What's so special about the Fort Worth Zoo? Why we love it.

The Fort Worth Zoo was in the news again in July as it celebrated another conservation success, with the hatching of critically endangered gharial crocodiles. Our zoo is more than a place for kids to see animals. It has a long-standing mission of helping save rare and endangered species.

This collection of stories from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram explores what's been happening at the zoo, from renovations, new habitats and rare births.

A family watches the elephants play at the Fort Worth Zoo on June 8, 2022.

FORT WORTH’S SPIRIT, GENEROSITY MADE REBIRTH OF THE ZOO POSSIBLE

In 30 years, the revitalized zoo has opened new habitats, helped with contribution and brought joy to countless Fort Worth families. [Opinion] | Published November 11, 2022 | Read Full Story by Ramona Bass

The Fort Worth Zoo released 718,553 endangered Houston toad tadpoles and eggs into their native range.

ONLY 400 OF THESE TOADS ARE LEFT IN THE WILD. HOW THE FORT WORTH ZOO IS HELPING

This was one of the first amphibians to be listed under the Endangered Species Act in 1970. | Published April 18, 2023 | Read Full Story by Dalia Faheid

Jabulani, the Fort Worth Zoo’s male lion, roars while in his new habitat on Tuesday, June 20, 2023. Jabulani and two female lions returned to the Fort Worth Zoo for the opening of Asia & Africa on June 22. The lions had been staying at the Abilene Zoo for a little over two years while the expansion took place.

‘A BEAUTIFUL NEW HOME’: BIG CATS RETURN TO FORT WORTH ZOO

The habitat is also home to two species that have never before been on display at the Fort Worth Zoo. | Published June 22, 2023 | Read Full Story by Harriet Ramos

1938: Queen Tut, an elephant at Fort Worth’s Forest Park Zoo.

PHOTOS: WHAT THE FORT WORTH ZOO LOOKED LIKE WHEN GREAT-GRANDMA VISITED AS A KID

Kids in the 1940s-50s who visited what was then Forest Park Zoo and amusement park wouldn’t recognize today’s Fort Worth Zoo. For one thing, the zoo no longer dresses up the chimps like people! | Published July 28, 2023 | Read Full Story by Matt Leclercq

Animal trainer Kailee Strain holds Ken the opossum during the grand opening of the new Fort Worth Zoo Exploration & Learning Center on Thursday, May 30, 2024. The center is additional education facility that will expand nature-based learning opportunities for the Fort Worth community. By Chris Torres

FORT WORTH ZOO UNVEILS 11,000-SQUARE-FOOT EXPLORATION FOR WILDLIFE EDUCATION

Zoo staff say the facility allows them to serve more children through camps and other programs. Hundreds are on the waiting list each year. | Published May 30, 2024 | Read Full Story by Harriet Ramos

Julian Hubbard, 6, takes a look at the Texas Alligator Lizard during a media event for the grand reopening of the reimagined Mountains & Desert exhibit in the Fort Worth Zoo on Thursday June 20, 2024. By Chris Torres

FORT WORTH ZOO HABITAT GETS NEW LOOK & NEW ANIMALS AS PART OF TEXAS WILD! RENOVATION

The Mountains and Desert habitat reopened after being closed for two years due to renovations. Thirteen new species, including the Texas horned lizard, are on exhibit. | Published June 20, 2024 | Read Full Story by Harriet Ramos

The Fort Worth Zoo announced Thursday that a male lion cub named Moja was born Oct. 20.

LIONS, CROCODILES, MANDRILLS: ANIMALS UNIQUE TO THE FORT WORTH ZOO

Meet Moja the lion cub, female mandrill Ruby, and other cool critters. | Published September 26, 2024 | Read Full Story

Fort Worth Zoo officials prepare to release Texas horned lizards into the wild.

FORT WORTH ZOO RELEASES RECORD NUMBER OF LIZARDS INTO THE WILD

The Texas Hill Country just got 617 new lizards, courtesy of the Fort Worth Zoo and its conservation partners. | Published October 30, 2024 | Read Full Story by Tiffani Jackson

Danny Miles, 3, points at a Gray-Banded King Snake during a media event for the grand reopening of the reimagined Mountains & Desert exhibit in the Fort Worth Zoo on Thursday June 20, 2024. By Chris Torres

ZOO RECEIVES $2 MILLION FROM TEXAS PARKS & WILDLIFE FOR RENOVATIONS

The funds will be used to renovate the zoo’s Hall of Wonders exhibit, which is the center of conservation education at the Fort Worth Zoo. | Published January 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by Lillie Davidson

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.