Zoos and Aquariums

An American Artist

Henry Ossawa Tanner, who lived in Paris for years, wanted to be taken on his own terms.

R.I.P. Astro, The Houston Zoo's Favorite Sea Lion

Astro, the sea lion who's been a Houston Zoo favorite ever since he arrived here off the injured-reserve list in 2009, has died, officials say. The four-year-old had been suffering from a severe case of gastroenteritis, but it will be weeks before tests determine the cause of death. "The Zoo's sea ... More >>

This Week In Food Blogs: Parcel Pies and Zoos Without Tigers

Weapons Grade: Whether or not this story of a zoo with no tigers is a metaphor for sommelier Justin Vann's work at Oxheart is beside the point; zoos do need to have fewer tigers, and we need to learn to appreciate the zoos that showcase something other than tigers. Don't know what I'm talking about? ... More >>

The Zoo Story

RIP Kiva, The Houston Zoo's Longtime Giraffe

For 15 years visitors to the Houston Zoo have been entertained by Kiva, a Masai giraffe. Now he's gone to that great Serengeti in the sky. He was euthanized this morning after Zoo staff and vets decided painful degenerating arthritis in his front hoof joints could not be fixed. "Follow up x-rays i ... More >>

Kids Country

We Bought a Zoo Ticket Giveaway

We Bought a Zoo stars Matt Damon, Thomas Haden Church, Colin Ford, Scarlett Johansson, and Elle Fanning; Cameron Crowe directs. The Houston Press has ten passes to give away for the film We Bought a Zoo. These are passes for four, good any Monday through Thursday, except holidays, at any Houston A ... More >>

Animal House

Oh, don't be such a cynic. Matt Damon needs your love in We Bought a Zoo.

The Absolute Best "Baby Elephants In A Swimming Pool" Video Ever

We've only today come across this Houston Zoo video, but as the drought returns it's well worth a look. Baylor and Tupelo, the Zoo's baby elephants, have never looked cuter or funnier than in this clip. And we all know how cute Baylor can be: He swept the field in our Houston Zoo Cute-Off tournamen ... More >>

The Houston Zoo Gets a New African Forest Café

​Hungry zoo-goers now have a new, and decidedly better, option to satisfy their tummy rumblings. I recently got a sneak peak of the Twiga Terrace Restaurant that opened in the brand-new African Forest section of the zoo. The African Forest is a huge expansion that allows guests to take a jou ... More >>

Comment of the Day: The Doc and the Gazelle

​Today Geri Maria Harris reported on the Twiga Terrace Restaurant in the zoo's new African Forest. And Doc Ricky had some ideas he thinks would work better than Twiga's veggie burgers and three-cheese sandwiches: Nice to have an African theme, but why doesn't it extend to the food? Perfect t ... More >>

Zoo Boo

Tupelo: New Baby Elephant To Challenge Baylor's Cuteness Crown

Courtesy Houston ZooTupelo says move over, Baylor​Mere months afte winning the epic Houston Zoo Cute-Off, Baylorthe baby elephant is seeing his reign challenged by the arrival of Tupelo, an equally cute -- and younger -- rival.Such us the hard life of the jungle. Or the zoo.Tupelo entered the wor ... More >>

Pizza, Beer and Pixie Sticks: Partying at the Houston Zoo

​Last Thursday, animal enthusiasts and party crashers alike crowded the Houston Zoo's Duck Pond for their Flock of Seagulls 80s themed party. Guests were encouraged to dress up in their craziest 80s attire and nibble on mini appetizers, Saint Arnold'S Beer and 42 Below Vodka drinks while the D ... More >>

6 Days of Giftmas: Culture Vultures

Photo by toastforbrekkie The Corn Poppy, at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston​Sick of corporate Christmas? Try shopping local. Hair Balls presents a 12-part series highlighting ideas for holiday gifts made and sold in Texas. Don't listen to those Yankees who say Texas has no culture. Houston ... More >>

Houston Peruvian Festival

Alpacas don't bite, do they?

"La La La -- I Was On Drugs": Hair Balls's Seven Favorite Memories Of The Houston Zoo

We recently stumbled on this video made by the Houston Zoo, wherein people recall their favorite memories of the place. With the long Labor Day Weekend coming up, Hair Balls has a few memories of its own...

Adult Wink

Web exclusive

Death Of A Ladies' Man: R.I.P., Deano

Photo courtesy Houston ZooDeano, 26, with Cali, 5: That's what I love about these high school seals, man. I get older, they stay the same age. ​ The Animal God giveth, and the Animal God taketh away.Not long after the birth of the World's Cutest Giraffe, an old soul has left the Houston Zoo: Deano ... More >>

Wild About Wine

Web exclusive!

Photo Day at the Zoo

Web exclusive!

Easter in the Gardens

Web exclusive!

Five Flights

The seriously funny comedy by Adam Bock is Unhinged Productions’ latest show

At Home at the Zoo

UH mounts Edward Albee’s prequel to The Zoo Story

Free Day at the Zoo

Web exclusive!

Houston Zoo Goes Ape Over Elephant-Abuse Claims

Turns out the Houston Zoo has plenty to say about In Defense of Animals naming it one of the "Ten Worst Zoos for Elephants." "The list is an annual effort by In Defense of Animals to draw attention to their narrow agenda - to remove elephants from zoos," zoo spokesman Brian Hill tells Hair Balls. "T ... More >>

Houston Zoo Free Admission Day

Start the New Year off with a freebie

The Houston Zoo's Got More Herpes Than A Motley Crue Groupies' Convention, PETA Says

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals protested at the Houston Zoo Saturday, demanding that the zoo stop breeding elephants after the death of two-year-old Mac from the elephant herpesvirus.Hair Balls caught up with PETA spokeswoman Lindsay Rajt at the protest. "PETA is appalled that yet anoth ... More >>

The Zoo Hunkers Down

Too Late, Baby

The zoo waited too long to feed at the trough

Re: Make That Elephant a Guinness!

Make That Elephant a Guinness!

A Fly Little Party

Aw, Shuck!

This Week's Day-by-Day Picks

Poetry 101

Chocolate Bayou Festival

Saturday, March 1, and Sunday, March 2

Stirred and Shaken

R&R Lounge's Blue Balls cocktail

Air Sic

In cargo holds or plane cabins, critters are taking more than flights of fancy

Letters

Out at the Zoo

Embattled director Olson departs as signs of reform arrive

Bungle in the Jungle

Beneath the pretty facade of the Houston Zoo lies a world where animals, and their keepers, are being shortchanged

Sick and Fired

Former curator Karl Peterson has been shut out of the zoo, and he wants to know why

Press Picks

Animal Crackers

Press Picks

Press Picks

Press Picks

Press Picks

The Park at the Heart of Our City

Redesigning Hermann Park so it's not just isolated compounds for special interests