Six hundred guests descended on the Houston Zoo last Saturday night for a safari-themed gala that raised more than $2.1 million for animal care, education, and wildlife conservation. Zoo Ball 2026, themed Sunset on the Savanna, was held on November 7 and transformed a tented space into a chic safari retreat, complete with animal encounters and a paddle raise that shattered previous records.
According to CultureMap Houston, the evening was chaired by Kristy and Chris Bradshaw, who attended with their son Preston. The couple is reportedly stepping back from event leadership for the next three years to focus on building a new house, according to the same report. Houston Zoo President and CEO Lisa Peterson used the evening to recognize Anne Duncan for her longstanding support, noting that Duncan and her late husband, Charles, were instrumental in the success of the zoo's African Forest and Centennial campaigns, PaperCity reports, citing Peterson directly: “Anne and her husband Charles were instrumental in the success of our African Forest and Centennial campaigns.”
Fundraising at this year's ball was tied directly to efforts to protect endangered rhinos, with the theme spotlighting the zoo's ongoing work on behalf of white, black, and Sumatran rhinos, according to PaperCity. That outlet reported the gala's roughly 600 attendees traveled by golf cart across zoo grounds to reach the Masihara Pavilion for the evening's festivities.
Record Paddle Raise Tops $435,000
The ball's paddle raise brought in a record more than $435,000, per CultureMap's reporting. Peggy Kostial, Kerry Galvin, and Dee Methvin supported a $150,000 match for the paddle raise, with the match honoring Stacy Methvin, the outlet reported. Auctioneer Logan Thomas presided over bidding for experiences that included a private Zoo Lights celebration and a safari trip to Zambia.
One of the night's quirkier moments came when naming rights for a flamingo chick fetched $30,000, underscoring how far guests were willing to go for the cause. The zoo's animal ambassadors mingled with the crowd throughout the night, including Ihop, an African pancake tortoise; Gary, a six-banded armadillo; and Clark, a green-winged macaw, PaperCity noted.
Rhino Habitat Upgrade Timed for Early 2027
The gala's rhino theme is tied to a real construction timeline. The Houston Zoo began work on habitat and concession upgrades this past January, with phased openings expected throughout 2026 and into early 2027, according to the Houston Chronicle. Upgrades to the white rhinoceros habitat specifically are meant to improve species care and long-term habitat health while also introducing zebras and additional rhinos, the Chronicle reported. PaperCity similarly described the reimagined rhino habitat showcased at the ball as set to open in early 2027.
As for the night's total haul, the two outlets that covered the gala differ slightly on the exact figure. PaperCity reported the ball reaped proceeds of $2.1 million, while CultureMap Houston reported guests raised more than $2.1 million for animal care, education, and wildlife conservation.
After-Party Ran Past Midnight
Once the main program wrapped, the celebration shifted to an after-party chaired by Ronda Ross and sponsored by PNC for the fourth consecutive year, PaperCity reported. The after-party continued until midnight with music from The Grooveline Dallas keeping the dance floor full. Departing guests were sent off with complimentary breakfast tacos from Armando's and cookies from Michael's Cookie Jar.
This year's turnout and total echo last year's event almost precisely. The 2025 Zoo Ball, held October 25 and chaired by the Goossen family under an Enchanted Forests theme, also drew more than 600 Houstonians and raised more than $2.1 million, according to the Houston Zoo. That event's paddle raise brought in $259,250 with a $110,000 match led by Dee Methvin and Kerry Galvin, per the zoo's own account, though CultureMap's 2025 recap put the paddle raise figure at $259,000 with the same $110,000 matching gift. Either way, this year's reported paddle-raise total of more than $435,000 marks a sizable jump from the prior year's numbers. The 2025 after-party was also PNC-sponsored; the Houston Zoo said revelers kept dancing until midnight.
