Zulema the white tiger arrived at Austin Zoo following a DEA raid, where she was discovered in a small, tarp-covered cage. Sister African lions Aesa and Gaia found their forever home in Central Texas after Hurricane Harvey rocked The Texas Zoo in Victoria. A coati named Stitch was located in an exotic pet shop by a concerned citizen who wanted a guarantee of her safety.
From Galapagos tortoises to capybaras to a Berkshire pig dubbed Albert Einswine, Austin Zoo cares for over 300 rescued animals. Unique compared to sanctuaries, this zoo lets the public come in to learn about these wonderful rehomed and senior creatures. Their team makes meaningful use of their 15 occupied acres.
“We don’t have any reservations about spending money on our animals to make them healthy. If we have any animal that needs some kind of procedure or medication, we go to the ends of the earth to do that for them,” says guest relations manager Toni Alberty. “Typically, if we have the room, we’ll take an animal so that they can have a happy life with us. But even if we don’t have the room, we will aggressively work to find them a home.”
The dedicated folks behind Austin Zoo are deeply invested in the animals in their collection. With an exotic zoological vet who visits each week like clockwork, they stay well informed about every creature’s needs and progress.
One incredible story comes from Texas longhorn Dante, a zoo resident who was diagnosed with a skull fracture at the base of his horn. In collaboration with Texas A&M, a never-before-seen procedure was undergone to support his horn without the need for amputation. Having since fully recovered, Dante exemplifies how critical innovation and education are when it comes to our planet’s animals.
“We have a great, robust education department that designs specific programs for kids. There are Saturday camps, summer camps, family experiences… If a school wants to experience an outreach program, our educators will do that for them, as well,” says Alberty. “We want people to embrace our animals. The more they become connected, the more they are going to love them.”
You may find that your heart connects with one animal, in particular. That’s why Austin Zoo offers the opportunity to sponsor habitats for the year, whether it be for their cheetahs, emus, or prairie dogs. Heavily dependent on sponsorships and private donations, this non-profit zoo is reliant on people just like you to participate in conservation efforts.
“What I want to do through my work here is to instill in people an appreciation for the animal they are looking at—to tell them the story of the animal, to make it personal. These are amazing creatures that are now critically endangered,” says Alberty. “We are the only ones who are going to be able to save them.”
Make a difference at Austin Zoo! Buy tickets to visit, become a member or sponsor, and donate online at austinzoo.org.