Houston Zoo begins habitat upgrades to boost animal care and visitor experience

The Houston Zoo began phased construction in January 2026 to upgrade several habitats and guest areas, with work staged so most of the park remains open during renovations. Major improvements target the white rhinoceros habitat, the McGovern giraffe habitat and the Shani Market concessions area, with key elements slated for completion in spring and summer 2026.

At the center of the project, the white rhinoceros habitat will receive new heaters, fans and feeders, a new water feature and a covered viewing area intended to improve animal comfort and sightlines for visitors. The McGovern giraffe habitat will gain a shade canopy, improved drinkers and enhanced guest amenities designed to reduce heat stress for animals and provide more comfortable visitor access. The Shani Market concessions area will be modernized with self-checkout options and conservation-minded retail offerings, with the retail changes expected by summer 2026.

Construction will be phased so that portions of the zoo remain accessible to visitors throughout the work. The zoo framed the upgrades as part of an ongoing commitment to improved animal care and visitor experience, aligning investments in on-site infrastructure with trends among modern zoological institutions to prioritize animal welfare and interactive education.

For Harris County residents, the phased schedule aims to limit disruption to routines that include school field trips, weekend family visits and tourism traffic in the Museum District and Hermann Park area. The covered viewing area and shade additions respond directly to summer weather patterns here in the Bayou City, where heat can affect both guests and large mammals. The Shani Market modernization could shorten lines during peak hours and shift sales toward merchandise and products that highlight conservation goals, which may change the concession mix for frequent visitors.

Economically, upgrades to major attractions typically have local ripple effects: improved amenities can lift ticket demand, extend visitor dwell time and increase spending at nearby businesses such as restaurants and hotels. With key elements due in spring and summer, businesses that cater to zoo visitors should watch for modest upticks in weekend traffic as warmer-weather improvements come online.

Longer term, these investments underscore the zoo’s role in local conservation education and urban recreation. By combining animal comfort measures with guest-oriented technology and retail changes, the zoo is positioning itself to meet contemporary expectations for both care standards and convenience. Residents planning visits this year should check the zoo’s schedule for phased closures and expect staged openings of the upgraded areas through summer 2026 as work completes.