Houston Zoo

Ready, set, bid! The Zoo Ball Silent Auction is now open. This year's line-up includes animal art, luxury goods, and unique Zoo experiences like a brand-new feeding opportunity with our cheetahs, Dash and Dinari! Every bid supports the Houston Zoo's animal care, education, and wildlife conservation programs. Start bidding: bit.ly/4ouc3Ef

Fulfilling. Rewarding. Dynamic. These are just a few of the words that our veterinary technicians shared to describe their job. From administering treatments to animals across the Zoo to administering and monitoring anesthesia during procedures, they have a wide range of responsibilities throughout their day. Get to know our vet techs a bit more: bit.ly/3JcnEZP Happy National Veterinary Technician Week, Jennifer, Katie, Jessica J., Jessica T., and Tami!

We have a winner: meet Minnow! 💚🐦 Thanks to your 600+ votes, our newest boat-billed heron chick has a name. As Minnow grows and explores, you'll be able to spot her in the South American Wetlands habitat inside of the Fondren Foundation Birds of the World exhibit. Your support helps us protect her wild counterparts in the forests and wetlands of Central and South America. Thank you for helping us save animals in the wild! 📸: Bird Keeper Steve

🎄 Celebrate the holiday season in the heart of Houston at TXU Energy presents Zoo Lights! Tickets are now on sale for our annual holiday lights experience. From fanciful bursts of color in our Enchanted Forest to the dazzling sights at Iridescent Immersion, there’s no end to the delights waiting for you! Buy tickets early for the best price: bit.ly/3ILEsqv

Meet Violet! She's a lesser hedgehog tenrec who resides in our ambassador animal building. There are 29 different types of tenrecs and can only be found in Madagascar. Find out which surprise animal they are related to - Keeper Brian has all the 411!

We are saddened to learn about the passing of Dr. Jane Goodall, a pioneer, conservationist, and advocate for wildlife. Her kindness and wisdom inspired many, and she transformed conservation efforts for generations to come. Our Zoo family sends our deepest condolences to her loved ones, friends, and colleagues. No one championed hope for wildlife and hope for our world like Dr. Goodall, a legacy Houston Zoo helps carry forward today. Dr. Goodall visited our Zoo in 2010.

Last week we celebrated World Gorilla Day at the Zoo! 🦍♻️ 📲 You can help save gorillas and other wildlife by recycling your old cellphones and handheld devices right here at the Zoo. Materials like tantalum are found in these electronics and can be repurposed in new devices, reducing the demand for this material being mined in gorilla habitats. To recycle your electronics at the Zoo, you can bring them to the Zoo's entrance, and our staff will direct you to our recycling bin. Learn more about our wildlife-saving efforts on last week’s Facebook Live with Primates Keeper Kayla and Community Outreach Coordinator Daniel. Watch now: bit.ly/2wHMYBw

🎉 Hip Hip Hooray! The Houston Zoo is thrilled to share that we earned two distinguished Top Honors at last week’s Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Conference! 🦒🏆 🔬 Research Award: We’re proud to be recognized for our pioneering partnership with Baylor College of Medicine, creating the world’s first mRNA vaccine to combat Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus (EEHV). This breakthrough protects elephants from a devastating disease, advancing global conservation efforts. 🏢 Facility Award: Our LEED Gold Certified Houston Zoo Headquarters (HZHQ) was celebrated for its eco-conscious design, blending sustainability and functionality to reflect our commitment to a healthier planet. Thank you to our dedicated team, partners, and supporters who drive this transformative work. Here’s to protecting wildlife and building a world where animals and ecosystems thrive! 🌍💚 #HoustonZoo #AZAAwards #Conservation #Sustainability

On this #WorldGorillaDay, we're excited to share the results of our Gorillas on the Line Campaign, which is a global conservation campaign that empowers communities to protect endangered gorillas, simply by recycling cell phones and small electronics. This year we collected 1,427 electronic devices, thanks to your support. By recycling cell phones, you can help animals like gorillas, by reducing the demand for new materials to be mined. Bring in your devices to be recycled during your next Zoo visit! Learn more about our wildlife saving efforts by tuning into our "Saving Wildlife: Return to Rwanda" special: bit.ly/3VwWvDp

Mattie, our 17-year-old lion, is taking a positive step forward 💚 After receiving supportive care and close monitoring from our veterinary and animal care teams, she’s showing signs of improvement and has returned to her habitat today. How much time she spends there will depend on many factors including her wellbeing, behavior, and weather, all while our teams continue to monitor her closely as she recovers.