Gladys Porter Zoo, Zoological park in Brownsville, Texas.

Gladys Porter Zoo is a zoological and botanical park on 31 acres (13 ha) in Brownsville, Texas, holding about 400 animal species and over 250 tropical and neo-tropical species and subspecies. Its entrance building has a steep brown-shingled gable roof, a tan-panelled gable end topped by an X-shaped beam cross, and a raised grey elephant head with outward-curving tusks above the lettering "GLADYS PORTER ZOO".

The facility opened in 1971 after the Earl C. Sams Foundation funded and donated the entire property to the City of Brownsville. This generous gift allowed the city to establish a modern space dedicated to animal care and conservation work.

The zoo is named after Gladys Porter, daughter of former J. C. Penney president Earl C. Sams, who helped plan and stock it. Its Zoo News newsletter began in January 1972, and summer study classes for grades 1 through 12 started in 1978. The entrance carries a raised grey elephant head above the lettering "GLADYS PORTER ZOO".

The zoo is laid out so visitors can easily walk between the four geographic sections while observing different animal species in their zones. A section called Small World allows for closer interaction with smaller animals, making it accessible for visitors of all ages.

The zoo actively participates in conservation programs for endangered species such as Kemp's ridley sea turtles, Western lowland gorillas, and Philippine crocodiles. This work connects the facility to broader international efforts aimed at protecting these threatened animals.