The Abilene Zoo hopes to prove that diverse and unique wildlife can be found here at home, without having to travel across the globe.
The zoo’s new exhibit, Elm Creek Backyard, opened Saturday and displays animals native to Texas. Among the more than 30 species of animals that now call the exhibit home are raccoons, opossums, cougars, an otter and a bobcat.
“The wildlife of Texas is unique because Texas is unique,” said general zoo curator Vonceil Harmon. “We have 10 to 11 ecosystems, and you can go from mountains, to forest to desert.”
She said the zoo wanted to demonstrate the variety of animals found in the state and the dangers they face.
“We wanted to highlight that zoos are about conservation and education,” Harmon said. ” The United States has some of the highest levels of endangered species, threatened species and species going extinct. You don’t have to go to Africa to support conservation.”
The $1.5 million project was paid for with funds from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the Grover Nelson Foundation and a bond approved by Abilene voters in 2006.
Harmon said the exhibit has been met with enthusiasm. She said 2,300 patrons visited the zoo on the exhibit’s opening day – the same size crowd the zoo usually sees during spring break.
“We were really excited to present Elm Creek Backyard,” Harmon said. “We knew this was totally different than anything Abilene has ever seen.”
Harmon said the zoo created the new exhibit with two goals in mind – to be both fun and educational. Patrons said the new exhibit met both goals.
“I really like the cougar because they are not normal,” said Katie Rogers, a student at Wylie Elementary School. “I like the cats because they come in different sizes.”
The Abilene Zoo houses 500 different animals and 160 different species.
“Elm Creek Backyard was voted on by the city of Abilene. We really wanted to tell the story of Texas,” Harmon said.
The zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $4 for adults, $3 for senior citizens and $2 for children. Zoo memberships are also available.
