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More Than One Million Visitors Have Seen Gladys Porter ZooBy DON D. FARST,D.V.M., DirectorGladys Porter ZooConcern for the vanishing wildlife of the world prompted the construction of the Gladys Porter Zoo This concern materialized on September 3, 1971, when its gates were opened to the public Four years ago, the community in the Lower Hio Grandp Valley.' the people of South Texas, and. indeed the world, realized the impact of this multi-million dollar installation which was built, stocked and given to the City of Brownsville by the Karl C Sams Foundation Mrs Gladys C Porter presently heads the foundation and as the daughter of the late Karl C. Sams, she was guided by his belief that wealth brings responsibility for good steward ship In line with this belief, the contribution of the Zoo was the hope of the Foundation toprovide great opportunity for increased service to mankind The concern for vanishing wildlife and concern for service to mankind is one that is synonymous exemplified bythe four basic missions of tl**ferent species living at the 31 -acre park. Most of the animals live in naturalistic habitats on islands or in large open areas separated by concealed moats or visible waterways created by the Zoo’s construction along an old channel of the Rio Grande River The Zoo is designed so that the animals may be viewed across barless moats or through glass barriers Some of the animals such as the lt;nakes and other reptiles are displayed in naturalistic set tings behind glass in the exciting Herpetanum building This modem concept of zoo design is seen in more and more zoos throughout the nationap but the Gladys Porter Zoo is one of the few to be totally designed and construr ted in this manner Concern for the animals is a primary concern but no less important is a concern for the Zoo visitor, and for this reason, the Gladys Porter Zoo is open 365 days out of the year from ten o’clock in the morning Depending upon seasonal time changes, the gate closes near sundown, allowing late v.sitorsenough time to stroll through the area, enjoying the animals and their surroundings until the grounds are cleared at duskVisitors comforts rand conveniences are included in mepark and include concessions areas for food and drink, stroller rental, wheelchair rental, and a tour train which runs on Sunday afternoons from 1 30 until 3 30 pm, or at other times by special reservation The Gladys Porter Zoo owns and manages the Gift Shop located on the path to the South America section of the Zoo. which offers more than the usual souvenir selection of gifts Manv c*f the items availableWare imported from Africa and India and include wood car vmgs, jewelry, and native tribal costume ornaments, spears, and drums Wildlife art prints and original art is also available and includes a wide selection of ceramics, paintings and sketches Posters, stationary and some books make buyers out of browsers There is much to choose from in the way of picture postcards fold-outs, colored slides, andthe Gladys Porter Zoo AnimalAlbum ”The operating funds for the Gladys Porter Zoo are derived from gate admissions, memberships in the Valley Zoological Society, personal contributions, gifts from the city and from the Sams Foundation as well as from the Zoo’s concessions and gift ship Visiting the Gladys Porter Zoo supports the zoo, but added benefits are obtained from becoming part of the Zoo through membership in the Valley Zoological Society Par ticipation through membership is available in a number of categories and tiie new 1976 membership drive is geared to encourage more people to use the Zoo for their enjoyment more frequently The Gladys Porter Zoo is an ever-changing, ever-improving facility, dedicated to continup the concern that first envisioned a haven for the wildlife of the world ui south Texas The wildlife of the world belongs to no one person, place or entity, but the concern for it belongs to everyone Visiting your Zoo supports and affirms this concern
Newspaper Details
Brownsville Herald
Brownsville, Texas, US
Tue, Jan 13, 1976
Page 73
Full Page
Clipped by
Brownsville P.
Texas, USA 03 May 2023
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