Blog

Captivating Cheetahs: OKC Zoo Celebrates Cheetahs

In honor of International Cheetah Day on December 4, we’re celebrating our newest animal family members, cheetah brothers Boomer and Pistol “Pete”! Boomer and Pete arrived at the OKC Zoo’s new Predator Pass habitat from Little Rock Zoo in Little Rock, Arkansas, over a month ago. The five-year-old brothers were born at Cincinnati Zoo in Cincinnati, Ohio. Since joining the Zoo’s animal family, their caretakers have noticed some key differences in their “purr... Read More

IncREDible Species: The OKC Zoo Celebrates International Red Panda Day

What is that furry creature in the treetops? Is it a bear, a raccoon or maybe a fox? No wait! It’s the elusive red panda! Red pandas are a one-of a-kind species, belonging to their own unique family named Ailuridea. Even though red panda share the name “panda” with giant pandas, they are not related. In fact, red pandas were scientifically documented 50 years before the giant panda in 1825. Red pandas are classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation o... Read More

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One Tall Order: OKC Zoo Provides Update on Giraffe Julu’s Pregnancy

Julu, the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden’s beloved six-year-old giraffe, is expecting her first offspring in the near future. In December 2020, the Zoo announced the pregnancies of Julu and her mother, Ellie, with an approximate delivery timespan of June 2021 for both females. While giraffe, Ellie, delivered her sixth calf, Kioni, on June 3, 2021, Julu continues to progress well through her pregnancy. Giraffes have a gestation period of around 15 months, however, like humans, de... Read More

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Conserving the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake: Field Notes from a Herpetologist

The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden recently welcomed three Eastern massasauga rattlesnake snakelets, a federally protected species, to its Herpetarium habitat for the first time in its history as a result of a successful breeding effort this past May. The Association of Zoos and Aquarium’s (AZA) Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake Species Survival PlanTM (EMR SSP) is comprised of 19 AZA-accredited zoos, including the OKC Zoo. As part of the Zoo’s commitment to the EMR SSP, Zoo ... Read More

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Commitment to Care: OKC Zoo’s 31-year-old Gila Monster Undergoes Surgery

On Thursday, May 27, one of the Zoo’s Gila monsters underwent surgery at 10 a.m. at the Joan Kirkpatrick Animal Hospital to remove a tumor from her kidney tissue. Native to southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, Gila monsters are reptiles and named for the Gila River in Arizona. They are covered in beadlike dorsal scales that are black and yellow or pink, and they have a forked tongue that is used to “taste” the air for the presence of food and predators. They ... Read More

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Conservation Success Stories: OKC Zoo Initiates Black Rat Snake Spatial Ecology Research

Here at the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden, we believe in the importance of conserving the world’s wildlife and wild places. In 2020, the Zoo contributed over $220,000 to benefit local and global conservation efforts. Much of this money was raised through the Zoo’s Round Up for Conservation initiative. Through individual guest contributions, Round Up for Conservation funds helped cultivate several conservation success stories in 2020. One of those ten focused on black... Read More

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(Monitor)ing the Breeding of Black Tree Monitors

The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden recently welcomed four black tree monitor hatchlings; the first for the Zoo in several years. The Zoo participates in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan® (SSP) for the Black Tree Monitor, a lizard species listed as near threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Black tree monitors are found exclusively on Aru island off the west coast of New G... Read More

Black tree Monitor Breeding Monitor OKC ZOO

Beating the Oklahoma Heat: How the OKC Zoo Keeps its Animal Family Cool and Comfortable

When visiting the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden in the heat of summer, many Zoo guests wonder how the Zoo’s animals keep cool. From elephants to bears and tigers to turtles, the Zoo is committed to the health, enrichment and comfortability of every wild member of its animal family. The Zoo’s first strategy for keeping animals cool begins with the design of their habitats. Each of the Zoo’s animal habitats provide the animals consistent access to shaded structures ... Read More

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Conservation Success Stories: Educating Oklahomans for the Future of Monarchs

Here at the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Gardens we believe in the importance of conserving the world’s wildlife and wild places. In 2020, the Zoo raised over $220,000 toward to benefit local and global conservation efforts as part of its Round Up for Conservation initiative. Through individual guest contributions, Round Up for Conservation funds helped cultivate 10 conservation success stories in 2020. Of those ten, the Zoo was able to strengthen its long-time commitment t... Read More

Monarch Conservation OKC ZOO Okies for Monarchs Pollinator Week

Conservation Success Stories: OKC Zoo Reaches New Heights to Conserve Giraffes

Here at the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden, we believe in the importance of conserving the world’s wildlife and wild places. In 2020, the Zoo contributed over $220,000 to benefit local and global conservation efforts as part of its Round Up for Conservation initiative. Through individual guest contributions, Round Up for Conservation funds helped cultivate 10 conservation success stories in 2020. Of those, the Zoo has contributed funds to support giraffe conservation. The Zoo i... Read More

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Conservation Success Stories: OKC Zoo Provides Training to Mountain Gorilla Researchers

Here at the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden, we believe in the importance of conserving the world’s wildlife and wild places. In 2020, the Zoo raised over $220,000 to benefit local and global conservation efforts as part of its Round Up for Conservation initiative. Through individual guest contributions, Round Up for Conservation funds helped cultivate 10 conservation success stories in 2020. Of those ten, one success story focuses on supporting researchers who protect the world&... Read More

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Pups in Training: OKC Zoo’s African Painted Dogs Receive Voluntary Hand Injections

The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden is home to a pack of five African Painted dogs, consisting of our matriarch, Xena, 9, her mate, Dojo, 9, and their three offspring Tex, Back Slash and Spot, who are four years old. All of the Zoo’s painted dogs are involved in a behavioral training program here at the Zoo that allows caretakers to train new behaviors through positive reinforcement. Training works to mentally stimulate the pack, as well as present them with the opportunity ... Read More

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Zoo’s Historic Grottos Transformed into New Raptor Ridge Habitat

Recently, a historical part of the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden was renovated to create a new home for the Zoo’s raptor species. Raptors are large birds of prey and includes species like, eagles, owls, condors and vultures. Originally built in 1938, the grottos, located near the Zoo’s sea lion habitat, was a must-see stop for anyone visiting the Zoo. The grottos were originally built to house the Zoo’s big cats and were considered top-of-the-line animal h... Read More

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Blooms and Butterflies: Signs of Spring at the OKC Zoo

Out with the old and in with the new! As we say goodbye to winter at the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden, we begin to welcome spring with open arms. Though the Zoo is filled with over 500 different animal species, guests can also experience over 5,500 plant species within the Zoo! As an accredited botanical garden, the Zoo is home to a large collection of flora that is native to the United States and various other countries to enhance the Zoo’s landscape. The Zoo’s... Read More

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The Ultimate Spring Break Guide to a Wild, Wonderful OKC Zoo Visit

What better way to spend spring break than a trip to the Zoo? Spring into action, stretch your legs, and experience the unique attractions and experiences the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden has to offer. This wild guide provides information on must-do attractions, shares how you can directly contribute to the Zoo’s conservation efforts and includes helpful tips to know before your visit. The 10 Wildest Things to Do at the OKC Zoo: 1) &n... Read More

OKC ZOO Spring Break Spring Break Guide Wild Encounters

Wild About Love: OKC Zoo Love Connections

At the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden, we love connecting our guests to wildlife and wild places! This Valentine’s Day, we asked our Zoo fans all over social media to share their love stories and special connections to the Zoo. We want to thank everyone who shared the love! Take a look at these wild, wonderful love stories: From Sara Rowe on Facebook: “My husband and I were married at the Zoo in September 2018.” From Donna Belles on Facebook: “My husband ... Read More

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Bobcat, Dodger, Is Growing by Leaps and Bounds!

Many of our guests are familiar with our young bobcat, Dodger, who is known for being very interactive with all who visit him on the Zoo’s Cat Forest trail. We wanted to update everyone on how Dodger is doing, as he is not a young kitten anymore, but a growing cat who is constantly learning thanks to his animal care team here at the Oklahoma City Zoo. Dodger came to us at just over 10 pounds and is now a healthy 24-pound adolescent bobcat. Thanks to his strong interest in all things fo... Read More

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Friday, July 3, 2020

Following Fin’s Footsteps: A Momentous Milestone

Before the morning of Thursday, June 26, two-year-old Western lowland gorilla, Finyezi (Fin), had never been seen on public view by guests at the Oklahoma City Zoo, but all of that changed that sunny morning, when he explored the gorilla habitat with his family troop for the first time! While many on-looking Zoo guests may have not realized the importance of that moment in time, we (Fin’s caretakers) all watched with butterflies in our stomachs as we witnessed him reach the ultimate mi... Read More

at Friday, July 3, 2020

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Wednesday, July 24, 2019

Zookeeper Profile: Jessica Quinnett

During this year’s National Zoo Keeper Week (NZKW), the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden is expressing its appreciation for all of its hardworking animal caretakers and highlighting six exceptional individuals who have dedicated their lives to caring for its animal family. NZKW focuses on the need to protect and preserve our wildlife and vanishing habitats via conservation messages created by zoos and aquariums, accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Animal ... Read More

at Wednesday, July 24, 2019

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Thursday, March 14, 2019

OKC Zoo’s Top 10 Cures for Your Spring Break Fever

Spring is here and OKC’s weather is forecast to be perfect for a trip to the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden (check out the Zoo map). Here are just 10 (of countless) reasons you spend spring break at the OKC Zoo: 10. DINE WITH DRAGONS Enjoy lunch at the new Lotus Pavilion restaurant while dining next to the Komodo dragon habitat! 9. RENOVATED PICNIC GROUNDS Have a picnic at the newly completed Devon Picnic grounds. 8. WILD ENCOUNTERS Go behind-the-scenes with ou... Read More

at Thursday, March 14, 2019