On 1 June, San Antonio Zoo in San Antonio, Texas, opened the new Brewer Ocean Conservation Lab, a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to coral research, restoration, education, and ocean conservation.
Inside, visitors can discover both Texan and international coral species, explore a touch tank, and learn how the organisation is working to restore reefs worldwide.
Speaking about the occasion on X, the zoo said:
"This isn't just an exhibit. It's a working coral restoration lab helping support reef recovery efforts while inspiring the next generation of ocean advocates."
See also: San Antonio Zoo: building on a foundational year
Immersive educational experiences
Supported by a generous gift from the Brewer family in honour of the late R.P. Brewer III, the lab advances coral conservation efforts in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE) programme.
"The facility focuses on cultivating corals for restoration efforts while providing guests with immersive educational experiences that connect them to one of the world’s most threatened ecosystems," continues San Antonio Zoo.
"Although we're hundreds of miles from the coast, conservation knows no boundaries!"
The 937-square-foot facility will enhance coral conservation by enabling visitors to see staff at work restoring corals, which will then be reintroduced into the wild to support coral reef sustainability.
Although zoo staff were already participating in coral propagation and conservation at the aquarium, this new facility offers visitors the opportunity to observe these efforts firsthand.
The zoo also opened Congo Falls, its new gorilla habitat, in 2025.
In March 2026, the San Antonio Zoo introduced the new ZooBand wearable device to allow cashless payments and experiences across the site. They can be used for quick, contactless admission into the zoo, to speed up in-zoo purchases, and to simplify animal encounter add-ons.
Charlotte Coates is blooloop's editor. She is from Brighton, UK and previously worked as a librarian. She has a strong interest in arts, culture and information and graduated from the University of Sussex with a degree in English Literature. Charlotte can usually be found either with her head in a book or planning her next travel adventure.
