Houston Zoo

Houston Zoo animals were once among a very modest collection when compared to the extensive exotic collections seen in most modern urban zoos. The zoo's first humble beginnings matched the history of the city and began in 1905 when the city had a grand total of 80 automobiles. In fact, it was in the town of Humble near the George Bush Intercontinental Airport that oil was first discovered in the Houston area and signaled the explosive growth of the region. At the time, the Houston Texas Zoo had some rabbits, raccoons, eagles from Mexico, a black bear and a great horned owl, some capuchin monkeys, prairies dogs, and an alligator pond. In 1920, the United States government donated an American bison to the city. These were all housed in Sam Houston Park in Downtown Houston.
After Earl the bison arrived, the Houston Texas Zoo was relocated to Hermann Park in the city’s Museum District and cared for a total of 40 animals, a remarkable number of exotic creatures at that time. By 1925, there were more than 400 animals, including elephants from Asia. It was in the two decades after World War II that the Houston Zoo saw its greatest expansions. A pool was built for donated sea lions; a monkey house and a reptile house were built. Giraffes arrived and a children’s petting zoo was added.