New Master Plan Unveiled
The Oklahoma City Zoo's trust meeting for this month includes the unveiling of a new master plan, created in collaboration with Studio Hanson Roberts. To be clear, construction on the new Sea to Shore exhibit for pinnipeds and penguins is the last project from the previous plan. This time around, the zoo identified three priority projects and several additional "projects of opportunity." I'll briefly describe the highlights below.
Priority Project 1: Africa Plateau
This one is not at all surprising to me, as it includes some things that could have been a part of the recently completed Expedition Africa if not for inflationary costs. The biggest aspect of this one is the addition of
white rhinos. This project includes:
- Demolishing the outdated barns in the southwest corner of the African area and building new holding.
- Creating two new, mixed species savanna habitats.
- Reworking the current okapi area into a new forest for okapi and sitatunga.
- Changing the pathways for better viewing experiences between Africa Plateau and the adjacent Predator Pass (cheetahs and African wild dogs.)
- A new vulture exhibit
- Three new gardens: "River of Grasses" on the savanna, "Stream and Wet Meadow" at the watering hole, and "The Thicket" at the okapi/sitatunga forest.
- The pages for this exhibit include the following species list: antelope, gazelle, grey-crowned crane, guinea fowl, impala, kudu, okapi, sitatunga, southern white rhino, vulture, waterbuck, wildebeest, zebra
Priority Project 2: Reptile Preserve
For years, OKC has had a fantastic collection of herps and the absolute worst facility to display them. This project should remedy that. The current "Jungle Gym area will move to the new Children's Adventure to make way for a new herpetarium. "The Reptile Preserve is both an indoor & outdoor facility with several exhibits designed to be viewed from both inside and outside. Beyond the exhibits, the Reptile Preserve building features a dedicated demonstration area and incubation zone, where visitors can witness firsthand the marvels of reptile biology and reproduction." There are reptile and bird exhibits outside surrounding the building, as well as a new garden and pergola for relaxing.
Priority Project 3: Heart of the Zoo and Redbud Cafe
This one is to fix the jumble of paths and circulation problems in the center area of the zoo. One aspect of this is taking advantage of the stormwater path through the zoo's center. This project includes an easier path from the front plaza to this area, more clearly defined exhibit entries, shaded outdoor seating with views of Oklahoma Trails, a new central restaurant, a new and improved alligator habitat, and a lakeside tram path to keep the trams out of this area.
The following are the projects of opportunity (order and timeline TBD.)
Oklahoma Trails Update
This exhibit has long been my favorite, so I had wondered how they would improve it. For starters, they plan to eliminate the current hairpin, one-way path, creating a two-way path up the canyon. They are also expanding the footprint by increasing the size of the bison habitat. This will allow connection to Sanctuary Asia and eliminate all of the backtracking guests usually have to do once they reach the Indian rhinos. The exhibit also adds:
- Underwater viewing of the brown bears (who are OFTEN in the water)
- Addition of pronghorn
- Oklahoma-themed guest suites with private outdoor viewing of the bison
- Renovation of the nocturnal barn, including a new habitat for the bats
- Renovated mountain lion habitat
- These current animals will receive new habitats: prairie dog, whooping crane, elk, wolf, coyote, eagle, aviary
Children's Adventure
The current children's zoo will be updated to include:
- A treetop play structure with climbing nets, slides, and other play elements
- A splash area with cascades and bubbling fountains
- New areas for the Galapagos tortoises and flamingos
- New giant otter exhibit
- New exhibits for reptiles and small primates
- New off-exhibit yards for ambassador animals
- An education play lawn for camps and classes
Sheltered Entry
This is self-explanatory. The welcome plaza will be covered by a shaded arbor. The project also includes an event liaison building and a new ticketing building.
Elephant Expansion
As the zoo's multi-generational herd of Asian elephants continues to grow, this project will:
- Add a new elephant yard
- Relocate the service road to the perimeter of Sanctuary Asia opening the center for more animal space
- Add a rotational habitat so that the current Indian rhino area can also add Asian antelope.
- Add new "elephant suites" for overnight stays by guests
- Create a new elephant herd room with natural substrate floor and climate control
Congo Forest
This is in the area currently known as Great EscAPE. While the new exhibit will be better for the gorillas and chimps, it appears the orangutans will need to find new homes. This exhibit will include:
- The addition of colobus monkeys
- A new shelter with glass walls adjacent to an updated gorilla habitat
- New indoor day rooms for gorillas and chimpanzees. These are "indoor-outdoor living rooms" for the apes with operable glass backs offering views of the landscape.
- New interior exhibits for reptiles and amphibians of the Congo
Feline Oasis
Currently known as Cat Forest, this update will include:
- Larger tiger and jaguar exhibits
- A big cat training demonstration wall
- Complete renovation of the seven small cat exhibits
- A nature-based playground
- A new Bird Refuge Boardwalk creating gardens suitable for native bird
Biodiversity Hotspots Building
Along the lakeside, this project showcases species from across the globe including:
- A mix of animal exhibits
- A walk-through aviary
- Interior gardens
- A new outdoor primate exhibit
- Two levels with a glass exterior
- A new events tent
- A second building, a climate-controlled aviary (There will also be birds in the first building.)
Service and Support
Four new service buildings in a consolidated service core and a new path connecting these buildings to the current service buildings.
If you want more detail, you can find the plan as a part of the zoo trust packet here:
https://okc.primegov.com/Public/CompiledDocument?meetingTemplateId=58829&compileOutputType=1
