Austin Zoo started out as a goat ranch. In 1990, it became the Good Day Ranch, housing animals in need. At that time, the animals were mostly domesticated and local animals including goats, pigs, fallow deer, donkeys, and ponies, with just a few exotic animals. Gradually, the number of exotic animals increased, and in 1994, the name was changed to Austin Zoo. In 2000, the zoo became a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.[6] Today, the rescue zoo is a permanent home to mostly exotic animals that were rescued from or unwanted by their owners, animals from other zoos and sanctuaries, and animals who were awarded protection through the judicial system.
In 2009, the zoo became home to four wolf hybrids which had been abandoned during Hurricane Ike in 2008.[7]
In 2017, the zoo was home to over 300 animals from over 100 different species and received 232,000 visitors.[3]
Big Cats: Multiple exhibits featuring African lions, cougars, bobcats, and tigers. A white tiger named Zulema was added in 2020 after being rescued by the DEA.
Austin Zoo owns 54 acres of land. Currently, 16 acres have been developed and house the Zoo's animal collection. The additional acreage will be used to allow expansion of the zoo as needs change.
Notes
^Ball, Andrea (January 6, 2011). "New Day for the Austin Zoo". statesman.com. The Statesman. Archived from the original on January 9, 2011. Retrieved January 29, 2011.
