Maps & Directions

Exhibits at the San Antonio ZooExhibit Animals

San Antonio's first zoo consisted of a
collection of animals assembled in San
Pedro Park in the 1800s. In 1914, Colonel
George W. Brackenridge, one of the city's
leading citizens and founder of the San
Antonio Express-News, placed buffalo, elk,
deer, monkeys, a pair of lions, and four
bears on land he had deeded over to the
city in what is now known as Brackenridge
Park. This collection became the San
Antonio Zoo.

Throughout its history, the Zoo's volunteer
leaders have encouraged innovation. In
November 1929, two of the first cageless
exhibits in America--the Barless Bear
Terraces and the Primate Paradise--
opened, offering visitors unprecedented
views of animals. When the Richard
Friedrich Aquarium was dedicated in 1948,
it was described in the local press as "the
world's greatest." The Hixon Bird House,
funded through the efforts of Colonel
Frederick C. Hixon, opened in 1966,
featuring a simulated tropical rain forest
and free-flying birds. The Zoo's bird
collection is now one of the world's largest. Hixon understood well, as have the Zoo's many benefactors over the years, that great zoos are far more than collections of exotic animals; they are also centers for world-class research, education, and conservation.

Much about the San Antonio Zoo has changed since Colonel Brackenridge assembled his collection of animals in 1914. While the colonel may not have imagined what the San Antonio Zoo would become, we can only hope that he would appreciate all that the Zoo has accomplished for the people of San Antonio, for science, for children, and for the Earth itself. For 95 years, the collective efforts of dedicated individuals have helped the San Antonio Zoo become one of the best in the nation. Here is a look at a few of our exhibits.

Current Exhibits

Click on the links below to learn more about our San Antonio Zoo exhibits: