Amarillo Zoo, Amarillo, TX

Thompson Park is where the Amarillo Zoo is located in Amarillo, Texas. The zoo was founded in 1955 and has more than forty five species of animals within its walls. Fifty different varieties of plants enhance the beauty of the zoo's fifteen acre forested setting. A new plan for the zoo was implemented in 2003 and the Amarillo Parks and Recreation Department is instituting the plan. An expansion in 2004 has yielded the following exhibits: Coatimundi, Bengal Tiger, African Lions, Serval and Wallabies. Visitors who wish to see the Amarillo Zoo should take Highway 287 north from I-40 then take N. 24th Ave exit and go west, turn right into Thompson Park and follow the signs to the zoo. Business hours are Tuesday through Sunday from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm. Visitors should always check on times in case of change.

The mammals that are living in the Amarillo Zoo are the African four toed hedgehog, African lion, African pygmy goat, Aoudad, Bengal tiger, Bennett's wallaby, Bison, Black handed spider monkey, Black leopard, Black tailed prairie dog, Bobcat, Chinchilla, Coatimundi, Coyote, Domestic ferret, Elk, Fallow deer, Grey fox, Guinea pig, Longhorn, La Mancha goat, Miniature donkey, Mouflon, Mustang, Nine banded armadillo, North American black bear, pot bellied pig, Pronghorn, Rabbit, Raccoon, Serval, Striped skunk, Vietnamese pot bellied pig, Whitetail deer and Wooly Sheep.

There are several birds that make their home at the Amarillo Zoo that include: Double yellow headed Amazon, Emu, Fan tailed pigeons, India Peacock, Mitred Conure, Ring necked dove, and Sulfur crested cockatoo.

Birthday parties can be held at the Amarillo Zoo. The party uses the site for two hours. This site is gated and is across from the lion exhibit. There are three picnic tables that can seat up to twenty five children. Elements of the birthday party include a special zoo t-shirt for the birthday child, a zoo scavenger hunt for all the party guests, and a fifteen minute themed live animal encounter. There are three themes for the birthday parties to choose from: Scaly which is generally a snake or lizard, Fury which can be a ferret, rabbit or skunk, and Creepy with a tarantula or giant marine toad. If guests aren't bringing food the following items can be added to the birthday party: ice cream sandwiches, hot dog combo lunches (one hot dog, chips and soda pop), a zoo key, and Got Zoo t-shirts.

Parties can take place at 10:00 am, 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm April through the month of October. Things that can't be brought to the zoo birthday party include: balloons, chewing gum, glass bottles, streamers, stickers, noise makers, and pinatas. This is so the zoo animals remain safe. Parties must be booked at least three weeks in advance.

There are several events throughout the year at the Amarillo Zoo. Some of the past events that have been held are the Zoo fundraiser, a lions' birthday party, BOO at the Zoo and Thanksgiving for the Animals.