Caldwell Zoo began humbly in 1937 as a Child Development Laboratory in Tyler, Texas, where DK Caldwell and his wife Lottie gathered small animals like Easter bunnies and ducklings to delight local children. What started as a modest backyard menagerie grew steadily, and in 1953 the zoo officially opened on its current site as a gift to the Tyler community.
Today the zoo sits on roughly 125 acres in northeast Texas. Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Caldwell Zoo cares for more than 3,000 animals representing species from around the globe, with a strong track record of breeding endangered species such as black rhinos, cheetahs, and reticulated giraffes.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Tyler, Texas
- Opened: 1953
- Hours: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm daily, last entry 4:00 pm; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day
- Size: About 125 acres
- Animal count: Over 3,000 animals
- Annual visitors: Around 250,000
- Famous for: Wild Bird Walkabout free-flight aviary and giraffe feeding
The Zoo Experience
Visitors can walk through the Wild Bird Walkabout, a free-flight aviary housing hundreds of parakeets and cockatiels, or hand-feed the zoo’s reticulated giraffes. The park’s native Texas area showcases regional wildlife, while its reptile and aquarium exhibits round out the zoo’s diverse habitats. The zoo is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, with last entry at 4:00 pm, and closes only for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.
The zoo has also drawn attention for notable animal additions over the years, including a pair of white tigers acquired from the Alexandria Zoo in 2007, and a litter of four lion cubs born in January 2014 — the zoo’s first lion litter in two decades.
Conservation and Family Leadership
Caldwell Zoo has remained under the leadership of the Caldwell family for decades; Hayes Caldwell, nephew of founder DK Caldwell, became executive director in 1976 and has overseen major modernization efforts since. The zoo maintains active breeding and conservation programs for species including flamingos, giant anteaters, and cheetahs bred via artificial insemination.
With its AZA accreditation and WAZA membership, the zoo participates in broader species survival initiatives, positioning it as more than a regional attraction — it’s a working conservation partner supporting both native Texas wildlife and endangered species worldwide.
Explore more: Explore more Zoos & Aquariums.
Caldwell Zoo FAQs
When did Caldwell Zoo open?
Caldwell Zoo traces its roots to a 1937 Child Development Laboratory, but it officially opened on its current 125-acre site in Tyler, Texas in 1953.
What are Caldwell Zoo’s hours?
The zoo is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, with last entry at 4:00 pm. It’s closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.
How much does Caldwell Zoo admission cost?
As of recent pricing, adults (ages 13-54) pay $20, seniors (55+) pay $18, children (3-12) pay $15, and kids under 2 are admitted free.
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Photo: Billy Hathorn / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.