San Antonio Zoo

The San Antonio Zoo originally started off as the San Pedro Park in the 1800's. It was a small collection of animals assembled at the park and in 1914, the park began to take shape when George W. Brackenridge placed deer, monkeys, elk, buffalo, bears, and a couple of lions in San Pedro. By then, the land had transformed from being known as San Pedro Park to being called Brackenridge Park. The park would eventually house the collection of animals that soon became the San Antonio Zoo. The zoo has gone through many changes since the first dozen animals were assembled in Brackenridge Park. San Antonio Zoo is now home to more than 3,800 animals that come from 750 different species.

San Antonio Zoo is filled with educational exhibits that educate the general public about a variety of animal species. There are eleven current exhibits that can be explored at the zoo. The exhibits are named Rift Valley, Cranes of the World, Richard Friedrich Aquarium, Hixon Bird House, Reptile House, Lory Landing, Attwater's Prairie Chicken, Gibbon Forest, Butterflies, Kronkosky's Nature Spot, and the African Plains. Two of the first cage-less exhibits in America could be seen in the zoo in 1929. The opened areas offered visitors unprecedented views of the animals for the first time. The newest exhibit in the San Antonio Zoo is Africa Live. Visitors of the zoo can experience the world of Africa and are exposed to eight thousand pound hippos, ten foot crocodiles, exotic plants, and a street market that is modeled after the Nanyuki Market located in Africa. San Antonio Zoo also has one of the largest bird collections in the United Sates. The Hixon Bird House is home to thousands of birds that are located in a circular glass-domed building with large trees, low plants, numerous shrubs and a small pond. Birds from all over the world can be found at the Hixon Bird House.

San Antonio Zoo is very child-friendly and promotes educational activities for children eighteen years and under. One particular exhibit that caters to toddlers is called the Kronkosky's Tiny Tot exhibit. The exhibit is a nature spot for toddlers and allows them to explore the world through digging and climbing. The area only caters to children under the age of five. The Tiny Tot Nature Spot allows kids to have a hands-on experience and participate in activities such as releasing ladybugs, uncovering worms, or feeding carrots to guinea pigs.

Frequent visitors to the zoo can become members through the Adopt-An-Animal Program. The program helps the zoo provide for the feeding and care of the animals. Members receive perks in return such as guest passes, animal fact sheets, or invitation to annual membership parties depending on the amount of money pledged in the program. Members who participate in the program enjoy perks for one year and can choose which animal they wish to adopt.

Educational events are another major source of revenue for the San Antonio Zoo. Tours, camps, game nights, and dining events occur frequently and are normally accompanied by an educational theme that combines entertainment with learning. Each year locals are invited to register for the summer camps that cater to children.