Safari redefined the giraffe habitat. Allowing Abilene Zoo visitors a chance to feed and get nose to nose with giraffe. Along with new habitats that visitors must pass on their way up to the feeding deck. In 2021, the Zoo opened Journey to Madagascar. This new area featured lemurs, fossa, reptiles, and birds. In the spring on 2022, the Zoo announced a ten year master plan had been completed. The Zoo stated that the plan would open in four sperate phases. The habitats would feature new lion, rhino, and wide open savanna habitats. The expansion will grow the Zoo from 16 to 39 acres, the largest expansion since 1966. The Zoo announced the addition of new species such as meerkats, pygmy hippopotamus, cheetah, wildebeest, and bison. The announcement also included a new train ride, play area, concert venue, restaurant, and renovations to current habitats. The cost of the plan was not announced. Zoo history timeline This is a selected list of when buildings and exhibits were created: 1919: Original zoo built in Fair Park, now Rose Park. 1963: Abilene Zoological Society formed to support and raise funds. 1966: New zoo opened in Grover Nelson Park. 1973: The zoo became a participant in the International Species Inventory System. First docent program started. 1975: Education Building opened. 1981: Pair of young African elephants arrived. 1982: Avian Reproduction Center completed. 1983: Native plant exhibit opened. World's first successful captive breeding of Wirot's pit viper. 1984: World's first successful breeding of Storr's monitor. Inaugural Zoo Day held. 1985: First accreditation from the American Association of Zoological Parks. First successful zoo breeding of Mottled rock rattlesnake. 1987: ARC Reserve Aviary completed. Road renamed 'Zoo Lane.' First successful breeding of African bush vipers in the world. 1989: The Monarch Project recognized the zoo as the first monarch butterfly sanctuary east of the Rocky Mountains. 1991: Discovery Center opened. 1994: Wetlands Exhibit completed. 1960s aviary renovated. 1995: Twenty-four more acres incorporated into the zoo's perimeter. Night keeper hired so security is around the clock. 1996: Jaguar and ocelot exhibits opened. Construction began on the new mammal holding/quarantine building. Inaugural Zoo Serenade with Abilene Philharmonic Orchestra. 1997: During construction, Tanya the African elephant was sent to Caldwell Zoo. Leadership Abilene raised $30,000 for a new female giraffe. The leaf-mimic gecko bred for the first time here. 1998: Tanya returned from the Caldwell Zoo. Tanzy the African elephant arrived