Capital of Texas Zoo

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OK So I never write reviews. I just usually dont have time or inclination, but I am going to write one every place I can for this place because it really impressed me. We lived in Europe for a long time and this is very similar to those zoos. The animals are VERY well take care of. It IS rustic, it is not like a big paved zoo, but its rustic nature made it wonderful. They have pellets for purchase to feed the animals and they are used to people but not overfed or unhealthy. It is a lot of walking and get water at the gate (or bring it). Staff was amazing!!

Worth EVERY DOLLAR and we will be going back every chance we get.

What an amazing experience! I've beento zoos all over the US and this was one of the best experiences I've ever had! This is a smaller family-owned zoo but so worth the experience! I loved seeing a Zookeeper who was so passionate about the health and preservation of his zoo animals! I also liked seeing that they are expanding and growing! If you have the chance, it's totally worth it to pay for the Hippo Feeding experience! And the Lemur Feeding experience! Never before have I had an opportunity to feed a live hippo! I was able to meet the owner and I was impressed. He is very passionate about educating the public about his animals and preservation efforts. It was really good to see. Its sad to see 1 star reviews from what looks like mad PETA protesters as that was not my experience at all. My only criticism would be to not expect a huge corporate zoo but I loved the cozy feel and personal interaction with all of the staff I encountered. Keep up the great work guys. We'll be back.

Save your time and money and go visit the Austin Zoo instead. How is this place still open? You get the sense that at some point the owners really did want to open a nice small zoo but then it just fell apart. For one thing, its price for the animals you see is ridiculous and they charge 2 dollars to pay with a credit card for any amount. Something like that really should have been listed on their website. Had I known that I would have pulled out cash before heading over. This place is completely run down and the animals cages are tiny and not cleaned well at all. Some even had holes in their cheap chicken wire. Not exactly up to code. They only have a few exhibits and the animals all looked extremely unhealthy and miserable. I'm really surprised they've been allowed to keep their animals. Honestly only the camel looked comfortable. The one tiger and one lion had TINY cages and their fur was in terrible condition. Also, Peacocks run loose everywhere which seems like it would make a lovely picture except that they had crapped all over the picnic tables and chairs making them all completely unusable. The paths are overgrown and everything is falling apart. This place really should be shut down and the animals sent to an actual zoo and not live in tiny cages in someone's backyard!

The good: The zoo is intimate, the animals all seem happy and well kept, and there are an amazing assortment of creatures that will certainly take up as much time as you might have to spend. The trails are well marked, there are placards and information cards for all but the newest exhibits, and their are ALWAYS things being built, and animals being added. It seems that many species are breeding projects, which is rather remarkable.



In addition, there is a petting zoo, Deer, Peafowl (cocks and hens) and other animals roam around freely, adding to the intimate appeal. There are picnic tables to eat the lunch or snacks you bring, the restrooms are clean, and then gate price seems reasonable.



The bad: The facilities are not first rate. The bathrooms are clean, but the buildings that house them seem.... a bit crude. You know...cheap door locks that are loose from commercial use. Cheap plumbing fixtures that get commercial use. Not a deal breaker, but not the million dollar commercial construction that you might see at the San Antonio Zoo.



I don't think its a big deal, but it reflects the attitude that they have there. How can we spend more money on bringing in more animals, expanding the breeding programs, caring for the critters? Oh yeah. Clean the bathroom. Their priority is the population of the zoo, not the people visiting. Actually, maybe that should go into the "Good" column.