Visiting the Dallas Zoo

Located just outside of downtown Dallas, the Dallas Zoo makes a great destination for anyone looking to discover all kinds of animals. The zoo is home to 106 acres of land, full of over 2,000 animals and over 400 different species. Whether you’re looking to learn more about endangered animals or just stop and see some cute creatures, the Dallas Zoo is the place for you!

History of the Dallas Zoo

Established in 1888, the Dallas Zoo is full of history. The zoo is the oldest and largest zoo in Texas. At its creation, the Dallas City Council began the zoo with just two deer and two mountain lions, for which they paid $60! These animals were placed in City Park on display, and the Dallas City Council slowly added more animals to the zoo’s collection.

In 1910, the zoo was relocated to Fair Park, and then was moved to its current home in Marsalis Park in 1912. By the 1960s, the zoo had grown to display over 500 different species of animals! As time moved on, more effort was placed on saving endangered species, and the Dallas Zoo became accredited in 1985.

Conservation Efforts

The Dallas Zoo has committed to conservation efforts to help protect endangered animals. They partner with conservation organizations around the world to make this possible.

One conservation program the zoo runs is Protecting the Twelve. This program is dedicated to twelve specific conservation priorities in Asia, Africa, and even in the United States. Protecting the Twelve partners with organizations globally to assist in allowing animals and ecosystems to keep growing and to avoid extinction.

Another program the Dallas Zoo participates in is Gorillas on the Line. The zoo encourages people, schools, and communities to recycle old cell phones and small electronics at the Dallas Zoo. Interestingly, cell phones and other electronics contain coltan, which is extremely high in regions where gorillas live. Because coltan is in such high demand, the zoo participates in this program so that there can be less mining in their regions, as mining leads to deforestation, habitat loss, and an increased poaching risk.

If you are looking to get involved in conservation efforts, you can participate in their Take Action Projects! There are many opportunities at the zoo, from restoring waterways cluttered with litter to assisting in helping provide food sources for pollinators. There is a chance for everyone to help all creatures live a better life.

Keep reading to find out how you can get spotted at the Dallas Zoo!

Animals to Visit at the Dallas Zoo

Gorillas

While visiting the Dallas Zoo, you must seek out the magnificent gorillas! As mentioned above, the zoo supports a big gorilla conservation effort. They just happened to get a new set of gorilla half-brothers earlier this year. The pair was moved from the Riverbanks Zoo to the Dallas Zoo to join a new bachelor troop. The zoo’s previous bachelor troop were sent to the San Antonio Zoo to make room for this pair as part of their conservation effort.

When I visited in the spring, I got the chance to see the brothers. I was surprised to get some great views of this fun pair, along with their fellow troop! Some were munching on their celery and brocoli lunch while one was having a grand time trying to hide under a pile of straw. Seeing them brought back fond memories of gorilla trekking in Rwanda.

A gorilla sits quietly with a large bundle of shredded wood wool draped over its head and shoulders as environmental enrichment. The close-up photograph captures the gorilla's calm, contemplative expression, contrasting its dark fur with the pale nesting material against the backdrop of its habitat at the Dallas Zoo.

A close-up portrait of a gorilla resting among lush green plants in a naturalistic zoo habitat. The gorilla gazes thoughtfully into the distance, showcasing its expressive amber-brown eyes, powerful facial features, and thick dark fur framed by vibrant foliage and rocky surroundings.

Giraffes

Another great spot to visit while at the Dallas Zoo is the giraffe habitat. Here you get a chance to interact with and even feed the giraffes! I loved seeing the reach for the lettuce with their tongue. It was similar to the time I visited the giraffe center in Nairobi. These tall creatures are so adorable!

One of the zoo’s biggest conservation efforts involves giraffes, as they are endangered. The zoo partners with the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF), which is an organization that protects the Nubian giraffe through anti-poaching patrols. They also support the GCF’s educational programs that focus on building awareness and community involvement in giraffe conservation.

A close-up of a giraffe at the Dallas Zoo leaning over a wooden fence, curiously looking toward the camera. The giraffe's distinctive spotted coat, long eyelashes, and gentle expression are highlighted against a softly blurred green background, creating an intimate wildlife portrait.

African Painted Dogs

I was stunned to see that the Dallas Zoo had African painted dogs. These animals are endangered and are incredibly rare to see, even in their natural habitat in Botswana. This species of dogs is intelligent and fascinating. They are Africa’s most successful hunters and are incredibly nurturing beings.

When visiting the Dallas Zoo, you can find them near the Wilds of Africa. African painted dogs have an intricate social network, so when they were introduced at the zoo, the introduction was one of the most delicate in zoo history. The Dallas Zoo made an effort to ensure that there was little disruption to their hierarchy. What an incredible oppotunity to see this endangered species!

Tortoises

Another fun, interactive experience at the Dallas Zoo is feeding the Galapagos tortoises! Located in ZooNorth, this is an easy exhibit to visit. I stopped by this area and enjoyed getting to see these magnificent creatures up close. Tortoises shape their habitats by grazing on plants, dispersing plant seeds, and trampling areas of vegetation, and it was so cool to see evidence of those actions.

The Dallas Zoo supports multiple conservation organizations to help assist with saving turtles & tortoises. They partner with the Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA), which is an organization that works to save species of turtles that are at a higher risk of extinction, and has a goal to zero out turtle extinctions in the 21st century. The Dallas Zoo also works with Sea Turtle Inc., based in South Padre Island. This organization patrols beaches every summer looking for nests and aims to protect eggs by incubating them. Once the eggs hatch, Sea Turtle Inc. releases them back into the Gulf of Mexico!

A close-up of a giant tortoise slowly walking across a dirt path, its weathered domed shell and thick, scaly legs filling the frame. The tortoise looks directly toward the camera while patches of green grass and scattered leaves surround it, highlighting the animal's rugged appearance and slow, steady movement.

Pink Flamingos

One of the most beautiful birds you can see while visiting the Dallas Zoo is the pink flamingos. These were my favorite as a child. I loved eeing their crazy colors and watching them stand on one leg! The flamingos are a mixed flock of both Caribbean and African Lesser flamingos and are located in the ZooNorth section at the Flamingo Pond. They are also near the Lacerte Family Children’s Zoo, so this is a great place for the whole family to enjoy.

A pair of vibrant flamingos wade through a tranquil pond, one preening its feathers while the other stands gracefully on one leg. Their vivid orange plumage and shimmering reflections create a striking wildlife scene at the Dallas Zoo.

Tigers

Unfortunately, their tiger cage was being renovated when I visited, so I missed them. But the zoo has now completed their maintenance and improvements, so you can go and spot their tremendous stripes! The tigers are also located in the ZooNorth area.

Programs and Events at the Dallas Zoo

Help Feed the Browsers

Many animals at the Dallas Zoo eat browse, which includes things such as tender shoots, twigs, and green leaves of trees and shrubs every single day. As one could imagine, the zoo needs a lot of these items to ensure all animals have enough to eat.

Because of this, the zoo is always looking for donations of healthy, recently trimmed landscape from the local community. They accept things like mulberry, cedar elm, and American elm leaves. You can find the full list of what they accept on the Dallas Zoo website.

Backstage Safari at the Dallas Zoo

Have you ever wanted to go behind the scenes at the zoo? Well, the Dallas Zoo offers a backstage tour program so guests can experience the zoo like never before! The Backstage Safari is a 90-minute guided tour that offers exclusive encounters with different animals and also offers a front-row seat for guests to understand and learn how the Dallas Zoo takes care of their animals daily.

The zoo offers two different experiences. The first is the elephant, predator, and lemur tour. In this tour, you will get the chance to feed the African elephants, get up close with their lions or even an African painted dog, get to know the playful lemurs, and learn about even more animals and how the experts care for them.

The second tour is the hippo, capybara, and otter tour. In this tour, you get the chance to get up close with the hippos, feed the capybaras, spend time with the otters, and also learn about additional animals and how they are managed.

Animal Adventures Outreach

If you work in a school, library, or other learning institution, and are looking to help others learn about different animals from around the world, the Animal Adventures Outreach is the perfect program. This is a 45-minute educational presentation that features 5-7 different animals from around the world. The Animal Adventures Program is designed for ages 5 and up. The program is specifically tailored for schools, libraries, and learning institutions.

Dallas Zoo Lights

The Dallas Zoo holds a yearly festival near the end of the year, called Zoo Lights, to celebrate the holiday season. During this festival, you can find dazzling lights, festive activities, and an unforgettable experience! The zoo is momentarily transformed with larger-than-life lanterns and is full of breathtaking sights and photo ops. This festival is a fun holiday experience and is perfect for all ages!

Visiting the Dallas Zoo

History of the Dallas Zoo

Conservation Efforts