In 1909, the city of Fort Worth started the Fort Worth Zoo with a lion, two bear cubs, an alligator, a coyote, a peacock and some rabbits. The zoo is located on University, south of Interstate 30 and near the Trinity River...and not that far from TCU and Colonial Golf Course.
In 1991, the Fort Worth Zoological Association took over the zoo and has raised more than $70 million for zoo improvements and the fifteen exhibits it now hosts.
Today, the Fort Worth Zoo, as the oldest zoo in Texas, boasts national ranking and more than 400 species, 35 of which are endangered. The Fort Worth Zoo is home to 72 species of mammals, 141 species of birds and 135 species of reptiles and amphibians, a total of more than 5,000 animals.
Exhibits include the World of Primates, Asian Falls, Raptor Canyons, Cheetos Cheetahs, African Savannah, Komodo Dragon, Meerkat Mounds, Thundering Plains, Herpetarium and Texas Wild!
Saturday, April 19,2008, the Fort Worth Zoo is hosting its eleventh annual “Zoo Run Run”, this year benefiting 25 conservation efforts for 25 species of frogs the zoo has been working to save. Events include a timed 10k run, a 1 mile fun run and a timed 5K run.
Friday, June 6, 2008 some Fort Worth area restaurants will be catering their best fare for the Fort Worth Zoo’s second annual Beastro tasting event. The event will be held at the zoo after hours.
Other attractions include a carousel, a movie house, an outdoor theatre, a petting zoo, a “play barn”, a 25 foot rock climbing wall, and the train.
The zoo is currently open 10AM to 6PM daily. Admission is $10.50/adults, $8/kids under 12, free/toddlers and $7/seniors 65+.
Strollers and wheelchairs are available for rent.