There are plenty of reasons to visit the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville. This 31-acre oasis, home to roughly 1,600 animals and 377 species, opened in 1971 and has earned a reputation as one of the nation’s most intimate AZA-accredited zoos. Its leafy paths wind through four geographic zones—Africa, Asia, Tropical America, and Indo-Australia—offering shaded benches, splashing fountains, and the constant chatter of macaws. Yet for many visitors, one family steals the show: a trio of Sumatran orangutans, and especially the youngest member, Susu.
Born on July 19, 2023, Susu is a bouncy two-and-a-half-year-old whose playful energy lights up the Asian exhibit. Zoo visitors can see her tumble across straw bedding, swing from ropes, and practice the vine-climbing skills shared by her wild cousins. Susu lives with her 49 year-old mother Dodie and her 12 year-old sister Kade. Susu is the fourth baby for Dodie, who is described as an experienced and attentive mother—despite having lost one arm from an earlier accident. The father, Mango, was at the zoo temporarily on a breeding loan from the Rolling Hills Zoo in Salina, Kansas.
As Susu plays, Dodie stays close, offering a steady hand or a reassuring cuddle when the little one tires. Their bond is textbook orangutan motherhood: infants cling to their mothers for up to seven years, learning everything from nest-building to foraging. Big sister Kade, an adolescent, occasionally joins the fun, though zoo staff manage interactions carefully to respect family dynamics. The habitat itself is thoughtfully designed with tall climbing structures, leafy privacy nooks, and water features that encourage natural behaviors.
A trip to see Susu is more than cute animal watching. It is also a reminder of the ongoing need for wildlife conservation. Today Sumatran orangutans are critically endangered, with fewer than 14,000 left in the wild while their forests are being cleared for palm oil and agriculture. To counter this, Gladys Porter Zoo participates in the Orangutan Species Survival Plan by breeding animals to help maintain genetic health for the species. Susu marked the zoo’s 25th successful orangutan birth over 52 years. And their broader work—rehabilitating local wildlife, supporting Philippine crocodiles, and monitoring ocelots in nearby refuges—shows how one small Texas city can contribute to global efforts.
Plan ahead for your visit. The zoo opens daily at 9 a.m. and closes at 5 p.m. Wear comfortable shoes, bring water, and allow three to four hours to explore the full grounds. Combine it with a stroll through Brownsville’s Mitte Cultural District or a birding trip along the Rio Grande for a perfect South Texas weekend.
