Visitors can view diverse wildlife consuming cool and creative treats made by the Zoo’s expert animal caretakers.

The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden is helping wildlife beat the heat and stay cool with an animal enrichment day on Friday, July 1, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Guests can enjoy watching a variety of the OKC Zoo’s wildlife interact with summer inspired enrichment prepared for them by their caretakers, encouraging them to use their environment to stay cool. Utilizing treats and toys, guests will see animals interact with items like a giant ice block, sprinklers and more.

The Zoo’s caretakers use daily enrichment to enhance the quality of an animal’s habitat, and to offer opportunities for animals to participate in species specific behaviors such as foraging and exploration. Guests may see caretakers add toys, feeders, ice treats or scents to encourage animals’ natural abilities, ensuring they have different opportunities throughout the day.

The Summer Animal Enrichment Event schedule is as follows:

10 a.m.:                Carnivores (Lion Overlook)

10:30 a.m.:         Bison (Oklahoma Trails)

11 a.m.:                California Sea Lions (Sea Lion Habitat)

Stingrays (Stingray Bay, attraction cost applies)

11:30 a.m.:         Galapagos Tortoises (Children’s Zoo)

NOON / BREAK

1 p.m.:                  Raptor Ridge

African Crested Porcupines (Located along the Zoo’s lakeside)

1:30 p.m.:           Spider Monkeys (Children’s Zoo)

2 p.m.:                 Asian Elephants (Sanctuary Asia/Elephant Habitat)

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 will be posted in the entry plaza and on the Zoo’s Facebook page.

The Oklahoma City Zoo is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily with the last entry no later than 4 p.m. Connect to wildlife and tons of fun as you experience the all new BRICKLIVE Animal Paradise at the OKC Zoo. Sponsored by Devon, BRICKLIVE features 45+ life-sized animal statues made with almost two million toy bricks! BRICKLIVE Animal Paradise is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. now through October 30, 2022. Purchase advance tickets for general Zoo admission and BRICKLIVE at www.okczoo.org/tickets. 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 $12 for adults and $9 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. To learn more about Zoo happenings, call (405) 424-3344 or visit okczoo.org