Gladys Porter Zoo, Brownsville

About Gladys Porter Zoo

Gladys Porter Zoo is a zoological and botanical park in Brownsville where visitors walk through 31 acres of tropical plants to encounter 377 animal species and 225 plant species across four geographic areas: Africa, Asia, Tropical America and Indo-Australia. The zoo features a Herpetarium, Aquarium, Tropical America Free-flight Aviary, Macaw Canyon, Bear Grottos and a Komodo dragon exhibit. Small World includes a nursery and animal contact yard where children can touch and interact with domesticated animals. The zoo is known for breeding endangered species and participates in conservation efforts including protection of Kemp's ridley sea turtles, Western lowland gorillas and Philippine crocodiles. An accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums since 1978, the facility opened in 1971 and was built and donated to the City of Brownsville by the Earl C. Sams Foundation. A typical visit involves a three-quarter mile trek through the grounds encountering animals in their naturalistic habitats.