Honoring a Timeless Legacy: The Ralston "R"
Embark on a heartfelt journey behind The Ralston's iconic "R"—a symbol of family love and an unwavering dedication to conservation.
Within this symbol lies a sincere tale: Laurie Ann Ralston passed away much too early in 2020. We surprised Shannon and her family by using her mother's unique and beautiful "R", now etched as The Ralston, a testament to her legacy of togetherness and love.
Shannon, alongside her family and the Ralston Family Charitable Foundation, illuminates a path towards a brighter future for San Antonio Zoo and the community.
Join us in celebrating this profound connection to family as The Ralston legacy continues through this symbolic gesture at our new event center opening in 2025. Together, we honor the spirit of love and laughter and securing a future for wildlife, which unites us all.
Our community will forever be reminded of Laurie Ann Ralston, her love of family, and know that she mattered!
Thank you Shannon, Tim, Amy, Dakota and all of the Ralston family!
Happy Holidays From Our Wild Family to Yours!
A new adventure begins today.
The wait is finally over - our new entrance opens at 12 PM!
Construction crews have been hard at work, nearly around the clock, to finish our new entrance - opening this Friday!
We decided to surprise them with strolling mariachis to celebrate their hard work! The zoo is also giving each construction crew member 4 tickets to bring their families back to show off what they have created and, of course, enjoy the zoo and Zoo Lights, Powered by CPS Energy.
Thank you to all the amazing construction crew members! 👷👷♀️🏗️
Did you know San Antonio Zoo is Sensory Certified by KultureCity?
J-WOWW from MTV's Jersey Shore does!
Thank you to everyone who took part in Cry Me a Cockroach 2023! Be sure to tune in to our Facebook for some LIVE festivities for the big day!
Schedule:
- Talking Cockroaches: 11a
- Cockroach crunchin’ with Notch: 2p
- Veggie munchin’ with the tortoises: 3p
We have some toad-ally awesome news!
Our Herpetology team recently sent 18,064 tadpoles to be released into the wild, which more than tripled our previous record!
The first time San Antonio Zoo began contributing to the program as a breeding institution was 2010. Since that time, there has been great success. Since then, San Antonio Zoo has released 34,372 tadpoles into their Puerto Rican habitat.
Once believed to be extinct, Puerto Rican Crested Toads have only one remaining population, fluctuating between 1,000 and 3,000 adult toads in the Guanica National Forest of southern Puerto Rico. The Puerto Rican Crested Toad Conservancy (PRCTC) works to increase that population by conducting island-wide education outreach, protection, and restoration of existing habitats, new ponds to support multiple self-sustaining metapopulations, and now reintroducing tadpoles back into their native Puerto Rican environment with the help of San Antonio Zoo.
In San Antonio, the Puerto Rican Crested Toads (PRCT) are individually identified and tracked; the toads are then kept in isolation in a bio-secure room from the general zoo population to prevent cross contamination and possible illness. Once the tadpoles are hatched, the herpetology team carefully hand counts them before being gently packaged and shipped overnight to Puerto Rico, and released into holding ponds in their native habitat in Los Conventos, Guayanilla, Puerto Rico
Trick-or-treat training with Wide Receiver Zakhari Franklin at Zoo Boo! presented by Valero Benefit for Children! 🎃🏈🍬
#BirdsUp #LetsGo210
Trick-or-treat training with Wide Receiver Zakhari Franklin at Zoo Boo! presented by Valero Benefit for Children! 🎃🏈🍬
#BirdsUp #LetsGo210
ZOOFEST presented by Bud Light is less than a week away!
Josh Abbott Band
AB QUINTANILLA & KUMBIA ALL STARZ
Spin Doctors
Finding Friday
Tickets available on our website 🎟
I do
You do
We all do
Zoo Boo!
Enjoy Zoo Boo! Presented by Valero Benefit for Children daily through Oct 31st!
When Zakhari Franklin isn’t scoring touchdowns or catching some Zs, you know where you can find him! 🤙🤙🤙
#LetsGo210 #BirdsUp
Today is Constitution Day and Citizenship Day! This year, we were honored to be a part of a very special day for 15 new U.S. Citizens and their families by hosting a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Children's Naturalization ceremony
Have you gotten your tickets for ZOOFEST presented by Bud Light!? Enjoy a lineup of country, rock, and Latin music acts, featuring headliner Josh Abbott Band! Visit our website for more info and to score your tickets today! 🎵🎸🔥
Our very own Dr. Tarah Hadley is a finalist in the 2022 American Humane Hero Veterinarian Awards! You can vote for Dr. Tarah daily at http://herovetawards.org/vote/
This afternoon, VP of Conservation & Research, Dr. Dante Fenolio took tissue samples from La Llorona to submit to an international study that will evaluate the plants genetic diversity. Genetic diversity is crucial for any population to adapt to changing environments and ultimately secure a future for the species. #LaLlorona #SAZooCorpseFlower
San Antonio Zoo brought Dream Night, a special evening full of memorable zoo animals and activities, to the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio. The virtual field trip gave children who are not currently able to visit the zoo a behind-the-scenes look with fun facts and laughs all along the way.
“Before the pandemic, we had the privileged of hosting this incredible experience, free of large crowds for these children and their families to enjoy and create lifelong memories,” said Tim Morrow, President & CEO of San Antonio Zoo. “While we miss seeing the wonder and excitement in-person, we were happy to bring our love for animals and the places they live directly to these children and their families at the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio.”
The virtual field trip took families on a wild adventure through the zoo, showcasing the scaley, furry, and feathery residents of San Antonio Zoo. The cute and sometimes hilarious moments gave viewers an up-close look at the diets, enrichments, personalities, and animal care teams that care for these animals.
Dream Night at San Antonio Zoo started in 2017 for children who could not be exposed to large crowds due to a weakened immune system or needing care that limits their ability to leave home. The after-hours event featured free admission, quiet zones, animal interactions, and activities that provided a stress-free environment where they could be together and have fun as a family.
Dream Night originated in the Netherlands at the Rotterdam Zoo in 1996. Each zoo that hosts the event treats guests as VIPs providing a warm reception with fun activities, opportunities, and resources throughout the evening.
San Antonio Zoo is proud to be part of this time-honored tradition and extends a cooperation invitation to all area pediatric hospitals for future Dream Night events. Interested health professionals can contact Kevin Sugrue, San Antonio Zoo Director of Corporate Partnerships, [email protected]
Join us on an incredible adventure with Dr. Dante Fenolio and explore the deepest parts of the ocean. All summer San Antonio Zoo presents PLANET EARTH DEEP SEA ADVENTURES!
This adventure is free for members and included with admission!
