There was a long line when Ainsley, my seven-year-old granddaughter, and I arrived at Ellen Trout Zoo. It was a beautiful spring day, and, it seems, everyone wanted to be out in the sunshine.
The small zoo, founded by Walter Trout in 1967 and located in Lufkin, Texas, hosts about 150,000 visitors a year.
It all started in 1965 when Trout received a 500-pound hippopotamus as a Christmas present. The hippo, named Hippie, was boarded at the Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo in Monroe, Louisiana until Trout could complete a hippo pen. The present zoo was built around the hippo pen and officially opened on June 17, 1967. The zoo, named after Trout's mother, is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. In addition, the zoo participates in several Species Survival Plans, including rhinos, Bali mynah, and cotton-top tamarin.
In 1999, the Maasai giraffe and white rhinoceros exhibits opened. A Nile hippopotamus exhibit followed in 2002, where visitors can view the animals above and below the waterline. Hippie's old home is now the Koi pond exhibit.
The zoo currently houses about 700 animals and helps conserve close to 50 different species in a Species Survival Plan.
Animal habitats are located along winding paths and house monkeys, kestrels, jaguars, and flamingos. In addition, Ainsley and I pass Galapagos tortoise, Fly River turtle, bontebok, ruddy duck, Malayan tapir, spectacled owl, hippos, rhinos, and many other species.
Another feature at the park is a miniature pre-Civil War train replica that transports guests around the lake and through the beautiful pine trees.
We spent the afternoon enjoying the site of families with small, excited children, watching the animals, and even visiting the reptile house.
For Lufkin, a city of just 35,000 residents, a zoo is unusual. But this city does an excellent job of maintaining the property and caring for the animals.
The zoo is located at 402 Zoo Circle in Lufkin. For more information call (936) 633-0399.
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