Winter Texan Discount Day
2024-02-07 09:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago)
Winter Texan Discount Day is a day set aside each year to celebrate and honor Winter Texans. On this day alone, out-of-state residents can visit the Gladys Porter Zoo for the low price of only $8.00.
At this event, the Zoo offers free activities with paid admission or membership, entertainment, refreshments, and door prizes. Booths will be set up in the special events building with information on different places to visit in Brownsville and the rest of the Rio Grande Valley. It is a day full of fun and a perfect time for visiting residents to enjoy the Valley’s very own oasis.
Thank you to the run sponsors City of Brownsville, and Visit Brownsville.
Stay in Brownsville
Brownsville is the perfect family-friendly getaway with a multitude of attractions within walking distance of the Zoo. Support the Gladys Porter Zoo by using this link to make your hotel reservation.

Wild Tales
2024-02-10 10:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago)
One of the highest zoo attendance days for February is the day we hold our literacy event, Wild Tales. Over 3,000 people are present for the literacy and reading activities. The live animals and children’s book authors are the two main draws to the event. Over 1,000 children’s books are given out free to young readers.
The Zoo also offers a discounted school admission rate for all guests on this day: $6.00 for elementary and middle school students, $6.00 for high school and college students, and $7.00 for adults. The event is free with paid Zoo admission. Members get in free. According
to statistics for our region, for every 300 children living in a low-income household, only one book is owned in that home. The issue mentioned above, coupled with other factors as to why children don’t read, only adds to the lack of personal growth and less than high quality of life for each child.
Thank you to the run sponsors Brownsville Public Utilities Board, City of Brownsville, and Visit Brownsville.
Stay in Brownsville
Brownsville is the perfect family-friendly getaway with a multitude of attractions within walking distance of the Zoo. Support the Gladys Porter Zoo by using this link to make your hotel reservation.

Dino Fury
2024-03-08 09:00 - 2024-07-07 17:00 (America/Chicago)
Dinosaurs are making their return to the Gladys Porter Zoo! DINO FURY, a limited-time exhibit will be open from March 8th through July 7th and feature more dinosaurs than ever before. The public is invited to come and witness these prehistoric marvels before the exhibit goes extinct.
Visitors will go back in time to a prehistoric world where dinosaurs lurked around every corner and only the most ferocious survived. DINO FURY will feature dinosaurs of all sizes and ferocity levels, including the towering sauropod, Amargasaurus, whose key feature was the sharp spines on its neck, and the dreadful dilophosaurus, one of the fiercest predators to exist, 77 million years before the terrifying Tyrannosaurus rex!
Of course, this family-friendly exhibit will have fun activities for kids of all ages, including a crayon rubbing station and the chance to come face-to-face with a T-rex for a memorable family photo.
To get the public excited about the opening of this exhibit, the Gladys Porter Zoo’s Facebook page will be posting daily dino trivia beginning Wednesday, February 28 until the opening of the exhibit. The first person to correctly answer each trivia question will win a family pack of passes (2 adult and 2 child passes) to the Gladys Porter Zoo as well as the DINO FURY exhibit.
The exhibit will be open to the public from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. An additional cost of $5.00 will be charged at the gate or the entrance of the exhibit, located in the Special Events building.
Guests will be amazed by the robotic dinosaurs brought to “life” by Billing Productions, a world leader in the design and development of animatronics for zoos, museums, and theme parks.
DINO FURY was made possible by the City of Brownsville and Visit Brownsville.

Jr. Zookeeper Camp
2024-03-11 08:00 - 2024-03-15 16:00 (America/Chicago)
This Spring Break, your child can join the few, the proud, and the hard-working zookeepers at the Gladys Porter Zoo! Find out what it takes to take care of wild animals and help with some of the daily chores at the Zoo.

The camp ends with a Starlight Safari Sleepover where kids can spend the night at the Zoo and learn about nocturnal animals.

Jr. Zookeeper Camp-March 11th -15th (Mon – Fri) – 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Starlight Safari Sleepover-March 16th (Sat) – 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 a.m.
Children must be 7 years or older to participate.

To register or for more information, call or email the Education Department at (956) 548-WILD (9453) or educ@gpz.org.

Ocelot Run 5K / 1 Mile
2024-03-16 07:30 - 10:00 (America/Chicago)
The Gladys Porter Zoo is back with its annual 5K and 1-mile fun run to support ocelot conservation. The Ocelot 5K Run will take place on March 16th starting at 7:30 a.m., and the 1-mile fun run will start at 8:30 a.m. at the Gladys Porter Zoo. The run will begin in the Zoo’s parking lot.
The 5K route will take guests through some of the most popular areas around the Mitte Cultural District before leading them into the scenic Gladys Porter Zoo for the final stretch. The 1-mile route will take guests through a fun and colorful run around the Zoo.
The 5K run will be timed. Although all participants will receive a medal at the finish line, additional distinctive medals will be awarded to the top three runners of each age group and the top three overall males and females. Runners will receive a timing chip, which will accurately record each runner’s time. A link will be provided on the Zoo’s website to access the results, certificate, and digital photo finish.
Not only can participants enjoy the run, but they can also have fun at the annual Ocelot Conservation Day hosted by the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge and Friends of Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge on Sunday, March 17th. Ocelot Conservation Day teaches about ocelots and the threats they face. There will be fun activities for kids, including a scavenger hunt, games, an ocelot dress-up station, ocelot crafts, and raffles. Additionally, there will be a variety of informational tables, exhibits, and presentations featuring ocelot conservation. The event will be from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm and will be held throughout the Zoo grounds.
The cost to participate in the 5K run is only $35.00 and $30.00 for the 1-mile run per runner. This cost covers the entrance to the Zoo, a limited edition dri-fit ocelot shirt, a race bib, and a race medal. Runners of all ages are encouraged to participate in ocelot attire or costumes. Registration for the Ocelot Run is open.

Packet Pick-up
Packet pick-up will be in the Meadows Room at the Gladys Porter Zoo.
Proceeds from this event directly benefit the Friends of Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge and their efforts towards ocelot conservation. Thank you to the run sponsors H-E-B Helping Here Defenders of Wildlife, City of Brownsville, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Visit Brownsville. Hope to see you there in your best ocelot attire!
Stay in Brownsville
Brownsville is the perfect family-friendly getaway with a multitude of attractions within walking distance of the Zoo. Support the Gladys Porter Zoo by using this link to make your hotel reservation.

Ocelot Conservation Day
2024-03-17 09:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | Gladys Porter Zoo, 500 E Ringgold St,, BROWNSVILLE, TX, 78520, United States
Join us in celebrating the beautiful ocelot of the Rio Grande Valley at Ocelot Conservation Day! The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Friends of Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, and the Gladys Porter Zoo are hosting a special day to highlight ocelots, the small, wild cats native to South Texas.
There will be a variety of fun ocelot-related activities for families to enjoy. The event is free with regular paid admission or Zoo membership.
ACTIVITIES
There will be great activities for kids and adults! Kids can make arts and crafts like an ocelot mask or check out displays with ocelot-related artifacts and conservation information along with prizes.
CONSERVATION
The ocelot is listed as a federally endangered animal. In the United States, ocelots were originally found throughout Texas and into Arkansas and Louisiana. Today, fewer than 50 of these native wild cats are estimated to be left in the U.S., all of which are found in South Texas. These animals live exclusively in thorn scrub habitat and their habitat and thus their populations are diminishing rapidly. Habitat loss and getting hit by cars are the greatest threats to their long-term survival.
The Animal Health Department at the Gladys Porter Zoo is actively involved in assisting U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services with ocelot health monitoring at Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge (LANWR). When an ocelot is trapped, a GPZ veterinarian will go to LANWR to give the ocelot a physical exam and full medical work-up. This includes a battery of testing to determine overall health and to detect internal and external parasites and infectious diseases.
The Gladys Porter Zoo also supports and is active in the Bi-national Ocelot Recovery Project. For more information on LANWR and other Rio Grande Valley wildlife refuges visit: Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge
Proceeds from this event directly benefit the Friends of Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge and their efforts towards ocelot conservation. Thank you to the run sponsors H-E-B Helping Here Defenders of Wildlife, City of Brownsville, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Visit Brownsville. Hope to see you there in your best ocelot attire!
Stay in Brownsville
Brownsville is the perfect family-friendly getaway with a multitude of attractions within walking distance of the Zoo. Support the Gladys Porter Zoo by using this link to make your hotel reservation.

Bunny Corral & Easter Animal Playday
2024-03-30 10:00 - 2024-03-31 15:00 (America/Chicago)
Easter Fun at the Gladys Porter Zoo
During Easter weekend, hop on over to the Gladys Porter Zoo! From March 30th & 31st, visitors can enjoy the annual Bunny Corral and Animal Play Day.
Guests can visit the Bunny Corral, which will be across from Small World! Zoo staff will set up a cozy corral These adorable bunnies will be available to pet on March 30th & 31st from 10:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. Docents and Zoo staff will be at hand to answer any questions about these furry creatures.
Zookeepers will be conducting an Animal Play Day on March 31st. Please join the Zoo as we celebrate Easter with treats and gifts for our animals. During the day, keepers will be distributing Easter-themed enrichment items to animals, large and small, throughout the Zoo.
Animal Play Days are scheduled events where Zoo animals are given an enrichment item that has a specific theme. Animal enrichment provides novel food and play items to stimulate and entertain Zoo inhabitants. It is performed daily at the Zoo and is a vital component essential to the health and well-being of the animals.
Thank you to the run sponsors City of Brownsville, and Visit Brownsville. Hope to see you there in your best bunny attire!
Stay in Brownsville
Brownsville is the perfect family-friendly getaway with a multitude of attractions within walking distance of the Zoo. Support the Gladys Porter Zoo by using this link to make your hotel reservation.
All activities are free to visitors with paid regular admission or Zoo membership. For more information, call the Gladys Porter Zoo at (956) 546-7187.

Party For the Planet
2024-04-20 10:00 (America/Chicago) | Gladys Porter Zoo, 500 E Ringgold St,, BROWNSVILLE, TX, 78520, United States
Party for the Planet: Zoo Celebrates Earth Day!
The Gladys Porter Zoo will be celebrating Earth Day with their annual event, Party for the Planet, presented by Chick-Fil-A on Saturday, April 20th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. There will be various games and activities throughout the Zoo grounds for guests to enjoy and learn about the many ways they can help preserve the planet.
Kids can make their seed bombs to toss in their backyard or play a recycling relay race, to name a few activities. Local beekeepers, gardeners, and other eco-exhibitors will also be on-site to educate the public about various ways to help native wildlife, especially pollinators.
“The Gladys Porter Zoo is excited to celebrate Earth Day by hosting Party for the Planet. At this event, our goal is to teach the public about the importance of conserving the Earth and the many ways they can do it while having fun with the entire family,” said Cynthia Garza-Galvan, Marketing Director.
Another great component of this event is that Girl Scouts will be able to accomplish 90 to 100 percent of the requirements to earn a badge. Daisies will be able to earn their Outdoor Art Maker and Eco Learner badges. Brownies will be able to earn their Bugs Badge, and Juniors will have the opportunity to earn their Gardener Badge. Cadettes will be able to earn their Outdoor Art Apprentice badge; Seniors can earn their Outdoor Art Expert Badge, and Ambassadors can earn their Outdoor Art Master Badge. Girl Scouts must pre-register with Dinah Garcia at https://party-for-the-planet-2024.cheddarup.com
It will be a fun and exciting experience for the whole family to enjoy!
Thank you to our sponsors Chick-Fil-A, Brownsville Public Utilities Board, City of Brownsville, and Visit Brownsville. Hope to see you there in your best ocelot attire!
Stay in Brownsville
Brownsville is the perfect family-friendly getaway with a multitude of attractions within walking distance of the Zoo. Support the Gladys Porter Zoo by using this link to make your hotel reservation.

Brew at the Zoo
2024-05-11 19:00 - 22:00 (America/Chicago)
Brew at the Zoo: Raise your glass for animal conservation!
The Gladys Porter Zoo invites you to Brew at the Zoo on Saturday, May 11th from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. with music until 11:00 p.m.
Support your local Zoo and quench your thirst by sipping on specially selected premium and craft beer samples and delicious food tastings from amazing chefs and restaurants. Only a few of the top Rio Grande Valley restaurants will be competing in this “feast with the beasts.”
The Zoo is working with L&F Distributors to curate a special selection of light beers that are perfect for the spring and summer season. Guests will be able to sample from 24 fun and unique craft beers, which will be paired up with delicious food tastings from amazing restaurants.

Last year’s People’s Choice Award winner, Dodici Pizza, will be defending their title against a multitude of restaurants, including El Amigo Mar y Tierra, Dirty Al’s Cajun Kitchen, Chef Ricardo’s Tacos and Beer, Parry’s Pizzeria & Taphouse, Raising Cane’s, Bubba’s 33, RJ’s BBQ, Jenny’s Delicias, Cinco de Mayo Bar & Grill, Todo Natural Restaurant, Golden Corral, Malachela, Wero Del Pueblo, The Space Dog Station, and Guero’s Beef Jerky. Los Trevi Drive Thru will also be in attendance and will be serving up delicious drinks from their Michelada Combi. Zoo staff are hoping to bring in even more restaurants to ensure a varied selection of cuisines to taste from.
The public can upgrade their experience by purchasing a VIP ticket. VIPs will have access to a VIP-only area, located close to the main stage. They will be able to participate in a private animal feeding and take a break from the main stage music with their own Silent Disco in the Aquarium. Plus, VIPs will also get to sample from one exclusive beer that no one else will be able to access.
PRESALE TICKETS
VIP TICKETS
The entertainment for the night will include local artists: EDM DJ, Akasha, and rock bands, Back to Riverdale and Reserve. The music will be extended until 11:00 p.m. to allow guests even more time to enjoy the event. There will also be three Silent Disco DJs for VIPs to choose from based on their music preferences.
A popular activity at Brew at the Zoo is the beer pong tournament that takes place during the event. Sixteen teams made up of Brew at the Zoo attendees will compete against each other to be the 2024 Beer Pong Champs. Guests can gather around while the teams go head-to-head throughout the night. Other fun games and activities include Jumbo Jenga, cornhole, a giant Connect Four, and multiple photo opportunities, including a 360 photo booth.
Brew at the Zoo is a 21+ event and a limited number of tickets are being sold. Tickets can be purchased for $35.00 pre-sale and $50.00 at the gate. VIP tickets are $100.00 per person. Only 100 VIP Tickets will be available, so the public is encouraged to act fast. All proceeds will benefit the Zoo’s conservation efforts.
Thank you to the run sponsors City of Brownsville, Brownsville Public Utilities Board, Good Axe Time, and Visit Brownsville. Hope to see you there in your best ocelot attire!
Stay in Brownsville
Brownsville is the perfect family-friendly getaway with a multitude of attractions within walking distance of the Zoo. Support the Gladys Porter Zoo by using this link to make your hotel reservation.

Ridley Rush
2024-06-08 07:00 - 12:00 UTC
You are invited to join us for our 8th Annual Ridley Rush 5K/1-Mile Walk/Run presented by Chick-Fil-A. This family fun run aims to raise awareness for the endangered Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle. The Ridley Rush route will take you through the beautiful and scenic Mitte Cultural District and Gladys Porter Zoo as you experience what a baby sea turtle must endure in its rush to the ocean.
As federal and state funds have dwindled over the years, this direct funding has become mission-critical to sustain Kemp’s Ridley Project and provide support to other sea turtle projects. The Kemp’s Ridley Project has both a successful track record and the real possibility of down-listing this most iconic of marine animals. Other proven sea turtle projects may receive funding to promote conservation efforts.
The cost to participate in the 5K run is only $35.00 and $30.00 for the 1-mile run per runner. This cost covers a limited edition dri-fit Ridley Rush shirt, a race bib, a race medal, and the entrance to the Zoo for the post-race festival celebrating World Oceans Day!

A special thanks go out to this year’s Ridley Rush sponsors, Chick-Fil-A, H-E-B Helping Here, Brownsville Public Utilities Board, CBS 4, NBC 23, Raising Cane’s, Visit Brownsville, and City of Brownsville.

Kids Appreciation Day
2024-07-27 10:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago)
Your favorite back-to-school event is here! H-E-B presents Kids Appreciation Day at Gladys Porter Zoo!
During Kids Appreciation Day, the first 1,000 children at the passport station will receive a backpack filled with school supplies!

The passport will take them on an adventure throughout the Zoo where they can visit crafts and fun activities centered around this year’s theme, New World monkeys. Plus stop by our exhibitor tables focusing on health and wellness, safety, animal conservation, and more.

Once your child’s passport is full, they can enter a raffle to win an array of prizes like new bikes, backpacks filled with school supplies, sports equipment, and more!

This event was made possible thanks to H-E-B, Chick-fil-A, Brownsville Public Utilities Board, Raising Cane’s, City of Brownsville, Digital 101.5, KVEO Local 23 News, and CBS 4 News.
