Austin Zoo

From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core
Jump to: navigation, search
Austin Zoo
200px
Zoo entrance
Date opened 1990 (as Good Day Ranch)
Location near Austin, Texas, United States
Coordinates Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
Land area 20 acres (8.1 ha)[1]
Number of animals 300[2]
Number of species 100[2]
Annual visitors 200,000[3]
Website www.austinzoo.org

The Austin Zoo and Animal Sanctuary is a non-profit rescue zoo and animal sanctuary located in southwestern unincorporated Travis County, Texas, United States, west of Austin.

The mission of the Austin Zoo and Animal Sanctuary is to assist animals in need through rescue, rehabilitation, and education. Austin Zoo currently has over 300 animals from over 100 different species,[2] including African Lions, Bengal tigers, cougars, jaguars, three species of monkeys, black bears, ring-tailed lemurs, and porcupines.[4] In 2009, the zoo became home to four wolf hybrids which had been abandoned during Hurricane Ike in 2008.[5]

In 2012, the zoo was home to over 300 animals from over 100 different species and received 175,000 visitors.[3]

History

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 zoo and sanctuary is 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. All of these animals have a forever home with Austin Zoo & Animal Sanctuary.

Conservation breeding

In 2010, the zoo received a pair of lions which were believed to be Barbary lions from a private owner. Because these lions are believed extinct in the wild, the zoo agreed to breed them and to provide DNA samples to the Barbary Lion Project. The family of lions now includes two cubs.[7][8]

Notes

<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />

Cite error: Invalid <references> tag; parameter "group" is allowed only.

Use <references />, or <references group="..." />

External links

  1. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
Retrieved from "https://infogalactic.com/w/index.php?title=Austin_Zoo&oldid=380683"