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 – goodbye, lions

Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today -

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll


Pets in the paper – the lions are leavin’

Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today -

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll


Lions and tigers and bears, oh my that’s cute

A Georgia rescue center has an unlikely trio of animal buddies.

Leo the lion, Shere Kahn the tiger and Baloo the bear share a home a the park thanks to their unlikely upbringing. The three animals, kept as pets by drug barons, were seized during a raid in Atlanta eight years ago when they were still cubs.

Shere Kahn, Leo and Baloo enjoy their new home at Noah's Ark

Shere Kahn, Leo and Baloo enjoy their new home at Noah's Ark

When they were turned over to the Noah’s Ark Rescue Center in Locust Grove, Ga., the decision was made to keep them together. Raised by the zoo’s founders, the three get along like siblings. Now that they have a new public enclosure, visitors can see the three eating, sleeping and playing together.

Enjoy the photos, courtesy of the Noah’s Ark Facebook fan page for the trio, which you can find here.

Leo and Shere Kahn play as cubs

Leo and Shere Kahn play as cubs Baloo and Shere Kahn with one of the owners of Noah's Ark

The three animl buddies play as cubs

The three animl buddies play as cubs

Baloo and Shere Kahn with one of the owners of Noah's Ark

Baloo and Shere Kahn with one of the owners of Noah's Ark

- Staff Writer Bryan Dean


Beer and bears? Something like that

beerDo you love the zoo? Do you love beer? Ever considered drinking beer at the zoo but been to afraid of getting arrested for public intox?

If you say yes to all three, this event is for you: the Oklahoma City Zoo Zoo Brew.

OK, you might still get arrested for public intox if you’re out of control, but if you act like a grownup, you should be fine. Just don’t down too many and hop in with the lions. That won’t end well.

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll


Pets in the paper – D-Boy is the man

Check out these (five million!) animal stories in The Oklahoman since Saturday -

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll


Pets in the paper – gift horses’ mouths

Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today -

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll


Pets in the paper – inspections for livestock

Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today -

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll


Wonderful zoo photos

Boston.com, the Boston Globe’s Web site, has a wonderful photo gallery of pictures from zoos around the world. Lions, tigers,, leopards, bears, foxes, primates, frogs, hippos, elephants, rhinos, giraffes, dolphins, kangaroos, camels and plenty more are featured in the gallery. Many of the pictures are of babies. Here is my favorite, of a cute Chinese leopard cub growling at photographers.

leopardcub 

- Staff Writer Bryan Dean


Pets in the paper – butterflies celebrate faith

Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today and yesterday -

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll