Animal prints

Carl Chilton never thought a simple interest in history would make him one of Brownsville’s most notable historians.

The former accountant has just completed “A History of Gladys Porter Zoo” which chronicles the history of the zoo from it’s planning stages to present time.

Chilton said he wrote the book because he believed the zoo was a first class institution and it had an interesting story.

“Several principal staff members have been here since the zoo has opened. I got their stories as to how the zoo got started,” Chilton said.

While on a trip to Africa with her husband Dean, Gladys Porter was educated about the endangered species situation on the continent.

“They decided to undertake building a zoo in Brownsville,” Chilton said.

Gladys Porter Zoo is a part of a select group of zoos in the nation that were built entirely by private funds.

“The zoo was built by the Earl C. Sams Foundation, which Gladys Porter was in charge of,” Chilton said.

The Foundation was created by Earl C. Sams, Gladys Porter and Camille Lightner’s father.

The foundation donated the zoo to the city of Brownsville.

Chilton said the Porters were torn between two locations, the area near Sunrise Mall and the current location.

“This site was chosen because it was a convenient location, across from a public park a resaca running through, it makes it an attractive part of the zoo,” Chilton said.

He said the tract near the mall was outside city limits at the time.

From the beginning, Gladys Porter Zoo was a trendsetter, it was the first zoo in the United States that exhibited animals in open areas.

Gladys Porter Zoo opened over Labor Day weekend in 1971.

“20,000 people visited in four or five days. The entire Valley has been very supportive of the zoo,” he said.

Chilton said Porter showed her gratitude by selecting different people from across the Valley to serve on the board of directors.

“This is still true today,” he said.

At one point, Chilton served on the board of directors.

Gladys Porter remained very involved with the zoo till her death in 1980.

Chilton said the zoo has it share of “snafu’s” as well.

“One time a chimp got out of the grounds and went to the Palm Village Shopping Center and went into a supermarket wandered around the store for a while went to the produce section had a few things to eat.”

The chimp crossed Palm Boulevard, entered a convenience store and proceeded into a storeroom. Chilton said a zookeeper shared a bottle of wine with the chimp to calm it down so another zoo employee could tranquilize the chimp.

Gladys Porter Zoo is also home to the world’s rarest animals. Chilton surmises the Jentink’s Duiker; an African antelope is exclusive to the zoo.

“The zoo has received awards for breeding Philippine crocodiles and radiated tortoises,” Chilton said.

The zoo has become a family affair for all species. There are currently three generations of gorillas; the grandparents have lived at the zoo since it opened.

“The mother, Katanga, she would have the babies and wouldn’t take care of them so the babies went to the nursery and some staff members would take them home at night and feed them and change their diapers,” Chilton said.

The zoo has been home to 32 gorillas throughout its history.

Chilton’s next project is on the development of transportation in Brownsville.

“It starts with stagecoaches and steamboats to jet air crafts,” Chilton said.