Austin Zoo

Austin Zoo is a 15-acre nonprofit rescue zoo in the Texas Hill Country, with more than 300 animals representing over 100 species. Its collection has an unusual origin compared with a conventional zoo: residents include animals retired from other facilities, animals seized in cruelty cases, former research animals, and exotic pets whose owners could no longer provide appropriate care. Rescue, conservation, and education remain central to the zoo’s mission.

The experience combines traditional habitat viewing with several interactive activities. Guests can feed sheep, deer, goats, llamas, and alpacas in a designated hoofstock area, attend zookeeper talks, or ride the zoo train. Private encounters with select animals provide another option for those seeking a more involved visit. The relatively compact grounds and rescue-focused collection make Austin Zoo particularly suited to travelers interested in individual animal stories and a smaller-scale alternative to a large metropolitan zoo.