Gladys Porter Zoo, Brownsville, Texas

The Gladys Porter Zoo is one of the best zoos in the country. We got our membership the last two years and have enjoyed our visits. Our Zoo has some of the rarest animals in the world and our favorites are the gorillas. Mary and Penny are sister gorillas that take care of the young. Bango, the little one from last season is now growing up and watching the younger ones. A new born of just three months still hangs on to Mom as she travels around the enclosure.
In a mere ¾ mile trek, we encounter a diverse ensemble of 377 species of animals and 225 species of plants. The park is divided into four zoogeographic areas: Africa, Asia, Tropical America and Indo-Australia. There is also a Herpetarium and Aquatic Wing, a Free-flight Aviary, Macaw Canyon, Bear Grottos, and a California Sea Lion exhibit. Small World features a nursery and an animal contact yard where Will likes to pet the domesticated animals. Large numbers of wild birds find sanctuary on the Zoo grounds, drawn to the plants and waterways that provide them with food and shelter.


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