our planet better exemplifies the wonders of unique species, the delicate balance of ecosystems, or the pressing need for conservation action than the Galápagos.

The Galápagos Islands exhibit  includes a state-of-the-art habitat for Humboldt penguins. With sea lions, giant tortoises, sharks, and more, Galápagos Islands will add an extraordinary immersive experience to Houston’s world-class zoo. Humboldt penguins are a great fit for Houston, since they originate from Chile and Peru in South America where it can get as warm as 100 degrees. However, they will not have to battle the Houston heat since they will have a climate-controlled environment where they will be comfortable at a consistent temperature and will be protected against Houston’s mosquitos which can potentially transmit avian malaria to penguins.

South America’s Pantanal allows guests to explore the vibrant tropical wetlands of Brazil without leaving the comfort of the Houston Zoo. This lush, dynamic habitat showcases a variety of species the Zoo actively works to protect in the wild, including giant anteaters, tapirs, and several others native to the region. Through partnerships with on-the-ground conservationists, the Zoo offers an educational and immersive experience that allows visitors to learn about these remarkable animals. The trail is designed to highlight the natural beauty and ecological importance of the Pantanal while fostering awareness of its conservation needs.

As guests enter South America’s Pantanal, they are greeted by a series of rustic buildings set on piers, thoughtfully designed to resemble authentic eco-lodges found along rivers and streams in the Northern Pantanal region. These structures capture the essence of the remote Brazilian wetlands, offering a unique and immersive setting within the Zoo. The exhibit highlights the crucial role that nature tourism, supported by these lodges, plays in protecting this extraordinary ecosystem. By showcasing these connections, the Houston Zoo encourages visitors to appreciate the delicate balance between sustainable tourism and wildlife conservation.

The African Forest exhibit at the Houston Zoo is designed to replicate the ecosystems found in Central and West African forests. It features diverse animal species native to these regions and beyond, providing immersive guest experiences and enrichment-focused habitats. Lush vegetation, winding trails, and naturalistic enclosures help simulate the dense, tropical environment of the African forest biome. The exhibit also includes interpretive signage and educational components emphasizing conservation and protecting these African inhabitants.

Among the key animal residents of the African Forest are western lowland gorillas, common chimpanzees, red river hogs, southern white rhinoceros and Masai giraffes. These species are housed in spacious, enriched environments that encourage natural behaviors and provide excellent visibility for guests. The gorilla habitat includes indoor climbing structures, shaded areas, and a stream that the red river hogs can access, while the chimpanzees benefit from naturally inspired faux trees and a lush green habitat. Past the chimpanzees outside the tunnel are where the southern white rhinoceros and Masai giraffe habitats can be found, providing guests with giraffe feeding opportunities.

The exhibit also highlights the zoo’s involvement in global conservation efforts, particularly those focused on primates and forest biodiversity. Staff members engage in education and outreach to inform visitors about the threats facing African forests, including deforestation and poaching. Programs associated with the exhibit support field research and habitat preservation in Africa through partnerships with conservation organizations such as the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund and Conservation Heritage-Turambe (CHT). Through these efforts, the African Forest is a premier zoo attraction and a platform for meaningful wildlife conservation messaging.

Our newest exhibit, Birds of the World, is now open, and features three spacious aviaries, highlighting birds from the following regions:

The African Savanna aviary highlights majestic, grey crowned cranes, vultures, hamerkops, and more.
The North American Woodlands exhibit features a variety of American songbirds including blue grosbeaks and indigo buntings, helping connect visitors to the beautiful birds in their own backyard.
The South American Wetlands habitat is an immersive aviary, giving guests the chance to walk among spectacular variety of South American birds including a perennial favorite, Chilean flamingos.

Houston Zoo helps save birds locally and internationally. Native birds are protected by law, and when rescued from the illegal pet trade, they need a safe place to stay. The Houston Zoo partners with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to house these birds. The Zoo also cares for birds that have been injured and cannot be returned to the wild. At the Zoo, each cup of coffee helps protect wild birds by serving bird-friendly coffee. Bird Friendly® certified coffee is grown in a way to preserve the habitats of birds and other animals in South America and beyond.