Houston Zoo

As we close out Asian Elephant Awareness Month, we're sharing an update on Chuck, the newest member of our herd. Chuck arrived at our Zoo a little over three months ago and has been settling in nicely. He came to us from the Denver Zoo on a recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan® (SSP) Program. Read more in our latest blog by Keeper Mariam: bit.ly/4dWlhUI

Since announcing the Keeping Our World Wild Centennial Capital campaign in 2018, we've completed a series of transformative projects across our 55-acre site, with the final animal exhibit, Birds of the World, opening this Friday. Learn more about our newest exhibit and how you can protect birds migrating through Houston and beyond: bit.ly/3Z48Qlt

The International Elephant Foundation (IEF) has helped establish Elephant Response Units (ERUs) around Way Kambas National Park on the island of Sumatra where they patrol the Park, find and remove snares, catch poachers, stop illegal harvesting, and importantly, herd wild elephants away from the park boundaries and away from human settlements. As a result of these efforts, locals have developed a level of pride and ownership in the ERUs, working together to protect some of the last remaining habitat for Sumatran elephants. We are proud to support IEF and encourage you to learn more: elephantconservation.org/ #AsianElephantAwarenessMonth 📸: International Elephant Foundation

Thank you for following us during Bird Saving Summer! You can help save wild birds that live where coffee beans are grown by buying Bird Friendly certified coffee. Here at the Zoo, we serve bird-friendly coffee. It's grown in a way to preserve the habitats of birds and other animals in South America and beyond. Get more wildlife-saving tips: bit.ly/3RvwBhC

We are pleased to announce the appointment of four distinguished leaders to our Board of Directors, effective July 1, 2024. Greg Armstrong, James "Bill" Butzner, Neil Chapman, and Monica Karuturi bring a wealth of experience and expertise to support the Zoo’s strategic initiatives and conservation efforts. "We are delighted to welcome Greg, Bill, Neil, and Monica to our Board of Directors," said Lee Ehmke, President and CEO at the Houston Zoo. "Their collective experience and dedication to community service align perfectly with our mission to connect communities with wildlife and inspire action to save animals in the wild." Learn more: bit.ly/3WLCM2T

#HouZooCrew member Julia has been interpreting about our gorilla troops with guests of the Zoo for the last two summers and now she was able to see mountain gorillas in the wild with Gorilla Doctors. Julia shares, “The protection of intelligent megafauna like gorillas is a reflection of our own humanity and ability to work for a lasting good. Completing the gorilla trek and health check has solidified my resolve to save the intelligent megafauna that inhabit our beautiful world.”

#HouZooCrew trekked up Volcanoes National Park to over 9,000 feet with our wildlife-saving partner, Gorilla Doctors, to collect data on the health of individual gorillas and family groups. This health data is crucial to ensuring the well-being of each and every gorilla that these wildlife veterinarians care for in the forest that is their hospital.

Our adventure continues in Rwanda! Today, our #HouZooCrew got to experience observing endangered golden monkeys in the wild. While their native habitat is the bamboo forests of Volcanoes National Park, these primates often travel outside of the national park boundary and into agricultural fields. Our Zoo partner, the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, not only studies the health of the golden monkey and other primate populations but is also working with local communities to ensure these primates are able to thrive.

It's a capy good time to celebrate our members! As part of our fourth annual Member Appreciation Month, we're excited to share extra member perks! This year, you can bring a friend for FREE now through Aug. 11. More info: bit.ly/4frnQQ1

Our Houston Zoo teens continued their adventure in Rwanda today, learning from our wildlife-saving partners at Conservation Heritage-Turambe. This organization is educating local communities, including school children, to ensure they live in harmony with mountain gorillas and their habitat. The #HouZooCrew joined forces with CHT students who live near Volcanoes National Park, the home of the mountain gorillas. Because protecting gorillas is so important to all these young people, they spent the morning planting bamboo. The bamboo is not only a favorite snack for gorillas, but will also provide protection and resources for the local community. After their hard work planting, the students celebrated with local snacks, singing and dancing.