I love the Zoo. I was told I was born in a zoo by my siblings. They also told me the Jungle Book was written about me. I was crushed to find out Mowgli was not about me.

The Amarillo Zoo opened in 1955 when a duck pond was built in Thompson park on the north side of Amarillo. In 1957, other barnyard exhibits were added with a storybook theme for exhibit construction. It was called "Children's Story Land Zoo."

It was comprised of about 25 barnyard animals and occupied an area of 2.5 acres. The exhibit themes included Willie the Whale, Mouse Town, Indian Teepee and Three Men in a Tub. The "Mountain" was the original main entrance and featured the Seven Dwarfs Mine.

Today the Zoo houses African lions, Bengal tigers, bobcats, and servals. A new Herpetarium housing over 26 exhibits with indigenous and exotic reptiles and amphibians.

All this week kids ages 10-12 can become an honorary Zoo Vet! Where they can help take care of the Zoos animals! Jr. Zoo Vet campers explore the basic vet techniques from making healthy diets, monitoring the behavior and performing health checkups.

Discover the ins and outs of animal health and learn how our Zoo staff takes care of our animals every day!

The Amarillo Zoo is open 7 days a week, 9:30 am-5:00 pm. 

Click here for more info!

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