New Exhibit Boosts Zoo’s Momentum

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New Exhibit Boosts Zoo’s Momentum

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White-faced saki monkeys are native to tropical rainforests of northern South America and are among the residents of the new Phase II of El Mundo Huasteco y Totonaco at the Gladys Porter Zoo.
White-faced saki monkeys are native to tropical rainforests of northern South America and are among the residents of the new Phase II of El Mundo Huasteco y Totonaco at the Gladys Porter Zoo. (Courtesy)

The Gladys Porter Zoo is refreshing itself with new exhibits and property acquisitions that will meet the standards of national accreditors as the facility overhauls and redesigns its presentations.

The Musk Foundation presented much of the funding for the El Mundo Huasteco y Totonaco exhibit at the Gladys Porter Zoo.
The Musk Foundation presented much of the funding for the El Mundo Huasteco y Totonaco exhibit at the Gladys Porter Zoo. (Courtesy)

The Brownsville zoo opened in 1971 and had begun to show its age in recent years. Space restrictions were addressed in late 2024 when Brownsville city government and the zoo entered into an agreement with the local school district to acquire the former Cummings Middle School campus. It sits just east of the zoo on Ringgold Street. The property of the old school will someday provide the space needed for the zoo’s larger animals such as gorillas and big cats.

With that agreement done, the zoo has moved forward with its other improvement projects. A major piece of the zoo’s redesign was celebrated recently with the grand opening of Phase II of El Mundo Huasteco y Totonaco. Phase I debuted in 2017. The new wing will expand living space for a diverse group of tropical wildlife.

The wildlife taking advantage of the new immersive habitats include howler monkeys, cotton-top tamarins and prehensile-tailed porcupines. Some of these animals were previously tucked away in the rear sections of the zoo’s Small World exhibit area. They can now take center stage in lush environments that are designed to mimic their native rainforest habitats.

“Watching these animals step into their expanded homes has been incredible,” said Dr. Pat Burchfield, the zoo director. “Species that were once hidden away are now thriving in dynamic and open habitats.”

New Perspectives

The new exhibit is part of the zoo’s $31 million expansion plan.

The ocelot is an endangered medium-sized spotted cat that is native to Mexico, Central America and the American Southwest and can be seen at the new Phase II exhibit of El Mundo Huasteco y Totonaco at the Brownsville zoo.
The ocelot is an endangered medium-sized spotted cat that is native to Mexico, Central America and the American Southwest and can be seen at the new Phase II exhibit of El Mundo Huasteco y Totonaco at the Brownsville zoo. (Courtesy)

Burchfield and the zoo’s leadership believe that the opening of Phase II of El Mundo gives the 31-acre facility additional momentum to meet the goals of its master plan. Doing so is a requirement that the American Association of Zoos and Aquariums set for the Brownsville zoo to retain its accreditation. The zoo was reaccredited in 2024 with a binding expectation that the Gladys Porter Zoo would expand its footprint and improve its exhibits in the coming years.

The zoo is well on its way to doing both. The transition of turning the current Cummings campus into an exhibit area for large animals will be a lengthy one. When completed, the expansion into the Cummings property will nearly double the zoo’s size. Burchfield has said expanding the zoo’s footprint and improving its exhibits will “maintain that standard of accreditation.”

Brownsville Mayor John Cowen played a key role in the city’s acquisition of the Cummings property to benefit the zoo. He again emphasized the importance of the zoo to Brownsville’s economy and identity during the ceremony opening Phase II of El Mundo.

“We continue to invest in one of Brownsville’s most important community aspects, our beautiful Gladys Porter Zoo,” the mayor said, with Burchfield by his side. “Your work reflects the kind of partnerships that continue to move Brownsville forward.”

Burchfield expressed appreciation for the city’s support and the $1.59 million donation from the Musk Foundation that made Phase II of El Mundo possible. He said the new addition to the zoo offers improved animal visibility for visitors of all ages, with a key feature being an overhead Ocelot Skywalk.

Prehensile-tailed porcupines are among the featured attractions at a new exhibit at the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville.
Prehensile-tailed porcupines are among the featured attractions at a new exhibit at the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville. (Courtesy)

“Our guests will get an entirely new perspective of these animals, especially with ocelots crossing right over their heads,” Burchfield said.

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