Cusco, a male ocelot, and Marula, a female caracal, join OKC Zoo's Cat Forest.
The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden is excited to welcome two new furry friends to their new homes in Cat Forest; Cusco, a 16-month-old ocelot, and Marula, a 6-month-old caracal.
Cusco arrived October 30 from Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium on a breeding recommendation as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Species Survival Plan®️ (SSP) for ocelots. These small cats have excellent vision and hearing, and are known for their distinctive patterns that are unique to each animal, similar to fingerprints. The name ocelot comes from the Aztec word tlalocelot which means "field tiger." The Zoo is home two other ocelots, male Raif and female Arieta.
The OKC Zoo is a partner of AZA's Saving Animals From Extinction: SAFE Program for ocelots and as such supports a headstart program developed to conserve this species’ wild populations and habitat throughout Texas. Headstart programs help safeguard animals as they are raised in human care during their most vulnerable life stage and then released into the wild to broaden genetic diversity, increase numbers, and support overall recovery. The OKC Zoo’s Curator of Carnivores, Tyler Boyd, serves on the steering committee for the Ocelot SAFE Program and is the Vice Program Leader for the Ocelot SSP. Thanks to the dedicated support of the OKC Zoo and the contributions of other AZA-accredited organizations, the future looks bright to save wild ocelots and their habitat.
Female caracal, Marula was born May 6, 2024 and relocated from the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, bringing the Zoo’s caracal count to two individuals, including female Nisha. Caracals range across Africa and the Middle East to India and are recognizable by their shiny, reddish-gold coats with dramatic markings on their face. The most noticeable feature of the caracal is its long, black ear tufts that scientists theorize help them communicate with other caracals by twitching. The word caracal is from a Turkish word that means “black-eared.” Caracals are known for agility and the ability to leap several feet in the air to catch birds and other prey.
The Zoo’s Cat Forest habitat is currently undergoing renovations. It may be some time before guests can view Cusco and Marula, but stay tuned in on the Zoo’s social media channels for updates.
The Oklahoma City Zoo’s daytime hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily with the last entry at 4 p.m. The Zoo will be closed to the public during the daytime on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day as well as Tuesdays and Wednesdays from December 3 through February 5, 2025. 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, X, Instagram, Threads, Linktree and TikTok, and by visiting our blog stories. Looking for holiday gift ideas? Consider a 12-month, ZOOfriends Membership Passport to the OKC Zoo for everyone on your list. Recipients enjoy general admission year-round to the Zoo plus exclusive offers. There’s more! Purchase a membership before the end of the year and receive a voucher for a free plush. Choose from over 40 plush animals at the Zoo’s Safari Gifts! Memberships can be purchased in person at the Zoo or online at okczoo.org/membership.