Cameron Park Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Look for the AZA logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things. With its more than 200 accredited members, AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation, and your link to helping animals in their native habitats. For more information visit www.aza.org.

The pictured Otters will be off exhibit until further notice.

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What Has Claws & Teeth and is Spotted All Over?

On September 2, 2007 the jaguar family at Cameron Park Zoo gained a new member, a bouncing 1.5-pound baby girl. She is now 5 months old and weighs a robust twenty-seven pounds. Her parents are 3-year-old mom, Tukari and father, four-year-old Nacon.

Because the jaguar is critically endangered in the wild, the cub is extra special. The cub has been blessed with Tukari’s stalky stature and sassy attitude. Her feisty nature earned her the name of Seraphina, which means “fiery one”.

Visitors can see the cub on exhibit with mom Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays with weather permitting.

Admission
Admission prices are as follows:

• Adults(13+) - $7
• Children 4-12 yrs - $5
• Sr. Citizens (60+) - $6
• Children3 years old and under - free

The Weather Factor

The weather can play a vital role in the decision of exhibiting animals in a zoo. Here are some key factors to think of when planning your day at the Cameron Park Zoo.

First – Temperature and wind chill factor
If the temperature with the wind chill factor is below certain temperatures it will effect whether an animal is placed on exhibit or not.

The carnivores: lions, jaguars, bears, etc., and elephants, rhinos, deer, and most birds will not be seen on exhibit if the temperature and will chill factor is below 33 degrees.

The large hoof stock: giraffe and kudu, and the primates: lemur, gibbon, and squirrel monkeys, and infant animals will not be seen on exhibit if the temperature and wind chill factor is below 41 degrees.

The gerenuk that share the same exhibit as the giraffe and kudu will not be seen on exhibit until the temperature with the wind chill factored has reached 55 degrees.

Second – The strength of the wind
We must also take into account the wind and the force it may bring with it. If the winds are blowing at a pace of 0-19 miles per hour, they generally do not play a factor in the exhibiting of animals. But, once they reach the range of 20-29 miles per hour, there is a possibility of some birds not being allowed on exhibit or returned to the security of their buildings prior to the end of the day. If the winds are to occur at a force in excess of 30 miles per hour, you will not see the birds that are in open exhibits: marabou stork, turkey, and crowned crane, on exhibit. If the wind continues to climb, and damage to trees and structures becomes a possibility, we will also keep other animals inside or bring them in early for their safety.

Finally – Additional forces such as hail, heavy or chilling rain, lightening, and thunder
In the response to heavy thunder we will bring in animals with a low tolerance to loud and sudden noises. These will include animals such as the giraffe, gibbons, and elephants. With lightening, we will hold the animals inside until the lightening storm has passed. If the animals are on exhibit when the storm arrives, we will begin bringing animals into the building for their safety starting with the low tolerance animals first and working towards securing the entire collection. If the storm passes during this period, we will continue to monitor the weather, leave those animals on exhibit that are currently on exhibit, and make a management decision on whether any animals secured may return to exhibit. In the case of heavy or chilling rain, we will follow the temperature and wind chill factors, monitor for possible flooding, and do our best to exhibit the animals that are possible. Heavy or chilling rain can keep small animals, birds, primates, and some hoofed animals inside for their safety and health. And finally, if hail, a tornado, or any other form of violent weather activity are to occur or be predicted, we would respond in kind by keeping all animals inside or bringing animals back inside for their safety.

Thank you, and we hope this helps you plan your visit to Cameron Park Zoo. Check out Waco’s current weather conditions by clicking on a link to one of our local TV stations.

Check the Local Weather

KCEN Weather	KWTX Weather	KXXV Weather

Group Rates
Special rates for groups of 21 or more also are available. For tour groups (senior citizens, church, motorcoach, etc.) call (254) 750-8423. For school groups, call (254) 750-8400.

Make your visit to Cameron Park Zoo a fun adventure. Click here on tips for organizing a Zoo Visit.

Rules

• Outside food and drinks are prohibited
  
• Please bring all necessary medications required for anyone in your party. Zoo personnel are not allowed to administer medication.
• The zoo is the animals' home. Please treat the zoo and the animals with respect
  
• Glass fronts are for your protection as well as the animals'. Please look through only.
  
• Observe all posted signs
  
• Stay in your assigned group
  
• Slow down! Walk only on the provided public walkways and paths
  
• Flowers and trees make our zoo beautiful. Please respect nature and our staffs' efforts
  
• For their safety, please supervise children in the restroom
  
• Our Gift Shop is small. Please allow only 10 members of your group to enter the Gift Shop at one time. 1 adult must supervise 10 students
  
• ANY TIME CHILDREN OR GROUPS UNDER YOUR SUPERVISION APPEAR TO BE OUT OF CONTROL, THEY MAY BE ASKED TO LEAVE

Location
The zoo is located at 1701 N. Fourth Street, Waco, Texas, 76707. The Zoo's main phone number is (254) 750-8400. The Zoo can also be reached from University Parks Drive. Cameron Park Zoo is fully accessible. There are six electric wheelchairs available to rent for a $20 fee and five manual wheelchairs available at no charge, on a first-come, first-served basis.

Need more information?
Click here to go to our Request for Information Page!