Oklahoma City Zoo Oklahoma City Zoo News 2022

The zoo announced today that the female Sumatran tiger cub has been named Luna and the male cub has been named Bob.

Oklahoma City Zoo announces names of critically endangered Sumatran tiger cubs

These names are seriously uninspired. The name Bob suits a 60 year old man, not a Sumatran tiger. It became a trope for a lack of imagination back in the 2000’s and is equally as dated and lacklustre two decades on. Why not give “Bob” a list of Indonesian names and invite him to choose something suitable? Luna has featured in the top 10 female dog names for many years and is equally as overused.

Auckland Zoo receives a male from the previous litter later this year. I’m thanking my lucky stars he has decent name (Ramah), as do his siblings.
 
These names are seriously uninspired. The name Bob suits a 60 year old man, not a Sumatran tiger. It became a trope for a lack of imagination back in the 2000’s and is equally as dated and lacklustre two decades on. Why not give “Bob” a list of Indonesian names and invite him to choose something suitable? Luna has featured in the top 10 female dog names for many years and is equally as overused.

Auckland Zoo receives a male from the previous litter later this year. I’m thanking my lucky stars he has decent name (Ramah), as do his siblings.

Bob was named after local animal advocate Bob Meinders, according to the Facebook post announcing the names.

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Yeah I saw that. I’m sure he’s done a lot for the zoo, but as per my comments above I’d have preferred to see him choose a name rather than just naming it after him. Several of Australasia’s animals are named by conservationists or celebrities and with the exception of Paris Hilton’s giraffe (Princess Baby Lasagne), there’s been some displays of creativity and insight.

At the end of the day though, it's just a name for a tiger, does it matter if it's named Bob or not? I quite like the name Bob, it has a ring to it.
 
These names are seriously uninspired. The name Bob suits a 60 year old man, not a Sumatran tiger. It became a trope for a lack of imagination back in the 2000’s and is equally as dated and lacklustre two decades on. Why not give “Bob” a list of Indonesian names and invite him to choose something suitable? Luna has featured in the top 10 female dog names for many years and is equally as overused.

Auckland Zoo receives a male from the previous litter later this year. I’m thanking my lucky stars he has decent name (Ramah), as do his siblings.

I personally am not a fan of "Bob" as a Sumatran tiger name, though it isn't the worst name I've heard for a tiger in the US. Luna fits in with the various "L" named tigers born at Oklahoma City. Her mother's litter contained Lola, Leeloo, Lucy and late brother Leonidas.
 
Yeah, I’m not a big fan of the name Bob either…but if it endears your zoo to one of its biggest philanthropists, it’s probably worth it.
 
Kayin the Okapi is pregnant!!!

Oklahoma City Zoo's okapi is pregnant, due this fall

Zoo officials said in a news release that okapi Kayin, 6, is pregnant and will give birth to her first calf in the fall. The calf will be the first offspring of the Oklahoma City Zoo's okapi pair, Kayin and Bosomi.

Kayin was the last okapi born at the Oklahoma City Zoo in 2015.

On August 27th, the zoo announced that Kayin is due either in late September or early October.

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Okapi born

From the zoo’s Twitter:

Four little hooves and all ears! We are celebrating the birth of a rare, endangered okapi calf born on Wed., September 7 at 3:42 a.m. in the Zoo's okapi barn. Kayin's new calf is already meeting milestones like nursing and bonding with mom. Stay tuned for updates on Kayin's calf!
 
Okapi born

From the zoo’s Twitter:

Four little hooves and all ears! We are celebrating the birth of a rare, endangered okapi calf born on Wed., September 7 at 3:42 a.m. in the Zoo's okapi barn. Kayin's new calf is already meeting milestones like nursing and bonding with mom. Stay tuned for updates on Kayin's calf!

The Okapi calf is a male:

Okapi Calf Born At OKC Zoo

The new calf is a male, born to first-time mom, Kayin.

This is the seventh okapi calf born at the zoo. The last one was Kayin herself, back in 2015.
 
Okapi calf named

From the zoo’s Facebook:

OKAPI CALF UPDATE: Kayin’s little guy has a name – Nzadi, pronounced Na-zadee! The OKC Zoo is thrilled to announce that its newest addition to our okapi herd, a male calf born to first time parents, mom, Kayin, and dad, Bosomi, on September 7, has been named. Caretakers decided upon Nzadi which means “river” in the Kongo language, a language spoken in the Democratic Republic of the Congo where okapi are found. Head to the OKC Zoo to see Kayin and Bosomi. Nzadi is in a “nesting” phase and spending the majority of his time behind-the-scenes in the okapi barn. He has started venturing outside to explore his habitat with mom so guests might have an opportunity to see our little okapi out and about!
 
Updates from Zoo Trust meeting

1. Ultrasounds indicate lioness, Dunia, is expecting four cubs. She is due any day. (We previously knew she was pregnant, but this is the first time I’ve seen a number.)

2. Major construction on Expedition Africa is expected to be complete in March. The official grand opening won’t be until the zoo’s annual gala in June.


 
Zoo debuts plans for marine expansion:

OKC Zoo plans marine mammal habitat expansion

The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden has announced its plan to break ground on a state-of-the-art habitat for its resident California sea lions and harbor seals in Spring 2023.

OKC Zoo officials say the latest expansion will provide an expanded and enriched habitat for its California sea lions and harbor seals – as well as potential for other species.

The updates design includes an outdoor amphitheater, beach areas for the animals, “nose-to-nose” views of the sea lions and seals, an interactive sand area for kids, a special event space and an 8-foot tall underwater viewing window.


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Source: OKC Zoo
 

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From the zoo’s Facebook:

The Oklahoma City Zoo’s animal family continues to grow with the recent birth of an endangered chimpanzee. Following an approximate 8-month gestation period, Nia, 14, gave birth to a female chimpanzee at 10:17 a.m. on Wednesday, October 12 at the OKC Zoo’s great ape habitat. This is Nia’s second offspring.

Nia’s infant weighed approximately 4 pounds at birth and is in good health. Immediately after Nia gave birth, caretakers began observing her interactions with the newborn infant to ensure she was bonding with her. However, despite several opportunities, Nia was not displaying appropriate maternal behaviors towards her daughter and the OKC Zoo’s veterinary and primate caretaker teams made the necessary decision to intervene and begin assisted rearing.

Through assisted rearing, a dedicated team of animal experts and select volunteers are currently providing 24/7 care for the infant chimp behind-the-scenes at the great ape habitat and will continue to do so until the newborn can be reunited with Nia or a surrogate. The infant is able to hear and smell her chimpanzee family while being cared for off public view. Additionally, care team members wear a specially designed vest while holding the newborn that mimics chimpanzee fur and encourages the infant to grasp on. Primate caretakers have named the infant chimp Kiazi (key-azee) which means potato in Swahili! Read the full story - OKC ZOO CELEBRATES BIRTH OF ENDANGERED CHIMPANZEE

: Dr. Jennifer D.
 
Four African lion cubs have been born:

Oklahoma City Zoo announces births of 4 African lion cubs


Dunia gave birth to her first litter of cubs on Monday at the zoo's Lion Overlook habitat. The litter includes three females and a male.

This marks the first time in 15 years that a litter of African cubs was born at the Oklahoma City Zoo.
The public can now vote on the cubs’ names! There are 3 different groups of names that can be voted on (African inspired names, names honoring their mom, Dunia, and Oklahoma inspired names). The winning names will be announced next Wednesday, November 9th.

Vote 4 Our Lion Cubs' Names Contest
 
Four African lion cubs have been born:

Oklahoma City Zoo announces births of 4 African lion cubs


Dunia gave birth to her first litter of cubs on Monday at the zoo's Lion Overlook habitat. The litter includes three females and a male.

This marks the first time in 15 years that a litter of African cubs was born at the Oklahoma City Zoo.

African lion cubs named:

OKC Zoo announces names of four African lion cubs

The 1.3 cubs have been named as follows:

The male lion's name is Mshango, which means "surprise."

The female lions have been named Neema, meaning "grace," Zahara, meaning "flower," and Makena, meaning "happiness."
 
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