 Mission
The Gladys Porter Zoo is a
visitor-oriented zoological and
botanical park, dedicated to the
preservation of nature through
education, conservation and research.
History
The Gladys Porter Zoo opened to the
public on September 3, 1971. The
facility was completely planned, built,
stocked, equipped and then given to the
City of Brownsville by the Earl C. Sams
Foundation.
Attendance
An average of 375,000 local people and
tourists visit the Zoo annually, with an
attendance exceeding 400,000 in the year
2001.
Size
The Gladys Porter Zoo is located on
31-acres in central Brownsville, Texas.
Additional Zoo facilities include:
Administrative office, Education
building, four concession stands, gift
shop, maintenance facilities, animal
diet kitchen, clinic and off-display
breeding areas.
Ownership
The Gladys Porter Zoo is owned by the
City of Brownsville and is operated by
the Board of Directors of the Valley
Zoological Society. The Board of
Directors is comprised of approximately
100 individuals who set Zoo policies and
oversee that they are carried out in the
best interest of the Gladys Porter Zoo
and the purpose for which it was
founded.
Director
of the Zoo is Dr. Patrick M. Burchfield.
Affiliation
Gladys Porter Zoo has been an accredited
member of the American Zoo and Aquarium
Association (AZA) since 1978.
Address,
Telephone & Fax
500 Ringgold Street
Brownsville, Texas 78520
Telephone (Information Recording): (956)
546-2177
Administrative Office: (956) 546-7187
Education Department: (956) 548-WILD
(9453)
Hours
Open every day of the year from 9:00a.m.
until 5:00p.m. with extended summer
hours.
Admission
Adults: $9.00
Children: (2-13 years): $6.00
Seniors (Over 65): $7.50
Children under 2 years are admitted free
Group Rates
Gladys Porter Zoo offers group rates for
large parties. Contact the Office
Coordinator at (956) 546-7187 to
schedule your group.
School Rates
Gladys Porter Zoo offers special
discounted admission rates to schools.
Only school groups that are part of a
state accredited school or licensed
preschool are eligible for the school
rates. View our school rates and special
programs for school groups on our
Education page.
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