CONSERVATION
San Antonio Zoo’s Department of Conservation and Research seeks to fulfill the San Antonio Zoo’s Mission Statement through a variety of approaches, including fieldwork and captive husbandry of rare and threatened species. Much of our work is collaborative, involving partners from state and federal agencies, academia, and the private sector. The scope of our efforts includes projects on three continents, transnational research, as well as projects throughout the United States – with particular emphasis on Texas. Current projects focus on fish, amphibians, reptiles, insects, and crustaceans as well as imperiled ecosystems and cultures. The results of this work include recommendations for conservation and management of threatened species and ecosystems, boots-on-the-ground conservation, and contributions to our understanding of the ecology, life history, and evolutionary history of a diversity of organisms in the form of technical reports, popular articles, books, and peer-reviewed papers.
How You Can Help?
Financial support is extremely important for San Antonio Zoo. As a non-profit 501(c)3, we rely on donations to help in securing a future for wildlife. So this year, we would love for you to join us in our journey.
On average, San Antonio Zoo contributes over $175,000.00 through direct funds and research grants dedicated to programs geared towards species population status, habitat preservation, and potential causes for declines. San Antonio Zoo is also involved in local community training and stewardship projects as well as participating in species reintroductions into wild habitats! Below are several projects in which the zoo is currently involved.
We are proud of the conservation successes at San Antonio Zoo and around the world. We would like to thank our members and donors for making this possible.
Texas Horned Lizard Reintroduction Project
Once abundant throughout Texas, the Texas Horned Lizard’s population has declined or disappeared altogether in many parts of the state, so much so that it is now on the state’s threatened species list. To preserve the abundance of the State Reptile of Texas, San Antonio Zoo launched the Texas Horned Lizard Reintroduction Project.
Project Selva
San Antonio Zoo’s Department of Conservation and Research is working with indigenous communities in the upper Amazon Basin of Peru to help provide a continuous revenue stream that does not involve timber harvest or oil extraction.
Mexican Blindcat Program
The Mexican blindcat (Prietella phreatophila) is a rare subterranean catfish known from twelve sites in Coahuila, Mexico. Members of our team recently documented a population in Val Verde County, Texas, marking the first US occurrence of this species.
MAKE YOUR ZOO VISIT AN ADVENTURE.
FUN DAY TICKET
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Enhance your zoo experience with our Fun Day Ticket, which includes your single day ticket, one Flamingo Mingle feeding experience, one carousel ride, and one Lory feeding.
BECOME AN ANNUAL PASS HOLDER
$40 per person
There's always something new to see at the zoo. Each year is packed with events and exciting additions. Don't miss out on all the fun of being an Annual Pass holder.
