Fort Worth Zoo in Fort Worth, Texas

Between 1909 and October of 1991, the Fort Worth Zoo was owned and operated by the City of Fort Worth, Texas. During this time, the long-standing tradition of collecting money from the community to purchase zoo animals took root. In 1939, the Zoological Society formed as a non-profit corporation to help raise additional money to purchase even more animals for the zoo.

Since 1991, the Fort Worth Zoological Association has raised more than $70 million from private donors, corporations and foundations to improve and expand the Fort Worth Zoo. Founded in 1909, the zoo began with only one lion, two bear cubs, a coyote, peacock, alligator and a couple of rabbits. Since that time, the Fort Worth Zoo has grown substantially to house more than 350 native and exotic species, and has recently been named as the top zoo in the U.S. by Family Life magazine.

The Zoo features more than 10 exhibit areas each complete with modern habitats and state-of-the art exhibits. The World of Primates is a 2.5-acre, indoor and outdoor exhibit featuring sights and sounds of a rainforest and a large waterfall and lush foliage. Animals contained in the exhibit include gorillas, orangutans, gibbons, bonobos and mandrills. As visitors exit the atrium, they encounter the Asian Falls exhibit, which is carved out of an existing hillside. The Falls exhibit creates a dramatic setting and showcases such animals as Asian elephants, rhinos, Indochinese tigers and sun bears.

Raptor Canyon is home to 4 species of raptors, including some of which are endangered. Guests are invited to walk through the aviary and witness African Crowned eagles, Andean condors, Milky Eagle-owls, Harpy eagles and Bateleur eagles, flying overhead. The Chee-tos Cheetah exhibit is divided into different areas housing 3 African cheetah species and warthogs. The Barrier Reef exhibit is 3 salt water tanks, which contain over 10,000-gallons of saltwater. The Great Barrier Reef exhibit is home to more than 500 vibrantly colored fish, live coral and sharks.

The African Savannah exhibit features some of Africa's most distinctive animals and guests can view the animals on a raised platform. The Komodo Dragon exhibit was added in 1995, and is a 3,400 square foot indoor-outdoor display featuring Komodo Dragons, gharials and Malaysian painted river turtles. Meerkat Mounds was added in 1997, and here visitors will see the zoos family of meerkats housed in a habitat that simulates the dry, rocky environment of Africa.

Thundering Plains was added to the zoo in 1999, and features bison, pronghorns and Mexican gray wolves in the expansive 2-acre display. Parrot Paradise is a free-flying aviary that showcases lories, lorikeets, cockatiels, parakeets and parrots from New Guinea, Australia and the South Pacific. In the Herpetarium, visitors can see one of the largest collections of reptiles in the United States. Reptiles found here include crocodiles, alligators, iguanas, coral cat snakes, lizards and monitors. Opened in 2001, the Texas Wild display features native Texas wildlife and is one of the most unique exhibits found in any American zoo.

The Forth Worth Zoo is opened 365 days a year and the hours change seasonally. The zoo is fully handicapped accessible and provides complimentary wheel chairs on a limited basis. The facility has several concession stands, conveniently located restrooms and picnic areas all on the grounds; admission varies according to age, with special discounts applicable to senior citizens and military personnel.