Oklahoma City Zoo Oklahoma City Zoo News 2023

On January 12th, the zoo announced that a (1.0) bobcat named Dodger passed away on January 8th at age 3 due to suspected septic shock caused by a separate incident involving another bobcat.

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The zoo announced today on social media that Sumatran Tiger cub, Bob, had to undergo emergency surgery to remove a string he accidentally ingested from an enrichment toy:

"We know cats are curious creatures and that goes for our young Sumatran tiger cub, Bob. On Saturday, Bob participated in an enrichment activity at Cat Forest involving an animal-approved puzzle box as part of a larger animal behavior study the Zoo is supporting. Expert team members have observed several of our big and small cats experiencing this same activity and successfully solving the puzzle including 6-month-old, Bob. However, while interacting with the puzzle box Bob’s attention was drawn to a string attached to a door on the device that he was playing with then accidentally ingested. Caretakers took immediate action and worked quickly with the veterinary care team to transport Bob to the Joan Kirkpatrick Animal Hospital. Upon examination, it was determined that Bob needed emergency surgery to have the string removed from his stomach. According to the Zoo’s veterinarian, the surgery went well and Bob is on his way to a full recovery. Bob will remain under observation inside the Cat Forest building during this time and the Zoo will continue to share updates about him on social."
 
Master Plan Details

This month’s zoo trust meeting included approval of the contract with Studio Hanson Roberts for a new master plan. (Destination Africa will open in June, followed by construction of the new sea lion and penguin habitats. That will complete the current plan.) The contract reveals new details about the zoo’s thinking moving forward.

Items below are pasted from the contract with my comments in italics.

The Master Plan will include the following components:

- Improved guest circulation.
I hope they can figure this out. It’s a huge pain to make it to the elephants and rhinos and have to backtrack forever.

- Concepts for renovation of 4 existing habitats (Cats Habitat, Great Apes, Children’s Zoo, and Oklahoma Trails).
I guess this makes sense based simply on exhibit age, but I can’t imagine what could be done to Oklahoma Trails. I love it just the way it is.

- Concepts for new habitats including a new reptile house, a new bird habitat and use of the southern portion of the Zoo property.
A new herpetarium and bird habitat are sorely needed. The last one is the most interesting, though. They’re looking at tearing down the Zoo Amphitheatre and claiming a bunch of additional acreage for animal exhibits. Interesting possibilities here.

- Integration of concepts to enhance the botanic garden aspects of the property.
I’m glad to see this. The horticulture of the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden has seemed like an afterthought as of late.
 
Okie said:
- Concepts for renovation of 4 existing habitats (Cats Habitat, Great Apes, Children’s Zoo, and Oklahoma Trails).
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Okie said:
- Concepts for new habitats including a new reptile house, a new bird habitat
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Between these 6 things, a new reptile house should be first priority IMO. Their collection is great, but the building they're using now was inadequate for the foot traffic during my visit - and that was on a weekday in late fall. I've never had to backtrack in a zoo building so many times because I couldn't squeeze past people in a hallway.

I thought the rest of those areas were fine, but I can see how some of them (like the bird house, cats and great apes) could be spruced up or improved on. I agree though, Oklahoma Trails feels almost perfect as is.
 
Coelacanth18 said:
Between these 6 things, a new reptile house should be first priority IMO. Their collection is great, but the building they're using now was inadequate for the foot traffic during my visit - and that was on a weekday in late fall. I've never had to backtrack in a zoo building so many times because I couldn't squeeze past people in a hallway.

I thought the rest of those areas were fine, but I can see how some of them (like the bird house, cats and great apes) could be spruced up or improved on. I agree though, Oklahoma Trails feels almost perfect as is.
Click to expand...

I agree about the herp building, it’s clearly the zoo’s one true eyesore. There’s a large plot for it, as they plan to raze the old sea lion stadium.
 
Visited the Oklahoma City Zoo this week for the first time and had a great time. Will probably post some observations soon but wanted to share the posted plan for Expedition Africa. The exhibit is expected to open in June as I understand it and many areas look complete bar installation of landscaping and turf.

Plan for Expedition Africa

Plan for Expedition Africa

  • Media owner nczoofan
  • Date added
Taken March 15, 2023.
 
 
An update from the most recent trust minutes: when Expedition Africa opens next month, the exhibit will include over 60 species. Of those, 37 will be new to the OKC Zoo.

I’ll share a species list when the exhibit opens, but there have obviously been changes and additions from the original plans. Zoo trust minutes include discussion of arriving Nile lechwe, red-flanked duiker, red-ruffed lemur, and hyena. None of these were in the initial species list.
 
Other 2023 News:

On March 14th, the zoo announced they expanded the domestic sheep and goat exhibit in the Barnyard area, doubling its size. The zoo also announced they acquired (0.0.5) domestic goats (breed(s) not specified) named Clinton, Jenks, Roland, Tuttle, and Yukon which are now on exhibit.

Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden

On March 22nd, it was announced that the zoo transferred (0.0.2) harbor seals named Bixby and Liberty to the Moody Gardens in Texas in 2022.

International Day of The Seal | Today is #InternationalDayofTheSeal! Moody Gardens is home to 2 California Sea Lions, Sam & Annette, and 5 Harbor Seals! 2 of the Harbor Seals, Liberty... | By Moody Gardens | Facebook

On May 4th, the zoo announced that their (1.0) jaguar named Tai passed away on May 1st at age 19 due to arthritis and allergic dermatitis.

Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden

Okie said:
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.
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On May 31st, the zoo announced that the chimpanzee, now named Kiazi, made its public debut.

Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden
 
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