El Paso Zoo Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
El Paso Zoo and Botanical Garden

Date opened	1930
Location	El Paso, Texas, United States
Land area	35 acres (14 ha)
Coordinates	31°46′06″N 106°26′34″W / 31.7684°N 106.4429°W / 31.7684; -106.4429
No. of species	220
Memberships	AZA

The El Paso Zoo is a fun zoo located in El Paso, Texas. It covers about 35 acres and is home to over 220 different kinds of animals. Some of these animals are very special, like the critically endangered painted dog and Sumatran orangutan.

The El Paso Zoo is a trusted member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). This means it meets high standards for animal care and conservation.

Exploring the Zoo's Animal Worlds
Helping Animals: Conservation Efforts
Zoo Leaders
Gallery
See also

Exploring the Zoo's Animal Worlds

The El Paso Zoo is divided into four main areas. Each area shows animals from a specific part of the world. You can explore Animals of Africa, Animals of Asia, Animals of the Americas, and Animals of the Chihuahuan Desert.

Animals of Africa

This section opened in 2010. It lets you see amazing animals from Africa. You can find African lions and playful meerkats here. There are also many types of antelope, like kudu and Thomson's gazelles. Other animals include Red River hogs, tall giraffes, striped zebras, and different kinds of birds.

Animals of Asia

The Animals of Asia section features creatures from the Asian continent. You can see large Asian elephants and smart Sumatran orangutans. Look for Malayan tapirs, Siamang gibbons, and powerful Malayan tigers. The indoor Asian Forest Complex is home to smaller animals. These include Prevost's squirrels and slow lorises. You can also spot many beautiful birds like rhinoceros hornbills and pink pigeons. A male Indian rhinoceros joined this zoo in December 2023.

Animals of the Americas

This area showcases animals found across North and South America. A popular part is the sea lion program. You can watch these clever animals swim and play. There is also a South American Pavilion and an exhibit for spider monkeys.

Animals of the Chihuahuan Desert

This section is all about animals from the Chihuahuan Desert. This desert is right around El Paso! Here, you can see Mexican gray wolves and busy prairie dogs. Other animals include Peninsular pronghorn, white-nosed coati, and collared peccary. You might also spot powerful cougars and jaguars. The area also has wild turkeys, parrots, and a mix of other birds and reptiles.

Helping Animals: Conservation Efforts

The El Paso Zoo works hard to protect endangered animals. In 2010, the zoo sent a female Mexican gray wolf to Washington. The goal was for her to breed with a male wolf. This effort helps save the species from disappearing forever. Experts believe there are only about 40 Mexican gray wolves left in the wild.

Zoo Leaders

The zoo has had several important leaders over the years. They have helped the zoo grow and improve.

Joe Montisano

2019 - present

Joe Montisano is the current director of the El Paso Zoo.

Steve Marshall

2007–2019

Steve Marshall was the zoo director for many years. He helped oversee important parts of the zoo. This included caring for the animals and managing guest services.

Lea Hutchinson

1987-1997, 2004-2006 (interim), 2008–present (emeritus)

Dr. Lea Hutchinson was the zoo's veterinarian starting in 1965. He later became the zoo director. During his time, he brought in new animals from America and Asia. He also helped the zoo get re-accredited by the AZA. This showed the zoo met high standards. He oversaw big projects like the Asian expansion. In 2008, he became the zoo's first honorary director emeritus. He helped with the African Savannah exhibit, which opened in 2012.

Dr. Bill Torgerson

2001–2004

Dr. Torgerson was director from 2001 to 2004. He helped plan the African Expansion. He also made big improvements to the zoo's education programs. This included creating the Discovery Education Center.