Established in 1914, this historic institution is home to over 9,000 animals of 750 species. The San Antonio Zoo has been making strides in animal care since its inception, being one of the first “cageless” zoos in the country among other accomplishments. Beautifully landscaped over 56 gorgeous acres of exhibits, gardens, and attractions, the San Antonio Zoo is as equally devoted to offering the public clean, comfortable enjoyment as they are dedicated to providing the highest standards of care for all living things.
Housing one of the largest bird collections in the country, San Antonio Zoo is home to birds from all over the globe. See bananaquits mingle with Congo peacocks, Egyptian plovers, green aracaris, toucans, macaws, and a variety of North American birds including owls, hawks, eagles, and songbirds.
Equally impressive are the reptile and amphibian centers where you can find poison dart frogs, Japanese giant salamanders, pythons, Armenian vipers, African bullfrogs, Mexican axolotl, and various dangerous creatures from jungles and deserts. Of course, American alligators, dwarf caimans, and an assortment of toothy favorites are also to be found among the exhibits.
The San Antonio Zoo is also notable for its breeding programs among the mammal populations. 53 endangered snow leopards have been successfully bred since 1970 and they are the first zoo in the country to successfully breed endangered whooping cranes. Other animals you may see include African favorites such as cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, lions, hippos, and white rhinos. Asian elephants, fossa, jaguars, okapi, lemurs, and spider monkeys elevate the collection to a new level as do a unique collection of monkeys and primates.
Take part in the zoo's educational programs and behind-the-scenes tours to make this destination an even more memorable experience.