Victor Ortega BROWNSVILLE – The Gladys Porter Zoo will have new homes for howler monkeys, sloths and ocelots at its Mundo Huasteco and Totonaco expansion.
Part of the park’s 10-year master plan, the expansion will bring new enclosures for animals and learning opportunities for visitors.
Patrick Burchfield, director, said zoo staff is setting up the finishing touches before letting the animals into their new spaces.
“We are completing as we speak the outdoor habitats, all the planting, finalizing the indoor holding enclosures. But we have to move the animals in and get them acclimated before we ever let them out into the new habitats,” Burchfield said.
Also coming to the park is the return by popular demand of the dinosaur exhibition.
This experience lets guests come face-to-face with dinosaur animatronics to learn more about these ferocious reptiles that once roamed the earth.
“So, the last time was about two years ago that we had our dinosaur exhibit. And so, every year we change it up a little bit,” said Alejandra Rodriguez, marketing coordinator. “We choose a few different dinosaurs. We change a bit of the signage, graphics, things like that. So, they’re even if you been to a dinosaur exhibit that we’ve had in the past, it’s always a bit different.”
More details on the dinosaur exhibit will be revealed on Gladys Porter zoo’s social media page as its opening date approaches on Feb. 13.
A ribbon cutting ceremony is scheduled for Mundo Huasteco, however the official opening date will be announced after the animals get accustomed to their new homes.
