The American red wolf is the most endangered canid in the world. The Texas Zoo is home to red wolves Carmen and Spirit as part of the SSP (Species Survival Program). Source: The Texas Zoo
The American red wolf is the most endangered canid in the world. The Texas Zoo is home to red wolves Carmen and Spirit as part of the SSP (Species Survival Program). Source: The Texas Zoo
VICTORIA, Texas – The Texas Zoo invites you to paint for a cause.
Join the Texas Zoo as they kick off their American Red Wolf Sculpture Reveal Weekend with an adult-only event, ‘Paint for a Cause: American Red Wolf Edition.’
What you need to know
This event is , from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 6 at The Texas Zoo, located at 110 Memorial Drive.
Attendees must register in advance. Spots are limited.
Individual tickets are $40 and couple tickets are $70.
This event is 21 and older and you may BYOB.
Attendees will receive canvases with pre-drawn outlines.
“The Texas Zoo, first known as, ‘The South Texas Zoological Society,’ began in 1957.
In 1957 James L. Yates, who ran a packing plant near Foster Field, donated an African lioness to Mayor W.R. McCright.
The Mayor decided that Victoria should have a zoo and approached the Lions Club, who provided a cage.
Fire Marshall L.B. Richardson was assigned responsibility and the Victoria City Zoo came to life.
Sid Drew was hired to operate the zoo.
In 1962, B.E. Leissner, a local pharmacist, and Lester A. Bugs Meis, a local pest control operator, who were active members of the Junior Chamber of Commerce and had supported zoo development from the beginning, proposed creation of a Zoo Commission to oversee operations and planning.
The City council agreed and appointed City Manager John Lee and former Mayor W.R. McCright to the Commission along with Leissner and Meis.
The Commission immediately renamed the zoo the Victoria Children’s Zoo and initiated a fund raising drive for expansion.
Expansion plans called for a monkey island, snake house, large bird area, and cages for large animals.
Visitors from 107 cities, 19 states, and Germany signed the guest register in the first nine days of the Children’s Zoo, demonstrating the value of the zoo as a tourist attraction.
The Zoo grew to include many species housed in barbed-wired cages and pens.
Bears, Barbados sheep, a camel, Russian Boars, an Anaconda, monkeys, parrots, parakeets, penguins, and peacocks gradually accumulated.
Many donated, including the pair of bears donated in 1959 by Tom O’Connor and Victoria Bank and Trust Company.
Over the years the O’Connor brothers, Dennis and Tom, were consistent, strong supporters of Victoria’s zoo.”
Go here to learn more about painting at the Texas Zoo for a cause.
