Fernanda Gonzalez
Photo of Gladys Porter Zoo entrance in Brownsville, Texas.
Construction of Gladys Porter Zoo’s new Soaring Eagle Zip Line is underway as part of the nonprofit organization’s $30-million master plan aimed to renovate the facility’s signature structures and add attractions.
Executive Director of Gladys Porter Zoo Patrick Burchfield spoke about the master plan project and how it will impact not only Brownsville but the Rio Grande Valley.
“This is a really exciting project for the Gladys Porter Zoo because we’re going to provide the citizens of Brownsville and the Rio Grande Valley with a vantage point that no one else has in the Valley,” Burchfield said.
Deputy Director of Gladys Porter Zoo Colette Adams spoke about how the master plan came into place with early planning beginning in March of 2020.
“The very first item to accomplish on that master plan is the completion of a soaring Eagle Zip Line, which will be installed here for multiple purposes,” Adams said. “One of the main ones being to attract a different demographic to the zoo and to the area.”
She described the zip line as a comfortable ride with two seats and a seat belt attendees will take from a ground level, going backwards up to 110 feet in the air. The zip line’s trajectory will be across the zoo over several animal exhibits reaching a high point where participants will be able to appreciate the Rio Grande and Mexico. Then, they will return gaining speed.
Adams explained the next step of the zoo’s master plan is renovating “Small World” by making the attraction all-inclusive.
“The next item is going to be completing the development of [an] area in the zoo, which is currently called ‘La Huasteca,’ Adams said. “We plan to create an area where we can move the animals that are in ‘Small World’ that we intend to keep in our collection to a lush outdoor area with large habitats. So, we can then demolish ‘Small World,’ which is outdated and sitting on unstable ground, then develop a new reimagined ‘Small World’ that is going to be all-inclusive.”
After the renovation of “Small World,” the camel exhibit will undergo a redevelopment and become the new home for the zoo’s lions.
Burchfield spoke how the City of Brownsville was a key component for the revitalization of the zoo.
“The City of Brownsville realizes that the Gladys Porter Zoo is kind of the crown jewel,” he said. “They’ve come to the realization that it is the No. 1 tourist attraction in this area other than South Padre Island. It’s time to reinvest in the zoo and revitalize the zoo.”
Adams expressed that the zoo’s staff is looking forward to the renovation.
“We are so looking forward to all of the changes that are long in coming and we’ll also just launch this off into the next 50 years,” she said.
This is Fernanda Gonzalez for Vaquero Radio.
