The spring season brings free activities, popular attractions, camel rides, events and more 

 

OKC ZOO SPRING/SUMMER ATTRACTION SCHEDULE

Add these popular attractions to your Oklahoma City Zoo “must do” list and there’s no limit to the fun you’ll have! All Zoo rides and attractions are operational weather permitting. The following schedules can be made and all are subject to change without notice.

 

  • Centennial Choo Choo:  Rides offered daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Cost is $3 per person. Children two and under free.
  • Children’s Zoo Barn:  Guests with young children will go wild for this spacious oasis where little ones can connect with animals and nature. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Free to experience.
  • Elephant Express Tram: Enjoy the view as you tour the Zoo! Rides offered daily 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with four stops in the park. All day bracelets are $6 per person. Children two and under free.
  • Endangered Species Carousel: Take a spin! Open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Cost is $3 per person.
  • Explorikeet Feedings (Children’s Zoo): Flock to the fun! Guests have the unique opportunity to feed and interact with our colorful lorikeets. $3 per person to feed. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This experience closes for a “bird break” from 1-1:30 p.m.
  • Giraffe Feeding: Come face-to-face with our gentle giants–Ellie, Julu and Demetri! Daily feeding opportunities from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Cost is $5 per person.
  • Sea Lion Presentations: Sea lion presentations provide “fin”tastic fun for all ages! Daily presentations at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the Sea Lion Presentation Stadium. Cost is $4 per person. Children two and under are free.
  • Stingray Bay: Be in awe as the Zoo’s majestic stingrays glide and slide past your fingertips! Cost is $3 per person with paid Zoo admission. Children two and under are free. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

 

ONGOING:  NOW THROUGH THURSDAY, APRIL 30: GORILLAS ON THE LINE CELLPHONE CHALLENGE

When gorillas are on the line, it’s up to us to answer the call! The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden is looking to the community-at-large to help save gorillas by donating old or used cell phones to the Gorillas on the Line Cell Phone Challenge. Small electronics frequently contain a substance called coltan and 80 percent of the world's coltan supply is in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, also home to many gorillas. Mining for coltan threatens the habitats of gorillas, chimpanzees, okapi and other endangered species. When individuals donate used phones or other electronics, the coltan from those devices is re-used and reduces the need to mine for the compound in gorilla habitats. The global goal for Gorillas on the Line is to collect 20,000 devices in 2020! Schools, organizations, businesses and individuals are encouraged to collect as many cell phones and electronics as they can in support of gorilla conservation. These items can be dropped off for recycling in the Zoo’s guest experience office in the entry plaza.

 

ONGOING:  OKC ZOO’S WILD ENCOUNTERS – NEW LOWER PRICING!

The Oklahoma City Zoo provides you with an exclusive peek at what happens behind the Zoo scene with Wild Encounters! Wild Encounters are unique experiences that let you see some of your favorite Zoo animals in up-close ways like never before. Follow expert animal caretakers backstage to learn more about the grizzly bears, Asian elephants, Indian rhinos, sea lions and Galapagos tortoises. Wild Encounters are available daily and each experience comes with a souvenir lanyard! Each child under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Prices range from $36–$45 per person for ZOOfriends members and $40–$50 per person for non-members. Reserve your spot by calling Guest Services at (405) 425-0262 online at okczoo.org/tickets.

 

ongoing: OKC ZOO’s CARETAKER chats

Are you curious about wildlife and wild places? Ask and learn! The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden is offering daily opportunities for guests to engage with its animal experts called “Caretaker Chats”. These free, informal chats, provide a unique opportunity for guests to ask questions about the Zoo’s animal family and their counterparts in the wild from the experts themselves–our caretakers. OKC Zoo keepers are everyday conservationists, dedicated to protecting and preserving our planet and the amazing animals we share it with. “Caretaker Chats” signage will be posted on grounds and the schedule includes the following animal areas:

  • 10 a.m.: Clouded Leopard (Cat Forest)
  • 10:30 a.m.: Galapagos Tortoise (New Habitat Near Entry)
  • 1:30 p.m.: Western Lowland Gorillas (Great EscApe Habitat)
  • 2 p.m.: Asian Elephant Presentation (Sanctuary Asia’s Elephant Pavilion)
  • 3 p.m.: Southern Cassowary (Sanctuary Asia)

 

NOW–friday, april 3: PEPSI Vending Machine Art Contest

The Oklahoma City Zoo and Pepsi invite Oklahoma’s students, K-12, to participate in the Pepsi Vending Machine Art Contest for a chance to win wild prizes and have their original art design on a Pepsi vending machine at the Zoo. This year’s contest theme, RECYCLING: Make It Second Nature, encourages students to illustrate creative ideas for promoting recycling and how doing so can help protect and restore our planet’s natural resources. Entries become property of the OKC Zoo and must be postmarked by Friday, April 3, 2020. The winning designs will be unveiled during the Zoo’s Earth Day celebration, Party for the Planet, on Saturday, April 25, at 2 p.m. Each of the contest’s grand prize winners (K-5 and 6-12) will receive a $300 gift card to a store at OKC Outlets and their design will become the cover of a Pepsi machine at the Zoo for an entire year to be admired by an estimated one million guests. Winners from all award categories will receive a certificate and have their designs on display at the OKC Zoo and OKC Outlets. To learn more about the contest, visit okczoo.org/pepsicontest or contact Candice Rennels at (405) 425-0298 or crennels@okczoo.org.

 

SATURDAY, MARCH 7: CAMEL RIDES RETURN

Camel rides are back at the Oklahoma City Zoo! This seasonal attraction returns and starting Saturday, March 7, OKC Zoo guests can take their visit to new heights with a camel ride on one of three dromedary camels. The $6 tickets to ride may be purchased on-site at the camel ride area. Rides will take place from 9:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends (weather-permitting) and children under 6 must be accompanied by a paying adult. Other rules are posted at the habitat. Camel rides are not included in the Zoo-It-All or Ride-It-All packages.

 

FRIDAY, MARCH 13: ZOO KEYS KICKS OFF

Sponsored by Oklahoma’s Own News9, OKC Zoo Keys is an all-new reimaging of a classic Zoo activity that began in the 1960s. Guests of all ages can unlock recorded messages from more than 20 displays throughout the Zoo. This retro attraction features information about the Zoo’s signature species and conservation efforts and spoken by some of News9’s most popular anchors and meteorologists. Cost is $3 per key. Zoo Keys are not included in Zoo-It-All.

 

SATURDAY, MARCH 14: OKC ZOO AND RED CROSS HOST BLOOD DRIVE

The American Red Cross of Oklahoma and the Oklahoma City Zoo are coming together for Oklahomans, and supporting ongoing opportunities for blood donors to give. The Red Cross will host a blood drive at the OKC Zoo’s Rosser Conservation Education Center on Saturday, March 14 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For additional information about donating blood and the requirements to give, visit redcrossblood.org.

 

TUESDAY, MARCH 17: ST. PATRICK’S DAY ANIMAL ENRICHMENT

We are wild for all things green! On Tuesday, March 17 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., OKC Zoo fans of all ages will enjoy watching select animals receive festive enrichment items and learning more about the Zoo’s green practices and conservation initiatives. This event is free with Zoo admission.

 

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18: safari soirÉe tickets available

A safari under the stars awaits at the Oklahoma City Zoo’s premiere 21+ event, Safari Soirée hosted by the Oklahoma Zoological Society. Come celebrate and support the OKC Zoo’s conservation mission and help us ensure a fierce future for wildlife and habitats at the fourth annual Safari Soirée on Friday, April 24, 2020 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Experience an evening of delicious food, exotic drinks and unforgettable entertainment. General admission tickets include food, drinks, and access to live entertainment and cost $90 per person ($80 for ZOOfriends members). Tickets go on sale Wednesday, March 18 at 10 a.m. at zoofriends.org/safarisoiree, by phone at (405) 425-0618 or in the ZOOfriends’ membership office in the entry plaza. Must be 21 or older.

 

MONDAY, MARCH 23: NEW AT THE ZOO – FLAMINGO MINGLE!

Flock to the fun and experience the excitement of feeding the Zoo’s American flamingos. Flamingo Mingle feedings occur daily, weather-permitting, in the Children’s Zoo habitat. Cost is $7 per person and includes a souvenir cup! Flamingo Mingle is not included in Zoo-It-All.

 

TABLES NOW ON SALE FOR BRAINY BEASTS

Are you an apex trivia master? Save the date for the second annual Brainy Beasts Trivia Night, hosted by  ZOOtroop at the Oklahoma City Zoo on Thursday, April 9. Gather your teammates and prepare to test your trivia knowledge on all things animal-related from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Zoo’s new Sanctuary Asia. Participants will have an opportunity to win wild prizes plus local gifts and treats. Tables for Brainy Beasts Trivia Night are now on sale. Table costs are $200 for four people and $400 for eight people. Individual tickets are not available. Included in the price is an event T-shirt, food, beer provided by COOP Ale Works and wine, plus, a night of wild team trivia. Sponsorships are available at $1,000, $2,500 and $5,000. Proceeds from this event support the Oklahoma Zoological Society and the operation and continued growth of the Oklahoma City Zoo and its conservation initiatives. For tickets, click here. Must be 21 or older.

 

TICKETS ON SALE FOR WHINOS FOR RHINOS

Sip, sip hooray for rhino conservation! Tickets are on sale now for Whinos for Rhinos, the wildest wine-tasting event in town, returns Thursday, April 9, 2020 at Put a Cork in It in Oklahoma City’s Bricktown District. Join the OKC chapter of the American Association of Zoo Keepers from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and enjoy three to four different wines paired with small dishes matched to complement each wine perfectly. Each guest will receive a souvenir wine glass painted by one of our amazing zoo animals. There will also be a silent auction with animal-related items! Ticket prices are $35 in advance with wine glasses guaranteed. Walk-ins are welcome. Please note: ticket prices will be $40 at the door, wine glasses available while supplies last. Proceeds benefit rhino and wildlife conservation. For tickets, click here.

 

MARCH:  OKC ZOO’S EDUCATION PROGRAMS

For additional information about these and other programs, call Education at (405) 425-0218 or visit www.okczoo.org.

 

  • NOW THROUGH MARCH 31: ZOO CREW TEEN VOLUNTEER PROGRAM APPLICATIONS OPEN

Are you a teen wanting to find a fun way to spend your summer that will also make an impact on wildlife and our environment? Zoo Crew Teen Volunteers are a specially selected group of students who serve as conservation leaders by connecting guests with wildlife and conservation topics. Applications will be accepted from Monday, March 2 – Tuesday, March 31. Click here to learn more.

  • MARCH 5 & MARCH 6: HOMESCHOOL PROGRAM – AROUND THE WORLD: AUSTRALIA

Enjoy experiences beyond the four walls of a traditional classroom with the OKC Zoo’s homeschool programs. Monthly classes focus on various animals and plants and includes animal encounters, zoo tours, and hands on activities. Australia is home to many unique animals! Let’s hop, crawl, and swim across the continent to see who calls Australia home! Enroll today for Thursday, March 5 from 1-2:30 p.m. or Friday, March 6 from 1-2:30 p.m. or 3-4:30 p.m. Cost per student: $10 for ZOOfriends members, $12 for non-members. For additional information or to register, click here.

  • MARCH 11, 26 AND 28: CUB CLUBS – BEAUTIFUL BIRDS

Enroll your little one in the OKC Zoo’s Cub Club programs. These monthly classes are geared to introduce youngsters, 2-5 years of age, to the natural world around them. On March 11, 26 and 28, join us for “Beautiful Birds”! From flying high to diving deep, there are so many beautiful birds on our planet.  Come learn all about them through activities, story time, crafts, and even meet a bird ambassador! Click here to register.

  • SUNDAY, MARCH 29: NATURE EXPLORERS PRESCHOOL OPEN HOUSE

Using the Zoo’s natural setting, Nature Explorers Preschool focuses on developing the “whole child” -- i.e., cognitive, physical, social, emotional, and creative development. Curriculum increases direct contact time with the outdoors through discoveries about the Zoo plants and animals. Children ages 3, 4 and 5 will have daily zoo explorations, interactions with “animal ambassadors” in the classroom, and participate in special events. Learn more about Nature Explorers at an Open House on Sunday, March 29 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the Rosser Conservation Education Center.

  • GIRL SCOUTS AND SCOUTS BSA PROGRAMS

The Oklahoma City Zoo offers many opportunities for Scouts BSA and Girl Scouts to learn about the natural world. The zoo has a variety of scout badge and overnight programs. Please click on the link to explore what we have to offer this March.

 

SAVE THE DATE FOR WHAT AWAITS IN APRIL…

 

  • Read Across Oklahoma at the OKC Zoo (Tuesday, April 7, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
  • Brainy Beasts Trivia Night at the OKC Zoo (Thursday, April 9, 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.)
  • Party for the Planet®/Earth Day at the OKC Zoo presented by Bob Moore Subaru (Saturday, April 25, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
  • OKC Zoo’s premiere 21+ event, Safari Soirée hosted by the Oklahoma Zoological Society (Friday, April 24, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.)

There’s a wild world waiting to be discovered at the Oklahoma City Zoo, all that’s missing is you! Located at the crossroads of I-44 and I-35, the Zoo is a proud member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the American Alliance of Museums, Oklahoma City’s Adventure District and an Adventure Road partner. Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Regular admission is $12 for adults and $9 for children ages 3-11 and seniors ages 65 and over. Children two and under are admitted free. Stay up-to-date with the Zoo on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and by visiting Our Stories. Zoo fans can support the OKC Zoo by becoming Oklahoma Zoological Society members at ZOOfriends.org or in-person at the Zoo! To learn more about these and other happenings, call (405) 424-3344 or visit okczoo.org.