Texas Border Business
EL PASO, Texas — Wildlife enthusiasts of all ages looking for a nature break are encouraged to visit the El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens to see new animal exhibits and take part in naming the baby giraffe, all while enjoying new spring and summer hours.
The Zoo has transitioned to its spring and summer schedule, now open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. However, during Spring Break, the Zoo will be open every day to accommodate visitors.
Meet the Newest Residents
Guests can now visit Lar Gibbons, Binturongs, and a Swainson’s Hawk, each with their own unique traits and stories.
- Lar Gibbons: The Zoo is home to two Lar Gibbons—a 9-year-old female named Lucy and a 12-year-old male named Thai. Also known as white-handed gibbons, these primates are apes, not monkeys, as they lack tails. Known for their remarkable agility, Lar Gibbons can swing up to 26 feet between branches. They primarily eat fruit, leaves, insects, and figs and are famous for their loud, melodic calls, which can be heard over half a mile away. Unfortunately, they are one of the most endangered primate species due to habitat loss.
- Binturongs: Also known as bearcats, Binturongs have the face of a cat and the body of a bear—but are related to neither. The Zoo’s Binturong exhibit is home to Zula, a three-year-old female, and Bimo, a four-year-old male. These nocturnal carnivores eat fruit, vegetables, small mammals, and fish. One of their most unique traits? They emit a scent that smells like buttered popcorn to mark their territory. They are excellent climbers, strong swimmers, and have keen vision.
- Swainson’s Hawk: Visitors can also meet Refund, a Swainson’s Hawk named for its arrival during tax season. These raptors are known for their incredible migratory journeys, traveling over 12,000 miles round trip between North and South America—one of the longest migrations of any bird of prey. Their population has declined due to habitat loss, pesticide exposure, and human activity.
Help Name the Baby Giraffe
The Zoo is inviting the community to help name its newest arrival—a baby giraffe born one month ago! After careful consideration, the Zoo team has narrowed the choices to four names:
- Ato
- Balozi
- Hermanito
- Tesoro
Zoo fans can cast their votes by visiting the El Paso Zoo’s Facebook and Instagram pages. A pinned post will contain a link to vote, and the winning name will be announced on Sunday, March 23.
For more information about the El Paso Zoo & Botanical Gardens, visit www.ElPasoZoo.org.
