Get in to the Oklahoma City Zoo for FREE next week!
Admission is free to the Oklahoma City Zoo on July 17. Here’s some more information from the good folks at the zoo:
We thank you, Oklahoma City Zoo supporters, for all you do! Tuesday, July 17, 2012, marks the twenty-second anniversary of the 1/8 of a cent dedicated sales tax being passed by Oklahoma City citizens for the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden, and to celebrate, the Zoo is offering free admission to all on Tuesday, July 17.
Passed by Oklahoma City citizens in 1990, the sales tax has made numerous capitol improvements possible at the Zoo including Great EscApe, Cat Forest/Lion Overlook, the main entrance facility, the Canopy Food Court, Oklahoma Trails, the Children’s Zoo and the Elephant Habitat. Moving forward the sales tax will help fund a new animal hospital slated to open in 2014.
“We are extremely grateful to the citizens of Oklahoma City for their ongoing dedication to the Zoo. The significant support we receive from the community enables the Zoo to continue to grow and strive for excellence in our mission of conservation, education, research and recreation; while becoming a world class attraction that Oklahomans are proud to call their zoo.” said Dwight Scott, Executive Director/CEO.
Take advantage of the free admission and make plans to visit the Zoo on Sales Tax Appreciation Day, Tuesday, July 17. Group reservations are not required. Regular prices apply for all rides and attractions.
Visit Oklahoma’s #1 attraction and one of the top three zoos in the country as named in the 2012 10Besties Readers’ Choice Travel Awards. The Oklahoma City Zoo is a proud member of Oklahoma City’s Adventure District located at the crossroads of I-44 and I-35. Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for children ages three-11 and seniors ages 65 and over. Children two and under are admitted free.
Now through August 26, the Zoo is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for Morning Zoo Rise. Guests can take advantage of our late Saturdays through September 1, and stay and play until 8 p.m. All guests must leave grounds at closing. Become a Zoo fan at http://www.facebook.com/okczoobg or follow us on Twitter @okczoo. To learn more about these and other happenings, call (405) 424-3344 or visit okczoo.com.
Pets in the paper – cougar on the prowl
We only have one animal story in The Oklahoman today, but at least it’s a good one -
- Trail camera snaps a big cat. (Atoka)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Get this dog some steak
A golden retriever named Angel lived up to her name last weekend when she jumped between a boy and a charging cougar.
Austin Forman, 11, was gathering firewood in his backyard in Boston Bar, Canada, when he noticed his dog, Angel, strangely following him around. Moments later, she ran towards him and hurdled a lawn mower to protect the boy from the cougar.
Austin ran inside and called for help to save his dog. When authorities arrived, they found the cougar chewing on Angel’s neck under the family’s back porch. Authorities shot and killed the cougar.
Angel survived despite puncture wounds on her head, neck and one of her hind legs.
You can find the CBC news article about the story here. Note: linked article includes graphic photos.
- Staff Writer Bryan Dean
Pets in the paper – Monarchs making a pit stop
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today -
- Norman zoo examines safety after boy’s attack. (Norman)
- A butterfly haven: Monarchs winging to Mexico may appear for area event. (Cole)
- Whale death investigated. (Virginia)
- Crash leads to bee stings. (Turkey)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Cougar vs. Chihuahuas
You wouldn’t expect Chihuahuas to come out on top in a confrontation with a full-grown mountain lion, even if they outnumbered the cat three to one.
But that’s exactly what happened in Riverside County, Calif., when Ana Lee Spray’s three pups cornered a cougar in the garage. Spray awoke to the barking of her three dogs, which each weigh about three pounds. When she looked out a window into the garage to see what the dogs were barking at, she saw the mountain lion, which was hissing at her. She called 911 and took some video of the cat.
The three dogs had the cat cornered and refused to back down, barking for 45 minutes until sheriff’s deputies arrived. Unfortunately, the mountain lion was euthanized after wildlife officials failed in their attempts to tranquilize it and return it to the wild.
- Staff Writer Bryan Dean


