http://newsok.com/zoo-experts-visit-puts-oklahoma-city-on-exhibit/article/3356391 The Oklahoma City Zoo's fairly new Oklahoma Trails exhibits were received warmly by many members of the AZA. I know that at least a few ZooChatters were there, so does anyone have the latest scoop on the event?
An article about the zoo's $20 million yet-to-be-approved budget for 2010. The zoo is having to make changes to accomidate a small reduction in revenue and the zoo director got a nice pay raise. http://newsok.com/20m-budget-approved-for-oklahoma-city-zoo/article/3378723
Here is an update on the OKC Zoo's elephants. Apparently one of them is pregnant: TRUNK TALK - OKC ZOO ELEPHANT UPDATE - Oklahoma City Zoo
The 2.5 acre Children's Zoo is now officially open, and this link contains a complete list of all of the animals found there: Children's Zoo - Oklahoma City Zoo This link has 3 official press kits, including detailed descriptions of the different parts of the exhibits, the animals, and the staff members that run that section of the zoo: Children's Zoo Press Kit - Oklahoma City Zoo
Master Plan Completed It appears that the latest Master Plan has just been completed and approved: Oklahoma City Zoo maps out big projects | NewsOK.com
A webcam has now been installed to give a 24/7 sttream of the currently off exhibit animals. The camera gives viewers a chance to see the elephants for the next few months before they come back on exhibit this spring. Elephant Nation | NewsOK.com
Thanks for the link Kiang! @Dallaspachyderm: from what I've read, the zoo has only confirmed that only one (Asha) is pregnant. They are not sure about Chandra yet.
OCZ has two books on its history; Stepens' books in the series 'Images of America' and then one more aimed at children, which I bought too (only $2) but can't remember the name of. Therefore I'm not surprised at all that OCZ has such a venture. I am assuming that it will be to stay. If so, it becomes the country's first. If not, it will only become one more in a long line of temporary exhibitions of zoo history, two of which I saw last year, in Philadelphia and, even more memorably, Saint Louis.
It does appear that the "ZooZeum" will be permanent, and thus the only one of its kind in any North American zoo. Both Philadelphia and Saint Louis have had temporary history exhibits, and Oregon Zoo has had a permanent Elephant Museum for many years, but it would be wonderful if the excellent Oklahoma City Zoo began a trend. With the opening of Oklahoma Trails in 2007, the multi-acre Asian elephant habitat in 2011, the ZooZeum, and in the future an Asian animals complex this zoo is growing by leaps and bounds! OKC ZOO ANNOUNCES GRAND OPENING OF PATRICIA AND BYRON J. GAMBULOS ZOOZEUM - Oklahoma City Zoo
Finally! There is an updated zoo map on the website that includes recent additions in the past 2 years such as the Children's Zoo, Elephant Habitat and ZooZeum. Expedition Asia will be built directly adjacent to the superb Oklahoma Trails set of habitats. The progress that this zoo has made in the past few years is nothing short of astonishing, and there is a very healthy future for this excellent establishment. http://www.okczoo.com/sites/okczoo/uploads/documents/Zoo_Map/ZOO_map_ENGLISH.pdf Master plan highlights: http://www.okczoo.com/plan-your-visit/zoo-master-plan/
The zoo will be bringing a new bull elephant from African Lion Safari in Canada. Oklahoma City Zoo prepares to receive male elephant | NewsOK.com
It is probably to ensure his move is comfortable. Oklahoma and Texas are pretty close together, and the weather is still reaching 90 degrees on certain days, which isn't optimal for transferring large animals. Plus Rex is kind of up there in age for a male elephant (46) so it's all probably precautionary.
Rex has arrived at the Oklahoma city zoo. A breeding bull. A new exhibit. Two breeding age females. And a calf. This zoo is on the right track!