Soaring Together
The opening of The Fondren Foundation Birds of the World over Labor Day weekend in 2024 marked the completion of the final exhibit in the first phase of the Houston Zoo’s 20-year master plan. The scope of transformative work that has taken place at our Zoo is truly exceptional, and our peers within the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) have recognized our accomplishments with three Top Honors awards for exhibit design in just the past four years.
Birds of the World is nestled in a tranquil area of our grounds that has been home to avian care and conservation efforts throughout much of our Zoo’s history. With three aviaries showcasing birds from North and South America and Africa, the exhibit highlights the incredible diversity of avian wildlife and engages our guests to take conservation action. Behind the scenes, the new Avian Conservation Environment, a LEED-certified building, provides staff with ample space to manage our bird conservation programs.
In April, we announced that our AZA accreditation inspection, which occurs every five years, resulted in a 100% clean evaluation—only eight of 2,700 inspections across all institutions since 1974 have achieved this. Over the summer, we announced another historic milestone when Asian elephant Tess received the world’s first mRNA EEHV vaccine after years of work with our partners at Baylor College of Medicine.
This breakthrough success is vital to protecting young elephants everywhere, like our very own Kirby, who immediately won the hearts of adoring fans around the world when she was born in November. We celebrated many other additions to our animal family last year including pygmy hippo Akobi, Amur leopard Lisa, jaguar cub Rojo, and Masai giraffe Tino.
We faced our share of challenges, with Hurricane Beryl causing millions in damages to our facilities and extensive destruction to the trees around our Zoo. Thankfully, with a well-prepared hurricane plan, a stellar ride-out crew, and an intensive recovery effort, we protected our animals and quickly reopened our gates.
In 2024, we welcomed 2 million guests, more than 340,000 of whom were able visit with free or deeply discounted admission. We will always be a Zoo for All, striving to ensure that people of all backgrounds can connect with our animals.
We are infinitely grateful to our community of supporters who share our belief that the Houston Zoo can lead the way toward a brighter future for wildlife. Thank you!
Sincerely,
Lee Ehmke President and CEO Joe Cleary Chair, Board of Directors
AZA Accreditation
The Houston Zoo received a perfect inspection by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), a rarity in the long history of the AZA accreditation process.
After dedicating three and a half days to meticulously observe and assess the Zoo, the AZA inspectors found that the Houston Zoo met all required standards “without exceptions.” These results made the Houston Zoo the eighth institution to achieve this feat—and the first large zoo to do so—in the 40+ year history of AZA accreditation. AZA has been inspecting aquarium and zoo facilities for accreditation since 1974, on an every-five-year cycle. They have conducted more than 2,700 inspections.
The rigorous accreditation process consists of a lengthy written application in addition to an intensive inspection that covers all aspects of zoo operations, including animal welfare, veterinary care, conservation efforts, education programs, guest services, safety, staffing, finance, and facility management. The site inspection is then followed by an in-person hearing in front of the Accreditation Commission where a final decision is issued.
Fewer than 10% of the approximately 2,800 animal exhibitors licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) meet the comprehensive standards of AZA accreditation. Achieving a 100% clean inspection reflects the Zoo’s steadfast commitment to the highest standards of animal care and guest experience.
Leaders in Animal Care
A Houston Zoo elephant received the first ever mRNA vaccine to prevent elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV)1A— a deadly viral disease in Asian elephants worldwide. Dr. Paul Ling at Baylor College of Medicine and the veterinary and elephant care teams at the Houston Zoo had been working together for more than 15 years towards the development of this EEHV vaccine and on June 18 Tess, the Zoo’s 40-year-old Asian elephant, was the historic first recipient.
The mRNA vaccine's development has involved extensive preclinical trials, with positive preliminary results indicating that it can induce an immune response against the virus with no adverse side effects. Following Tess, young elephants Teddy and Tilly were also vaccinated, as well as 6 other at risk elephants in zoos across the country. Future plans including making this vaccine widely available to other Asian elephants, both in human care and ultimately in the wild. This vaccine is anticipated to have a significant impact on the global Asian elephant population and lay the foundational work for a similar vaccine for African elephants as well.
Through this partnership, advances in diagnostics, therapeutics, and prevention have saved elephant lives in North America, Europe, and range countries around the world and will be essential to the long-term survival of elephant populations squeezed into diminishing patches of native habitat.
Animal Updates: New Additions
Animal Records by the Numbers
TOTAL ANIMALS: 5,428
TOTAL SPECIES: 575
New in 2024
BIRTHS: 322
ACQUISITIONS: 341
Get a glimpse of the new additions who joined our herd in 2024.
1. Masai giraffe, Tino
2. Capybaras Bowtie, Ravioli, Rigatoni, Macaroni, and Gnocchi
3. Asian elephant, Chuck
4. Asian elephant, Kirby
5. Amur leopard, Lisa
6. Pygmy hippo, Akobi
7. Jaguar, Rojo
8. Grey crowned cranes Theo and Ellie
9. Painted bunting
10. Malagasy Sacred ibis
Houston Zoo Opens The Fondren Foundation
Birds of the World Exhibit
The Zoo’s newest exhibit opened on August 30 and highlights the incredible diversity and beauty of bird species from around the globe. The exhibit features three spacious aviaries, each housing approximately 15 different bird species.
The South American Wetlands habitat is an immersive aviary where guests can walk among a variety of South American birds, including Chilean flamingos. It features a double-arched mesh enclosure and a historical sculptural tree by artist Dionicio Rodriguez, commissioned by the City of Houston in 1926. The African Savanna aviary showcases grey crowned cranes and includes a themed watering hole and artificial carcass feeder, allowing vultures to demonstrate carrion feeding, a natural scavenging behavior. The North American Woodlands exhibit features American songbirds like blue grosbeaks and indigo buntings, with native plants like American beautyberry providing nutritional enrichment.
Additionally, a brand-new, state-of-theart Avian Conservation Environment (ACE) building provides an updated space for bird care professionals’ dayto-day activities, including behind-thescenes breeding programs of critically endangered species like the blue-billed curassow and Saint Vincent parrot.
Rwanda
In February 2024, Zoo team members Ben Jones, Kevin Kendrick, Linsey Whitehead, Dr. Christine Molter, and Jennifer Atkinson traveled to Rwanda with a KPRC-2 production crew to showcase the country's native animals and meet with partners dedicated to their conservation. The team also provided veterinary equipment and training for a new wildlife veterinary clinic.
The trip included a visit to Umusambi Village and the Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association (RWCA) headquarters, where they learned about conservation programs, including the protection of the grey crowned crane.
At RWCA, Dr. Christine and Jennifer helped set up the first wildlife clinic of its kind in Rwanda along with RWCA staff.
The one-hour special, Return to Rwanda, aired in September, coinciding with the opening of The Fondren Foundation Birds of the World.
BOTW: Return to Rwanda Special
Conservation Partner Updates
SAVING GIANT ARMADILLOS AND GIANT ANTEATERS IN BRAZIL
Arnaud Desbiez, founder of Instituto de Conservação de Animais Silvestres (ICAS), says the Houston Zoo’s support has been vital in protecting giant anteaters and armadillos in the Pantanal. The Zoo helped ICAS start a community firefighting initiative, protecting 620 square miles of land. The project involves 23 ranches where participants are trained by ICAS to fight fires. In 2024, severe droughts in the Pantanal led to wildfires, but thanks to years of training, the team was able to control a fire on a participating ranch. The fire was fully contained, marking a major success for the fire brigade, the local community, and wildlife.
WILDLIFE WARRIOR PROGRAM RELAUNCH
Established in 2015 by the Zoo’s Admissions team, the Houston Zoo Wildlife Warrior award recognizes outstanding local employees from our global conservation partners and offers them professional development to enhance their skills as they grow within their organizations. After a pandemic pause, the program was relaunched in spring 2024, announcing two new Wildlife Warriors – Laikos Letupukwa from Ewaso Lions in Kenya and Eric Mutabazi from Conservation Heritage – Turambe in Rwanda. Since its inception, the program has supported 28 individuals from 20 different partner organizations.
CONSERVATION PARTNERS VISIT HOUSTON
In 2024, the Zoo hosted nine wildlife heroes from India, Kenya, Rwanda, Brazil, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. During their visit, partners connected with teams across the Zoo, exchanging wildlife-saving stories and strengthening relationships. Staff, volunteers, and board members learned firsthand about efforts to save species like king cobras, lions, giraffes, grey crowned cranes, okapis, giant armadillos, and giant anteaters. Partners shared highlights from their work, answered questions, and some even participated in local conservation, releasing rehabilitated sea turtles and Houston toad eggs into the wild. Each visit created lasting memories and highlighted the power of collaboration in saving wildlife.
SAVING PAINTED TERRAPINS IN INDONESIA
The Zoo is dedicated to protecting painted terrapins in the wild by supporting Indonesian conservation partner, SatuCita, led by Joko Guntoro. The team works to protect freshwater turtles and tortoises by promoting coexistence between people and wildlife. Painted terrapins face threats from egg harvesting, predation, and habitat destruction. To combat these, SatuCita conducts annual nesting patrols to protect eggs, runs a head-starting program, rescues and releases terrapins, and leads habitat restoration. In 2024, they protected 107 nests and released 1,107 hatchlings. With local government, community members, and forest teams, they planted 4,000+ mangrove trees and 1,000 coastal pines to restore terrapin habitats.
Texas Wildlife-Saving Highlights and Successes
STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS
SAVING TEXAS WILDLIFE
At the Houston Zoo, conservation starts locally. As leaders in global wildlife protection, staff and volunteers work alongside local partners on habitat restoration and cleanup projects in the Greater Houston area.
In 2024, 150+ staff and volunteers planted 4,737 native prairie plants and 14,000 grass plugs, restoring habitats for bees, butterflies, and birds.
They also protected species like sea turtles, night herons, and river otters by removing 3,901 pounds of litter from beaches, bays, and bayous.
CONSERVATION BY THE NUMBERS
In 2024, the Zoo rescued and cared for:
30 green sea turtles
7 Kemp’s ridley turtles
10 loggerheads
1 hawksbill
Hatched and released 58 Attwater's prairie chickens into the wild.
The Zoo also helped save two Texas species from extinction—the Houston toad and Attwater’s prairie chicken. Released 1,865,700 Houston toad eggs, 4,300 tadpoles, and 430 toadlets into the wild.
Hurricane Beryl
Category 1 Hurricane Beryl made landfall in Texas on July 8 with sustained winds of up to 80 miles per hour, causing destruction and power outages across the region. A dedicated ride-out team stayed overnight at the Houston Zoo to care for the animals, ensuring the safety of the grounds and security of all animal enclosures. After the storm passed, the ride-out team assessed the campus. The Zoo sustained some damage, primarily to roofs and interior flooding in places like the Brown Education Center (BEC) and numerous downed and compromised trees across the campus required extensive clearing.
Following a five-day closure, the Zoo reopened on July 13 just in time for 713 Day and offered special tickets for $7.13. Named for the city's original area code, the unofficial holiday celebrates all things Houston.
The Zoo’s smooth reopening provided a welcoming space for families and communities to gather. After the storm, the AZA generously contributed nearly $25,000 to support Zoo staff with personal losses and property damage.
Jack’s Cafe and Event Space Breaks Ground
As the final piece of the Zoo’s Centennial Plan, Jack’s Cafe will serve as a new connection point between McGovern Plaza and the reflection pool. This facility will offer an outdoor café and convenient restrooms on the ground level. Upstairs, guests will find a brand-new event venue, John P. and Kathrine G. McGovern Reflections Event Hall and Terrace, offering scenic views of both the Reflection Pool and the Galápagos Islands exhibit.
Constructed with mass timber, the building reflects the Zoo’s ongoing dedication to sustainability and wildlife conservation. Its exterior will feature bird-safe glass to help protect Houston’s native bird populations. Jack’s Cafe is designed with eco-friendly features such as rainwater harvesting, energy-efficient systems, and low-carbon, long-lasting materials. The space is expected to open to the public in summer 2025.
20 | Jack's Cafe
Jack's Cafe
Sustainability
KEEPING WASTE OUT OF LANDFILLS
More than 55% of the Zoo’s waste in 2024 was composted or recycled, including the following materials:
1,044 tons of organic material composted, including animal manure, landscape clippings, and food waste from our restaurants
44 tons of paper
18 tons of glass 3 tons of plastic Nearly 2 tons of e-waste
32 tons of cardboard 26 tons of metal were recycled, and 2,443 lbs of holiday lights
In 2024, the Zoo also helped the Houston community keep holiday lights, cell phones, and other small electronics out of landfills, protecting local habitat, air quality, and groundwater.
1,356 cell phones and small electronics were restored or recycled, helping minimize the need for mining in gorilla habitats for the materials used in batteries and other components.
EXPANDING CELL PHONE RECYCLING TO SAVE WILDLIFE
Building on its past success, the Zoo’s cell phone recycling program is set to expand in the coming years thanks to a $4.86 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy awarded to Harris County in partnership with the Zoo, the University of Houston, and Elevate Communications. A portion of the grant will fund a Zoo-led behavior change campaign around battery recycling for the County as well as a new installation highlighting how guests can save wildlife by recycling their devices
at the Zoo.
LEADING WITH LEED AND LEDS
In 2024, the Zoo achieved its first two LEED-certified buildings: the Houston Zoo Headquarters (HZHQ) and the Birds Department’s Avian Care Environment (ACE) building, both earning LEED Gold. LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is the world’s leading green building rating system. Strategies that earned HZHQ and ACE LEED Gold include energy and water efficiency, sustainable materials, and wildlife-saving features like dark sky compliant lighting and bird-friendly glass.
The Zoo also advanced toward becoming 100% LED by converting the Reptile & Amphibian House, Wortham World of Primates, John P. McGovern Children’s Zoo, Commissary, and four other areas to 100% LED lighting. This saves 55-70% in electricity, reduces maintenance, and eliminates toxic materials from fluorescent lights.
By updating the lighting to LED lights in the Reptile & Amphibian House, we’ve slashed our energy used for lighting by 70%.
Conservation Education
STUDENTS SAVING TEXAS WILDLIFE
Through the Saving Wildlife School Partnership Program, students across the Greater Houston region are teaming up with Zoo staff to save local species. These future leaders are running action campaigns on their campuses to reduce wildlife threats. In 2024, students at 27 partner campuses created 1,400 square feet of wildlife-friendly gardens and maintained 12,432 square feet of native coastal prairie, protecting habitats for bees, butterflies, and native birds.
Houston-area students also:
Recycled 250 pounds of holiday lights
Removed over 600 pounds of debris from campuses and local nature areas
Composted 9,885 pounds of food and garden waste
By fostering year-long partnerships, the Zoo strengthens students' wildlife-saving identities and cultivates care for wildlife. This next generation of conservation heroes will inspire their peers and the local community to take action for wildlife.
TEENS TRAVEL TO RWANDA
In August, seven Zoo Crew members traveled to Rwanda for a transformative experience that deepened their understanding of community-based conservation. They worked alongside four Zoo conservation partners: Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association, Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, Conservation Heritage-Turambe, and Gorilla Doctors. The teens gained field experience, including collecting data on endangered grey crowned cranes, assessing urban wildlife health in Kigali, and trekking to over 9,000 feet in Volcanoes National Park to collect veterinary data on gorillas.
Collaborating with Rwandan teens to propagate native plants and planting bamboo for gorillas and the local community, the Zoo Crew saw firsthand how the Zoo’s partners educate communities to live in harmony with wildlife.
The teens shared:
“This experience inspired us to take initiative in conservation. The legacies of Dr. Olivier Nsengimana and Dian Fossey have had a lasting impact on communities, the environment, and us.”
“Everyone we met in Rwanda was so inspirational. This trip made us realize the importance of community involvement in wildlife conservation. We are grateful for our partners’ hospitality and everything they taught us.”
VOLUNTEERS IN THE WILD
Houston Zoo Volunteers helped save wildlife and connected to nature through several off-grounds opportunities in 2024. Volunteers helped remove invasive plants in coastal prairie habitat, planted trees in urban Houston areas, and removed trash from beaches, bays, and bayous.
Volunteers were also able to strengthen their connections with one another, Zoo staff, and the mission through continuing education opportunities set in nature. The first overnight volunteer excursion to the Whooping Crane Festival was a huge success with 100% of participating volunteers indicating they felt more connected to the Zoo and confident in speaking with guests about whooping cranes.
Houston Zoo was supported by 470 adult volunteers in 2024. These amazing individuals gave over 43,000 hours of service through the year, achieving a 13% increase in support from 2023. This service is valued at almost $1.5 million by the Independent Sector, the standard for the value of volunteerism in the United States.
VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT — RISING TO NEW HEIGHTS
Volunteer support hours have reached an all-time high while the number of volunteers remain lower than pre-2020 — a lasting effect of the pandemic, which reduced volunteerism across the country. Since 2019, the Zoo has seen an increase of 22% in hours supporting animal care teams, and 120% in hours interacting with Zoo guests. Volunteer retention and the growth in support hours are indicators of successful volunteer engagement and connection to the mission of the Houston Zoo.
IDEA Committee
The IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility) Committee consists of members from various departments, representing diverse backgrounds in ethnicity, economic status, disability, and sexual orientation. The Committee recognizes that true inclusivity goes beyond serving diverse guests; it requires a diverse staff and an inclusive culture. Therefore, the IDEA Committee was created to cultivate this environment within the organization.
IDEA Committee Mission Statement:
As a Zoo for All, the IDEA Committee will foster relationships to build a representative and inclusive culture that celebrates the diverse voices of our staff, encourages equity and supports accessibility
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2024
Over the past three years, the IDEA Committee has made significant progress in fostering a more inclusive and representative culture. In 2024, initiatives included developing an IDEA curriculum with ongoing staff training, launching a paid internship program to attract diverse talent, and establishing a Zoo-wide understanding of IDEA, with tools for measuring impact.
Other highlights include:
AZA Diversity Award
Certified Autism Center
28 intranet posts were created for staff to learn about different heritages/communities.
15 community partners were involved in conversations furthering their connection to the Zoo.
Five outreach events were held on and off grounds to engage students/families by teaching them about various careers that exist at the Zoo.
Four coffee talks were held to cultivate spaces for staff to engage with each other about various culturally significant experiences.
Three staff events were held to engage staff in cultural experiences.
Staff participated in the Houston Pride Parade to show support for the community.
INCLUSION, DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND ACCESSIBILITY (IDEA) ANNUAL UPDATE
The IDEA journey continues to be rooted in a deep commitment to understanding what matters most to our staff and how we can best support their needs. The Zoo remains steadfast in the commitment to cultivating a culture where all staff feel seen, heard, and valued. Through collaboration, transparency, and intentional action, the Zoo continues to uphold the vision of being a Zoo for All—where inclusion is not only a value, but a practice woven into every aspect of work.
2024 IDEA SURVEY RESULTS:
81% of staff feel they can be their authentic selves at work.
80% report a strong sense of belonging at Houston Zoo. 79% of staff would recommend Houston Zoo as an employer. 76% of staff stated they are happy with the organizational culture.
MOVING FORWARD
The goal is to strengthen the approach by incorporating more feedback mechanisms, ensuring staff voices shape initiatives. A holistic approach to staff well-being will also be prioritized, addressing burnout and promoting a culture of support and inclusivity. By focusing on these improvements, the commitment remains to drive positive change and foster a culture of belonging within the organization and community.
Public Policy
Houston Zoo representatives attended the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Advocacy Day in Washington D.C. and met with members of the congressional delegation to rally support for policies that are important to conservation and wildlife.
The Zoo also hosted its first Zoo Day for elected officials where dozens of city officials, legislators, their families and staff members attended. They explored behind-the-scenes areas and learned firsthand the world class care Houston Zoo provides its animals.
These relationships are essential as we work to save species, educate the public and build the next generation of conservation stewards.
Top Honors at AZA
Houston Zoo brought home an unprecedented five Top Honors awards during the 2024 Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Annual Conference in Calgary. The awards include Exhibit Design – Galápagos Islands, Earned Media Campaign – Galápagos Islands, Sustainability Award, Education Programs Award, and Diversity & Inclusion Award.
These achievements reflect the dedication, creativity, and hard work of each and every staff member at the Zoo. The Zoo’s commitment to conservation, education, sustainability, and inclusion is stronger than ever. Together, we will continue to build on the incredible work already achieved and ensure our Zoo remains a leader in wildlife conservation.
Events
Throughout the year, the Zoo hosted exciting events for all ages, from seasonal celebrations with spooky attractions and special food to after-hours events with live music and local cuisine. These events offered memorable experiences that blended fun, education, and community enjoyment.
In October, a spook-tacular Zoo Boo presented by King & Spalding returned to the Zoo. The event introduced new attractions like a creepy ghost town, giant talking pumpkins, a delicious fall menu, and more. Additionally, there were 12 extended Zoo Boo After Hours nights, eight more than in 2023!
Feast with the Beasts presented by TXU Energy returned on April 5, where guests sampled local cuisine from 40 of Houston’s best restaurants. While strolling through the Zoo, guests enjoyed drinks, live music, after-hours animal experiences, and more.
On September 13, guests had a wild time at Brew at the Zoo. This 21+ event featured beer tastings from popular breweries, as well as gluten-free options like ciders, canned cocktails, and hard seltzers. From chatting with the keepers, enjoying live music, to playing giant beer pong, there was fun for everyone.
A Magical Zoo Lights Season
From November 17 through January 7, the Houston Zoo hosted its 12th season as one of Houston’s most beloved holiday traditions, TXU Energy presents Zoo Lights. On these evenings, while the animals took their winter slumber, guests enjoyed picture-perfect winter scenes at Snowy Slopes sponsored by PNC, strolled through the sparkling lights at the Holiday Grove presented by TXU Energy and experienced “snow” in Winter Wonderland presented by Houston Methodist.
In November, members enjoyed a two-night exclusive to preview Zoo Lights before anyone else. For the second time, the Zoo hosted Sip & Sparkle, an adults-only Zoo Lights specialty night where guests sample wine and enjoy the sights of the season.
Lead Sponsors: PNC, Coca-Cola, H-E-B, and Houston Methodist
ZOO BALL CO-CHAIRS
Jennifer and Chris Laporte
Anita O’Shaughnessy and Chris Laquer
HONORING
Cathy and Joe Cleary
Cullen and Robert Muse
AUCTION CHAIRS
Courtney and Zac Harmon
AFTER PARTY CHAIRS
Arthur “Will” Brown III
Victoria Villarreal
On October 19, Zoo Ball: Wings of Wonder, presented by Phillips 66, raised over $2.2 million for the Houston Zoo. The sold-out gala, chaired by Jennifer and Chris Laporte and Anita O’Shaughnessy and Chris Laquer, welcomed 825 guests to Masihara Pavilion for an unforgettable evening. Honorees Cathy and Joe Cleary and Cullen and Robert Muse were recognized for their leadership in the Zoo’s $150 million Keeping Our World Wild centennial campaign.
Before dinner, guests mingled with ambassador animals while browsing a superb silent auction organized by chairs Courtney and Zac Harmon. The multi-course dinner was followed by a live auction, where naming rights for a future jaguar cub sold for $50,000, and a paddle raise that brought in $275,000. The night ended with the sold-out After Party, sponsored by PNC and chaired by Victoria Villarreal and Arthur “Will” Brown, where The Drywater Band kept guests dancing until midnight.
Chris Laquer and Anita O'Shaughnessy,
Lee Ehmke and Sue Chin, Jennifer and Chris Laporte
Courtney and Zac Harmon
Arthur "Will" Brown III and Victoria Villarreal
Wings of Wonder Stage
LEGACY GIVING
Including the Houston Zoo in your will can create a lasting impact, supporting animal care and wildlife protection for generations. Those who leave a legacy gift are honored as members of The John and Ingrid Werler Society, a distinguished group dedicated to the Zoo's future.
This year, the Werler Society held its mostattended annual event, offering members an exclusive tour of the Zoo’s veterinary complex and a chance to connect with the veterinary clinic team. Later, we hosted our first event for professional advisors from Houston.
Legacy giving continues to transform the Zoo, with a recent planned gift of over $2 million ensuring the care of our giraffe herd for years, highlighting the lasting impact of these contributions.
Learn More
WALK FOR THE WILD
The third annual Walk for the Wild presented by Bank of Texas brought together over 1,300 participants for a 5k through the Zoo’s pathways and habitats, all in support of wildlife conservation. Participants rallied their "herds" of family, friends, and colleagues, enjoying a rare opportunity to explore the Zoo before opening. Leading up to the event, participant fundraising raised an impressive $190,000 through friendly competition and unique prizes like exclusive animal experiences.
The morning began with a sea lion feeding and keeper chat, followed by an energizing opening ceremony with animal-inspired stretches. After crossing the finish line, guests enjoyed an After Party with a light breakfast, ambassador animal encounters, and fun activities like a bounce house, photo booth, and conservation-themed giveaways.
AN EVENING WITH THE ELEPHANTS
In May, 282 members of the Asante Society joined us for an Evening with the Elephants at the McNair Asian Elephant Habitat. Asante members enjoyed drinks and light bites, feeding demonstrations, and mingling with zookeepers and our Conservation Education and Animal Health teams. They were able to learn more about our work saving elephants around the globe, including our collaboration with Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) to develop the world’s first mRNA vaccine to protect against EEHV, a virus that can be especially fatal in young elephants. Guests met Dr. Paul Ling from BCM to hear about how his team reached this milestone achievement.
Learn More
16TH ANNUAL BEASTLY BRUNCH
Flock members embraced their Texan spirit at the annual Beastly Brunch, donning denim and cowboy boots to celebrate the Zoo’s wildlife-saving efforts in the Lone Star State. Guests enjoyed a delicious buffet and refreshing libations provided courtesy of Flock presenting sponsor, White Claw Hard Seltzers. Throughout the event, guests enjoyed up-close encounters with ambassador animals, interactions with keepers and lively lawn games. Other highlights included a Kendra Scott jewelry pull and a silent auction offering exclusive experiences, such as a behind-the-scenes tour of the Kathrine G. McGovern Texas Wetlands exhibit.
Learn More
A Zoo for All
The continued success of the Houston Zoo is made possible by the dedication and passion of our supporters. Your generous support keeps the Zoo strong as a key part of Houston’s community and enables us to maintain vital partnerships with individuals and organizations in Texas and across the globe who are committed to protecting wildlife.
2024 ATTENDANCE: 2,010,530*
* As of December 31, 2024
CONTRIBUTIONS BREAKDOWN
15,566,699 22,654,672 12,020,820 19,262,267 9,103,087 5,425,510 84,033,055
Contributions 169,915 3,753,409 335,456 2,302,242 9,005,676 15,566,699
EXPENDITURES
52,599,491 5,642,297 5,153,832 2,461,896 3,095,376 1,312,307 70,265,199 13,767,856 2024 REVENUE
Remembering Stacy Methvin
On March 20, 2025, our Houston Zoo family mourned the loss of Stacy Methvin, Director Emeritus and former Board Chair, following a long illness. She was a truly wonderful, bright, and brilliant individual. Stacy was a transformative leader, a friend for all times, and a stalwart champion of our Zoo.
Stacy’s impact on the Houston Zoo will endure for generations. As Board Chair, she deftly navigated our organization amidst the challenges of a global pandemic. At the same time, Stacy led the Zoo through our historic Keeping Our World Wild centennial campaign that enabled the transformation of our Zoo. Her contributions of time and talent were driven by a heartfelt commitment to our wildlife-saving mission and the communities we serve. Ever mindful of the work it takes to run a world-class zoo, Stacy always shared her appreciation for our staff and volunteers.
2024 Giving
$100,000+
Anonymous BakerHostetler LLP*
CenterPoint Energy Foundation
Chevron
Cathy and Joe Cleary
City of Houston
Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages*
ConocoPhillips
Karri and Joey Mahmoud
John M. O'Quinn Foundation
Phillips 66 PNC*
Dan L Duncan Foundation TXU Energy
$50,000-$99,999
Anonymous
Vanessa and Chuck Ames* Bank of Texas
Pat Chazen
City Kitchen Catering*
ExxonMobil*
Kathy and Marty Goossen* H-E-B
Houston Methodist Hospital
Jet Linx*
King & Spalding LLP
John P. McGovern Foundation
Julia Q. Mitchell
The Powell Foundation
Saint Arnold Brewing Company*
Texas State University
$10,000–$49,999
Anonymous
Shirin Pourfathi and Saied M. Alavi
ABC Home & Commercial Services
Benjamin Ackerley
AGL Foundation
Neelo and Sami Ahmad
Stanford and Joan Alexander Foundation
Pauline Altman Foundation
Angela Fabbri Fine Art*
Dian Austin
Harry G. and Pauline M. Austin Foundation
Decie Autin and Dan Coleman
Meg and George Basu
The C.T. Bauer Foundation
Betty Jane Seydler Foundation
Susan and Bradley Billetdeaux Kingdoms Unlimited,
Barbara Bowman
bp America
Amanda M. and Robert J. Brock
Bill Butzner
Jennie and Richard Buxbaum
Cheryl and Carl Carlucci
CFP Foundation
Elizabeth and Neil Chapman
Janice Hazlehurst and Stephen G. Charles
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
Shari Conner
Michelle and Kevin Corley
Erin and Kyle Cummings
Stacey and Peter DallePezze
Emily Rahbar-Daniels and Damon Daniels
Hillary and Jason Danziger
Carolyn D. and Platt W. Davis
De Beers*
The Jerry C. Dearing Family Foundation
Rachel and Michael Delaney
Debra and Mike Dishberger
Renece and Keith Duggan
Jimmy Dunne
Lee C. Ehmke
Jenny Elkins
Sidney Faust
Marie and Richard Fish
Robin and Sammy Fleschler
Harriet Foster
Ann and Randy Fowler
Frost Bank
Gallery Furniture
Kerry A. Galvin*
Edward and Lauren Geiser
Jeanie L. Giles
Annie and Bob Graham
Claire Liu and Joe Greenberg
Maria V. and Rex O. Grey
Group 1 Automotive, Inc.
Courtney and Zac Harmon
Barbara Harrison
Harvey Cleary
Nancy and John Hathaway
Sara and Phil Hawk
Jackie and Jon Hodges
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
Rebecca and Bobby Jee
Tami and Thomas Jorden
Leigh and Chris Joseph*
Elise and Russell C. Joseph
Cheryl and Darrell Kainer
Lisa and Sanjay Kalavar
Monica Karuturi and Kumaran Sathyamoorthy
Elsa and Mark Kathman
Dana and Daryl Kenningham
Kim King
Carey Kirkpatrick
Jennifer and JC Kneale
Jan Koehn
Peggy A. Kostial*
Nicole and Todd Lacy
Jennifer and Christopher Laporte
Albert Laverty
The Lindley Family Foundation
Shelli and Steven Lindley
Christina M. Lyons
Jacqueline and Matthew Mackel
Barbara Mackey
MAREK
Nancy D. McGregor and Neal Manne
Marathon Oil Corporation
Janine J. and Kevin G. McArdle
Jackie and Sid McCarra
Kirby and Scott McCool
Bill and Polly McKeon
Memorial Hermann
Anna and Kenneth Mermis
Stacy and DeWitt Methvin
Mitsubishi Corporation
Lisette and Brett Mossman
Cullen and Robert Muse*
Nathan and Ashley Norman
O'Donnell/Snider Construction
Sara and Randy Ortwein
Anita O'Shaughnessy and Christopher Laquer*
Gregg Goldstein
Anne and Scott Perper
Janet and George Pilko
Robbyn S. and Byron K. Pope
Beverly and Jim Postl
Tommye and David Powell
Estate of Patricia G. Pratt
Proud Source Water, Inc.*
Alie and David Pruner
Nancy and David Pustka
Laurie A. Rachford
Monica and Bradley Radoff
Macey and Harry Reasoner
Beth Robertson
Crystal and Ross Robin
Mary W. Rose
Polly and David Roth
Karen and Robert Saltiel
Leslie and Shannon Sasser
Maryjane and Bud Scherr
Andrea and Charles Seay
Jordan and Dylan Seff
R. E. Smith Foundation
SSA Group*
Catherine Michelle Miller and Clifford E. Shedd
Amber and Dan Shedd
Courtney and Bas Solleveld
Space Center Houston*
Sterling McCall Automotive
Sterling-Turner Foundation
Cynthia Pickett-Stevenson and Donald E. Stevenson
The Kristal Smith Charitable Trust
Charlotte and J. Terry Strange
TC Energy
Texas Medical Center
Krystal Crane Thompson and Garrett Thompson
Mardi and Mark Turner
University of Houston Alumni Association
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Valobra Master Jewelers*
Janie and Pat Wagner
Cynthia and Mac Walker
Randa and K. C. Weiner
Kelli and John Weinzierl*
Well/Beings
Whalley Family
White Claw Hard Seltzer
Susan and Austin Young
Karen and Lohn Zylicz
$5,000-$9,999
Anonymous
Eric J. Alfuth
Margery Anderson and Farhad Bozorgmehr
Carina and Brooks Antweil
Art of the World Gallery*
Kathy Arthur
Lynn L. Atkinson and David Drucker
Tiffany and Kenneth Baird*
Diane Ledder and Rick Barongi*
Carole and Bruce Bilger
BlueSprig*
Boardwalk Pipelines
Gretchen and Ryder Booth
Mary K. and Frank R. Bradley
Dolores and Craig Brooks
Bill and Elizabeth Brown
Cynthia J. and Stephen W. Brown
Kelly and Michael Canning
Kris and Sherene Chikelue
CIBC Private Wealth
Management
Janet and Richard Clark Support
Anne and John Clutterbuck
Trang and Alan Cormack
The Crain Foundation
Helen G. Crain and Peter L. Crain
Mindy and Josh Davidson
Jillian and Chris Day
Kathryn and Leo de Sousa
Diane and Mike Dean
Linnet F. Deily
Deloitte
Denman/Newman Foundation
Jeanine Denton
Jan and Berk Donaldson
Deborah and Marshall Dujka
Anne S. Duncan
Electric Avenue Bikes*
Lynn L. and John W. Elsenhans
April and Rob Eschweiler
Eric Falkeis
Jay J. Follmer
Paula Fonda
Nan and Bob Franklin
Alice G. and William R. Gamble
Mary and Steven Gangelhoff
Glenda and Russell Gordy
Lou Ann and Milton Gray
Harriet Grossman
Linda and Tracy Hester
Susan L. and Earl J. Hesterberg
Hildebrand Fund/Mindy and Jeff Hildebrand
Susan and Mike Holland
Houck Family Foundation
Sheila and Ron Hulme
Emily Downing-Ishee and Jonathan Ishee
Deborah O. Jennings
Jill and Dunham Jewett
Diana and Glenn Johnson
Diane and Don Kendall
Sharon Lane
Stephanie and Rich Langenstein
Nancy H. Langford
Katie and Shawn Little
Cornelia Long
Penny and Paul Loyd
Kelley and Stephen Lubanko
Sultana and Moez Mangalji
Paige M. Jackson and Mike J. Manley
Jennifer and Ben McClure
April Dunn McGee and Wells McGee
Michael's Cookie Jar*
Ruthie and Adam Miller
Marsha Murray
Mary Ann Newman
Suzanne and Bob Nimocks
Capera and Igor Norinksy
Alma M. and Edward J. Novotny*
Dianne B. Padgett
Palmer Foundation
Pillsbury Winthrop
Shaw Pittman LLP
Michele Pola, EdD
Polycarp Foundation
Darryl Pope Family Fund
Edlyn and Dave Pursell
Demi and Ron Rand
Becky Roof and Gary Smith
Kelly B. and David A. Rose
Catherine and Mel Rourke
Laurie and Bret Sanders
Mona and Andrew Sarofim
Marc Tabolsky and Sally Anne Schmidt
Elizabeth Schwarze
Cathryn and Doug Selman
Uma Ramaswamy and Ananth Shankar
Cynthia and Keith Shrewsberry
Meredith V. and Jeffrey G. Sipes
Penny and Mark Small
Elizabeth M. Cosgrove and Cameron D. Smith
Erin and Jason Smith*
Becky and David Smith
Julia and John Stallcup
Beverlee Steinberg
Tenenbaum Jewelers*
Susan and Andrew Truscott
Dava and Jim West
Sandra and Karl Willmann
Kay Lynne Wilson
$2,500-$4,999
Anonymous
Ellen and Hank Bachmann
Carol J. Baker
Amber and Matt Baker
Carol and Larry Barbour
Peggy and Bill Barnett
Ellie Beard
Berg Hospitality Group*
Judy and Mark Blanchard
Susan L. Bloome
Boot Ranch*
Kristy and Chris Bradshaw
Theresa A. and Frank J. Bramanti
Marcelite B. Bristol and David A. Bristol, Jr.
Kari and Kevin Brophy
Arthur "Will" Brown III*
Bebe and Bob Burns
Sabrina D'Amico and Faraz Butt
Gerard Caddick
Lynn and Win Campbell
Mary Farach-Carson and Daniel Carson
Julia Hayes and Hector Castellanos
Emely Castillo
Nancy Chafe
Holly and Kenneth Charette
Angela Chen and Mark R. Klitzke
Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital
Darleen W. and Jack H. Christiansen
Christy Lynn Boutique*
Catherine Lee Clarke and Theis Clarke
Devin Coffey
Kari and Frank Coffey
Jeanette and Dannie Davis
Sher'ree A. Davis
Lauren and Brandon DeFrehn
Dickson-Allen Foundation
Susie and Joe Dilg
Kim and Kent Dillow
Carol E. Dinkins
Jeff and Michele Dodson
C.C. and Duke Ensell
Connie and Eric Estopinal
Leighton and Gavin Fairbairn
Tracy and James Fish
Katie Floyd and Ben Rohe
Rebecca and Peter Franklin
The Fruehauf Foundation
Marcie and Woody Garmon
Sarah George
Chelsea and Jeremy Goldstein
Marilynne and Fred Gorman
Hillary and Tim Graves
Michele and William Hayes
Kristin Zipple-Shedd and RJ Hazeltine-Shedd
Nancy S. and Carter E. Hixon
Lisa and Fred Hollins
Hillary Holmes
Leyvi Guerra and James Hury
Lee Ann Morris and Kevin Jakubenas
Gwenda L. Brewer and George Jett
Jordan and Andrew Jewett
Ann P. and Stephen M. Kaufman
Kendra Scott Design, Inc.
William S. and Lora Jean
Kilroy Foundation
Kathy and Dick Kimbrough
Robin and Daniel Klaes
Ann and Mark Kluppel
Zachary Knuth
Jordan E. and Simeon T. Lake
Lise and Geoff Lanceley
Ann and Jorge R. Leis
Jenna A. Lindley
Matthew J. Lindley
Longneck Manor*
Amanda and Fredrik Mack
Martha Madget
Linda Magoto
Judy O. and Ken C. Margolis
Lynn and Marcel Mason
Carl E. Masterson
Karen and Kevin McCarthy
Paula and Myles McClelland
Deborah L. McCoy and Robert Keenan
Sheila R. McIlnay
Corey and Joshua Mermis
Margey Meyer
Abigail and Jacob Miley
Alexis and Todd Mitchell
Judy and Kenneth Nadolny
Bobbie Nau
Erin and John Nicholson
Bobby Noblitt
Jeri Nordbrock
Jill and John Parsons
Stephen R. McCauley and David L. Peavy
Jessica and Tyson Pinnell
Amy and James Pipe
Robert Baumgartner and Margaret S. Preston
Katharine and Richard Rider
Jay Ring
Chris I. Rivers
Paul F. Rizza
Laura A. and Tim D. Roberts
Dana Robinson
Angela and Chris Roth
Jay and Stacey Roussel
Janice and Eric Sandberg
Camilla R. Sayers
Adam and Ashley Scheele
Betsy and Ed Schreiber
Elizabeth Hanks and Steven Schroder
Shibani Shinde-Patil and Karthik Selvam
Brian A. Shinoda
Herbert D. Simons
Natalie Emge and Jeremy Smith
J.J. and Gerry Spedale
Veronica N. Niebler-Hunt and John P. Stein
Sammie R. Sappington-Story and Wesley L. Story
Judy Stover
Amber and George Sturrock
Marguerite M. Swartz
Christopher W. Thomas
Tootsies*
Kris Torberson
Trees For Houston, Inc.*
Katherine O. Valdez
Ann and Michael Van Wagener
Marta and Robert Vasel
Nancy and Thomas Verly
Danny G. Villarreal and Patrick F. Siddons
Diana and Jaime Villarreal
Mary and Michael Vitek
Lisa and John Vitovsky
Jennifer L. and John D. Vogel
Maria C. Walsh and James Hitchcock
Robin and David Walstad
Pat and Jim Walzel
Karen D. Werner-Petak and Steven M. Petak
Deborah Whitman
Vasilia and Laurens Wilkes
Tracey and Connie Williford
Melinda B. Wineinger
Lana Wynne*
$1,000-$2,499
Anonymous
Paul Leggett and JeAnna L. Abbott
Jessica and Michael Aghili
Rachel and Marc Aiello
Marilyn Schugman and James Albertine
Jenna and George F. Alcott
Julie and Drew Alexander
Amy and Joseph Allen
Faisal Amin
Denise and John Anguish
Ariana and Jack Anjier
Ethan T. Wood and Kara Armstrong
Carol Relihan and John Arthur
Charles Arvey
Lisa Marie Avendaño
Ashley and David Bailey
Caroline Baker and Jeremiah Traxler
Cheryl Ballard-Jones and Charles Jones
Melissa Arredondo and Sanjay Bapat
Myra W. Barber
June and Steve Barth
Kristen and Kent Barton
Julia and Joseph Batdorf
Jamie and Jarvis Belinne
Josie and Kevin Bell
Darvell Bivens
Patricia Blalock
Catharine and Brandon Borders
Kathryn and Billy Bragan
Kelli and Mike Bridges
Thomas Stenack and Katherine Brooker
Christie L. Brown
Kristen and Scott Browning
Barbara and Walter Bryan
Heather and Max Bulk
Heather and John Burgess
Gary Burkett
William D. Burton, Jr.
Minda and William Caesar
Michelle B. and Winfield M. Campbell
Kevin and Lindsay Carson
Kristen A. Castellanos
Susan and Giulio Cattozzo
Central Market*
Sarah and Christopher Centrich
Gabriella Chalker
Diane and Johnny Chaney
Denmon Sigler and Peter Chok
Donna F. Cole
Jerian and Guy Cook
Cindy and Sean Cooper
Emma and Ryan Cordill
Jennifer and Ben Cowan
Sally and John Cox
Heather and Daniel Crowder
Jane-Page Crump
Sheryl and William Curtin
Brittney A. Gregory and Michael W. Dafcik
Nancy and Thomas Daly
Shonnie and Bruce Daniel
Claudette M. Danna
Cathy and Stephan Darnell
Margaret and Warren Davis
Sue A. Davis
Barbara and Jonathan Day
Gretell Otano-Debard and Julien Debard
Erica and Rafael DeHoyos
Larry Dickerson and Marcela Donadio
Vincent J. Dicosimo
Courtney and Eric Diehl
Kelly and Ben Dotson
Sarah and Zachary Duran
Bob Edwards
Morven S. Edwards
Nick Espinosa and Carlos Meltzer
Christopher Ewart
Noah Godwin and Liz Febo
Marguerite and Bruce Ference
Shari L. and Tom O. Fish
Bari and David Fishel
Cathy A. FitzGerald
Michael DuPart and Mary Lou Flynn-DuPart
Courtney and Alex Forshey
Cheryl and Andy Fossler
Four Seasons Hotel Austin*
Kate and Steve Fowler
Deborah and Randy Fowler
Jennifer K. Fox
Kristina and Kevin Frankel
Trish Freeman and Bruce Patterson
Teresa and Leonard Friedman
Brenda and Chris Funk
Grace and James Furr
Carolyn B. Watts and Dale K. Furrow
Laurens Gaarenstroom and Maria Van Dierendonck
Princess Maria-Anna Galitzine and Prince Piotr Galitzine
Kimberly and Michael Gapinski
Jean and Mark Gargiulo
Amanda and Curtis George
Heather and Sean Golden
Barbara S. Goldfield
Diana and Michael Gomez
Claire and John Goosey
Lacey and Matt Goossen
Ryan D. Gordon
Lauren and Lawson Gow
Veronica and John Griffin
Ellen R. Gritz and Mickey D. Rosenau
Richard L. Gruen
Anuj Sharma and Nupur Gupta
Kassia Yanosek and Christopher Gurr
Ann Hamilton
Erin Fox and Gray Hancock
Wendy Harris and Kenneth H. Turnbull
Anne and Michael Hart
Laura and Terry Harvey
Stacee and Derek Hawkins
Cynthia and Mark Hazard
Kelley and Henry Hebel
Nick Hellyar
Christina and Zach Hightower
Elaine and Jeff Hiller
Robyn Marchand and Michael Hillerman
Sally and Hank Hilliard
Katie Kildal and Rodrigo Himiob
Karen D. Hinson
Bobby and Kevin Hodge
Betsy and Henry Hope
MaryLee and Del House
Penny and Daniel Houy
Wenly Ruan and Sean Hunt
Brooke Husid
Karen Ippolito
Catherine and Brian James
Diane and Eric Jansen
Jill and Cameron Jensen
James Johnson
Jim A. Johnson
Kirkwood Johnston
Holly J. Jones
Kimberlie T. Jones
Jane and Gregory Jordan
Cynthia and Kent Kahle
Lori and Steven Kamins
Wade Kao
Laura and Romy Kaplan
David Karohl
Cindy and Lewis Kasner
Taylor and Dan Kaufman
Jordan Kazlow
Krista Heidersbach and Mike Kelly
Megan and Patrick Kessler
Susan and Samir Khatani
Leslie and Donald Kilbourn
Ashley Tran and Paul Kilday
David R. King
Kiton*
Andrea M. Knight
Linda and David Knowles
Candy and Tom Knudson
Rajiv Kohli
Rena and Michael Koinis
Sheryl Kolasinski
Kroger Food Stores
Amanda Copperthite-Kroon and Steven Kroon
Daniel Irion and Kirk Kveton
Kathy and Randy Lake
Brenda M. Landry
Kelley and Michael Lang
Denise and Matthew Lanza
Taryn and Peter Larden
Elizabeth and Kris Larson
Madeleine Lay
Victoria and Alexander Lazar
Jessica and Brian Leeke
Benigna C. and Ernst L. Leiss
Sara Lindsay
Andrea and Richard Link
Engel Schmidt and Ting Liu-Schmidt
Robert J. Lorio
LyondellBasell
Cynthia and Chad Mabry
Courtney MacDonald
Audrey T. MacLean
Lindsey and Ryan MacLeod
Margot Madsen
Ann Mahoney
Shana and Brian Mandell
Dona Manning
Gary Margolis
Kristy Godwin and David Martin
Kathryn and George Martinez
Meghan and Scott McAlpine
Mary McBeth
Tracy and Brian McDaniel
Awesta Masshoor and James McGill
Sarah Candler and Ted McKenna
Judge Roberta A. Lloyd and Don McWilliams
Stephanie Verhardt and Trey Melcher
Amanda and Bryan Melvin
Mendocino Farms*
Greg Joseph and Ellie Meyer
Sheila and Steven Miller
Melissa and Bill Miller
Sheryl and Scott Mills
Miron Crosby*
Aivi and Jeremiah Molligan
Nancy Moncrief
Marsha Montemayor
Cara and Tanner Moran
Moreau Paris*
Kerry Moreland
Josie and Phil Morgan
Kathy Morin and Paul Block
Margaret and Ben Morris
Mary Louise and Terence Mullervy
Jenny and Edwin Murphy
Sarah and Kevin Murphy
Elaine and Alan Mut
Kelli and Phillip Nevlud
Amy Ng and Abhilash Gummakonda
Briana and Vinh Nguyen
Sherri and Michael Nicol
Kathy Nied
Kathy and Phil Noble
Amy Nolan
Lisa and Michael O'Leary
Jaime and David Oliver
Stacy and Ronan O'Malley
Megan and Jesse Ortega
Meagan O'Shaughnessy
Kimberly and Nicholas O'Sullivan
Mary and Michael O'Truk
Saiqa I. Khan and Jonathan E. Paredes
Shea and Braden Parker
Megan and Jonathan Parker
David Payne
Rita Peck
Emanuel J. Petru
Family Foundation
Pat Pilkington
Mary Bain and John Pitts
Michael K. Poindexter and Debbie K. Leo
Neil O'Sullivan and Andrea Pola
Brian Protz
Laura B. and Michael C. Puzio
Janet H. and John E. Pyle
Deborah and Augie Quintero
Marguerite and Hari Radhakrishnan
Nina and Clint Rand
Carroll and Hugh Ray
Alex Reby
Renee K. Renfroe
Clara and Lawrence Revill
Jami S. Rice
Aleece Hayes and Phillip Rice
Marissa and Jeffrey Richie
Laura and Joe Rigano
Sharon Roark
Krisa Benskin and Niki Roberts
Diane Rogers
Kristi and Bryan Roof
Elizabeth and Adam Ross
Sadie Rucker
Janis and Tom Rudd
Safeway Inc.
Cheryl and Joshua Samuels
Kara and Dax Sanders
Emily and Gregory Santoni
Teresa Scanlan
Margaret and Garry Schoonover
Anna and Charlie Schwartzel
Hanna M. Schwarze
Heidi Seizinger
Courtney Selinidis
Elizabeth and Russell Sellen
Jenny Yang and John Seo
Lee-Taylor and Riley Sharman
Barbara and Joseph Sheldon
Maggie and Gregory Sheridan
Jan S. Shultis
Beth and David Slater
Alexandra and Robert Slone
Pam J. Smith
Aimee and Wynne Snoots
Sandra and Rueben Solis
Janet and H.J. Springer
Kate and Taylor Stallings
Janet and Paul Stannard
Tera and Jason Starr
Cynde D. Barone and Christopher G. Stavros
Roxanne Almaraz and Chrissy Stegemoller
Allison C. Scott and
Michael Stein
Julie and Michael Stephen
Shawn Stephens and James M. Jordan
Linda Suib
Betsy and Mitchell Taylor
Gaylene Taylor
Marilyn and Nelson Tears
Therapy Hair Studio*
Brian J. Thomas
Judith Thompson
Madison and Trey Thompson
Nancy P. Thompson
Three Sticks Wines*
Sandy Tietjen
Alisa Tijerina
Nancy and Tim Timpani
Vicki Tomlinson
Annie Torres
Kim and John Trimble
Shannon and Wallace Trochesset
Phoebe and Bobby Tudor
Tulum Wellness Spa*
Valerie and Terry Tyler
Anita Udayamurthy
Brian Winquist and Debra Unchis
Adrienne and Timothy Unger
Gina and Todd Van Roten
W Austin*
Vincent J. Wall
Connie and Lawrence Wallace
Ansley Kurian-Ward and Stephen Ward
Shelley and Scott Washburn
Amber and Dylan Weaver
Olesya Webb
Talytha and Vernon Webb
Kristen and Michael Weekley
Angela Ong and Michael Weinstein
Megan and Walker Weston
Alston and Jordan White
Elizabeth and David Whittemore
Amanda and Scott Wiesenborn
Kimberly and John Wilkinson
Linda Williams Hall
Julie and Wendell Williams
Kelli and Clay Wilson
Shari and Gary Winston
Genevieve and Tedd Winter
Jane B. and Jim P. Wise
Cynthia Wolff
Megan and Chris Wood
Gina and Joseph Wyszynski
Vannevar Yu
King Yuen
Deborah and Richard Zembek
Patricia and Robert Zesut
Matching Gifts
Chevron Humankind
Employee Funds
CVS Health Foundation
ExxonMobil Foundation
Matching Gift Program
Honeywell International
Charity Matching
Marathon Oil Corporation
Phillips 66
PNC Foundation
Shell USA Company Foundation
Tribute Gifts
In Honor of Cathy and Joe Cleary
In Honor of Fannie Lou Corley
In Memory of John and Aline Deming
In Honor of Maria Gallegos and Ranger team
In Memory of Karen
Wallace Johnson
In Memory of Kelly the Orangutan
In Honor of Peggy Kostial
In Honor of Anna Land and the Horticulture Department
In Honor of Jennifer and Chris Laporte
In Honor of Tessa Lesley
In Honor of Lisa the Amur Leopard
In Honor of Cullen Geiselman Muse
In Honor of Anita O'Shaughnessy
In Memory of Peter Riger
In Memory of Carolyn Carruth Rizza
In Honor of Ryuichi Sayers
In Honor of Olivia Valdez's continued volunteering with Zoo Crew
Werler Society
Anonymous (19)
Kathie and Scott Amann
Ramona Huffman Arnold
Kathy Arthur
Dian Austin
Lynne and John Averett
Nancy Ayres
Joel Bangilan
Myra W. Barber
Bill Butzner
Sharon and John Campbell
Richard T. Churchill, Jr. and Linda E. Churchill
Sher'ree Davis
Sue A. Davis
Jillian and Chris Day
Carol E. Dinkins
Michael and Debra Dishberger
Jimmy Dunne
Rob Fuller and Cathryn Gabor
Leslie and Gareth Griffiths
Dr. Ellen R. Gritz
Ann and Stephen Kaufman
Donald R. Kendall, Jr.
Sharon Lane
Nancy H. Langford
Judge Roberta Lloyd
Nancy McGregor and Neal Manne
Stacy and DeWitt Methvin
Bobby Noblitt
Jesse and Megan Ortega
Michael K. Poindexter and Debbie K. Leo
Brian Protz
Renee Renfroe
Sharon Roark
Linda and Jerry Rubenstein
Chad Alexander and Beverlee Steinberg
Charlotte and J. Terry Strange
Linda Suib
Brian J. Thomas
Sandy Tietjen
Kris Torberson
Mardi and Mark Turner
Wendy A. Weston
Tikeshlia Williams-Do and Michael Do
Shari and Gary Winston
Endowment Gifts
Estate of Aline and John Deming
Jo Collier Hart Giraffe Care and Feeding Endowment
Capital Support
$100,000+
Diane and Don Kendall, Jr.
$50,000–$99,999
Estate of Sybil Balasco
$1,000–$9,999
Nancy I. Abendshein
Ralph B. Abendshein
Jill and Dunham Jewett
Deborah L. McCoy and Robert Keenan
Helen and Marvin Meistrich
All donors listed made contributions totaling $1,000 or more in 2023.
*Includes a gift in kind
Names in italics denote deceased individuals.
EXECUTIVE STAFF
Lee Ehmke 5+ President and CEO
Lisa Marie Avendano
Deputy Director, Chief Mission Officer
Amy Blackmon 10+
Executive Administrative Assistant
Nick Espinosa 10+ Chief Advancement Officer
Kristin Finney 5+ Chief Human Resources Officer
Clare Greene
Executive Administrative Assistant
Kevin Hodge 20+ Vice President, Animal Programs
Benjamin Jones Vice President, Conservation and Education
Sheryl Kolasinski 5+ Chief Operating Officer
Trazanna Moreno 5+ Senior Vice President, Marketing, Communications and Technology
Jeri Nordbrock
Chief Financial Officer
Elizabeth Walla Receptionist
Animal Programs
ANIMAL NUTRITION
Wilbert Booty 10+
Amori Brooks
Rebecca Henly
William Mallard
Phyllis Pietrucha-Mays 40+ Cortney Shaw 10+
GENERAL
ANIMAL OPERATIONS
Tarah Cornelius 10+
Eric Murray 5+
Annalia Palacios
Matthews
Sarah Wurfel
AQUATICS
Denise Babecki 5+
George Brandy 40+
Michael Concannon 20+
Gabrielle Garza
Erin Roper
Kenneth Stange 10+
Jazlyn Vazquez
James Winecki 10+
BIRDS
Jessica Clark 20+
Reagan Curtner
Rajean Ferguson
Kyra Gardner
Brendan GiambrunoFuge
Stephen Howard 30+
Kyle McAuliffe
Shannon Myers
Brent Nelson
Kelly Pardy 10+
Morgan Pups
Bethany Shick 10+
Daniel Simmons
Eric Urban
Benjamin Vecchio
Brian Whaley
Jeremy Whitted 10+
CARNIVORES
Dennis Charlton
Emilie Covert 5+
Amberley Damm
Laurel DeLapp
Julia Hart
Brittney Jones
Jenna Mcmichael 5+
Paul Reed 10+
Alicia Wedel 5+
DIVE SAFETY
Jake Morrison
ELEPHANTS
Payton Anderskow
Alicia Andring 10+
Allison Anthony
Robert Bernardy 20+
Mariam Dehaini 5+
Stephanie Gomez
Kimberly Klein 10+
Sylvia Molina
Amanda Rinker 10+
Kendra Roetman
Ian Ross 10+
Paige Shallcross
Kristin Windle 10+
HERPETOLOGY & ENTOMOLOGY
Christopher Bednarski 10+
Lisa Cariello 5+
Marissa Carter
Brittanie Crews
Melissa Hodges
Audrey Koepp
Matthew Lammers 5+
Julie Laturner 10+
Francisco Llauger
Jordan Lucas
Declan Mcdonagh 5+
Ian Myers
Shivam Patel
Logan Pendarvis
Julia Sanders
Eddie Sunila 5+
Christopher Valdez 10+
HOOFSTOCK
Wren Baker 10+
Cynthia Colbert
Deborah Coller
Heather Johnson 5+
Timothy Junker 20+
Meagan Macy
Kendall Moore 10+
Avery Moorer
John Register 10+
Kimberly Siegl 10+
Morgan Walker
Hannah Whitaker
PRIMATES
John Allen 5+
Briana Bauer 5+
Carlos Campos-Garcia 10+
Kayla Cosmi 5+
Karli Dallman 5+
Amanda Daly 20+
Grace Dickey
Amelia Dunn 10+
Sonny Heihn 5+
Kelsey Johnston
Lindsey Keehn
Logan Kirk
Derrick Lockett
Daniel Marzluf
Judith Mcauliffe 10+
Briyel McKay
Lenaye Palmer
Josie Peck
Shailynn Percival
Baylea Rardin
Priscilla Reed 10+
Rebekah Rice
Rebecca Roloff
Ronald Santos 30+
Heather Schimke
Lucy Dee Sheppard 10+
Jessica Sigle 10+
Heaven Sorrells
William Weeks
SEA LIONS & PENGUINS
Robert Binns
Melissa Garcia
Amanda Perry 10+
Margaret Pionke
Krista Webber 10+
Emily Wilkins
Michelle Williams
VET CLINIC
Catherine Almeida 5+
Jennifer Atkinson 5+
Kendra Bauer 5+
Emma Beyer
Joseph Flanagan 40+
Melissa Hanson
Jordan Johnson 5+
Jessica Jones 5+
Andrew Krauss 5+
Cody Macon 5+
Christine Molter 5+
Michele Ozuna 30+
Rachel Smith
Kathrine Solomon
Jennifer Stevenson 20+
Jessica Temple
Maryanne Tocidlowski 20+
Tami Voss
Ruth Zavala 5+
WILDLIFE CONNECTIONS
Rachel Adams 10+
Clair Baker
Jordan Brickley
Michelle Castle 10+
Megan Davila Johnson
Sydney Dean
Hayley Dougherty
Amber Foster
Marisol Gomez 5+
Logan Groover
Megan Hedge
Maria Hernandez
Timothy Johnson 5+
Natalie Jones 5+
Zoie Jorgensen-Tjornehoj
Amy Lavergne 20+
Memory Mays 10+
Danielle Montes
De Oca 5+
Tegan Moto
Bailey Nichols
Daniel Ortega
Mykenzie Paul
Sarah Radecker
Tianna Redieck 5+
Tianna Roberts
Sarah Rodriguez
Brian Stucky 5+
Hailey Wedlich
Carolyn Zewe 20+
Operations
ADMISSIONS
Eduardo Aguilar
Edwardo Alejandre
Katerin Ayala
Mitchell Bauer
Amanda Burnom 5+
Felicia Burson
Raul Carranza
Shirley Carvajal Alvarado
Stephanie Davis
Amy Disisto
Daniel Espinoza
Griselda Garcia
Asia Glover
Tina Gonzales 5+
Evangeline Gonzales
Jaden Green
Hampton Hawkins 5+
Raúl Herrera Muñoz
Ashley Holland
Christine Hutchison 5+
Asma Jamil 5+
Samantha Jaques
Anh Nguyen Le
Vanessa Livas
Leslie Lopez
Rogelio Loredo
Heather Love 10+
La’Morion Manning
Kaytrell Matthews
Katilyn McElroy
Perla Mendoza
Adela Miller
Avery Moran
Emily Mossbarger
Sofia Munguia
Rodrigo Nava
Lillienne Novosad
Chloe Ortiz
Domonique Ozenne
Olga Paredes
Sheila Pena
Emily Phillips
Jason Powley
Nicolas Quick
Samuel Quiroga
William Rodriguez
Caitlin Rosentraub
Maria Santoyo 10+
Christina Seifert
Brenda Taylor 10+
Adriana Torres
Joseph Torres
Dasia Walker
CONSERVATION
EDUCATION
Moises Betancourt
Kylie Bihm
Aaron Burd
Xochitl Castillo
Colleen Cavanaugh 5+
Stuart Davis 5+
Kathleen Edinburgh 5+
Stephanie Gonzalez 5+
Khalyn Grant
Valeria Hernández
Nicholas Larberg 5+
Gentry Leonard 5+
Philip Malek 10+
Kelly McCreery 10+
Katlyn Medina
Alyx Scott 5+
Lillie Stockseth
Melissa Wong 10+
Clara Zubrick
DESIGN & ENGINEERING
Maria De La Piedra Yanes
Gretchen Foust
Mariana Hinojosa
Ronquillo
Mark Hoffman 5+
Linc McTarnahan
EVENT OPERATIONS
Wendy Babineaux 5+
Juan Gutierrez
Andrea Hennerichs 5+
KeiJuan Saul 5+
FACILITIES
Juan Banda 5+
Kenneth Booker
Zachary Borton
Franklin Calix 10+
Jacob Carter
Jesus Cavazos 30+
Jose Cervantes 5+
Jamahd Clark
Peter Faini 5+
Randy Francis
Juan Garcia 20+
Antonio Garcia
Jacob Gleason
Silvestre Gomez 10+
Michael Gonzales
Timmy Green
Brandon Hanna 5+
Marcus Harkreader 5+
Angel Hernandez
Alexy Jimenez
Kimberly Jones
Brendan Joseph 5+
Alan Kinn
Paul Lopez 5+
Carlos Martinez
Fernando Mauricio 5+
Jacob Miguel 5+
Jonathan Montez
Wasley Payne
Jose Perez
Michel Ramirez-Ruiz
Rene Rivera 5+
Ricardo Romero 5+
Carmen Sanchez 5+
Jesus Santoyo 5+
Luaay Shehab 5+
Bryant Smith 5+
Kyle Weber 5+
John Williams 10+
FINANCE
Leslie Chow
Shane Dorman 5+
Candace Gutierrez 5+
Ashley Harvey
James Hutchinson 5+
Benjamin Mosley
Elizabeth Tennill 10+
FUNDRAISING & DEVELOPMENT
Rachel Baker 5+
Jillian Day 5+
Audra Jesudason 10+
Ginger Moon 10+
Natalie Nguyen 5+
Kelly Nugent
Alexander Pugh 10+
Isaac Soliz
Sundra Spiller-Hayes 10+
William Tayar
Madison Thompson
Mia White
Brittani Williams 5+
GRAPHICS
Dawn Benavidez 5+
Lucero HernandezCastaneda
Steven Shultz 5+
Kirsten Ufer 10+
GROUNDS
Taniah Balli-Brown
Adrian Barbosa
Manuel Barrera
Ethan Blackwell
Ryan Brooks
Anthony Burnom
Reynaldo Butanda 5+
Salvatore Carrara
Ricardo Delgado
Antonio Diaz
Christian Dominguez
Jennifer Free
Efrain Garcia
Juan Garza
Omar Guerra 10+
David Guzman
Abraham Hernandez
Silvestre Hernandez
Dilan Holland
Tommie Juarez 10+
Juan Martinez
Theron Mathis
Samuel Mellott
Rudy Reyes
Enrique Solis
Ariel Soto
Philip Torres
Gisela Vazquez
Julio Viera
Kunye Ward
Amador Ynfante Jr
GUEST ENGAGEMENT
Daisy Castro
Bennett Dones 20+
Sarah Fern 5+
Judith Harrington 5+
Samantha Junker 10+
Ashley Kuehne
Karl Maahs
Melissa Mair
Christopher Powell
Cecilia Silva
HORTICULTURE
Taylor Allgood
Samantha Burns
Antonio Byles
Moises CamposContreras
Carlos Gonzalez
Gregory Haro 5+
Brandon Hubbard
Cael Jurkowski
Anna Land 10+
Steven Mata 5+
Francisco Ocampo 5+
Raymond Odeh
Matthew Pearson II
Jessica Tristan 5+
Peter Turrin
HOUSEKEEPING
Tamara Alford
Euricka Broussard
Yvonne Cortez
Ernestina Cortez
Shelay Daniels
Zachary Davis
Alona Dunn
John Estrada 5+
Kaylee Fransen
Terry Gatlin
Daisy Gonzalez
Sara Guerra
Lydia Hadley
Karisma Harrison
Marcy Henderson
Kasandra Henry
Heather Hernandez
Fronchelle Hodge
Marlene Jimenez
Yolanda Jones
Sabrina Lomas 10+
Courtney Lomas 5+
Blanca Martinez
Lamesha Mitchell
Debra Morgan 10+
Sylvia Olivo 10+
Diego Orozco
Clarissa Ortiz
Matilde Ponce 5+
Viviana Rodriguez 5+
Pablo Sillero
Tamika Simon
Jc Villegas
Kayla White
Brigitte Williams
HUMAN RESOURCES
David Garcia
James Harris
Candi Martinez
Teaera Radick
Brandy Ruiz 10+
Phillicea Thomas
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Rufus Abidakun
Eby Achan Kunju
Quincy Armstead 5+
Jonathan Cano
Abraham George
Michael Hornsby
Nathalie Jolicoeur 10+
Taylor Pate
Andres Trevino
LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT
Taylor Gilley
MARKETING
Jackelin Reyna 5+
Rachael Shappard 5+
Marylu Trevino 5+
Linsey Whitehead 5+
MEMBERSHIP
LaPrecious Bowers
Dianelly Castaneda
Adrian Cavazos 10+
Christian Cedillos
Rachel Duggan
Melanie Foreman
Adalberto Garcia
Noe Gonzalez
Arianna Hall
Maria Hernandez
Markfirah Krueng
Bryanna Moore
Erin Newell 10+
Dylan Olson 5+
Jeniffer Roman
Rachel Roush
Phillip Severson
Claudia Vega
PEST CONTROL
Alfredo Arriaga 10+
Garret Martin
Ami Orth 10+
Russell Rodriguez
PUBLIC RELATIONS
Kevin Kendrick 5+
Jessica Reyes
Jackie Wallace 10+
PURCHASING
Oscar Fernandez
Diego Lopez 5+
Samantha Martinez
Sheri Price
Frank Romero
SAFETY & SECURITY
Christopher Adams 10+
Megan Adkins
Luis Alvarado 10+
Katherinne Argueta
Renato Barrera 10+
Edgar Barrera 5+
Ricardo Barrios
Desiree Barrios
Todd Berry
Coke Bray
Cheyenne Cantu
Kailynn Castillo 5+
Gerardo Castillo
Gustavo Corona
Little Davis
Jeffery Francisco
Emilie-Rose Gagne 5+
Marina Gallegos 5+
Bobby Hartzog
Sonia Heredia
Anthony Hernandez
Samanta Hernandez 5+
Jorge Lopez
Brianna Lykens 5+
Ethan Miller
James Motley 5+
Margaret Pappano
Maria Perez
Monica Quiroga 5+
Gabrielle Rodriguez
Abigail Salazar
Dominique Simon
Derek Torres 5+
Lawrence Trussell 5+
Thomas Valdez 5+
Erica Vasquez
Jordan Wilson 5+
Amanda Yzaguirre 10+
Eliza Zavala 5+
Megan Zewe
REGISTRAR
Sheri Bradley 5+
Joann Watson 10+
SPECIAL EVENTS
Madison McLaffon
Hillary Rothenberg 5+
Mallet Stafford 10+
Megan Williamson
SUSTAINABILITY
Colley Hodges
WATER QUALITY
Cameron Aranda
Mia Bennett
Patrick Browne
Alice-Ann Combs
Violeta Cuameng
Issac Gallegos
Lucie Hartman
Adam McGowen
Ashlin Stedifor 5+
Veronica Thompson
WILDLIFE CONSERVATION
Danae Jackson
Taylor Rhoades
Staff listed were active employees as of December 31, 2024
5+
= 5 – 9 years at the Zoo
= 10 – 19 years at the Zoo
= 20 – 29 years at the Zoo
= 30 – 39 years at the Zoo = 40 years at the Zoo
Celebrating 40 Years of Service
PHYLLIS PIETRUCHA-MAYS
Phyllis Pietrucha-Mays, Animal Nutrition Manager, celebrated 40 years with the Zoo in 2024. She started as a volunteer in 1982, became the first Houston toad intern, and later became a zookeeper in 1984. Phyllis helped establish the Zoo’s Commissary in the late 80s and is especially proud of her daughter, Memory, who followed in her footsteps as a zookeeper. Over the years, she has witnessed significant changes at the Zoo and values her long-standing relationships with colleagues.
Houston Zoo Board of Directors
Sami
Saied
Greg
George
Carlos
Bill
Neil
Anne
Ron
Liz
Kimberly
2024 Annual Report
EDITOR
Linsey Whitehead, Senior Director, Marketing and Sales
COMMITTEE
Lee Ehmke, President and CEO
Nick Espinosa, Chief Advancement Officer
Kevin Hodge, Vice President, Animal Operations
Benjamin Jones, Vice President, Conservation and Education
Sheryl Kolasinski, Chief Operating Officer
Trazanna Moreno, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Communications and Technology
Jeri Nordbrock, Chief Financial Officer
Jackie Wallace, Assistant Vice President, Communications and Public Affairs
Kirsten Ufer, Senior Creative Director
PHOTO
WRITING CREDITS
Samantha
Jessica
Jackie
Mia