More than 8,000 acres of saltwater wetlands and more than 80,000 of freshwater wetlands have been lost in the Galveston Bay system over the last two decades. The staggering numbers come from the Galveston Bay Foundation, which is actively working to improve the situation, in part because the wetlands serve as a habitat for wildlife and provide a buffer for storm surge. As the wetlands vanish, we become more vulnerable to flooding and water quality issues.

Akobi, a four-year-old pygmy hippo, has arrived at the Houston Zoo from the San Francisco Zoo as part of a global conservation effort under the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan Program.

Have you ever heard of an ocelot? Much like their size, their remaining population is small. Houston Life co-hosts Derrick Shore and Tessa Barrera chatted with Peter Gros, wildlife expert and co-host of Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild about the efforts to save their habitat and how the Houston Zoo is playing a critical role.

Watch the extended version of the show to see even more of the adventure and the work being done to save animals like gorillas, grey crowned cranes, and zebras.

More than a billion birds fly over Houston’s night skies during migration season, and there are simple things Houstonians can do to keep them safe during their journey.

We proudly present: Saving Wildlife: Return to Rwanda, a captivating one-hour special that highlights the remarkable efforts of the Houston Zoo to protect endangered animals in their natural habitats.

Practical tips for starting your sustainability journey.

An entire team of NOAA scientists works to study the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary

KPRC 2 chief meteorologist Anthony Yanez is on assignment at the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary

KPRC 2 met Dr. Olivier Nsengimana in Rwanda while there learning about conservation programs the Houston Zoo supports. He’s currently the founder and executive director of the Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association (RWCA), a group that got its start saving grey crowned cranes.

The Houston Life crew is at the Houston Zoo learning about the zoo's conservation efforts while having fun.

The Houston Zoo's Veterinary Team invites Houston Life behind the scenes to observe while a sedated Monocled Cobra receives an exam. We also learn how the Houston Zoo's efforts impact wildlife around the globe.

See images of animals spotted during our tour of part of one of Africa's oldest national parks - Akagera.

Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024, our KPRC 2 team in Rwanda explored the Rugezi Marsh in Rwanda and learned about many initiatives the Houston Zoo supports through the Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Fund.

Monday, Feb. 5, 2024, our KPRC 2 team in Rwanda went on a trek with the Gorilla Doctors and visited a school benefiting from Conservation Heritage-Turambe

Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024, our KPRC 2 team in Rwanda visited the Gorilla Doctors Headquarters and Conservation Heritage-Turambe

Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, our KPRC 2 team in Rwanda visited the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund Headquarters located less than 30 minutes away from the town of Musanze.

The very first program we produced with the Houston Zoo was “Saving Gorillas: From Houston to Rwanda.” Now, nine years later, we’re headed back to see the progress of work being done to save gorillas, birds, and so many incredible species native to the small African country.

The very first program we produced with the Houston Zoo was “Saving Gorillas: From Houston to Rwanda.” Now, nine years later, we’re headed back to see the progress of work being done to save gorillas, birds, and so many incredible species native to the small African country.

One woman’s passion project to restore an oyster reef that was destroyed during Hurricane Ike is making history.

ERCOT is calling on Texans to voluntarily conserve electricity usage due to extreme temperatures, continued high demand, and unexpected loss of thermal generation.

Peter Riger was the Houston Zoo’s Vice President of Conservation and Education, managing an international network of projects and partnerships. KPRC 2 was fortunate to get to know him over the last several years through our documentary work with the zoo.

Teenagers who want to work closely with Houston Zoo animals can become a Zoo Crew Explorer.

The Houston Zoo supports several initiatives to save wild animals and you can take action too.

As families file into the Houston Zoo to experience the new Galápagos Islands habitat, they’re making a difference for conservation efforts around the globe. Funding that comes in from guests allows the Zoo to support projects that are saving wildlife. Members of our KPRC 2 team traveled with the Houston Zoo to the Galápagos Islands ahead of the opening of the new exhibit and witnessed firsthand what’s being done to save giant tortoises, sea turtles, sea lions, marine iguanas, and penguins.

One of the most magical places on Earth can be experienced at a one-of-a-kind exhibit at the Houston Zoo starting this week. The Galápagos Islands habitat opens to the public on April 7.

When the Houston Zoo opens its new Galápagos Islands habitat in April, it will represent a connection to the Islands that began years ago.

In April of 2023 the “Saving the Galapagos Islands” habitat opens at the Houston Zoo

KPRC 2 Meteorologist Anthony Yanez talks about his trip to the Galapagos Islands with conservationists from The Houston Zoo

We explore the water creatures that will be represented at the Houston Zoo

How a research center is savig the Galápagos Giant Tortoise

The success story on Santa Cruz

Removing micro-plastic and saving sea turtle eggs

Our journey with the Houston Zoo to the Galápagos Islands started early in the morning Friday. 6 a.m. breakfast, 7 a.m. pick up from our hotel in Quito and it was off to the airport, again. We had flown into Quito, Ecuador from Houston the evening before and caught a few hours of sleep before embarking on the final leg of our trip which would take us to Galápagos for our first day on the Islands.

Our journey with the Houston Zoo to the Galápagos Islands started early in the morning Friday. 6 a.m. breakfast, 7 a.m. pick up from our hotel in Quito and it was off to the airport, again. We had flown into Quito, Ecuador from Houston the evening before and caught a few hours of sleep before embarking on the final leg of our trip which would take us to Galápagos for our first day on the Islands.

Katy is asking its residents to conserve water.

In honor of the Houston Zoo’s centennial birthday, KPRC 2 is proud to present a primetime special highlighting the zoo’s growth, its impact on our community, and the incredible work the zoo does around the globe to save wildlife.

You can get free butterfly garden seeds in an effort to save monarch butterflies in Texas, y’all.

Houston artist Grant Maniér could be defined as a Renaissance man.

While Brazil may be known for its beaches and the Amazon Rainforest, another part of the South American country attracts tourists from all over the world eager to easily see incredible wildlife everywhere.

HOUSTON Learn how your family can save interesting animals across our state in our KPRC2 special, 'Saving Wildlife: Texas.' In Saving Wildlife: Texas, anchors Keith Garvin, Sofia Ojeda, and Courtney Zavala and their children team up with the Houston Zoo to learn about the wildlife around our state and whats being done to make sure those animals dont disappear forever. Whooping cranes are one of three species highlighted in the new Katherine G. McGovern Texas Wetlands habitat at the Houston Zoo. Courtesy Getty ImagesCourtesy Getty ImagesBALD EAGLESThe bald eagle in the Texas Wetlands at the Houston Zoo is named Sally Ride. The Houston Zoo supports the Texas Black Bear Alliance and has created bear sighting signs that are posted across our state.

We're told he has the best eyes for spotting wildlife as we drive through the Pantanal. Day Five: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2019We woke up hopeful Arnaud and Gabriel had a successful night at the giant armadillo burrow. We were told it could take several days for a giant armadillo to enter the trap. There's a sign in the lab to tally the number of people who've seen a giant armadillo at Baia das Pedras since 2010. This particular giant armadillo has a tracking device implanted, but it only sends a signal for four hours in the morning.

With the help of Peter Riger from the Houston Zoo and a Brazilian man who had been sent to pick us up, the airline assured Andy his bag would come on the very next flight. Friday, Sept. 27, 2019Its 10 p.m. in Houston and I'm starting to write from the plane sitting at Bush Intercontinental Airport. The plane just lifted off and we're officially on our way to the Pantanal in Brazil. We're in good company with two members of the Houston Zoo team. Once on the ground in Brazil, well meet with people who are working every day to save wildlife in the region and whose efforts are supported by the Houston Zoo.

(The leech that surprised me yesterday in the shower at the Field Center was much more freaky.) We headed back up the river ready for dinner and an evening walk through the woods near the Field Center. DAY 4It's now Monday afternoon at the Danau Girang Field Center in the middle of the jungle in Borneo. We landed in Sandakan, Malaysia and were greeted by team members from the Field Center where we are staying. As for the water, Houston Zoo social media guy Ryan is also apparently pretty good at bailing water.

HOUSTON – KPRC2 and the Houston Zoo are proud to bring you the special, 'Saving Madagascar.' KPRC2's Rachel McNeill and her family traveled to the exotic island filled with animals not found anywhere else in the world. The people of Madagascar need help too. [PHOTOS: Exploring Madagascar's wildlife at the Houston Zoo]In 'Saving Madagascar,' you'll learn about the dangers threatening families and wildlife and how you and the Houston Zoo can help save the island. [PHOTOS: Exploring Madagascar]Click here to learn more about the Houston Zoo’s Saving Wildlife programs.

HOUSTON In case you missed our special "Saving Gorillas: From Houston to Rwanda," you can watch it in the video player above. Andy Cerota traveled to Africa to see how the Houston Zoo and Houstonians are making a difference by helping bring gorillas back from the brink of extinction. The special leads up to the new gorilla exhibit at the Houston Zoo opening to the public on May 22. For more information, visit HoustonZoo.org/gorillas. To learn more about how to visit Rwanda and what to do there, click over to www.RwandaTourism.com.