At Abilene Zoological Gardens (The Abilene Zoo) our purpose and our Mission is to be "a place of learning and adventure, wher ... e families make memories, share the joy of discovery and become inspired to preserve wildlife" for the citizens and the visitors of Abilene, Texas where we are one of the prominent, must-see, attractions in the City of Abilene. The Abilene Zoo was first established in 1919 before moving and becoming a formally founded zoological institution in 1966. Currently, it is a sixteen-acre facility, located in scenic Nelson Park, and is home to more than 1000 animals representing over 250 species from across the world with plans of expansion as part of our Master Plan. The Abilene Zoo became a proud member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) in 1985 and in 2015 were presented a prestigious Quarter Century of Continuous Accreditation Award by the AZA, promoting and meeting the current and highest standards of Animal Welfare and Care in North America. Our collection holds, and currently participates in, more than 30 of the AZA's Species Survival Plan (SSP) species and promote nearly two dozen local and international conservation efforts through our Conservation Fund Program "Quarters for Conservation". Of those SSPs we are participants and holders of several native Texas SSP species including: Attwater's Prairie Chicken, Ocelot, Greater Roadrunner, Swift Fox, Ring-tailed Cat, Burrowing Owl, Black-Footed Ferret, and Whooping Crane. read more