The Fort Worth Zoo opened in 1909 with just a handful of animals — a lion, bear cubs, an alligator, a coyote, a peacock, and some rabbits — housed at Trinity Park. More than a century later, it has grown into one of the most acclaimed zoological facilities in the United States, repeatedly named a top zoo in the nation by outlets including the Los Angeles Times and USA Today.
Spread across 64 acres in Fort Worth, Texas, the zoo is now home to roughly 7,000 native and exotic animals representing 542 species. Since the nonprofit Fort Worth Zoological Association took over operations in 1991, the zoo has drawn more than 1 million visitors every single year, reflecting steady investment in immersive exhibits and conservation programs.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Fort Worth, Texas
- Opened: 1909
- Size: 64 acres
- Species: 542 species, about 7,000 animals
- Annual visitors: over 1 million
- Famous for: Museum of Living Art (MOLA) herpetarium and Asian elephant conservation
Exhibits and Animal Collection
The zoo’s grounds are organized into themed areas including World of Primates, Elephant Springs, Flamingo Bay, Raptor Canyon, the Australian Outback, African Savanna, and Texas Wild!, which focuses on the state’s own native wildlife. A standout is the Museum of Living Art (MOLA), a $19 million, 30,000-square-foot herpetarium that houses more than 5,000 reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates.
Fort Worth Zoo participates in 112 AZA Species Survival Plans and provides habitat for 68 endangered or threatened species. It is internationally recognized for running the most successful breeding colony of lesser flamingos in the world and for its leadership in Asian elephant conservation.
A Century of Growth
The zoo has evolved dramatically since its modest 1909 beginnings, and its accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Zoological Association of America (ZAA), and World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) reflects its standing among world-class facilities.
Looking ahead, the zoo is in the midst of ‘A Wilder Vision,’ a $100 million capital campaign announced in 2016 that includes a planned Forests & Jungles exhibit area targeted to open in 2027, continuing the zoo’s long pattern of reinvestment.
Explore more: Explore more top zoos and aquariums.
Fort Worth Zoo FAQs
When did the Fort Worth Zoo open?
The Fort Worth Zoo opened in 1909, starting with just a small handful of animals in Trinity Park.
How many animals live at the Fort Worth Zoo?
The zoo is home to about 7,000 animals representing 542 species, according to the zoo’s own facts and figures.
How many people visit the Fort Worth Zoo each year?
The zoo has drawn more than 1 million visitors annually every year since the Fort Worth Zoological Association took over management in 1991.
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Photo: User:Awesomenessiscool / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.