HOUSTON – The Houston Zoo announced Wednesday the opening date of the Galápagos Islands exhibit in celebration of its fundraising campaign exceeding the targeted goal of $150 million.
The “Keeping Our World Wild” centennial campaign, which was launched on April 5, 2018, has secured 1,001 gifts totaling $151,693,153.32 from 707 donors.
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In celebration of this achievement, Houston Zoo announced that the new Galápagos Islands exhibit opens to the public on April 7. Member and donor previews, sponsored by TXU Energy, will precede the opening. The zoo will begin a complete transformation of its bird facilities into a state-of-the-art Birds of the World exhibit complex, according to a release.
The first major exhibit of its kind to showcase the remarkable wildlife of the legendary island chain, the Houston Zoo’s Galápagos Islands will immerse guests in environments evoking the archipelago’s unique landscapes and oceanic habitats and highlight efforts to protect it for the future. No place on our planet better exemplifies the wonders of unique species, the delicate balance of ecosystems, or the pressing need for conservation action more than the Galápagos.
“We are deeply grateful for the exceptional support we have received during our centennial campaign,” stated Lee Ehmke, President and CEO of the Houston Zoo. “The opening of our Galápagos Islands exhibit will be a momentous occasion, and we are excited to introduce these remarkable animals and places they represent to the community. It is our hope that this exhibit will inspire visitors to learn more about conservation and the vital role the Zoo plays in protecting these species for future generations.”
What can you expect from the exhibit?
- The Houston Zoo’s Galápagos Islands will feature unique landscapes and oceanic habitats and highlight efforts to protect it for the future, according to a release.
- The Zoo is marking this occasion by introducing some of the new animal residents now moving into the exhibit:
- Four new female California sea lions: Ariel (19), Calypso (19), Gaia (8), and Freya (8).
- Seven additional giant Galápagos tortoises
- Two black-tip reef sharks
- Two bonnethead sharks
- A green sea turtle
- A colony of 14-16 Humboldt penguins arriving soon
Generous donors
The campaign was kicked off with a $50 million lead gift from the John P. McGovern Foundation, the largest gift in the Zoo’s history. Generous support for the campaign was also received from The Brown Foundation, Houston Endowment, and The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation.
Chaired by board members Dr. Cullen Geiselman and Joe Cleary, the campaign raised funds from individuals, foundations, corporate partners, and the Houston Zoo’s operational cash flows to complete Phase I of the Zoo’s master plan.
So far, the campaign has contributed to the opening of Hamill Foundation Black Bear Exhibit, Cypress Circle Café, Kathrine G. McGovern Texas Wetlands, a renovated orangutan exhibit, and the award-winning South America’s Pantanal.