What do you get for the animal lovers you love? How about more animals?

With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, savvy shoppers will find plenty of love to share at the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden.

“Is there a better gift for nature lovers than a ZOOfriends membership?” said OKC Zoo’s Membership Supervisor, Myke Garcia. “ZOOfriends get free admission to the Zoo every day it’s open for an entire year—and with our winter hours ending early, that means even more opportunities to visit.”

Membership sizes range from a single for $60 all the way up to the Passport for 10 for $299. And the benefits go far beyond entry, Garcia said. ZOOfriends get discounts on concessions, summer and day camps for kids, merchandise in the Zoo’s Safari Gifts, and even free or discounted entry to hundreds of other AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums. Those who already have a membership will also get a discount on Wild Encounters experiences at the Zoo.

“Imagine getting an up-close look at an Asian elephant or being able to feed a Galapagos tortoise. For animal fans and nature lovers, a Wild Encounter is truly a magical experience,” said OKC Zoo’s Director of Guest Experience, Dahrenda Mitchell.

The Zoo hosts a variety of Wild Encounters, letting guests spend time with our caretakers and animals while learning a little more about species including Asian elephants, Indian rhinos, Komodo dragons, and bears.

“These are memories that will last a lifetime,” Mitchell said.

For a more physical reminder of the Zoo, find a new, cuddly friend on Safari Gifts’ giant wall of plush toys featuring many of the animals visitors can find at the Oklahoma City Zoo. There are more than 40 animals to choose, from classics like stuffed bears, lions, and tigers (oh my!) to new and exotic plushes including some so-ugly-they’re-cute buddies like naked mole rats and Red River hogs. Safari Gifts also carries shirts, hoodies, drinkware, educational toys, jewelry and more to fill out every animal lover’s wishlist.

Show your love for the OKC Zoo and vote for Sanctuary Asia to be named Best Zoo Exhibit! Fans can vote daily through March 4, 2024 at https://bit.ly/VoteForSanctuaryAsiaBestZooExhibit.

The Oklahoma City Zoo is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily with the last entry no later than 4 p.m. Purchase advance Zoo admission tickets at okczoo.org/tickets and avoid the entry lines. Located at the crossroads of I-44 and I-35, the OKC Zoo is a proud member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the American Alliance of Museums, and Oklahoma City’s Adventure District. Zoo admission is $16 for adults and $13 for children ages 3-11 and seniors ages 65 and over. Children two and under are admitted free. Membership has its perks! As a ZOOfriends member of the Oklahoma City Zoo, enjoy free admission all year-long, plus many additional benefits and discounts. You will also be supporting the Zoo’s animal family, education programming and conservation initiatives both locally and globally. Join or renew today at www.okczoo.org/membership

Stay connected with the Zoo on Facebook, X, Instagram, Threads, Linktree and TikTok, and by visiting our blog stories. To learn more about Zoo happenings, call (405) 424-3344 or visit okczoo.org.