Tulsa Zoo

Infobox zoo
zoo_name=Tulsa Zoo
date_opened=1927http://www.tulsazoo.org/general.asp?id=97 retrieved October 22, 2006]
location=Mohawk Park, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA
area=78 acres (0.32 km²)http://www.tulsazoo.org/general.asp?id=97 retrieved October 22, 2006]
members=AZA, AAM
num_animals=1,500http://www.tulsazoo.org/general.asp?id=97 retrieved October 22, 2006]
num_species=436http://www.tulsazoo.org/general.asp?id=97 retrieved October 22, 2006]
website=http://www.tulsazoo.org/

The Tulsa Zoo and Living Museum is a zoo and living museum located in Tulsa, Oklahoma USA. The Tulsa Zoo is owned by the city of Tulsa and is part of the Tulsa Parks Department. The zoo is located on Convert|78|acre|sqmi|lk=out|abbr=on in Mohawk Park, one of the largest municipal parks in the United States. The zoo has nearly 1,500 animals, covering 436 species.

The Tulsa Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the American Association of Museums.

America's Favorite Zoo

In 2005, the Tulsa Zoo was named as "America's Favorite Zoo" by Microsoft Game Studios and was granted $25,000 in a contest designed to promote the Zoo Tycoon 2 computer game. The contest counted votes from zoo visitors across the country for many of America's top zoos, including the San Diego Zoo and the Bronx Zoo.

Religious controversy

It is reported that The Tulsa Zoo attracted national media attention in 2005 when a group petitioned for the zoo to remove all items that portrayed religious icons, theories, and beliefs (specifically Hinduism, but also some Christian). Fact|date=February 2007 The zoo responded with a display on Creationism. The display was later revoked when sponsors threatened to withdraw their support. [ [http://www.poe-news.com/stories.php?poeurlid=49859 Tulsa Zoo Changes Mind About Creationism Display ] ]

Attractions

Robert J. LaFortune North American Living Museum

A four-building complex which has been the recipient of many awards, including best new exhibit when it was constructed in 1978. Each building represents a region of the North American continent, Arctic Tundra, Southwest Desert, Eastern Forest, and Southern Lowlands (which is wetlands). Exhibits include live animals, plants, Native American artifacts, fossils, and minerals. Unique features include a simulated earthquake area, a naturalistic walk-through cave, and a 20,000-gallon shark aquarium.

Elephant Encounter

Encompasses a 2½-acre area designed to provide an educational experience for visitors and a stimulating and safe environment for the elephants. It includes a state-of-the-art museum which highlights of the life and history of the Asian Elephant species through a variety of interactive exhibits. Visitors can view the elephants in a natural habitat from both indoor and outdoor viewing areas. Opening in April 2007 is a new Elephant Demonstration yard, where demonstrations of the zoo's two female elephants will be held for visitors to watch, weather permitting.

Helmrich Discovery Center

A fun interactive experience, exhibits include giant diving beetles, Peublean milksnake, native Oklahoma Invertebrates, and the Living Reef Tank. Also visit Natures Attic, inside the Discovery Center. Open Noon-1pm weekdays and 2-pm on weekends. The zoo's dedicated volunteers will show you interesting things like deer antlers, sea shells, and hissing cockroaches. Take a left and there is the Oklahoma Room, full on native Oklahoma animals, fish, snakes, a box turtle, and a tarantula. Also pelts that you can touch, bobcat, deer, fox and alligator are just a few.

Tropical American Rain Forest

A living, naturalistic re-creation of a Central and South American rain forest environment. The exhibit incorporates translucent panels to illuminate the canopy of the rain forest, and a path guides visitors through the nearly 50' high building. Exotic species include , black howler monkeys, sloths, anacondas, piranhas, dwarf caimans, and jaguars. The native human cultures of this region are also highlighted throughout the exhibit. Many species are not caged, including rainforest birds, to allow for a more realistic jungle feel. If you're lucky you might spot one of the tufted eared marmosets running above your head.

Chimpanzee Connection

Visitors can view chimpanzees in a large outdoor enclosure as well as a large indoor play-area, where visitors can get eye-to-eye with the chimps. The exhibit is outfitted with climbing equipment to help keep the chimps mentally and physically active.

In 2007, the Tulsa Zoo was proud to welcome two new additions to the Chimp Connection - Vindi and Bernson! You can see them on the Chimp Cams at the Zoo website at www.tulsazoo.org

California Sea Lion Show

A behavioral conditioning program for California Sea Lions is demonstrated for the public at 2:30 p.m. daily, April 1 - October 31.

Penguin Habitat

African Black-footed Penguin exhibit, opened to the public in 2002 after a four year fund-raising campaign. The penguin enclosure is the foundation of “Oceans and Islands,” a new exhibit area for the zoo that will be expanded with a new California Sea Lion exhibit in 2007. The design for this innovative penguin habitat includes geo-thermal heating and cooling to regulate the water temperature for these warm water inhabitants. A “wave pool” or water action simulator, plus a rocky coastline setting, imitates their natural habitat. Special viewing windows were built into the wall of the exhibit for visitors observe the penguins under water. The exhibit currently holds 20 penguins, and can hold up to 30.

African Area

Go on an African Safari and observe Meerkats, Giraffes, Zebras, Lions, and of course Cheetahs in their natural habitats. The Cheetahs have a big area to run around and play. It is also said that you can see Cheetahs run across their exhibit, their area has an habitat similar to the ones of Africa in a savanna type environment.

Asian Area

See some big cats like the Siberian Tiger and the Snow leopard from central Asia. This Exhibit also contains the Siamang Overlook which has good view of Siamangs. It also include the Elephant Encounter which has Asian Elephants.

Children's Zoo

The Children's zoo has a Contact yard where kids can get up close and personal with Nigerian dwarf goats] , Southdown Sheep and rabbits, even give their wooly coats a good brushing. Open March 1st to Oct. 31st. There are also Llamas, Alpacas, Scicilian Donkeys, Barbados Sheep and Guinea Forest Hogs. This exhibit also contains the Australian Outback Area, which has Red Kangaroos, and Emus. Plus American River otters and Prairie dogs.

Dave Zucconi Conservation Center

This building has a large variety of animals including primates, reptiles, birds, and fish Some endangered animals on display are Cayman Island Blue Iguana, Bali Myna birds, Black and White Ruffed Lemurs, and Thick Billed Parrots.

References

External links

* http://www.tulsazoo.org/