Dallas Zoo – Dallas, Texas
Dallas Zoo (also called the Dallas Zoological Park) is a 106-acre (43 ha) zoo located 3 mi (5 km) south of downtown Dallas, Texas, in Marsalis Park. Established in 1888, it is the oldest and largest zoological park in Texas and is managed by the non-profit Dallas Zoological Society. It is home to over 2,000 animals representing 406 species. It is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), and is a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA).
In 2009, the Dallas City Council unanimously approved the construction of the 11-acre (4.5 ha) Giants of the Savanna Exhibit and also voted to privatize the zoo. In recent years, attendance has surged. In 2015, the zoo achieved an annual attendance of 1 million+ visitors for the first time. The Dallas Zoological Society is supported by over 25,500 membership households. The DZS manages all fundraising, membership, special events, food services, retail operations, volunteer programs, marketing, and public relations for the zoo under a management contract with the City of Dallas.
The largest zoological experience in Texas, the 106-acre Dallas Zoo offers fun, educational, and entertaining experiences for the whole family. The Zoo’s mission is to inspire a passion for nature and conserve wildlife, and guests can see a number of endangered species and learn about a variety of conservation projects the Dallas Zoo supports. Opened in 2010, our award-winning Giants of the Savanna habitat is internationally known. The savanna features elephants, ostrichs, zebras, impalas, giraffes, and guineafowl, often mingling together.
The Dallas Zoo is home to a herd of five female elephants and 11 giraffes, which guests can feed by hand. Guests will see the fastest land mammal on Earth, the cheetah, as well as African lions who often spend their days sleeping just inches away from the viewing wall inside the Serengeti Grill restaurant. The Wilds of Africa area features rare animals such as gorillas, chimpanzees, and okapi. Guests will enjoy getting eye-to-eye with African penguins as they swim effortlessly underwater.
Highlights of the ZooNorth section include the Lacerte Family Children’s Zoo, a top-rated reptile and amphibian complex featuring albino alligators, and the Koala Walkabout, featuring the only koalas in Texas, red kangaroo, wallabies, and a lorikeet feeding area for up-close adventures.
From the African savanna to the South American rain forests to the Outback of Australia, the Dallas Zoo offers an exciting journey through wildlife habitats around the world! Guests can discover animals that live in the treetops underground or anywhere in between while learning about their habits and habitats. Opportunities abound for self-exploration on the Gorilla Trail or in the Giants of the Savanna in the Wilds of Africa.
The Monorail Safari tour offers a 20-minute guided ride through six African habitats. Along the way in ZooNorth, kids of all ages can enjoy the Lacerte Family Children’s Zoo along with Primate Place, the Herpetarium, Texas Cats, the ExxonMobil Endangered Tiger Habitat, Wings of Wonder, Snout Route, and the Zoo’s newest feature, Koala Walkabout presented by Kimberly-Clark Corporation.