The Austin Zoo did
not start out as a zoo in the traditional way. The Carroccio's love of
animals led them down a winding road that eventually led to the creation of the
Austin Zoo.
It all started with normal pets and a few children's birthday parties at their 100 acre ranch. They began taking in unwanted grown exotic animals. The zoo is now a sanctuary for these victims of the exotic pet trade. In fact about 90% of the animals that call the zoo home have been rescued.
Some of goals of the
zoo are:
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Providing a continuing sanctuary for animals and people
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Education in the area of exotic pet trade
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Bringing in new breeds of animals that fit in with the zoo's purpose
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Conserving the Hill Country area they call home
We recently had the privilege of speaking with Cindy Carroccio, founder of the Austin Zoo.
What animal was the start of the Austin Zoo?
Mabel, a Patas
Monkey, was brought into the Carroccio's home. At that point, Cindy began
learning about exotic pets. She found out that dogs and cats are not the
only unwanted animals. There is a need for sanctuaries or homes for
monkeys and big cats.
Later, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department confiscated a four month old cougar. Sierra had a metabolic disease from a bad diet. His front paw was broken in two places from simply standing on his feet. The Austin Zoo was able to nurse the cub back to health and provide him with a safe haven.
After that point they received another cougar and then a tiger and the Austin Zoo was born.
How many animals did you have before you realized that an area with multiple enclosures was necessary?
In order to properly keep any exotic pets, proper enclosures are necessary. You never know if the animals will be compatible, even if they are of the same species. In fact, some animals at the zoo have been fixed to help them to get along.
How do animals wind up in the zoo?
The
majority of the animals (about 90%) have come from homes that would no longer
keep them. Others have come from a surplus of others zoos' animals.
When zoo animals have babies, sometimes the result is extra animals that need
more space than that particular zoo has available.
The Austin Zoo must turn down more animals than they can take. There simply is not enough room or money to properly care for the number of animals that come up each day. In some cases, our environment is not the proper place for the exotic animal. It is better if there is no danger involved for the people to keep the animal during its lifespan. This would help to reduce the problem of these unwanted animals.
How do you plan to bring in new animals?
Animals will continue to be brought in as needed and as space available allows. In the fall, the zoo will acquire their first two Lynx cats. These two beautiful animals were taken from a cruel owner.
What steps do you feel are important to the preservation of the land?
The zoo plans to reserve some of the land in its natural state, rather than having wall to wall animals. They also plan to reseed and reestablish the natural grasses.
If you would like to learn more about the exotic pet trade business, a book is available through the Austin Zoo's Gift Shop:
Animal Underworld: Inside
America's Black Market for Rare and Exotic Species
by Alan Green and The Center for Public Integrity. A fascinating,
and often horrifying, expose of the sleazy, sometimes illegal trade in exotic -
and even endangered - species.