OKC Zoo offers eventful days in May with Ostrich Egg Breakfasts, Sip and Stroll, 21+ evenings, Fix-It and Flower Festival, animal awareness days, and more! 

 

TICKETS ON SALE NOW FOR SECOND ANNUAL OKC ZOO GALA: JOURNEY TO AFRICA

The Oklahoma Zoological Society and Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden are hosting the second annual OKC Zoo Gala: Journey to Africa presented by Dr. Margaret Freede and Judge Dan Owens. This will be a wild celebration like no other of the OKC Zoo’s brand-new 12-acre habitat expansion Expedition Africa, the most ambitious and immersive conservation habitat experience in the Zoo’s 121-year history. The Gala is set for Friday, June 2, from 5 to 9 p.m. offering an exclusive look at Expedition Africa before it’s open to the public! Your night will include exclusive animal experiences, cocktail hour, a three-course, African inspired dinner, silent and live auctions and so much more. The OKC Zoo Gala will also celebrate those individuals who have amplified the Zoo’s mission through their wild generosity. This year’s honorees include Inasmuch Foundation and Lee Allan Smith in addition to Legacy Honoree, the late Josephine Freede, for her commitment to Expedition Africa. To purchase OKC Zoo Gala tickets and more information about the event, visit https://bit.ly/OKCZooGala2023.

 

NOW THROUGH FRIDAY, JUNE 30: VOTE FOR THE OKC ZOO THROUGH TARGET CIRCLE

We are honored and excited to announce that we have been chosen to participate in a special charitable giving campaign, sponsored and funded by Target. Zoo fans have the chance to help direct a portion of Target’s donation to the Oklahoma Zoological Society in support of the OKC Zoo! Now through Friday, June 30, vote for us through the Target Circle program to help determine how Target’s donation will be divvied up. Find out more about Target Circle here: www.target.com/circle. We’re asking our supporters to help us make the most of this incredible opportunity. Every vote counts to help us receive a portion of the available Target funds as we continue our mission to connect people with our world’s vanishing wildlife and wild places to inspire conservation action. Don’t forget, as you earn more votes, you can keep voting multiple times during the campaign.

 

SATURDAY MORNINGS IN MAY: OSTRICH EGG BREAKFASTS AT THE OKC ZOO

Celebrating its 36th year, Oklahoma City Zoo’s exclusive Ostrich Egg Breakfast event is a breakfast experience like no other! Guests will enjoy memorable mornings full of delicious food, fun and togetherness with family and friends as the Zoo wakes up around them. Ostrich Egg Breakfasts are happening every Saturday in May (6th, 13th, 20th and 27th) with two available sessions, 8 to 9 a.m. and 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Make the most of May’s holidays weekends, Mother’s Day and Memorial Day, with brunch on the wild side. Attendees will delight in a delicious breakfast buffet complete made to order omelets or scrambled eggs, a pancake bar and all your favorite breakfast classics plus, beverages. Mimosas and Bloody Mary’s will be available for purchase during the event. Ostrich Egg Breakfast tickets include admission into the OKC Zoo, the breakfast buffet, tram and carousel access, lorikeet feeding opportunity and entry into Stingray Bay. Pricing for ZOOfriends members is $40 per adult 12 and older and $30 per child 3-11, and for nonmembers $56 per adult 12 and older and $45 per child 3-11. Children 2 and under are free. Event attendance is limited so purchase advance tickets Ostrich Egg Breakfasts tickets now at www.okczoo.org/oeb.

 

THURSDAY, MAY 11 AND MAY 18: OKC ZOO’S SIP AND STROLL, 21+ EVENT SERIES, PRESENTED BY COOP ALE WORKS

The Oklahoma City Zoo’s 4th annual Sip and Stroll, presented by COOP ALE WORKS returns bigger and better. Event goers 21 and older are invited to these evening social happenings occurring on Thursday evenings May 11 and May 18 as well as Thursdays, June 8 and our PRIDE celebration on June 15, from 6 to 10 p.m. each night. Sip and Stroll connects guests to the Zoo’s wondrous wildlife while enjoy time strolling through the park.  Along the way, guests can quench their thirst at numerous conservation-themed bars and grab bites from some of OKC’s most popular food trucks! With a brand-new experience, The Continental Club, libation station, features a different conservation project or partner that the Zoo supports each event date with its own specialty cocktail. Sip and Stroll is an event with a purpose with $2 from every ticket going to support the Zoo’s conservation efforts. Thursday, June 15 is our PRIDE Sip and Stroll celebration complete with a drag show performance and fun PRIDE cocktails plus, information stations hosted by queer community organizations. General admission for Sip and Stroll is $22 per person for nonmembers and $17 per person for ZOOfriends members, and tickets are on sale now at www.okczoo.org/sipandstroll.

 

FRIDAY, MAY 5: OKC ZOO CELEBRATES RHINO AWARENESS DAY PRESENTED BY BOB MOORE SUBARU

The Oklahoma City Zoo and Bob Moore Subaru are coming together to celebrate and raise awareness for the planet’s five rhino species with this year’s Rhino Awareness Day activities on Friday, May 5. Presented locally by Bob Moore Subaru, this special animal awareness day will not only connect guests of all ages to the Zoo’s Indian (also known as Greater one-horned) rhinos but bring attention to the importance of protecting the four remaining species, Black, White, Javan and Sumatran, and their native habitats in Africa, India and Indonesia. Interactive activities including a scavenger safari for kids with prizes, educational games, storytime, photo opportunities and special Facebook live events with the Zoo’s rhino caretakers, are planned from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. near the Zoo’s rhino habitat at Sanctuary Asia. Rhino Awareness Day activities are free with Zoo admission.

 

SATURDAY, MAY 6: SAFE KIDS DAY AT THE OKC ZOO!

Safe Kids Oklahoma is hosting a day full of fun family activities at the Oklahoma City Zoo on Saturday, May 6, from 9 a.m. to noon. Kids are invited to participate in the safety scavenger safari as they learn how to stay safe on the road, at home and at play. Event activities will be set up near the Zoo’s Jungle Gym Playground and are free with regular Zoo admission. Safe Kids Oklahoma works to prevent unintentional childhood injuries, the number one cause of death for children in the United States. Safe Kids Oklahoma is a member of Safe Kids Worldwide, a global network of organizations dedicated to protecting kids. Safe Kids Oklahoma was founded in 1989 and is led by Bethany Children’s Health Center. For more information, visit safekids.org or safekidsok.org.

 

WEDNESDAY, MAY 10: STROLLER MEET UPS SPONSORED BY MERCY AT THE OKC ZOO

The OKC Zoo and Mercy Hospital OKC are inviting all Oklahoma City moms and dads to stroll down to the OKC Zoo for a new exclusive experience, Stroller Meet Ups sponsored by Mercy! Stroller Meet Ups happening on Wednesday, May 10 and Wednesday, June 14 provide moms and dads with an opportunity to experience the Zoo with their little ones, in a fun and active way. Guests will hear from a Mercy expert then head out on a stroller safari to explore the OKC Zoo at their leisure before it opens to the public! Registrants are welcome to bring a maximum of two guests with them on their selected date. Event registration is open for all three Stroller Meet Ups but due to capacity, registrants are asked to sign up for only event date. For more information or to register head to mercy.net/OKCZoo.

 

SATURDAY, MAY 20: OKC ZOO AND BOB MOORE SUBARU PRESENT ENDANGERED SPECIES DAY

The Oklahoma City Zoo and Bob Moore Subaru invite you to take action for endangered species each and every day! In celebration of Endangered Species Day, an annual event for animal and nature enthusiasts around the world to learn about, celebrate and help endangered species, the Zoo and Bob Moore Subaru are hosting local activities on Saturday, May 20, from 9 a.m. to noon. 2023 also marks the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), a landmark piece of legislation that institutionalized our national commitment to the conservation of fish, plants and wildlife and wild places. Event goers will enjoy learning more about the Zoo’s endangered species as well as ESA success stories through a variety of family-friendly activities, caretaker chats, Facebook live events, photo opportunities and more. In celebration of Endangered Species Day, guests will also have the opportunity to take a spin on the Zoo’s Endangered Species Carousel for the special price of $1 per person. All proceeds from carousel rides on this day will go to support the OKC Zoo’s Round Up for Conservation program and the Zoo’s local and global conservation initiatives. All other event activities are free with general admission.

 

SATURDAY, MAY 27 THROUGH MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 4: EARLY ZOO HOURS FOR ZOOFRIENDS MEMBERS ONLY

Beginning Saturday, May 27 and continuing through Labor Day, Monday, September 4, ZOOfriends members will enjoy early access into the OKC Zoo with gates opening at 8:30 a.m. daily. This special perk is for ZOOfriends members only with proof of a current membership passport. The Zoo will close daily at 5 p.m. with last entry at 4 p.m. Support your love and passion for wildlife and wild places with a ZOOfriends Membership Passport to the OKC Zoo. There’s a membership level for every kind of explorer with amazing benefits plus, you are supporting the OKC Zoo, its animals, programs and conservation efforts. Memberships can be purchased at okczoo.org/membership.

 

ONGOING OKC ZOO HAPPENINGS

 

EXPERIENCE GORILLA TREK VIRTUAL REALITY, OKC ZOO’S NEWEST INTERACTIVE ATTRACTION

Discover the Oklahoma City Zoo’s newest attraction, Gorilla Trek Virtual Reality (VR), to get closer than ever to gorillas in the jungle! The Zoo’s Gorilla Trek VR takes guests on a virtual journey as they enjoy a 360-degree live action film with motion platform seating for an unprecedented look at endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat in Rwanda. Narrating the film is world-renowned primatologist and Executive Director/CEO of Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, Dr. Tara Stoinski, who takes viewers through the dense Volcanoes National Park, documenting the family dynamics of these critically endangered gorillas. Gorilla Trek VR is located inside the Zoo’s Great EscApe Building and beginning Monday, May 1, it will be open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost is $8 per person plus Zoo admission and guests must be taller than 36” and able to wear a headset to experience Gorilla Trek VR.

 

EFFECTIVE MONDAY, MAY 1: OKC ZOO SUMMER ATTRACTION SCHEDULE

Wild meets fun with these popular OKC Zoo attractions and experiences. All rides and attractions are operational weather permitting.

  • Camel Rides: Camel rides are available daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and the cost is $8 per person. Children under 6 must be accompanied by a paying adult. Other rules are posted at the habitat.
  • Children’s Zoo Barnyard: This fun encounter connects guests of all ages with our goats and sheep. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • Elephant Presentation (Sanctuary Asia): These engaging presentations are a BIG hit and free to attend. Presentations occur Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m.
  • Endangered Species Carousel: Round out your day with a spin on the Zoo’s one-of-a-kind carousel. Rides are available daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Cost is $3 per person.
  • Explorikeet Feedings (Children’s Zoo): Fly by the Children’s Zoo to see and feed the lorikeets. Open daily from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Cost is $4 per person.
  • Flamingo Mingle: Flamingo Mingle feedings occur daily in the Children’s Zoo habitat from 9:30-10 a.m. and 3:30-4 p.m. Cost is $5 per person. Children age 2 and under are not permitted. 
  • Gorilla Trek VR Experience: View gorillas in the wild with the OKC Zoo’s all-new Gorilla Trek Virtual Reality (VR) experience featuring a 360-degree live action film with motion platform seating. Open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost is $8 per person. Age and height requirements apply.  
  • OKC Zoo Tram: Tour the Zoo in comfort while learning about its animal and 100+ year history. Tram travels from the Entry Plaza to Sanctuary Asia and rides are offered daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Cost is $6 per person. Children two and under free.
  • Rhino Feedings: Our Indian rhinos are ready to meet you! Feedings occur at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Sanctuary Asia. Cost is $10 per person.
  • Stingray Bay: Stingray Bay provides up-close encounters and feeding opportunities with one of the most majestic creatures of the sea, stingrays! Cost is $4 per person to enter. Open daily from 9 to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 to 4 p.m. Feeding opportunities are daily from 10:30 to 11 a.m. and 1:30 to 2 p.m., while supplies last, for an additional $3 per person.

 

OKC ZOO’S EXCLUSIVE BEHIND THE SCENES EXPERIENCES, WILD ENCOUNTERS

Discover the Oklahoma City Zoo’s Wild Encounters and connect with some of your favorite Zoo animals like never before. These ZOO-nique experiences offer wildlife fans an up-close encounter with Asian elephants, bears, bison, Galapagos tortoises, Indian rhinos and Komodo dragons! Meet the OKC Zoo’s expert caretakers while learning about the animals they care for and how the Zoo is working to protect their wild counterparts. The Zoo’s Wild Encounters are available daily and each experience comes with a souvenir lanyard. Groups are limited to 10 people of any age. Prices range from $40–$50 per person depending on the encounter. ZOOfriends’ members receive discount per encounter. For additional information about Wild Encounters or to make a reservation, contact Guest Services at (405) 425-0262.

 

OKC ZOO’S FREE, DAILY CARETAKER CHATS

Take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about the Oklahoma City Zoo’s animal family from the expert themselves, our caretakers. Hear from these dedicated and passionate individuals as they share about the amazing wildlife, they care for each and every day. These chats are free with regular Zoo admission and include:

  • Carnivores (Lion Overlook), 10 a.m. daily
  • Galapagos tortoises (Children’s Zoo), 10:30 a.m. daily
  • Great apes (Great EscApe), 1:30 p.m. daily
  • Asian elephants (Sanctuary Asia’s Boardwalk), Mon. – Thurs., 11:30 a.m.
  • Cassowaries (Sanctuary Asia, near Lotus Pavilion), 3 p.m. daily

 

SHOP OKC ZOO’S SAFARI GIFT SHOP, ONLINE STORE

Find the perfect gift for the animal lover in your life at the Oklahoma City Zoo’s Safari Gift Shop. Discover a variety of nature-inspired gifts, apparel, wildlife plush, toys and more when you shop the Zoo’s digital store or stop by the Safari Gift Shop in-person. Located in the Zoo’s Entry Plaza, the Safari Gift Shop, is during regular Zoo hours and admission is not required to shop. Show your love for wildlife and wild places and Round Up for Conservation when you make your purchases. All proceeds benefit the Zoo’s conservation efforts.

 

ONGOING: ART GONE WILD – ART MADE BY THE OKC ZOO’S ANIMALS FOR ANIMALS

The Oklahoma City Zoo’s, Art Gone Wild program is an exclusive selection of art created by animals for animals. These one-of-a-kind paintings are ideal for any gift giving occasion with new pieces created seasonally. With assistance from their caretakers, the Zoo’s talented animal artists have created an array of paintings available for purchase. Art Gone Wild is part of the Zoo’s enrichment program and the paints are safe for the animals to use as they are non-toxic and washable. Original pieces range from $35 to $300, depending on size. All net proceeds are used to support the Living Classrooms grant program which provides funding to OKC metro area school to plant pollinator gardens. Art Gone Wild paintings are on display in the Zoo’s Guest Services office located in the Entry Plaza, open during regular park hours.

   

The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily with the last entry at 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, Oklahoma City’s Adventure District and an Adventure Road partner. Regular 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. Stay connected with the Zoo on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Linktree and TikTok, and by visiting our blog stories. Support your love and passion for wildlife and wild places with a ZOOfriends Membership Passport to the OKC Zoo. There’s a membership level for every kind of explorer with amazing benefits plus, you are supporting the OKC Zoo, its animals, programs and conservation efforts. Memberships can be purchased at okczoo.org/membership.

 

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