BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS (June 4, 2020) — The day is finally here, and we’re excited to welcome everyone back to the Gladys Porter Zoo. The animals anticipate your visit!

We have been preparing for a soft opening in the past weeks, and the Zoo has established a comprehensive reopening plan. With the helpful advice of City health officials, new measures have been put in place to help ensure the safety of the Zoo’s guests, employees, and animals. Most notably, there will be a change in the ticketing system. Guests will now sign up for a designated date and time slot to enter the Zoo.

With the help of generous community donations, the Zoo is already open to Members and plans to reopen its doors to the public on June 8th. So make sure to reserve your time slot before they fill up! Your reservation can be made at www.gpz.org.

In this first phase of reopening, the public will be able to access most areas of the Zoo. Indoor facilities will be open with a 25% building occupancy and close at 4:00 p.m. with the exception of the bathrooms. The activities and facilities that are unavailable include the playground (except for Martha’s Cove, the water feature, which will remain open), Small World and goat yard, feeding opportunities, South Texas Discovery Education Center, Butterflies, Bugs & Blooms, Komodo dragon exhibit, keeper chats and shows and all enclosed viewing windows. Although these viewing alcoves will be closed off, guests will still be able to view the animals from other vantage points around the exhibit. There will also be designated “No Food Zones.”

Additional precautions will include the required use of facial coverings for all guests while others are present. Please make sure you have a face covering with you. This does not apply to children, 5 and under, or those with specific medical issues. We are also asking guests to follow a one-way path around the Zoo and leave the grounds by 6:00 p.m.

For more information about the changes the Zoo has implemented, please visit www.gpz.org or view our informational videos on Facebook, YouTube or Instagram.

We would also like to thank the community for all their support! This would not have been possible without your help!

Don’t forget to make your reservation!