The wait for the Galapagos Islands, the crown jewel of Houston Zoo's centennial fundraiser, is almost over. The Houston Zoo has announced that the $70 million state-of-the-art facility will open to the public on April 7.
Everything goes hand in hand to keep the Galapagos Islands on schedule. The 2.5-acre zoo was originally scheduled to open in 2022, but was delayed due to supply chain issues and shortages of building materials, including acrylic panels overlooking the Lion's Coast. from McGovern Plaza.
"With the fence gone, visitors are greeted by sea lions frolicking in their natural habitat," said Lee Emke, Houston Zoo's president and CEO. "Seeing sea lions in their new homes is one of the things people get excited about the most."
Funding for the 100-year Keeping Our World Wild master plan totaled $150 million. Several 11-hour donations trumped all fundraising efforts; Nick Espinosa, senior vice president of development, said $151.7 million was raised. The increased amount will support two additional centenary projects, Birds of the World and Jack's Cafe and Event Center, which will be completed in 2024 and 2025, respectively.
A life size statue of a sea lion family will welcome visitors to the New Galapagos Islands.
Two groups of nine sea lions -- one from California, the other from Texas -- share a pool filled with 362,000 gallons of salt water. The new space is three times larger and more refined than previous residences.
"Sea lions love to follow people," Emke said. "We're basically going to be a showcase for them."
The wireless player will allow viewers to interact with animals above and below the water. The art team worked to create a realistic desert island atmosphere with crabs and shells carved into the concrete.
In the corner, live artificial cacti line two stone walls that mark the entrance to the zoo's "Land of Reptiles," which is home to iguanas and giant tortoises.
"The giant tortoises feed on cacti and eventually grow into trees," says Emke. “Now the turtles are craning their necks to reach the cacti. So it really is survival of the fittest."
He compares the Galapagos giant tortoises to tiny reservoirs that, despite their size, roll down the slopes of volcanoes. Her old zoo was completely flat; For short ascents and ascents, the Reptile Rules should give you some work.
The geology, plants, and general environment are designed to tell the story of Houston Zoo's extensive efforts to protect the Galápagos Islands. The concrete rocks and epoxy logs inside the iguana enclosure are constantly heated to 92 degrees, the ideal temperature for reptiles.
Other tunnels lead visitors to underwater worlds, a sea cave and an underwater sea lion viewing area, which also doubles as an event venue for up to 60 people. Nearby is the Sally Lightfoot Crab Fishing Station. Emcke believes an exhibition of crayfish and giant seahorses of equal size will be a hidden success; The latter can reach up to 1 foot. high
The next promises hanging jaws. The 40 meter long underwater acrylic sea lion observation tunnel offers a panoramic view. Visitors dive under 2.5 meters of salt water.
"(Galapagos) is three soccer fields with away fairways," Emke said. "It's a whole series of pictures."
2.7 miles of underwater pipes channel saltwater to Sea Lion Beach, One Ocean and Flightless Perfection, the main penguin habitat at the Houston Zoo. Each ecosystem requires a different salinity. "We make all of our brine ourselves and chill it too," Espinosa added.
One Ocean has sharks, rays and fish in a 290,000 gallon aquarium. Deep blue and sophisticated lighting create the illusion that the back wall stretches out indefinitely. Magnolia craftsmen hand-sewn and painted the fiberglass pins.
Through a lava tube, visitors enter Flightless Perfection, home to 14-16 endangered Humboldt penguins. Here, an underground tunnel allows fish to be thrown into the water for dinner and shows. There are aquarists for keepers, locations for hand-feeding flightless birds, and a microphone system so curious people don't miss a thing.
A giant globe hanging in the exit gallery marks the end of the Save Our Shared Ocean Tour. The arrow draws a line between Houston and the Galapagos Islands near the equator. This is a moment of learning and reflection. The murals show how moving away from plastic and single-use packaging is helping to protect the environment.
"There's an idea that there's an ocean and we're all connected. Even if it seems far away," said Emke.
amber.eliott@chron.com
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