Kids Appreciation Day - POSTPONED due to Tropical Storm Dolly

Unfortunately, Tropical Storm Dolly has put a damper on Kids Appreciation Day. The event will be postponed until August. As soon as a new date is determined we will post the information online. Disount coupons with July 26th valid date will be honored at August event.

Celebrate your child on National KidsDay by attending Kids Appreciation Day at the Gladys Porter Zoo. Kids Appreciation Day will feature goodie bags while supplies last for the first 1,000 children that create their passport to fun.  That passport will take them on an adventure through the Zoo where they will visit activity stations of various themes including health and wellness, safety, animal conservation and enrichment.  Once their passport is full they will be eligible to enter a drawing for prizes useful for back to school; like backpacks with school supplies.

In addition, kids can participate in free face painting, animal encounters or bicycle rodeo.  It’s a day full of fun and a way for Valley residents to spend quality time with their children at an event especially for kids. 

Visit the Sunrise Mall Customer Service Desk or select Starbucks locations (McAllen - 7017 N. 10th or 1700 S. 10th; Harlingen - 1521 E. Carey) and ask them for a Kids Appreciation Day coupon to admit one child free with paid adult admission, limit two coupons per family.   

National KidsDay is a day set aside each year to celebrate and honor America’s children by spending meaningful time with them.  For additional information about National KidsDay visit www.kidsday.net.

Thank you to our event partners, KVEO NBC 23, Valley Regional Medical Center and Brownsville Police Department

Tiger Cubs Debut in Small World

The Gladys Porter Zoo will be the temporary home for the six tiger cubs that were confiscated four days ago in the McAllen area. Since Sunday, June 15, the cubs have been housed at the Zoo’s Animal Health Center and cared for by veterinary staff. After undergoing complete physicals, the cubs were given a clean bill of health.  Zoo veterinarians also implanted microchips in each cub for easy future identification. With everything looking good for the cubs’ survival, the staff eagerly awaits word of their destiny.

In the meantime, Zoo staff was able to proceed with plans to place the cubs on display. Senior Veterinarian, Tom deMaar, D.V.M., approved the relocation of the cubs to Small World, however they will remain in quarantine for a period of thirty days.

The six tiger cubs made their public debut on Saturday, June 21, 2008 in Small World at 9:00 a.m. They will be housed there until they outgrow the facility or disposition is determined.  The general public is invited to view these adorable baby felines.

Zoofari '08 Committee Accepting Donations for Auction

Zoofari ’08 Committee members need your support to make the Zoo’s annual Zoofari fundraiser a success.  They are now accepting donations for our live, blackboard and online auctions.  Committee members are asking for travel packages, jewelry, original art work, exclusive party packages, electronics, furniture, toys, clothing, gift baskets and more to be donated. 

The majority of auction items will be available for preview, bid or absentee bid at our online auction.  The online auction will run from September 12 to October 1, with the live event taking place on October 3 & 4, 2008.

Zoofari is two-evenings of fun, food, music and auctions.  Everyone is invited to dive in and support the Zoo at the annual fundraiser.  This year’s proceeds are earmarked to benefit our Russell Aquatic Ecology Exhibit. 

Join us, we’re going to get a splishin’ and splashing’ and a rockin’ and a rollin’ at the Zoofari ‘08.  Our animals thank you for your support!

Return of the Dinosaurs Exhibit in Closed

The Gladys Porter Zoo says goodbye to prehistoric times. Return of the Dinosaurs exhibit is now EXTINCT. The exhibit featured enormous, animated, robotic dinosaurs, static prehistoric reptiles , and dinosaur fossils. Highlights included a growling Tyrannosaurus Rex, a mother Maiasaura feeding her young and a pack of Deinonychus devouring a Triceratops. These amazing robotic dinosaurs are now extinct…AGAIN!

Animal Play Day at the Zoo – Red, White & Blue Ice

The public is invited to witness animal enrichment in action.  Our Animal Play Day, “Red, White & Blue Ice” is on Sunday, June 29, 2008.  Throughout the day, Zoo animals will receive “patriotic” red, white, & blue ice in various forms.  Some lucky kids will receive “kid enrichment” in the form of a frozen beverage. The Zoo’s Asian Grill will be serving up a special cool treat, Jolly Rancher Frozen Beverages. The first 300 kids through the gate will receive a coupon for a free Jolly Rancher Frozen Beverage, limit two per family.   The event is free with regular paid admission or Zoo membership. 

Animal Play Days are scheduled events where Zoo animals are given an enrichment item that has a specific theme.  Animal enrichment provides novel food and play items to stimulate and entertain zoo inhabitants.  It is performed on a daily basis at the Zoo and is a vital component essential to the health and well being of our animal collection. 

Animal Play Day Schedule

Lions, Tigers, Servals and African Wild Dogs - “Ice Flags” 9:30 AM
Hippos - “Floating Flags” 9:45 AM
Chimps and Orangutans - “Flag Blocks” 10:00 AM
Kelso Aviaries - “Ice Flags” 10:30 AM
Giraffe, Bongo and Zebra - “Paletas de Bandera” 11:00 AM
Small World - “A Patriotic Bunch” 11:30 AM
Gorillas - “Floating Flags ” 12:00 PM
Spider Monkey, Gibbons and Lemurs - “Paletas de Bandera” 1:30 PM
Macaw Canyon and Australian Aviary - “Ice Flags” 2:00 PM
Crocodiles - “Floating Flags" 2:30 PM
Bears - “Flag Blocks” 3:00 PM

Sign Up For an Adventure - Become a Zoo Docent

The Docent Council is a volunteer institution within the Zoo.  The council has been and will continue to be a great source of support for the zoo, both financially and with volunteer time. The Council is an army of a few trained community members and Winter Texans, always recruiting more individuals who have one or more hours a week. Through the past 36 years, the Council has given thousands of dollars and hours to the zoo.  It is a prime example of what a little bit of time, from each volunteer, can do for the zoo.

What can you, as a trained docent, do for the zoo? You choose:   

• Spend time at the zoo helping visitors.
• Help during special events.
• Care for animals.
• Conduct tours and presentations.
• Help raise funds.  

What can volunteer work do for you? 

• Get some exercise while roving the zoo.
• Learn more about exotic animals.
• Earn service learning hours.
• Hang out with people that enjoy giving to the community.