Friends of Ellen Trout Zoo

10/20/2026

What an AMAZING two nights! 🎃👻

A whopping 5,708 guests joined us for Zoo Boo this year, and we couldn't be more thrilled! From the creative costumes to the smiling faces, you made this year's event one to remember!

A HUGE thank you to our incredible sponsors, vendors, volunteers, and everyone who helped bring Zoo Boo to life. We couldn't do it without your generosity and support!

And to everyone who came out to celebrate with us, THANK YOU for making this beloved Lufkin tradition such a success! 🧡🖤

We can't wait to see you next year! 🎃

09/25/2026

Zoo Boo, presented by Wright GMC, is just 3 weeks away!

Go to www.friendsofellentroutzoo.com/events/zoo-boo-2026 for tickets! 🎃

09/22/2026

Happy World Rhino Day! 🦏🌍

Here at the Ellen Trout Zoo, World Rhino Day has a very familiar face: Chitabe, our male southern white rhino. He gives our guests the chance to see just how incredible these animals are up close—and reminds us why protecting rhinos in the wild matters so much.

Through its partnership with Saving the Survivors, Fahlo helps support rhino conservation efforts ranging from veterinary care and anti-poaching work to tracking, research and protected habitats.

When you purchase a Fahlo rhino tracking bracelet from our Gift Shop, you can follow the journey of a real rhino while helping support conservation work like this in the wild.

Swipe through to see how tracking a rhino can make a real difference—and be sure to say hello to Chitabe on your next visit! 💚

09/04/2026

Happy National Wildlife Day! 🐢🌎

Today is a reminder to celebrate the incredible wildlife we share our planet with—and the conservation efforts helping protect it for generations to come.

You can support wildlife conservation in a fun way, too! Stop by our Gift Shop and check out our collection of Fahlo tracking bracelets and plush, where every purchase helps support wildlife conservation partners around the world.

Track an animal. Follow its journey. Help protect the wild. 💚

05/14/2026

New African Primate Exhibit Opening

The Ellen Trout Zoo is proud to announce the opening of a new habitat for African primates. Black and white ruffed lemurs from Madagascar and De Brazza’s monkeys from the riverine forests and wetlands of central Africa are now living in modern new homes that will allow them to behave much like their cousins in the wild. Zoo staff took great care in designing and building these new homes to ensure the monkeys are given the greatest opportunity for positive welfare.

This project marks the beginning of an extraordinary new chapter in the zoo’s history. The new primate habitats are the first phase of “Wilds of Africa”, the largest capital project the zoo has undertaken in more than 20 years. The zoo will soon begin construction on a project that will create new experiences for zoo guests and bring a new species to Lufkin.

These improvements will help the zoo to pursue its mission as together, we save wild animals and wild spaces.

The public opening for the primate habitats will be on May 15 at 9:30 am.

04/24/2026

We love that our organization started with such an amazing group of people and we’re thrilled that it continues to grow every year. ❤️

FOETZ came into existence at a time when admission to the zoo was free and there was no dedicated means of support for growth, maintenance, and development. As the zoo grew so did FOETZ. Small projects like the lion water fountain grew into large projects like the revolutionary Hippoquarium and African savanna. Currently, FOETZ is focused on funding for the new Wilds of Africa, an expansion that will offer visitors new opportunities to connect with animals from across one of the most remarkable continents on Earth. The expansion will include new and enhanced habitats for species including Nile crocodiles, giraffes, white rhinos, okapi, and more.

💙 Throwback to 1984 when the Junior League of Lufkin helped spark something truly lasting through the beginnings of Friends of Ellen Trout Zoo!

What started as one woman’s effort to help the zoo secure a walk-in freezer quickly became something much bigger. Suzanne Briscoe, serving as a docent through the Lufkin Service League (now the Junior League of Lufkin), brought together a group of passionate individuals—and that group became the foundation of what we now know as FOETZ.

✨ This is what happens when people come together with a heart to serve.

Small actions create big change—and sometimes, they create organizations that continue to impact our community for decades 💙

For 125 years, the Junior League Movement has been dedicated to creating meaningful impact. Through volunteer action, collaboration, and personal growth, we create lasting change—often in ways we never imagined at the start.

✨ Ready to leave your mark? Jump in and join us today!

🔗 www.juniorleagueoflufkin.org


The Junior League

04/04/2026

Another huge thank you to Chandler Mathis Zivley, our 2026 Zoo Brew Presenting Sponsor!

We'll see you tonight at The Grand!🧡

04/04/2026

A big thank you to our 2026 Zoo Brew Giraffe Sponsors! Their support helps make Zoo Brew possible, and we are incredibly grateful for their investment in the future of Ellen Trout Zoo.

04/03/2026

A big thank you to our 2026 Zoo Brew Hippopotamus Sponsors! Their support helps make Zoo Brew possible, and we are incredibly grateful for their investment in the future of Ellen Trout Zoo. 🧡

04/03/2026

A huge thank you to our 2026 Zoo Brew drink vendors: Ben E Keith, Faust Distributing, Kizz My Legacy Winery, Lufkin Coca-Cola, Maydelle Country Wines, Pineywoods Vineyard Winery, R&K Distributors, Rusty Axe Brewing Co., Stevenson B**r Distributing Co., and The Madhatter Distillery.

Zoo Brew would not be the same without the wonderful partners who help keep glasses full and guests smiling. We are so grateful for their support and for helping make this event such a special night. 🧡