Ellen Trout Zoo, Municipal zoo in Lufkin, United States
Ellen Trout Zoo is a public zoo in Lufkin, in East Texas, housing a wide range of animal species across a large, park-like property. The enclosures are designed to resemble the natural habitats of the animals, and the grounds are divided into different zones.
The zoo was founded in 1967 after a hippopotamus named Hippie arrived in Lufkin as a Christmas gift and needed a proper home. What started as an improvised solution grew over the years into a full zoological garden.
The zoo is one of the few places in East Texas where families and school groups regularly come to see wildlife up close. It functions as a shared gathering point for the local community, drawing visitors of all ages throughout the year.
The grounds are large, so it is worth wearing comfortable shoes and leaving enough time to walk through all sections. A small train called the Wildlife Express runs through the property and is a good option if you prefer not to walk the whole way.
The hippopotamus enclosure has viewing areas both above and below the waterline, so visitors can watch the animals from two different angles. The underwater view shows how they move and breathe in ways that are not visible from above.
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