Houston Zoo has begun multi-year upgrades to its Africa habitats, adding new features for animals and guests through 2027.
HOUSTON — The Houston Zoo is kicking off 2026 with a series of habitat upgrades and concessions improvements aimed at enhancing animal well-being and elevating the guest experience.
The multi-year effort includes a major renovation of the Zoo’s white rhinoceros habitat, new comfort and engagement features for the Masai giraffe herd, and a refreshed Shani Market. Construction on several key projects began Jan. 7, with phased openings expected through 2026 and early 2027.
Zoo officials say minimizing guest impacts during construction and maintaining exceptional animal care are top priorities as work moves forward.
White rhinoceros habitat: Expanded space, new species
The white rhinoceros habitat will undergo a comprehensive renovation designed to support expanded species care and long-term habitat health.
Planned improvements include welcoming zebras and an additional rhino into the expanded space, adding more shade for animals and guests, and installing a covered viewing shelter that will allow visitors to get closer to the animals. New animal-care features include heaters, fans, feeders, and a new water feature intended to support animal health and encourage natural behaviors of African species.
Construction on the rhino habitat runs from now through early 2027.
McGovern giraffe habitat: Comfort and closer connections
Upgrades are also underway at the McGovern giraffe habitat, home to five giraffes — Zawadi, Asali, Gigi, Kamili, and Tino.
To reduce heat exposure and improve comfort, a new shade canopy will be added. Additional enhancements include habitat adjustments to improve guest viewing and new animal-wellbeing features such as more drinkers, fans, and feeders. The giraffe habitat project is scheduled to run from Jan. 7 through spring 2026 and is funded by a gift from the Jo Collier Hart Estate.
Shani Market: grab-and-go with a conservation focus
Located between the giraffe and rhino habitats, Shani Market is being transformed into a grab-and-go concept store from January through summer 2026.
The updated space will feature self-checkout stations for retail and food and beverage, including ICEE. Guests will also be able to purchase products from the Zoo’s conservation partners, with each item directly supporting wildlife and community conservation efforts in Kenya.
Conservation impact beyond the Zoo
The Zoo says every visit helps support conservation efforts in the wild. A portion of each ticket and membership supports the Zoo’s new conservation partner, the International Rhino Foundation, which has spent more than 30 years protecting rhinos across Africa and Asia. Around the world, only about 26,700 rhinos remain.
Houston Zoo is also committed to protecting wild giraffes by supporting Kenyan-run conservation partners through the Somali Giraffe Project, working with indigenous communities in eastern Kenya and Somalia to monitor giraffe populations, reduce human-giraffe conflict, and promote sustainable conservation practices.
Phased openings for the upgraded habitats and Shani Market are expected throughout 2026 and into early 2027.
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