The San Antonio Zoo has been named one of the world’s best zoos by Condé Nast Traveler, the institution announced, a recognition officials say underscores the facility’s emphasis on conservation work and recent capital improvements.
Recognition tied to conservation and new habitats
The travel magazine’s updated list highlights zoos that extend their impact beyond visitor experiences through conservation, restoration and fieldwork. San Antonio’s inclusion reflects programs ranging from regional species reintroductions to international collaborative efforts in the Amazon basin.
Among the zoo’s cited initiatives are the Texas Horned Lizard Reintroduction Project and Project Selva, a joint conservation effort working with Indigenous communities in the Amazon River basin. Those programs are woven into the zoo’s broader mission to use public-facing exhibits as platforms for species preservation.
"To be recognized as one of the best zoos in the world is an incredible honor, but what makes this recognition especially meaningful is the focus on conservation," said Tim Morrow, president & CEO of San Antonio Zoo.
Morrow emphasized that the zoo’s work is intended to secure long-term prospects for wildlife both locally and abroad. The zoo has undergone several major expansions in recent years that officials say support that aim: Naylor Savanna, an immersive African savanna habitat, and Congo Falls, a facility designed for gorillas, are among the centerpiece projects.
Local honors and national rankings
The Condé Nast recognition comes as the zoo enjoys heightened attention at home and nationally. This summer, the institution received local honors as Best Family Attraction and Best Tourist Attraction. Nationally, the park placed among top zoos in multiple lists:
- Ranked No. 7 on USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice for best zoos in the country.
- Named among the top 10 zoos in the United States by Condé Nast Traveler in 2025.
- Placed No. 2 in the U.S. by Newsweek (year noted in the release).
Officials framed the Condé Nast listing as part of the zoo’s evolving role: an attraction that draws visitors while advancing conservation science and community partnerships. The zoo’s dual focus on public engagement and fieldwork is a core argument in its case for global recognition.
What the awards and expansions mean
San Antonio’s recent construction and programmatic growth appear designed to attract both tourism dollars and institutional partnerships. Zoo leaders say immersive habitats such as Naylor Savanna provide richer educational contexts for visitors, while investments like Congo Falls aim to improve animal welfare and research opportunities.
Those expansions, coupled with field programs like Project Selva, create a portfolio that appeals to publications that evaluate zoological institutions for more than visitor amenities. Condé Nast Traveler’s list, the zoo release said, prioritizes conservation impact — an emphasis that played to San Antonio’s strengths.
| Award / Recognition | Source | Noted Year |
|---|---|---|
| One of the world’s best zoos | Condé Nast Traveler | 2026 (updated list) |
| Top 10 U.S. zoos | Condé Nast Traveler | 2025 |
| No. 2 in U.S. | Newsweek | 2025 (release referenced) |
| No. 7 in USA Today 10Best | USA Today | Recent release |
Tourism and conservation experts say that third-party rankings can drive visitation and philanthropic support, both important to zoos that balance care costs and program funding. For San Antonio, the awards may translate to increased public interest and stronger fundraising prospects for in-house and field initiatives.
As the San Antonio Zoo moves forward, leadership has signaled the institution will continue to invest in habitat improvements and collaborative conservation, positioning itself as both a visitor destination and a participant in global wildlife stewardship.
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