The San Antonio Zoo is an Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited zoo in Midtown San Antonio, Texas, United States. It is located in the city’s Brackenridge Park. San Antonio Zoo is a 50+ acre zoo home to over 750 species, some of which are endangered or extinct in the wild, and an annual attendance of more than 1 million. It also runs non-animal attractions, such as the 2 ft (610 mm) narrow gauge San Antonio Zoo Eagle train ride, which first opened in 1956 and utilized three Chance Rides C.P. Huntington locomotives.
The Richard Friedrich Aquarium was opened in 1948. It was the only aquarium until SeaWorld San Antonio was opened in 1988. What is now known as the San Antonio Zoo began in 1914 when Colonel George Washington Brackenridge, one of the city’s leading citizens, placed bison, deer, monkeys, African lions, and bears on land he had deeded the city. The land became Brackenridge Park and Golf Course.
Exhibits
- Africa Live! is the San Antonio Zoo’s newest exhibit. They consist of three phases, Africa Live! It gives guests a chance to experience Lake Tanganyika and Lake Malawi. Through underwater viewing windows, guests can observe the hippopotamus, Nile crocodile, and African cichlids. Also found in Africa Live! are the Angola colobus, okapi, African wild dog, rock hyrax, Wolf’s mona monkey, and various species of birds.
- African Savanna takes visitors through a rocky, arid expanse backed by natural limestone walls. African Plains hosts several animals, including the zebra, ostrich, topi, marabou stork, and various antelope. Visitors may now also feed the giraffes.
- Visitors can observe the white rhinoceros and guineafowl right across from the Savanna. Continuing the walk uphill, the zoo displays cheetahs and smaller animals such as the dik-dik, duiker, and bateleur eagle. EZ Bed Bug Exterminator San Antonio
- Visitors head straight from the Plains to the Valley. As you head back down the hill, you’ll come across several antelope species, warthogs, and the new lion habitat.
- A cave-like area for visitors to walk through. It houses the zoo’s smaller cats, such as a fishing cat, black-footed cats, clouded leopards, and caracals. Also located here are a few mammals that look similar to cats: ringtail cat, fossa, and a northern treeshrew.
- Close to the entrance, this area has several grottos that house the zoo’s two bear species: spectacled bear and American black bear.
Restaurants and Pubs
- Outlaw Kitchens is located at 2919 N Flores St, San Antonio, TX
- Southerleigh Fine Food and Brewery is located at 136 E Grayson St #120, San Antonio, TX
- Rumble is located at 2410 N St Mary’s St #3736, San Antonio, TX
Check out other attractions like San Fernando Cathedral