OKC Zoo’s immersive habitat for gorillas, orangutans, and chimpanzees, Great EscApe is in the running for USA Today’s 10Best Zoo Exhibits in the nation. Vote now through March 10.
One of the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden’s fan-favorite exhibits is about to make a lot more fans as the Zoo’s Great EscApe habitat is nominated for USA Today’s 10Best 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Zoo Exhibit. Voting is now open and ends Monday, March 10, 2025 and fans can vote daily for the duration of the contest at 10best.usatoday.com/awards/travel/best-zoo-exhibit-2025.
CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR OKC ZOO’S THE GREAT ESCAPE AS BEST ZOO EXHIBIT
Since opening in 1993, Great EscApe has delighted millions of guests with up-close views of critically endangered Western lowland gorilla troops, Sumatran orangutans, and chimpanzees. Today the habitat is home to two Sumatran orangutans, six Chimpanzees, and ten Western lowland gorillas. At more than three acres in size, visitors are able to discover these fascinating primates in a variety of outdoor and indoor areas. The habitat includes four diverse outdoor habitats, each with different climbing structures, swings, hammocks, shaded areas and elevated perches. The habitat also includes three indoor “day rooms” where guests can see individuals or entire troops gather and discover daily enrichment provided by a dedicated team of expert caretakers. For more adventurous guests, the habitat features an immersive virtual reality experience, Gorilla Trek. With surround sound, motion and 360-degree views, participants are transported virtually to a hike through the Rwandan rainforest to discover Western lowland gorillas in their native habitat. Gorilla Trek is available for an additional fee.
“Great EscApe is one of those rare Zoo habitats that really do connect guests with wildlife in unforgettable ways,” said Shannon Charles-Ray, OKC Zoo’s Curator of Primates.
Whether you’re viewing an orangutan climb up 30-foot tree or watching our 2-year-old chimp Kiazi play on a swing, guests will have memorable encounters and an unforgettable appreciation for these incredible mammals, she said.
Great EscApe also features Caretaker Chats in which guests can meet an expert primate caretaker and learn more about the gorillas, orangutans, chimpanzees as well as other primates they care for, including lemurs, langurs and spider, and squirrel monkeys. Caretaker Chats are held daily at 3:30 p.m. daily and are free with general admission.
The Oklahoma City Zoo’s daytime hours are 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, and Oklahoma City’s Adventure District.
Stay connected with the Zoo on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, Linktree and TikTok, and by visiting our blog stories. Make it a “brand zoo” day with a ZOOfriends membership! As a ZOOfriends member of the Oklahoma City Zoo, enjoy free admission for 12-months, plus additional benefits and discounts. You will also be supporting the Zoo’s animal family, education programming, and conservation initiatives both locally and globally. Join or renew today at www.okczoo.org/membership.