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Showcasing Texas conservation sucess
KPRC SAVING TEXAS
In 2019, the Zoo once again partnered with KPRC to produce an extraordinary Photo: Name/Caption documentary, "Saving Wildlife: Texas."
During the one-hour special, Houstonians learned how the Zoo is working to save animals right here in Texas like the whooping crane, Attwater’s prairie chicken, Houston toad, bats, sea turtles and more.
— Houston Mayor, Sylvester Turner May 24, 2019
Showcasing Texas conservation success
Kathrine G. McGovern Texas Wetlands at the Houston Zoo opened to the public on May 24, just in time to kick off Memorial Day weekend. During the opening ceremony, Houston Zoo President and CEO Lee Ehmke and Mayor Sylvester Turner addressed a crowd of donors, City Councilmembers, board members, and media to share remarks about the importance of wetlands, and how the Zoo is growing and changing to support Houston’s diverse needs.
Also, 40 school children from St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School celebrated the opening by placing the final animals, amphipods, into the working wetland. Amphipods are microscopic crustaceans and are important to the diversity of the working Wetlands biome.
Photo: Students from St. Francis of Assisi joined Lee Ehmke and Mayor Turner in introducing amphipods into the habitat during the grand opening celebration.
ANIMALS OF THE TEXAS WETLANDS
Bald eagle
Sally Ride was found by a game warden in Sallisaw, OK with an injured wing. Complications from her injury led to her being unable to fly. She came to the Houston Zoo from the Tulsa Zoo.
Whooping crane
Heiden and Angel came to Houston from the International Crane Foundation’s breeding facility in Baraboo, WI.
American alligator
Snap, Crackle, and Pop are between 5 and 7 years old. Beverly and Jim Postl won the the honor of naming the trio at the annual Zoo Ball in April.
