San Antonio Zoo is going through unprecedented changes.
Congo Falls will bring gorillas back to San Antonio in November. And now state records show plans to open a new lab displaying coral conservation efforts.
“This is probably the most dynamic time in this zoo’s history,” said Tim Morrow, the zoo’s president and CEO.
Elephants and greater expansion could be coming in the future.
It’s all part of a plan to improve the San Antonio Zoo’s experiences, educational opportunities and conservation efforts, Morrow said. The zoo is nearing completion of Congo Falls and has opened The Ralston, an event space above the new gorilla enclosure, for reservations.
The Ralston will host its first event Sep. 29 and Congo Falls could be open by Thanksgiving, Morrow said.
On Thursday, Morrow confirmed plans to open a coral lab by 2026 that will focus on preserving Texas coastal coral species and reintroducing them to their native habitats.
New Coral Lab
A new 937-square-foot facility will promote coral conservation and give zoo-goers a chance to observe staff as they work to restore coral that will be reintroduced back into the wild to help sustain coral reefs.
“Coral reefs are among the most biodiverse and threatened ecosystems worldwide and are vital to the planet’s ecosystem. Rising ocean temperatures, pollution, and disease have devastated reefs globally,” Morrow said.
The lab is funded by the Brewer family in honor of R.P. Brewer III, a San Antonio College geology professor.
The lab, in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), will focus on the Flower Garden Banks marine sanctuary, a coral reef off of Texas and Louisiana’s gulf coast.
“It’s a Texas pride thing,” Morrow said. “We’re really excited to be doing things at and for Texas with our conservation work.”
Coral from another international reef will also be housed at the lab in the future. It will also feature a touch tank, showcase Texas Gulf Coast coral species and sit next to the existing Friedrich Aquarium.
Morrow said zoo staff already do coral propagation and conservation work at the aquarium. This addition gives guests a chance to see that work. Preserving endangered species of snakes, toads, salamanders, birds and other animals is an important part of the zoo’s mission, but often happens behind the scenes.
“We’re really trying to turn the zoo inside out so people can see the conservation work we’re doing,” Morrow said.
Congo Falls update
Morrow said Congo Falls will actually be three separate habitats, including an air-conditioned space for gorillas. There will be overhead bridges in various parts of the habitat for people to look down on habitats and for gorillas to pass between those habitats.
“It’s a unique habitat,” Morrow said. “We’re doing things that haven’t been done before.”
Morrow said zookeepers have already begun to do outreach and collaboration with other zoos to lay the foundation for the eight new gorillas. San Antonio zookeepers have traveled to visit the incoming gorillas and zookeepers at other locations have given advice about how to care for the zoo’s soon-to-be residents.
New staff are being hired and other staff are undergoing training to make sure the team is ready for those gorillas to arrive.
“There’s a lot of coordination happening even before the gorillas get here,” Morrow said.
The Ralston, an event space that can be rented out for weddings, galas and other events, will overlook Congo Falls. Morrow said the facility would help generate revenue for the zoo.
A climbing tower will allow gorillas to ascend and look inside The Ralston, Morrow added, a unique feature for both the enclosure and the event space.
Zoo funding and future
Other zoos utilize city funding for regular operations, but San Antonio Zoo is self-sustained from a day-to-day standpoint, Morrow said. Visitors and philanthropy pay for regular operations.
The zoo does collaborate with local government for capital funding, Morrow said. Projects, from a nearby parking garage and a new entrance, to the new enclosures and exhibits, are fruits of those collaborations.
Zoo officials work with the City of San Antonio. For example, city funding for tree planting was used to plant 230 trees at the San Antonio Zoo. Sometimes, Morrow added, that kind of funding isn’t there. This year, city officials were unable to fund fence replacement due to a tight budget situation.
San Antonio Zoo is trying to grow its public-facing and conservation-centered work, Morrow said. This week, the zoo announced it had earned an accreditation recognizing its quality veterinary work and care for animals, Morrow said.
It’s the first zoo in Texas and second in the U.S. to receive that recognition and it accompanies a world-class list of other accreditations, including an American Humane Certification for how animals are treated, according to a press release.
In the future, he added, the zoo hopes to build west of U.S. Highway 281, where it owns land and currently operates a parking structure.
“We want to bring elephants back, but in a much bigger space,” Morrow said. “There’s just lots of opportunities.”
