Children’s Animal Center is Open!

After eight long months of construction the Children’s Animal Center is now open! Come out to visit with our animals and see their new facility. As you pull into the overlook you will hardly recognize the CAC with our new fencing, completely new landscaped yard, new walkways and vegetation, and our free-flight aviaries that are being constructed. Vinnie our boer goat is in much need of some scratches and he will gladly thank you with a nice back rub. Jack the Moluccan cockatoo is very excited to show off his antics to any visitor who will watch, the pot-bellied pigs have lots of new trick to show you and of course Einstein the emu will be back as well. In addition to all your old favorites we will be adding two maned wolf pups to the overlook, Mac and Marli. As always, the Children’s Animal Center is free to the public whether you take the Scenic Drive through Fossil Rim or just want to stop in to the Overlook.

With the holiday season in full swing the CAC residents have made a Christmas wish list. If you have any questions or wish to donate please contact us by clicking here or calling 254.897.2960. Donations may be taken directly to the CAC or to the Front Gate Admissions.

We are still looking for people willing to donate their time to help put the finishing touches on the new CAC, please contact us if you are interested.

CAC Wish List

• Gift Cards to Home Depot, Lowes, and Wal-Mart
• Mixed nuts in shells
• Peanuts in shells (unsalted)
• Hemp rope (untreated)
• Push gas lawn mower (can be previously used as long as it runs)
• Sunflower seeds
• Bird Toys
• Dish Towels
• Seasonings/spices (for bird and wolf enrichment)
• Re-usable containers (such as the Ziploc, Rubbermaid, Tupperware, etc) in various sizes
• Wire cutters
• Rags
• Sealable sandwich bags
• Gardening tools
• Broom heads (used for goat scratching posts so can be previously used but not made of straw)
• Towels
• Wood planks
• Kong dog toys (Extreme in all sizes)
• Old Phone Books

Phase II: Children’s Animal Center

In order to achieve our goal, changes and additions to the CAC need to be made providing greater opportunities for public and staff to interact (only area in the park that this occurs), present greater access to established birding and nature trails, highlight APC and other threatened native species, educate the public on research, conservation and captive breeding practices that occur at Fossil rim and provide a model for water usage in the semi-arid environment of north Texas.

This phase of the renovation will create an enhanced interactive and educational facility not just for kids but also for the inner child that Fossil Rim seems to bring out in adults. There is something magical and much needed when kids interact with animals. Fossil Rim Wildlife Center offers a one of a kind experience and educational opportunity to all of its guests. This project will enable the CAC to be included in this endeavor.

Phase II will also include construction of a new animal barn for the goats and pot-bellied pigs, along with the complete renovation of the existing barn, to create a more interactive, and educational experience for all guests. The new barn would also incorporate new facilities for the introduction of two new Texas species, the Texas horned-lizard (also known as the Texas horned-frog) and the endangered Houston toad. Both species are unique to Texas and will be housed as part of captive-breeding programs that will provide opportunities for educating visitors about local habitats and environments.