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The Tulsa Zoo Conservation Program is one of the leading conservation organizations in Oklahoma.<ref name="cons">http://www.tulsazoo.org/learn/conservation</ref> It has supported over 200 projects globally and locally, including a conservation education program to reduce the use of palm oil,<ref name="palm"/> FrogWatch USA, and ocean conservation education.<ref name="tulsazoo.org"/> |
The Tulsa Zoo Conservation Program is one of the leading conservation organizations in Oklahoma.<ref name="cons">http://www.tulsazoo.org/learn/conservation</ref> It has supported over 200 projects globally and locally, including a conservation education program to reduce the use of palm oil,<ref name="palm"/> FrogWatch USA, and ocean conservation education.<ref name="tulsazoo.org"/> |
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| Tulsa Zoo | |
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| 36°12′31″N 95°55′47″W / 36.20868°N 95.92978°W / 36.20868; -95.92978 | |
| Date opened | 1927[1] |
| Location | Mohawk Park, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA |
| Land area | 84 acres (34 ha)[2] |
| No. of animals | 2,500[2] |
| No. of species | 436[1] |
| Annual visitors | 600,000[2] |
| Memberships | AZA,[3] AAM[4] |
| Website | www |
The Tulsa Zoo is a 84-acre (34 ha) non-profit zoo located in Tulsa, Oklahoma USA. The Tulsa Zoo is owned by the City of Tulsa, but since 2010 has been privately managed by Tulsa Zoo Management, Inc.[5][6][7] The zoo is located in Mohawk Park, one of the largest municipal parks in the United States.
The zoo is involved in many conservation efforts, such as a push to reduce the use of palm oil,[8] FrogWatch USA, and efforts to encourage ocean conservation.[9]
The Tulsa Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
In 2005, the Tulsa Zoo was named as "America's Favorite Zoo" by Microsoft Game Studios and was granted $25,000 in a contest designed to promote the Zoo Tycoon 2 computer game. The contest counted votes from zoo visitors across the country for many of America's top zoos, including the San Diego Zoo and the Bronx Zoo.
The Robert J. LaFortune WildLIFE Trek is a four-building complex, formerly the North American Living Museum, and is the recipient of many awards, including best new exhibit when it was constructed in 1978. As of spring 2013 each building focuses on animals from around the world and their adaptations to life in the water, desert, forest, and cold. Animals in this complex include Siberian Cranes, Bush baby, albino alligator, chinchilla, Peccary, Sand Cats and Grizzly Bears.
Encompasses a 2.5-acre (1 ha) area for the zoo's two elephants and includes a museum which highlights of the life and history of the Asian Elephant species through a variety of interactive exhibits. Visitors can view the elephants from both indoor and outdoor viewing areas and the exhibit includes an elephant demonstration yard.
A living, naturalistic re-creation of a Central and South American rain forest environment. The exhibit incorporates translucent panels to illuminate the canopy of the rain forest, and a path guides visitors through the nearly 50-foot (15 m) high building. Exotic species include black howler monkeys, sloths, a green anaconda, piranhas, dwarf caimans, and jaguars and tufted-ear marmosets. The native human cultures of this region are also highlighted throughout the exhibit. Many species are not caged, including rainforest birds, to allow for a more realistic jungle feel.
Visitors can view chimpanzees in a large outdoor enclosure or a large indoor play-area. The exhibit is outfitted with climbing equipment to help keep the chimps mentally and physically active.
In 2007, the Tulsa Zoo received two new additions to the Chimp Connection, Vindi and Bernsen. Vindi, a chimp born in February was named by means of a vote.[10] The chimpanzees can also be viewed online via the zoo website.
A brand new exhibit in our Oceans and Islands, exhibits features a spacious underground viewing wall to get up close with the Sea Lions. A behavioral conditioning program to learn more about Dorsey and Briney is demonstrated for the public midday on the weekend.
African Black-footed Penguin exhibit, opened to the public in 2002 after a four year fund-raising campaign. The penguin enclosure is the foundation of “Oceans and Islands,” a new exhibit area for the zoo that will be expanded with a new California Sea Lion exhibit in 2010. The design for this innovative penguin habitat includes geo-thermal heating and cooling to regulate the water temperature for these warm water inhabitants. A “wave pool” or water action simulator, plus a rocky coastline setting, imitates their natural habitat. Special viewing windows were built into the wall of the exhibit for visitors observe the penguins under water. The exhibit currently holds 20 penguins, and can hold up to 30.
The fund-raising campaign for this exhibit was a local art project that created 6-foot (1.8 m) tall penguin sculptures. Businesses gave donations to the fund-raising campaign and then received the penguin sculpture at their desired location. These penguins are now called, “Tulsa penguins.”[11]
The African Plains area of the zoo features Meerkats, Giraffes, Lions, Cape Buffalo, Aldabra Tortoise, Ostriches, Rhinos and, in 2013, African Wild Dogs. A new Meerkat pup in 2012 was the first addition to the Meerkat colony in 14 years.[12]
See various big cats, like the Malayan Tiger and the Snow leopard from central Asia. This exhibit also contains the Siamang Overlook which has good view of Siamangs and spectacled Lemur Monkeys. It also includes the Elephant Encounter including the Elephant Museum, which houses Asian Elephants.
The Children's zoo has a contact yard where kids can get up close and personal with Nigerian dwarf goats, Southdown sheep, Katadin sheep, earless Lamancha goats, Nubian goats, and rabbits. Open March 1 to Oct. 31. There are also llamas, alpacas, Sicilian donkeys and Guinea Forest hogs. This exhibit also contains the Australian Outback Area, which has red kangaroos. The Children's Zoo also includes American river otters and prairie dogs.
This building has a large variety of animals including primates, reptiles, birds, and fish. Some endangered animals on display are the spiny turtle, Pan's box turtle (Cuora pani), Black-breasted Hill Turtle, radiated tortoise, Flat-backed Spider Tortoise, Fiji iguana, Grand Cayman Island Blue Iguana, Bali Myna birds, Black and White Ruffed Lemurs, and Thick-billed parrots.
The zoo has begun work on the Mary K. Chapman Rhinoceros Exhibit, which will replace an older facility and host the zoo's two white Rhinoceroses. It will consist of a 3 acre outside yard and a 8,925 square foot barn.[13] The zoo is also planning a new Helmerich Tiger Exhibit, named for the zoo's largest private donor.[14]
The Tulsa Zoo Conservation Program is one of the leading conservation organizations in Oklahoma.[15] It has supported over 200 projects globally and locally, including a conservation education program to reduce the use of palm oil,[8] FrogWatch USA, and ocean conservation education.[9]
The Tulsa Zoo attracted national media attention in 2005 when a group complained about the mention of evolutionary theory and the inclusion of religious icons, theories, and beliefs in zoo displays, including a statue of the Hindu elephant-headed god Ganesha as part of the elephant exhibition.[16] The Tulsa Park Board responded by voting to add a display on Creationism.[17][18] The board subsequently reconsidered and reversed its decision, citing widespread public criticism.[19][20]
Media related to Tulsa Zoo at Wikimedia Commons
