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At just over 550 pounds, the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden’s youngest Indian rhino is growing up quickly! Yabi was born on October 23, 2020, weighing in at approximately 154 pounds. She is the second calf born to mom, Niki, but she more closely resembles her late father, Arun.
Never far from mom, Yabi gains a little more confidence and independence every day as she continues to explore her habitat in Sanctuary Asia. Guests can often find her wallowing in the mud or napping in ...
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Have you ever wondered what your pets do all day when you’re at work? Have you come home to a chewed-up shoe or re-arranged living room? If so, these may be “tail” tell signs that your pet needs some daily enrichment!
Many people aren’t aware just how crucial enrichment is for animals in human care. Behavioral enrichment is as fundamental to animal welfare as proper nutrition and veterinary care. At the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Ga...
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A mere two weeks ago during the Oklahoma City Zoo’s annual Groundhog Day event, Will and Wiley, our guessing grizzlies, predicted an early spring. While there are still several weeks to gauge the accuracy of the bear’s forecasting abilities, it is hard to fathom spring conditions forthcoming as we are currently experiencing heavy snow, gusting winds and record lows temperatures.
This winter season arrived early in Oklahoma with a rare ice storm occurring in late October 2020. Thi...
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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 ...
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The American bison is North America’s largest and heaviest land mammal. The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden is home to three bison – two-year-old Verbena and Yarrow, and 19-year-old, Mary Ann. To ensure the health and wellness of the Zoo’s bison herd, each individual receives an annual wellness exam from the Zoo’s veterinary team, which includes a full body exam, bloodwork and a hoof trim. Much like human feet, bison hooves also experience the effects of d...
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The Great Backyard Bird Count, a citizens-science project in its 24th year, is hosted annually in the month of February. This project calls on bird enthusiasts all over the world to come together and assist with identifying, counting and learning about different bird species.
In past years, the Zoo has partnered with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife (ODWC) to host a Backyard Bird Count event on Zoo grounds, consisting of guided tours from local, bird experts. However, because ...
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The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden has been home to white-tailed deer since its founding in 1902. Currently, the Zoo’s Oklahoma Trails habitat is home to three female deer; Ruby, 16, Cher, 15 and Chaz, 12. At the end of July 2020, the Zoo welcomed two, six-week-old deer fawns, Tiva and Tula. Since their arrival, the sisters have spent time growing together in one of the Zoo’s okapi habitats. Now, at seven months old, Tiva and Tula, are ready to join the adult deer herd.
I...
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How much effort do you put into preparing or acquiring your meals? Do you take a few steps to the fridge or place a call to the local pizza place? For the animals at the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden, the behavioral effort behind meal time is an important part of their daily, enriched feeding experience. One way we encourage our animal family to use their natural skills and diligence when gathering and eating their food is through items known as puzzle feeders.
You may be wondering;...
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Happy Appreciate a Dragon Day! While dragons are technically mythical creatures, the Komodo dragon, known as the world’s heaviest lizard, is without a doubt the most similar-looking living creature. Hi, I’m Rae Karpinski, and as the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden’s primary caretaker of Komodo dragons and lead caretaker of herpetology, I know there is a lot to appreciate about these unique animals!
Here at the Zoo, we’re home to two adult Komodo dragons, 10-yea...
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Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden’s seven chimpanzees recently welcomed a new troop mate Nia (Nigh-ya), a 12-year-old female, joined the Zoo’s animal family in August 2020 from Sunset Zoo in Manhattan, Kansas.
Nia is the half-sister of beloved 10-year-old chimpanzee, Siri, who joined the Zoo’s chimpanzee troop in 2011 as part of the Association of Zoos & Aquarium’s Species Survival Plan™ for Chimpanzees (SSP).
The SSP also recommended...
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The trumpeter swan, recognized as North America’s largest and heaviest waterfowl, is a charming avian species, named for its distinctive, trumpeting vocalizations. While there are a plethora of fascinating facts about swans, perhaps the most compelling relates to their tendency to form monogamous, long-term partnerships. Because of this observed behavior, swans are considered a rarity among other feathered species.
When the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden’s female trumpete...
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The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden’s gift to you this holiday season – we are excited to announce that our giraffe herd is growing by two! The Zoo’s female giraffes, Ellie, 20, and Julu, 5, are pregnant and due to give birth in May 2021. Demetri, 3, is the father of both calves, which are also his first offspring. This will be Ellie’s sixth calf to be born at the OKC Zoo and Julu’s first offspring.
The OKC Zoo participates in the Association of Zoos and ...
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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...
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The Oklahoma City Zoo’s Lion Overlook recently had five new additions! The Zoo’s pack of African painted dogs, including one female and four males, that previously resided across from the Joan Kirkpatrick Animal Hospital, moved to Lion Overlook on September 10. The painted dogs will reside at Lion Overlook while their brand-new habitat is constructed.
The carnivore caretaker team spent several months working to crate train the painted dogs prior to the move. The goal was to allow...
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Elephants are known for their complex cognitive abilities, such as memory, problem-solving and tool use, and for their complex social behaviors. In Summer 2017, the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden’s Asian elephant, Chandra, demonstrated her smarts in an inventive study, which was recently released as a new research article in the journal Animal Behavior and Cognition. The research describes how Asian elephants perform on the floating object task, which is an established test of t...
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When Elok, our male Sumatran orangutan, came to the Oklahoma City Zoo in 2000, he was spunky, energetic and little – weighing in at just 60 pounds.
Now, at 19 years old, Elok is an impressive adult who tips the scale at 350 pounds. From an animal health perspective, 350 pounds is considered overweight for a male orangutan, as the average weight of a male his age is approximately 250 pounds. To ensure optimal health and fitness, Elok’s caretakers encouraged exercise and the v...
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The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden is saddened to announce the death of beloved trumpeter swan, Sam, who passed last week due to age-related ailments. While his exact age is unknown, Sam’s caretakers believe he lived to be in his mid-twenties.
Over the last two years, Sam was receiving supportive care, including cold laser therapy, for chronic arthritis in his legs. Last week, caretakers noticed that Sam was not utilizing his right leg normally. This observation led to a physic...
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Friday, July 24, 2020
It Takes a Zoo! In recognition of dedicated animal care professionals, the OKC Zoo is joining the American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK) and zoos and aquariums across the nation to celebrate National Zoo Keeper Week (NZKW) from July 19-25, 2020.
In addition to bringing awareness to the animal care field, AAZK’s NZKW promotes professionalism and the dedication to conservation shared by all keepers.
The OKC Zoo proudly employs 52 animal caretakers, ranging in years of experience and...
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at Friday, July 24, 2020
Wednesday, July 22, 2020
It Takes a Zoo! In recognition of dedicated animal care professionals, the OKC Zoo is joining the American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK) and zoos and aquariums across the nation to celebrate National Zoo Keeper Week (NZKW) from July 19-25, 2020.
In addition to bringing awareness to the animal care field, AAZK’s NZKW promotes professionalism and the dedication to conservation shared by all keepers.
The OKC Zoo proudly employs 52 animal caretakers, ranging in years of experience and...
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at Wednesday, July 22, 2020
Monday, July 20, 2020
It Takes a Zoo! In recognition of dedicated animal care professionals, the OKC Zoo is joining the American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK) and zoos and aquariums across the nation to celebrate National Zoo Keeper Week (NZKW) from July 19-25, 2020.
In addition to bringing awareness to the animal care field, AAZK’s NZKW promotes professionalism and the dedication to conservation shared by all keepers.
The OKC Zoo proudly employs 52 animal caretakers, ranging in years of experience and...
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at Monday, July 20, 2020
Friday, July 3, 2020
The Oklahoma City Zoo is saddened to announce the death of Mali, one of the Zoo’s adult female okapis. At 27, Mali was the oldest female, zoo-born okapi in an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)–accredited zoo.
Last month, Mali’s caretakers noticed that she was experiencing slight bleeding and discharge from her nose and consulted the Zoo’s veterinary team. The vet team performed a visual exam and continued to monitor Mali who at the time was not showing any other...
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at Friday, July 3, 2020
Friday, July 3, 2020
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...
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at Friday, July 3, 2020
Thursday, June 11, 2020
The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden is proud to recognize former Zoo junior curator, Dr. Josiah Dame of Shawnee, Oklahoma, for being awarded the Dean Clarence H. McElroy Award, the highest honor an Oklahoma State University (OSU) veterinary student can achieve.
Named after the first dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, the award is voted on by fourth year classmates and clinical faculty. Dame credits his passion for veterinary medicine to his time at the Zoo in the Junior Curat...
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at Thursday, June 11, 2020
The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden is founded on the mission of connecting all people with wildlife and wild places. We believe in the power of community, connection and a world that thrives on diversity and co-existence. The Zoo is committed to creating a safe, welcoming environment for all who walk through our gates.
We stand against racism and strongly oppose the denial of safety, freedom and humanity to people of color. We are all on the same team – with a goal of creating ...
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Tuesday, May 12, 2020
The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden is sad to report the passing of 41-year-old male American alligator, Bob.
Bob was a long-time guest-favorite at the Zoo, his home since 1978. He came to the Zoo from Tulsa Zoo when he was only about six weeks old.
During their morning head-checks on Friday, May 8, caretakers discovered Bob had passed overnight. A necropsy (animal autopsy) found a significant granuloma in Bob’s right lung that likely resulted from an long-term infecti...
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at Tuesday, May 12, 2020
Thursday, April 30, 2020
Photo Courtesy Chris McGovern
Sadie, 25, one of the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden’s adult female ostrich, was humanely euthanized on Sunday, April 26, 2020, at the Joan Kirkpatrick Animal Hospital.
For the last week, Sadie had been under veterinary care for symptoms of decline including lethargy and a decreased appetite. Bloodwork from an initial vet exam indicated she had an infection which was causing inflammation and treatment included antibiotic and anti-inflammato...
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at Thursday, April 30, 2020
Friday, March 13, 2020
The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden is pleased to welcome Christopher Hoffman, director of botanical garden, and Seamus Ehrhard, assistant curator of herpetology, to its leadership team. As director of botanical garden, Hoffman will oversee the Zoo’s 140-acres of flowering trees, forested groves, wildflower meadows and the state’s largest butterfly garden. He and his staff will also ensure the Zoo retains its high standards and accreditations through both the American Allia...
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at Friday, March 13, 2020
Friday, February 28, 2020
The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden is sad to announce that two white-tailed deer were humanely euthanized on Thursday, February 27.
Both had experienced arthritis-related mobility problems for over a year with veterinary teams applying medical therapy to improve quality of life. Recently, the medications failed to adequately control joint pain and discomfort leading to the difficult but necessary decision to humanely euthanize.
According to caretakers, female Tuesday never met a p...
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at Friday, February 28, 2020
Tuesday, February 25, 2020
Spring Break, only a few weeks away, is a great time for families to visit the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden and enjoy other outdoor activities. In fact, it’s frequently the biggest week of the year at the OKC Zoo – last year’s record-breaking attendance topped 93,000!
But when deciding to visit a zoo or other organization that hosts animals, it’s critical that Oklahomans select organizations accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), like the...
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at Tuesday, February 25, 2020
Thursday, February 13, 2020
José Montalva is a graduate student at the University of Oklahoma and an instructor at East Central University. Montalva has studied the ecology, biology and taxonomy of native bees. This spring/summer, he and student researchers Landen Underwood and Mason Kicinski will conduct a bee research study at the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden. Here, he previews his work and shares why it's critical to learn more about Oklahoma's bees:
Bees are very ...
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at Thursday, February 13, 2020
Monday, February 10, 2020
How are your New Year’s resolutions holding up? Many people resolve in the new year to lose weight, eat healthier foods and exercise more. Often times those resolutions don’t hold up and end up abandoned. For animals at the OKC Zoo, resolutions are not needed - proper nutrition, activity level and body weight are top priorities all year long.
Maintaining proper body weight and nutrition is vital for overall health and longevity, both for our pets and the animal...
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at Monday, February 10, 2020
Friday, February 7, 2020
The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden is saddened to announce that male, pygmy hippopotamus, Wolee, 45, was humanely euthanized on Friday, February 7, 2020.
Born in 1974, Wolee came to the OKC Zoo in 1999 from the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and is the second-oldest pygmy hippo living in North American zoo populations accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
The OKC Zoo’s veterinary and animal care teams had been monitoring Wolee for end of life care. He was show...
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at Friday, February 7, 2020
Tuesday, February 4, 2020
Things change as the temperature dips! Caring for the Oklahoma City Zoo’s diverse animal collection (over 300 species!) through all the seasons requires caretakers to be familiar with their animals’ natural behaviors to make them comfortable year-round.
As an over-arching concept, animals can be found in “tropical” or “polar”, with “temperate” areas of the world in between the extremes. Those adapted to tropical areas are less naturally able to...
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at Tuesday, February 4, 2020
Friday, January 31, 2020
The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden is home to four-year-old Grevy’s zebra, Zuberi. This International Zebra Day, January 31, the OKC Zoo is celebrating with a special Zuberi update, courtesy of his primary animal caretaker – Kendra Hard. But first – let’s talk about the Grevy’s zebra!
Native primarily to Ethiopia and Kenya, Grevy’s zebras are the largest and most endangered of the three species of zebra. Grevy’s are classified as an en...
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at Friday, January 31, 2020
Thursday, January 30, 2020
The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden is celebrating Groundhog Day in a wild way – with help from 17-year-old grizzly bear brothers, Will and Wiley, who have been official Groundhog Day ambassadors for many years.
While the Zoo is not home to groundhogs – the notable furry face of this special day – it is home to two species of bears, including the grizzly bear and black bear.
Like groundhogs, bears are also in tune with weather changes, qualifying them as an excellen...
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at Thursday, January 30, 2020
Wednesday, January 29, 2020
Compared to animals in the wild, those in human care tend to live significantly longer lives, sometimes doubling life expectancy. This presents unique challenges to Zoo staff and requires innovations to ensure quality of life is maintained for senior animals.
Frequent issues faced by animals in their golden years are cataracts and dental problems. The Zoo’s veterinary staff are trained in oral health procedures like pulling teeth and have a number of specialists who consult on m...
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at Wednesday, January 29, 2020
Friday, January 24, 2020
The Oklahoma City Zoo is sad to share that clouded leopard, Luke, was humanely euthanized Friday, January 24, after entering the final stages of chronic renal (kidney) failure. He came to the Zoo in December 2011 and would have turned 16 in February.
According to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the median life expectancy for clouded leopards is 13.1 years. Kidney disease is common in both domestic and wild felids.
Zoo veterinarians diagnosed Luke with kidney disease in August 2018,...
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at Friday, January 24, 2020
Monday, January 13, 2020
A beloved member of the Oklahoma City Zoo’s animal family, Toba, a 52-year-old, female, Sumatran orangutan, was humanely euthanized on Saturday, January 11, 2020, at the Oklahoma City Zoo’s Joan Kirkpatrick Animal Hospital.
Born in 1967 in Germany’s Nuremburg Zoo, Toba was the oldest zoo-born orangutan in the US and the third-oldest orangutan in an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)–accredited North American zoo.
Toba had been under veterinary care for the las...
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at Monday, January 13, 2020
Friday, January 10, 2020
Late last year, two clouded leopard cubs, eight-month-old male, J.D., and nine-month-old female, Rukai, joined the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden animal family. As soon as the carnivore care team received confirmation that the Zoo would become the duo’s new home, preparations for their arrival began at the Cat Forest habitat.
Native to Nepal and Bangladesh, clouded leopards are known as one of the best climbers in the felid family. The species’ flexible ankle joints, shor...
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at Friday, January 10, 2020
Monday, January 6, 2020
Late this summer, caretakers observed female Asian elephant Asha, 24, demonstrating a “squinty” eye. This is not a common behavior and was initially treated with topical medication by Zoo veterinary staff. When the issue didn’t resolve after the initial round of treatment, teams determined it was time for an examination by an ophthalmologist.
When dealing with animal ocular issues like Asha’s, the Zoo consults Dr. Jonathan Pucket, a full-time veterinary ophthalmologis...
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at Monday, January 6, 2020
Monday, December 23, 2019
Two years ago, the Oklahoma City Zoo’s horticulture and behavioral departments teamed up to start an exciting process of silaging trees.
Silage is a process of fermenting high-moisture stored fodder, which can be fed to ruminants (animals that chew cud). It can also be made from field crops or, in our case, trees.
This process originated in the agricultural industry, but in zoos, we create our own silage process using trees that are grown on-grounds. Species include elm, mulberry...
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at Monday, December 23, 2019
Thursday, December 5, 2019
Starting in 2017, the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden partnered with the Painted Dog Research Trust (PDRT) to support its efforts to conserve the endangered African painted dog. Dr. Greg Rasmussen, PDRT founder and executive director, has worked for almost two decades protecting and studying the species, with populations totaling fewer than 7,000 in the wild.
An essential part of the Zoo’s ongoing commitment to the PDRT includes sending staff members to Zimbabwe annually to assi...
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at Thursday, December 5, 2019
Tuesday, December 3, 2019
Starting in 2017, the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden partnered with the Painted Dog Research Trust (PDRT) to support its efforts to conserve the endangered African painted dog. Dr. Greg Rasmussen, PDRT founder and executive director, has worked for almost two decades protecting and studying the species, with populations totaling fewer than 7,000 in the wild.
An essential part of the Zoo’s ongoing commitment to the PDRT includes sending staff members to Zimbabwe annually to assi...
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at Tuesday, December 3, 2019
Monday, November 25, 2019
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Go WILD this holiday season with an unforgettable gift from the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden. With stocking stuffers starting at $2, gifts from the Zoo are available at all price levels and prove that going the extra mile to show someone you care doesn’t have to break the bank.
THOUGHTFUL GIFTS FOR MOM
Candle Garden Pot - From candle to flower garden, after the wax is burned through, this turns ...
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at Monday, November 25, 2019
Wednesday, November 20, 2019
The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden is less than three months away from the official opening of its new Galapagos tortoise habitat on Valentine’s Day 2020! Barring any unforeseen obstacles, the entire project will be completed in less than a year, proving less “slow and steady” than “efficient and well-planned”.
The state-of-the-art facility, located just inside the Zoo’s entry, will feature almost 9,000 square feet for the tortoises to roam.
The...
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at Wednesday, November 20, 2019
Friday, November 15, 2019
Henry, the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden’s beloved 28-year-old Hoffmann’s two-toed sloth, was humanely euthanized on Wednesday, November 13 at the Joan Kirkpatrick Animal Hospital.
Veterinary and animal care teams had been closely monitoring Henry since late September when bloodwork from his annual wellness exam indicated kidney disease. Last Friday, caretakers noticed changes in his behavior including a decreased appetite and limited movement. The Zoo’s vet...
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at Friday, November 15, 2019
Tuesday, November 5, 2019
The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden is sad to announce the passing of 15-year-old female okapi, Caroli.
Late last month, caretakers alerted veterinary staff when Caroli stopped eating and was lethargic. The Zoo’s vet team administered an exam and found her bowels were not moving. This means that the intestines had no normal contractions, an abnormal condition in hoofstock. Unfortunately, the gastrointestinal issues worsened the next day and additional treatment was not effective...
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at Tuesday, November 5, 2019
Thursday, October 17, 2019
The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden is celebrating National Veterinary Technician Week, October 13 through October 19, by profiling our hard-working animal health care staff, including Kaitlin Eagle, Veterinary Assistant.
How long have you worked at the Zoo?
I started with the Zoo in January, but I’ve been working in the veterinary field since 2011 and in the zoo field since 2015. I started with Cincinnati Zoo’s Wild Encounters department in 2015 and then was a vol...
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at Thursday, October 17, 2019
Wednesday, October 16, 2019
Lisbeth Pisias is a hoofstock caretaker at the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden. She works closely with the Zoo's okapi and has helped plan World Okapi Day.
The Zoo – which has cared for okapi since 1973 – is currently home to three females: Mali, 26, Caroli, 15 and Kayin, 3. Caroli is Kayin's mother! Each one has a distinct personality, but one thing they all have in common is they like a good ear rub. I will never forget the first time I saw an okapi....
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at Wednesday, October 16, 2019
Wednesday, October 16, 2019
The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden is celebrating National Veterinary Technician Week, October 13 through October 19, by profiling our hard-working animal health care staff, including Stephanie Elliot, Veterinary Technician.
Stephanie, when Vet Tech Week arrived last year, you said seeing Kairavi (who just celebrated her first birthday) was your favorite memory. Has that changed this year?
I’m not sure anything will ever top the birth of an elephant!
What was your dream job...
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at Wednesday, October 16, 2019