Zoos are started for a variety of reasons—usually the animals come first, and a zoo is built to house them and educate the public about their lives. The Austin Zoo, however, was founded for a very different purpose. In 1990, a former goat ranch was purchased and renamed the Good Day Ranch, dedicated to taking in injured or abandoned animals in need of rehabilitation. Over the years, the ranch’s collection of animals has expanded exponentially. Starting out with mainly domestic animals, more and more exotic creatures were added until it was officially renamed the Austin Zoo in 1994. Now it is home to over 300 animals from 100 species, all rescued from or abandoned by their former owners. One of the biggest draws is the pair of Barbary lions, believed to be extinct in the wild, who are being used as a successful breeding family and have sired two cubs.

Austin Zoo
10807 Rawhide Trail
Austin, TX 78736
(512) 288-1490