The Abilene Zoo is a zoo located in Abilene, Texas. The zoo has over 800 animals representing over 175 species. Attendance for 2021 was 255,00. Abilene zoo has been an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) since 1985. The zoo participates in the AZA Reciprocal Admissions Program, allowing members to obtain free or reduced admissions at many other American zoos. The zoo is funded by the City of Abilene and the Abilene Zoological Society, a 501 C 3 non-profit. History The original Abilene Zoological Gardens was built in Fair Park in 1919. Today residents of Abilene know that park as Rose Park. In 1963, the Abilene Zoological Society was formed to support and raise funds for a new larger Zoo at a completely new location. A massive public campaign unused. The city's former airport was selected as the new location. A 39 acre piece of land. In fact the Zoo's new parking lot was once the airport's runway, where Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart once landed their planes. Private citizens donated animals, equipment, resources, and even purchased the Abilene Zoo an elephant. On July 2, 1966, the Abilene Zoo officially opened its gates at their new location, Grover Nelson Park on Abilene's east side. In 1985, the zoo first received accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). In 2006, $1.1 million was raised through a bond issue for zoo improvements. This bond funded converting part of the Discovery Center into the Creepy Crawly Center, expansions to the giraffe exhibit and the parking lot, and creating a South American Trails exhibit, the Wetlands Boardwalk, and the Elm Creek Backyard exhibit. In 2007, one of the zoos elephants died at age 49 amidst some controversy over conditions for the elephants at the zoo, and the other was sent to the Cameron Park Zoo in Waco, Texas. The elephant exhibit was then turned into an exhibit for black rhinoceroses. The new $3.7 million Adventure Center (visitor services, administration, and education, all privately funded) and the new Creepy Crawler Center were also opened in 2007. In 2009, the Elm Creek Backyard exhibit was completed with funds from the 2006 bond issue plus a $525,000 grant from the Grover Nelson Foundation. In 2013, a new Caribbean Cove section opened, featuring exotic birds, reptiles, and mammals from Caribbean countries. In 2016, one of the Zoo's most iconic habitats opened. Giraffe