In less than two years the San Antonio Zoo has invested $4 million into revamping the look, feel, and experience.
"It's almost a new zoo, that's been here 102 years," said CEO Tim Morrow.
There's a new logo and more 100 animal habitats updated.
The habitat for Lucky the elephant was updated just two weeks ago.
"She's 56 years old and she's been here since 1962," said specialist Nydia Gray.
Gray has worked with the elephant for five years and has seen the debate over the elephant go back and forth for a long time.
"We've added some new furniture, new logs to her yard," Gray added.
She believes this updated habitat fits in with both hers and the zoo's growing story.
Expanding habitats is just one way to mark a change in the times. These days people expect different things from their local zoos than they might have less than a decade ago.
"Zoos are going through a transformational time and they have been for a while, but it's really accelerated now," Morrow said.
People don't just want to see a variety of animals like they did back in the day, but see them live and cared for responsibly.
"We've developed a team, their whole responsibility is the guest experience here at the zoo," Morrow said.
Guests care about conservation, green practices, and saving water.
So there's a new rain system in place.
Other changes on the way include a much bigger zoo on undeveloped property.
"The other side of 281 we have some acreage on and then the top of Hildebrand across the top cliff walls of the zoo, but we're also looking outside our gates to have other touch points. There's so much potential we're dreaming big we think this city deserves the best zoo in the country," said Morrow.
The hope for expansion on undeveloped zoo property is part of a master plan and capital campaign that is expected to be unveiled later this year.
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