Tulsa Zoo Tulsa Zoo News

nczoofan said:
According to the CEO the zoo will early next year break ground on its new elephant exhibit. It will feature 10 acres of yards and a 35,000 sq foot barn. Those statistics would make it basically the largest complex in the nation on both fronts.

At the top of an animal kingdom – Lindsay Hutchison, Tulsa Zoo President/CEO
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This is exciting news! However, the zoo's website mentions that $15 million will go towards a new elephant barn that will be 15,000 sq. ft. in size. There seems to be some discrepancy as to what the exact size of the barn will be, but who would have guessed that the state of Oklahoma would end up having two of the largest elephant complexes in North America?
 
snowleopard said:
This is exciting news! However, the zoo's website mentions that $15 million will go towards a new elephant barn that will be 15,000 sq. ft. in size. There seems to be some discrepancy as to what the exact size of the barn will be, but who would have guessed that the state of Oklahoma would end up having two of the largest elephant complexes in North America?
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Having been tracking the project the websites had that same info for probably two years. But been seeing hints dropped about something larger in the last year largely from the newer director. The renovations have begun on the existing space from what I know. I would personally trust the director given that she seems pretty in command of the facts and this was created rather recently. Either would be a nice barn though and 10 acres of yards will be amazing.
 
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PSO said:
Last I talked to the elephant manager of Tulsa, the barn is supposedly going to be able to hold 20 elephants, so 35000 square foot makes more sense
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Has anyone seen any renderings of what they have planned? The Tulsa Zoo is our home zoo and we are very excited to see the continued upgrades. This is a huge project and I’m so interested to see what this is going to look like.
 
nczoofan said:
According to the CEO the zoo will early next year break ground on its new elephant exhibit. It will feature 10 acres of yards and a 35,000 sq foot barn. Those statistics would make it basically the largest complex in the nation on both fronts.

At the top of an animal kingdom – Lindsay Hutchison, Tulsa Zoo President/CEO
Click to expand...
Will they go from non breeding herd to herd family and bull and bachelor males complex?

Will they not lend out the bull Sneezy for breeding elsewhere?

Sorry, cannot read the paper US papers unreadable in part due to other or moreprogressive privacy laws in Europe, it remains unresolved.... (I believe it has been this way for close on 2 years already!). Would appreciate what the plan is.
 
John Marchwick said:
Malayan Tiger Cub Born at Tulsa Zoo - TulsaKids Magazine

A female Malayan Tiger Cub was born at the Tulsa Zoo!
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The Tulsa Zoo has since announced that the new tiger cub that was born earlier this month, has now been given the name “Dara”. And also earlier this month, the zoo also stated that they had installed a camera inside of the off-show holding area as well, as a way for guests to be able to see a live stream of “Dara” and her mother “Ava” any time they visit the zoo.
 
The zoo has posted more details of the elephant project online. The project is expected to break ground in 2022, with the new barn opening in 2023 and the elephant experience in 2024. I expect the experience is simply a name for the outdoor areas. It appears the zoo will also be renovating and retaining the existing barn in addition to this brand new barn.

"Fifteen million will be used to construct a 35,000+ square-foot elephant building with 13 acres of new outdoor habitats to accommodate a larger, multi-generational herd, give us the ability to house multiple male elephants, and add privacy yards for new mothers and calves, as well as geriatric animals."
 
Finally I was waiting to hear when the would release the official announcement. But quick question where will the herd come from or will have become a bachelor facility
 
The zoo has also released more details of African Wilds: Carnivores. That as well is expected to begin construction next year and open in 2024. The species list for this complex is African lion, pygmy hippo, diana monkey, meerkat, African wild dog, vulture, and zebra (unknown species). As well the exhibit will include a walk-through aviary.

I have attached several renderings below yet more can be found at the website.

Carnivore-3D-slides.pptx-e1631554587944-768x293.png

Overall-Siteplan-2021-04-22-scaled.jpg
 
Mr.Ivory said:
Finally I was waiting to hear when the would release the official announcement. But quick question where will the herd come from or will have become a bachelor facility
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It's anyone's guess really. There are a number of young bulls across the nation that could benefit from being part of a bachelor herd and Tulsa could follow in Denver's footsteps. That being said, I think Tulsa would much rather house a breeding herd especially with Sneezy's very valuable unrepresented genes. So they could import a couple young cows from Ringling or ALS or maybe even from Europe like Smithsonian and Cincinnati which both have unrepresented valuable bulls as well.
 
Mr.Ivory said:
Finally I was waiting to hear when the would release the official announcement. But quick question where will the herd come from or will have become a bachelor facility
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The herd will probably end up coming from African Lion Safari or from the Ringling herd unless they choose to import from Europe like DC and Cincinnati. I’m sure with that much space though, they will almost definitely have the current trio (if they’re alive), a family herd, and a bachelor herd as well.
 
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