Summer’s off to a cool start for the OKC Zoo’s animals, guests with a special enrichment celebration presented by First American Title.

 

The Oklahoma City Zoo is helping its animal family cool off from the summer heat with special enrichment treats during its Summer Animal Enrichment event presented by First American Title.

 

On Saturday, June 20, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., guests will enjoy watching the OKC Zoo’s wildlife interact with summer inspired enrichment prepared for them by their caretakers, encouraging them to use their surroundings to keep cool. Caretakers provide creative enrichment options from water features to frozen treats, and Zoo fans have the fun of seeing the animals react to it all.

 

“We’re grateful to First American Title for their support of this event and helping us share our enrichment program with our guests,” said OKC Zoo’s Behavioral Husbandry and Welfare Manager, Kim Leser. “The Zoo’s animals are enriched on a daily basis and there’s a lot of creativity and design that go into creating these activities that are fun for the animals and guests to watch.”

 

OKC Zoo caretakers use daily enrichment to enhance an animals’ well-being and to encourage specie specific behaviors such as foraging and exploration. Guests may see caretakers add animal-approved toys, feeders, scents, and seasonal items like frozen treats or pumpkins to provide variety.

 

June 20 also marks National Eagle Day and the Zoo has planned a special caretaker chat featuring its bald eagles and First American Title is hosting a kids’ craft station where young wildlife fans can make bald eagle headbands. Both of these activities will take place at the Zoo’s Oklahoma Trails habitat. 

 

“First American Title is proud to support the Oklahoma City Zoo’s Summer Animal Enrichment event in celebration of National Eagle Day and the importance of having a safe, enriching, and secure place for its eagles and other animals to call home,” said Shawna Rhines, Oklahoma State Manager for First American Title. “We’re grateful to the Zoo’s dedicated staff for the care and protection they provide these incredible animals every day.”

 

OKC Zoo’s Summer Animal Enrichment Event Schedule

 

  • 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Kids' Eagle Headband Craft presented by First American Title (Oklahoma Trails, Big Rivers building)
  • 9 a.m.:  Chimpanzees (Great EscApe)
  • 9:45 a.m.:  Jaguar (Cat Forest)
  • 10:30 a.m.:  Zebra, Wildebeest, and Okapi (Expedition Africa, Predator Pass)
  • 11:15 a.m.:  Bald Eagles Enrichment and Caretaker Chat (Oklahoma Trails boardwalk near Big Rivers building)
  • Noon: Galapagos Tortoises (Children’s Zoo)
  • 2 p.m.: Asian Elephants (Sanctuary Asia, Elephant Presentation Pavilion) *Don’t miss the special birthday enrichment for the Zoo’s Asian elephant calf, Xerxes, who is turning a year old!

 

Guests will have an opportunity to talk with the Zoo’s expert team members to learn more about the Zoo’s enrichment program. This event is free with Zoo admission. The summer enrichment event schedule is posted at Summer Animal Enrichment and on the Zoo’s Facebook page.

 

Located at the crossroads of I-44 and I-35, the Oklahoma City Zoo is a proud member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the American Alliance of Museums and Oklahoma City’s Adventure District. Advance Zoo admission can be purchased at www.okczoo.org/tickets.

 

Stay connected with the Zoo on Facebook, Instagram, Linktree, and TikTok, and through the Zoo’s Blog. Zoo more with a ZOOfriends membership! Members enjoy free admission to the Zoo for 12 months, plus exclusive benefits and discounts while supporting the Zoo’s animal care and conservation initiatives locally and all around the world. Learn more and become a member today at www.okczoo.org/membership .