Fossil Rim Wildlife Center

Two animal handlers hold a small kitten between them. They are wearing masks and gloves.

A close up shot of a small black-footed cat kitten being held by a veterinarian. It is light brown with black stripes.

Our black-footed cat kittens receive microchips when they're a few months old. This is a handy way to help identify individuals without having to examine them to tell them apart from their siblings.

We are as hands-off as possible with our species in order to preserve their natural instincts. For black-footed cats, this instinct is immediate suspicion of humans, as demonstrated by their greeting hisses 😼

On my way to eat all of your browse 😋

Can you spot the tiny traveler in this photo? The vermillion flycatcher is a striking little bird that makes its home in the southwest portion of Texas and much of Mexico. Occasionally it finds its way a little more North, and graces us with its presence 🌍🐦

Grevy's zebras are the most endangered of the three main zebra species. Their large, round ears and tall mohawk-like mane make them easy to distinguish from their plains and mountain cousins.

Wildebeest are some of the sweetest babies we have! They are born knowing how to run and jump, and make sure to show off their skills as much as possible!

Happy World Teacher’s Day! 🍎Education is a HUGE part of conservation, and at Fossil Rim, our incredible educators are known as the Environmental Engagement team. They create all kinds of interactive programs that inspire people to discover, understand, and engage with the world around them. 🌍✨

You know it's fall in Texas when the armadillos start appearing! Mating season begins late summer and continues as the weather cools. Now's the time for reproducing and stocking up on the last of the year's tasty bugs before winter hits.

In late April, we welcomed a brand-new American Red Wolf pup to the pack! With less than 30 individuals left in the wild, this little girl is a crucial part of her species' conservation success. Luckily, she's doing well and has recently found her voice 🐺🎶🌍

Do you think this cheetah knows it exists? Well, at least you know...that's just as important.

A giraffe, Nettie, and her small calf, Nyla, stand far off from the camera.

Nyla licks her calf.

Our giraffe herd spans three generations! Nettie had her calf, Nyla, in 2015 (left). Now, a decade later, Nyla has her own calves (right) and gets to raise them alongside their grandmother!

A male axis deer faces the camera. He is brown with white spots, and has large, pointed antlers.

A male axis deer stands in profile, head turned towards the camera. He is brown with white spots and a rack of pointed antlers.

Unlike native Texas deer, axis deer can breed year-round. They don't have rut season, instead growing and shedding their antlers around their individual birthdays each year.

Running around isn't just a lot of fun, it's a great way for antelope calves to gain strength and become sure of themselves in their environment. Roan antelope are willing to stand up to predators, so strength and speed are important assets. 🌍

Cheetah cubs, like most kids, spend their days trying their hardest not to fall asleep... some do better than others 😴🌍

A close up of a cheetah lying on the grass. It's mouth is open wide in a yawn, showing it's teeth and tongue.

YAWN! Is it Friday yet? 😸

Have you ever heard an antelope vocalize before? Scimitar horned oryx have a distinctive, vibrating moo sound that they use to communicate with calves and other herd members.

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Giraffe are browsers, a type of herbivore that eats all kinds of leaves and shrubbery. Their long, dexterous tongue help them grab food (and anything else) with ease 👅

Freddy and Yola are two of our youngest giraffe calves, and spend a lot of time together. Normally they get along just fine, but every once in a while there's some classic sibling rivalry 😅

A little throwback to when Rocket, one of our Southern white rhino calves, first left the barn! While he's almost two years old now, he still sticks close to his mom.

Rainy weather and a break from the heat can bring out a goofy side in our animals- these fallow deer are feeling good this morning!

All of our rhinos are trained in ways that desensitize them to health exams. Here, one of our animal care specialists, Justin, is practicing this desensitization with one of our white rhino calves, Turbo!

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So why are black and white rhinos called that when they're both actually grey? One theory is that the white rhino got its name from a mistranslation of an Afrikaans word, and the black rhino was simply called that to distinguish it from its "white" cousin
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A white rhino

a black rhino

It's World Rhino Day! Did you know there are a total of 5 rhino species around the world? Fossil Rim is home to the two African species- white and black rhinos!

a giraffe is close to the camera, with their mouth in focus. It is dark tan and covered with long whiskers.

a giraffe is close to the camera, with their mouth in focus. It is dark tan and covered with long whiskers.

Did you know giraffe have whiskers?😺 Their squishy, fuzzy mouth helps them explore their surroundings, guiding them towards food sources and away from thorns and more!

A moment of Friday zen with one of our cheetahs 😌Cheetahs are masters of conserving energy, often sleeping around 12 hours a day.

Our American Red Wolves live in two family packs at Fossil Rim. Wolves, though they are cautious animals, are still very social with members of their own species!

Then (1990) and Now (2019)

We have been providing veterinary care to vulnerable species for decades, and now we're raising funds to build a brand new vet hospital! Visit the link in our bio to learn more!

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In April of this year, conservationists completed the first successful cross-fostering of American Red Wolves. This process involves swapping wild born pups for those born in human care, increasing genetic diversity in both populations. This is crucial as there are so few wild red wolves left!

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Did you know coyotes could hold the key to American Red Wolf restoration? Scientists have found that coyotes in areas where red wolves used to be abundant can contain up to 69% wolf DNA thanks to past interbreeding. This DNA could help introduce new genes into the struggling red wolf population.

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It's American Red Wolf Week! Red wolves are endemic to the United States, meaning they're found nowhere else on Earth. They also happen to be the most endangered of all canid species. Follow along this week for information on the work being done to save this iconic wolf!

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