Houston Zoo opens world's first Galapagos Islands exhibit

A new exhibit at the Houston Zoo focuses on conservation and natural wonder.

TurtlePhoto byLuca AmbrosionUnsplash

The Houston Zoo is proud to announce the opening of its newest exhibit, which is the first of its kind in the world to showcase the unique wildlife of the Galápagos Islands.

“There’s no place like it in the world. Most of our guests will never have a chance to go to the Galápagos. But creating, in microcosm, that experience for people here, and an awareness of the amazing animals who live there, is part of our mission.” — Lee Ehmke, president and CEO of the Houston Zoo, which unveiled its $70 million Galápagos exhibit in April.

• This $70 million addition is a culmination of the "Keep Our World Wild" centennial fundraising campaign.
• It aims to immerse visitors in the natural wonder of the archipelago while promoting the importance of conservation and protection of similar habitats worldwide.
• The Galápagos Islands exhibit at the Houston Zoo is home to various new residents, including giant Galápagos tortoises, Humboldt penguins, and playful sea lions.
• The exhibit also features a Galápagos-inspired reef environment with green sea turtles, blacktip reef sharks, bonnethead sharks, and other species.
• While the animals in the exhibit are not directly from the Galápagos, they are closely related species due to laws that protect the archipelago's wildlife.
• Visitors to the exhibit will be contributing to the protection of wild species through funds raised by admission and memberships, as well as future partnerships with Galápagos-focused and marine conservation programs.

Takeaway

The Galápagos Islands exhibit at the Houston Zoo is a must-visit for anyone interested in wildlife conservation and natural wonder. It's an opportunity to learn about the rare ecosystem that Charles Darwin famously documented in the 1800s and to contribute to the protection of similar habitats worldwide.

Sources:

• Houston Zoo website: https://www.houstonzoo.org/
• Reserve tickets to visit the Houston Zoo: https://www.houstonzoo.org/visit/plan-your-visit/
• Galápagos-focused and marine conservation programs: https://www.galapagos.org/conservation/

Will you be checking out the new Galapagos Island exhibit at the Houston Zoo? Let us know in the comments.