WACO, Texas — The Cameron Park Zoo opened two significant additions to its facility on Friday morning.
Corwin, Estes, and Jaynes Education Center and Carol Schmidhauser Veterinary Hospital are the newest parts of the Waco-based zoo. Built to inform and teach, these facilities offer public education programs and opportunities to support those interested in veterinary medicine.
Carol Schmidhauser, a former employee at Cameron Park Zoo for 20 years, was an active community member. She and her husband, Adrian "Dutch" Schmidhauser, devoted themselves to giving back to the community. When Carol Schmidhauser heard the zoo intended to build a new veterinary hospital, she was thrilled and hoped to see it come to life; she died earlier this year before the completion of the new buildings.
Her son, Eric, spoke with 6 News reporter Julieanna Jackson.
"It's gonna be a big part of my mother's legacy, and we hope that it will inspire others to continue to expand this now, World Class Zoo...it's amazing," Eric Schmidhauser said.
The veterinary hospital is expected to hold surgical sites, pharmaceutical supplies, and spaces for animals that need medical attention.
The education center shares part of its name with Stephen Corwin and Rosella Estes, whom the zoo recognizes as key to moving to Cameron Park from its original location near Waco Regional Airport.
"You go inside that zoo, but you're like, this is a Waco, Texas. I mean, this is world-class. It's really exciting," Eric Schmidhauser stated.
Go to our 6+ streaming app to see more of the new expansion and to hear more of Carol Schmidhauser's story.