Located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the Tulsa Zoo serves as an 85 acre facility that promotes the conversation, sustainability, and education of animals. The Tulsa Zoo has a variety of attractions spread out across their 85 acres of land. In order to get the most out of your time at the Tulsa Zoo, employees of the zoo recommend to spend at least three hours exploring the Tulsa Zoo.

History

The Tulsa Zoo was founded in 1927 by the Tulsa Zoological Society. Shortly after the Tulsa Zoo was founded, Monkey Island was established in honor of George Watkins, who was a mayor of the city of Tulsa. The next exhibit to be featured at the Tulsa Zoo was the current day koi pond. But, when it was founded in 1939, the koi pond was used as an alligator attraction.

Fast forward approximately ten years after the establishment of the alligator attraction, the Tulsa Zoo acquired their first chimpanzee, named Duke. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, the Tulsa Zoo acquired many animals and established various habitats and attractions, such as the Primate Aviary Building (which is the current day Conservation Center), the Cat and Bear Grottos, and the zoo’s first giraffes. During this time period, the Tulsa Zoo also benchmarked various foundations for future zoos, such as being one of the first zoos in the United States to raise a wide amount of giraffes.

In 1966 the Tulsa Zoo’s director, Hugh S. Davis resigned. David G. Zucconi became the next director, and created various initiatives for the Tulsa Zoo, which helped the zoo gain national recognition.

African Plains takes visitors across the world to Africa. Visitors will feel as if they are exploring through the welcoming village of an area in Africa. All of the animals in this exhibit are native to the African Plains. Some of the highlighted animals include; giraffes, southern ground hornbills, and lions.

Asia allows visitors to explore some of the most special and endangered species that are found within Asia. Two of the featured animals are Malayan tigers and snow leopards.

Children’s Zoo is the perfect opportunity for visitors to explore smaller mammals and even get to interact with them one-on-one. Visitors can expect to vie red kangaroos, guinea hogs, river otters, and even miniature horses.

Chimpanzee Connection is an indoor and outdoor exhibit that enables visitors to observe chimpanzees in an up close and personal way throughout any season.

Conservation Center is a combination of various animals, such as reptiles and primates. One of the coolest parts of the Conservation Center is the Reptile Nursery, where visitors can examine reptiles hatching through eggs.

Robert J. LaFortune WildLIFE Trek Life in the Cold showcases animals, such as chinchillas and grizzly bears, who prefer to live and thrive within cold environments.

Robert J. LaFortune WildLIFE Trek Life in the Desert features animals, such as naked mole rats and black-footed cats, who have unique adaptions that enable them to live within deserts.

Robert J. LaFortune WildLIFE Trek Life in the Forest houses a variety of animals that live in forests. Highlighted animals include bobcats and crocodile monitors.

Robert J. LaFortune WildLIFE Trek Life in the Water features a variety of animals that live within the later. Some of the featured animals include lionfish and seahorses.

Mary K. Chapman Rhino Reserve is a naturalistic home with indoor and outdoor features for white rhinos, African crowned cranes, springbok antelope, and white storks.

Oceans and Islands take visitors to an area resembling a tropical island. Visitors can explore various animals, such as African penguins and sea lions, as well as the architectural elements of this exhibit, such as the shipwreck elements.

The Rainforest is an attraction home to a variety of animals that are typically found within Central and South America. One of the highlighted animals of this exhibit is the two-toed sloth, who roam freely throughout the exhibit. Thus, visitors can truly have an interactive experience within this attraction.

Lost Kingdom is a new exhibit at the Tulsa Zoo coming in 2017. Lost Kingdom will be an entire complex dedicated to providing visitors with a truly unique, up close, and even interactive experience. Visitors will be able to explore various indoor and outdoor aspects of the complex that resembles ancient cultures, such as the city and civilizations of Angkor-Wat.

The Tulsa Zoo has a variety of educational opportunities, such as specialized tours, classes, and interactive activities for people of all ages. For more information about the educational opportunities at the Tulsa Zoo, check out the zoo’s website.

6421 E 36th St N, Tulsa, OK 74115, Phone: 918-669-6600

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