By Anastasia Megdanis
If you are looking to get out of town with the family for some fun activities, Cameron Park Zoo in Waco offers a great interactive opportunity to see and learn about hundreds of different animals from all around the world.
In 1988, the McClennan County residence passed a $9.6 million bond to build Cameron Park Zoo on 52 acres of the vast Cameron Park. The zoo’s grounds were built along the Brazos River and opened in 1993.
To celebrate its 25th anniversary, the staff of Cameron Park Zoo is showcasing how the zoo is more interactive, educational, and fun than ever. Each aspect of the zoo has been thoughtfully and creatively planned out, earning the zoo national and international recognition.
As an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Cameron Park Zoo is constantly growing by adding new exhibits, animals, and activities.
To date, the zoo is home to more than 1,600 animals from 400 different species that can be seen in 70 different displays, each with their own twist. “We are a natural habitat facility with a varying terrain,” says General Curator Johnny Binder. “There are a lot of water features such as lakes and waterfalls, but also environments such as jungles, forests, aquariums, and much more.”
Recently, the Asian Forest exhibit has made a name for itself. “The whole zoo is my favorite; it’s like asking me to pick a favorite child, but I would have to say that the Asian Forrest is very popular,” says Curator of Programs and Exhibits Terri Cox.
The Asian Forest was designed to closely resemble the forests of Sumatra and Borneo, Indonesia. Most importantly, it is home to komodo dragons, tigers, and orangutans who have been known to play practical jokes on their visitors.
Interactivity and immersion are consistent throughout all parts of the zoo, ultimately providing a unique aspect to each habitat. For example, children have the opportunity to go down a slide that travels through the otter exhibit while the otters swim around the tube.
Visitors can also adventure through the expansive herpetarium. The 5,000 square foot exhibit is home to reptiles and amphibians of all shapes and sizes, even a two-headed baby rat snake! Their habitats are composed of murals, rock work, artificial trees, and plants hanging from the ceiling that transition from jungle to desert and grasslands.
In the African Savanna of Cameron Park Zoo, visitors can take advantage of two opportunities to feed the giraffes on weekends, at 11am and 2pm.
If a more aquatic experience is what visitors are looking for, Cameron Park Zoo is home to not one, but two large aquariums. One is filled with marine animals and the other is a fresh water aquarium. If they are lucky enough, visitors may also have the opportunity to watch a live mermaid show once a month.
Aside from all the activity the Cameron Park Zoo has to offer, the staff also took time to create some relaxing spaces with the adults in mind. Many of the exhibits are inside air conditioned areas in an effort to provide periodic breaks from the Texas heat. Additionally, there is a play area in the middle of the zoo, Grammy Nell’s, that is another haven for the adults where they can watch their kids play in the water and enjoy animal presentations.
“It’s a great, fun outing, but what some people don’t realize is by coming here, they are helping to contribute towards our conservation efforts both domestically and globally,” says Cox.
One way visitors do this (besides purchasing a ticket for entry) is through the adopt an animal program. There are different levels of donations, but at the highest level for $100, the visitors can interact behind-the-scenes with their animal. The opportunity allows visitors to see the inner workings of the zoo and its impact, while also having fun.
Another major channel of the zoo’s conservation efforts is made through the Species Survival Plan. “It is a cooperative breeding program that AZA accredited facilities participate in,” says Cox. “Our goal is to have 100-year genetic diversity in endangered species, so we trade animals from zoo to zoo to accommodate the species survival plan and diversity to save them.”
According to Cox, the Cameron Park Zoo has gained such recognition and respect within the United States that they have been able to take their expertise into the international community. As home to one of the best orangutan cardio health programs in the world, the zoo hosts workshops for other zoo professionals from around the world to help spread their knowledge and research.
“We’re involved in several projects around the world, but the most current will be when Johnny and Terri both go to Borneo, Indonesia, to work with an organization called Bornean Orangutan Survival Foundation,” says Director Jim Fleshman. BOSF manages more than 800 orangutans he says. Johnny and Terri will assist with designing holding areas for orphaned babies and participate in the release of some orangutans back into the wild.
Other staff members and animal care managers are also traveling the world and spreading their knowledge in an effort to conserve the planet’s wildlife. Their efforts have taken them to countries like Cuba and Argentina, and have made impacts in the lives of many endangered species.
Every aspect of the zoo from its design to the animals, activities, rest areas, and conservation efforts, were all created in the best interest of the people and animals it serves. Cameron Park Zoo is a staple of the Texas community and is only a short day trip away. For more information, visit cameronparkzoo.com.
