Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden

09/04/2025

You’ve been waiting all year and it’s finally here! ZOObrew tickets go on sale today at https://bit.ly/4oXYUVa. In addition general admission ZOObrew tickets and early access PREbrew tickets, this year includes the new Safari Speakeasy in the Baobab Lodge, with hour-long sessions of top-shelf tastings. Register now, because this event ALWAYS sells out!

09/03/2025

Love the Zoo's animal photos? Now you can learn to take your own great pictures with wildlife photographer Alex Dugan.

Photograph the Zoo: A Hands-On Photography Adventure is a two-day workshop at the OKC Zoo sponsored by Beford Camera & Video and Nikon. On September 19 and 20, 2025, Alex will take the group through the ins and outs of animal photography, show off editing skills to improve your pictures, and let you try out some Nikon lenses! Visit https://bit.ly/3JZyD8M for more information. 📷: Photo Crew Members Andrea, Cole, Cheryl, and Tom

09/01/2025

It's a girl okapi! 🩷 The Zoo’s baby bliss continues with the arrival of an endangered female okapi calf. The not-yet-named calf was born during the night on Sunday, August 24, 2025, in the Zoo’s okapi barn at Expedition Africa, presented by Inasmuch Foundation. This is the second calf for parents, Kayin and Bosomi, and a successful birth as part of AZA’s breeding program for this endangered species. Both mom and baby are doing well and spending time together bonding. Read the full story at https://bit.ly/4n53MpD.

08/31/2025

While might be coming to a close, our love and dedication to elephants goes beyond just this month...it's lifelong!

We've shared about our elephants all month long and the ways that we care for our elephants here and those in the wild. That care happens every day and it starts with our caretakers and the relationships they build with our animals! From our three-month-old Xerxes to our 30-year-old Asha, our caretakers care for our elephants with every ounce of passion they have and one way they do that is through training. Our training program is critical to the health and welfare of our elephants. Now, training certainly looks a little different for a three-month-old versus a 30-year-old, but it all has the same purpose - allowing our elephants to be active participants in their own healthcare. From foot care and trunk washes to mobility exercises and blood draws, every day our caretakers ensure that our elephants are healthy and thriving!

Thanks for following us along throughout all of ! Whether you donate to conservation programs, learn about ways you can support elephant care, or even just visit the Zoo, YOU are helping us make a difference around the world for these amazing animals and so many like them that deserve protection and conservation! Happy !

08/30/2025

The primates are having enrichment time...every day!

If you've ever seen our primates celebrate a birthday with fun party favors and decorations or see them foraging all day for food, these are both types of enrichment that we offer our primates to keep them active and stimulated! Hear more from our primate caretaker Dominique about our daily enrichment program.

Don't forget to join us next Saturday, September 6 from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. for our Primate Day celebration! Head to the Zoo for lots of fun activities, enrichment, and so much more while learning about all of the ways you can support primates around the world

08/29/2025

We are saddened to share that our male cheetah Boomer (9) passed away on Sunday, August 24, 2025, in his habitat. He joined the Zoo’s animal family in 2021 with his brother Pete.

“Following a thorough necropsy, the exact cause of Boomer’s passing remains undetermined,” said Dr. Gretchen Cole, OKC Zoo’s Director of Veterinary Services. “There were no signs of physical trauma or illness found during the necropsy or in his most recent veterinary examination. We share in the sadness of his loss and remain committed to understanding what may have contributed to it.”

At 9, Boomer was considered an older animal, but he was not yet geriatric. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) says median life expectancy for cheetahs is 12.1 years.

“Boomer was a very motivated cheetah who enjoyed learning a plethora of new behaviors related to his routine medical care,” said Lead Carnivore Caretaker, Mandi. “One of his favorite activities was spending time with his brother, laying in the shade of the trees in the afternoon.”

“He spent most of his time with his brother Pete, building Pete’s confidence with training,” said Senior Carnivore Caretaker, Ambre. “We often saw them exploring the habitat together and grooming each other while relaxing.”

Among Boomer’s favorite enrichments was one of the most natural, spending hours stealthily watching the okapi in their neighboring habitat.

“Boomer will truly be missed by all, and we are honored that we were able to care for him in his last few years,” Ambre said. “Pete is adjusting well to the changes and continues his training and watching the okapi, just as he did with Boomer by his side.”

Pete will continue receiving some extra care as he adjusts to his brother’s absence.

The Zoo works with cheetah conservation organizations to help preserve the species, which is considered vulnerable. Funds from the Zoo’s Round Up for Conservation Fund were used to support three cheetah conservation organizations in Africa: Cheetah Conservation Fund, Cheetah Conservation Botswana, and the Ruaha Carnivore Project. The Zoo is also a member of the AZA’s Cheetah SAFE: Saving Animals From Extinction program.

Guests can see Pete and the Zoo’s other coalition of three cheetah brothers, Erindi, Hasani, and Jabari, at Expedition Africa’s Predator Pass. ❤️

📷: Caretakers Ambre and Mandi

08/28/2025

OKC’s beloved and award-winning street paper, the Curbside Chronicle, is bringing back its popular OKC Zoo issue for 2025!

We have once again partnered with our friends at Curbside Chronicle to offer a free Zoo general admission ticket in the magazine’s September issue. This special “Zoo” issue goes on sale Friday, August 29 for a $2 suggested donation from Curbside vendors throughout the metro area. Admission vouchers are valid through December 31, 2025.

08/27/2025

Just hanging out this fine Wednesday afternoon!

📷: Caretaker Carsyn

08/26/2025

The perfect Tongues out Tuesday for today, World Painted Dog Day!

We’re “paws”itively wild for all dogs! The OKC Zoo has been caring for African painted dogs in 1972 and currently has eight animals that reside in three separate packs at Expedition Africa. African painted dogs are remarkable, highly social animals whose strength lies in teamwork. They live in tight-knit packs and rely on one another to succeed, but they face serious threats from snares, roads, and disease. The Zoo is a proud participant in the AZA's Saving Animals From Extinction: SAFE program for African painted dogs and the Zoo's Curator of Carnivores is a member of the program's steering committee, working to raise conservation awareness for this iconic African species. You can also help! When you visit the Zoo, you have the opportunity to Round Up for Conservation with any purchase, support the Zoo’s conservation efforts. Join our pack to ensure change for painted dogs.
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We have more to bark about:

🐶 OKC Zoo and OKC Animal Welfare's Dog Adoption Event: Saturday, September 6 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. We're connecting dogs of all kinds with their forever homes! Adoption fees are being waived. Learn more, https://bit.ly/419SdVQ

🐶 Meet PBS KIDS’ character Clifford the Big Red Dog at the Zoo! Saturday, September 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Together with Oklahoma Educational Television Authority (OETA), we're hosting this special meet-and-greet with Clifford the Big Red Dog. Photo opportunities and educational activities for kids. Zoo admission is required, while the OETA-sponsored activities are free and open to all ages. Register at https://bit.ly/3UMoHlh

📷: Photo Crew Andrea

08/25/2025

Xerxes is asking that you stop and look at the stick he picked up all by himself 😍🥹

📷: Dr. Jennifer D.

The Oklahoma City Zoo is a living museum of 1,900 animal species, expansive botanical gardens & over 26,000 members.

08/24/2025

Double tap to boop the birthday snoot because the queen of our giraffe herd, Ellie, is celebrating her 25th birthday!

Ellie is a fan-favorite member of our animal family since her arrival to the OKC Zoo in 2008. In her years here, she is the oldest of our multi-generational tower of giraffes with her daughter Julu who is expecting her third calf soon. Join us in wishing this golden girl a very happy birthday 🦒💚

08/23/2025

Jupiter the red panda loves his morning snack time!

📷: Events Genevieve