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| Date opened | 1966 |
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| Location | 2070 Zoo Ln Abilene, Texas, USA |
| Land area | 13 acres (5.3 ha) [1] |
| Number of animals | 500 [2] |
| Number of species | >200 [2] |
| Annual visitors | 152,693 (2007)[3] 172,343 (2009)[4] |
| Memberships | AZA [5] |
| Website | http://www.abilenezoo.org/ |
The Abilene Zoological Gardens is a small 13-acre (5.3 ha) zoo located in Abilene, Texas. The zoo has over 500 animals representing over 200 species. Attendance for 2009 was 172,343.
Abilene zoo has been an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) since 1985. The zoo participates in the AZA Reciprocal Admissions Program, allowing members to obtain free or reduced admissions at many other American zoos.
The zoo is primarily funded by the City of Abeline and the Abilene Zoological society, which contributed $1,270,890 and $732,750 respectively in fiscal 2007-2008.[6]
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In 1985, the zoo received accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).[7]
In 2006, $1.1 million was raised through a bond issue for zoo improvements. This bond funded converting part of the Discovery Center into the Creepy Crawly Center, expansions to the giraffe exhibit and the parking lot, and creating a South American Trails exhibit, the Wetlands Boardwalk, and the Elm Creek Backyard exhibit.[6]
In 2007, one of the zoos elephants died at age 49 amidst some controversy over conditions for the elephants at the zoo, and the other was sent to the Cameron Park Zoo in Waco, Texas. The elephant exhibit was then turned into an exhibit for black rhinoceroses.[1] The new $3.7 million Adventure Center (visitor services, administration, and education, all privately funded) and the new Creepy Crawler Center were also opened in 2007.[8]
2008 saw the opening of the maned wolf exhibit, which was initially home to a mother and son acquired from the Wild Canid Survival and Research Center in Eureka, Missouri.[9]
In June 2009, the zoo received an 8 year old white Bengal tiger named Havar from Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in Florida. The 325 pound male tiger went on display 2 June 2009.[10] Also in 2009, the Elm Creek Backyard exhibit was completed with funds from the 2006 bond issue plus a $525,000 grant from the Grover Nelson Foundtation.[6]
In March 2009, extension of the AZA accreditation for the zoo was tabled. In November, the majority of the issues had been addressed, including the lack of adequate veterinary and quarantine facilities.[11] In March 2010, the zoo's accreditation was extended through 2014.[5]
The Giraffe Habitat includes a bridge crossing over it which allows visitors to pet and feed the giraffes.[3]
The Creepy Crawler Center (sometimes called the "Venom Shack") is the zoos herpetarium, opened in December 2007 in what was part of the Discovery Center. The exhibit was designed and built by the zoo's management and staff, and contains 49 naturalistic exhibits with 80 species of reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates including octopus, leeches, deathstalkers, tarantulas, tentacled snakes, and Moroccan Cobras.[8][12][13]
Also part of the Discovery center, the Tropical Aviary is a climate controlled indoor aviary that is home to the zoos tropical birds. The zoo also has Outdoor Aviaries which house other birds in its possession.
The Elm Creek Backyard, completed in 2009, houses species native to the Elm Creek area of Texas, including cougars, coyotes, porcupines, raccoons, bobcats, ringtails, armadillos, skunks, and river otters, as well as a some birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians.[8][14]
The Wetlands Boardwalk is an elevated boardwalk that lets visitors get a close look at animals that inhabit the wetlands exhibits at the zoo. The various wetlands exhibits are home to a variety of wetland dwellers including alligators, flamingos, waterfowl, and Attwater's prairie chicken.[8]
The Adventure Center, which opened in 2007, is a 12,000-square-foot (1,115 m2) complex that includes admissions, customer relations, and a gift shop, as well as administrative offices and classrooms that can hold up to 150 people.[8][13][15]
The current master plan, developed by Wichita, Kansas based WDM Design Architects for the zoo, includes an Africa project, to be built on 24 acres (9.7 ha) of undeveloped zoo property to the North of the current zoo at an estimated cost of $20 million.[14][16]