BROWNSVILLE — Just about anyone planning to visit the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville will have to pay an extra dollar to enter.
Admission increased to $11 from $10 for adults, $9.50 from $8.50 for seniors and $8 from $7 for children ages 2 to 12. Children under 2 get in free. The new fees took effect Jan. 1.
Zoo officials said the increase is needed to maintain proper care of the animals.
“In the present economic climate, a price increase was necessary to offset increased expenses to care and keep our animal collection,” Dr. Patrick Burchfield, director of the zoo, said in a press release.
Officials said the last time admission fees to the zoo were raised was in 2013.
Membership rates have also increased by $10 per level for single through grandparent plus.
Zoo officials said even with the price increase, admission to the Gladys Porter Zoo is still among the lowest in zoos and aquariums in the South Texas region.
