The OKC Zoo - The wild side of Oklahoma City
Written: Jul 22 '00 (Updated Jul 22 '00)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Excellent natural habitats for the animals
Cons: Very hot in the summer
|
|
|
| saprswife's Full Review: Oklahoma City Zoo |
I always thought of Oklahoma as a laid-back and friendly sort of place. What I didn’t realize is that behind that façade hides the wild side of Oklahoma situated in the heart of the state in Oklahoma City (OKC). No, I’m not talking about the areas where rough and tough humans congregate but a place where encounters with wild dogs, dolphins, and giraffes are a given– the Oklahoma City Zoo to be exact.
Trying to escape the insaneness that surrounded my brother’s wedding (which was the reason for our trip to Oklahoma in the first place), I grabbed my better half, son, and the still-perplexed father of the groom (my dad) and went on a search for adventure at the OKC Zoo.
Even on a warm Sunday afternoon, we found the zoo not overly crowded. Parking was relatively easy to find, and from our car we just had a short walk to the entrance, where we were readily admitted into the park. We grabbed our safari map, discussed our plan of attack, and were on our way.
Right inside the entrance is an area to rent strollers, the gift shop, and a “pet hotel” for any canine or feline companions that may be traveling with you. One of the first things that I noticed upon entering the zoo was the extreme cleanliness of the park. Everything was well-maintained and the walking paths were pristine.
The biggest pet peeve I have with zoos are inadequate facilities for the animals: the dismal small, concrete enclosures or cages, little ability for stimulation, etc… The Oklahoma City Zoo impressed me very much. It is ranked as one of the top 10 zoos in the US and with good reason. The habitats are wonderful and made with the animals in mind and, from what I saw, has an excellent breeding program.
With only one or two exceptions, all of the outdoor paddock areas are very large. The habitats are also incredibly natural looking – rocky crags, waterfalls, pools, trees, and a variety of plants offer the animals a surprisingly life-like home. Some areas are carefully groomed while others are left wild with long grass. Many are filled with large, mature shade trees.
One item that added to the realism is the way in which the curators mix the animals. Emus live with the kangaroos. In the giraffe habitat you will also see antelope and ostriches. While visiting the giraffes we were able to see a day-old giraffe sitting placidly under a large tree in a savanna-like environment…it doesn’t get much better than that.
In addition to the more common zoo animals there were several animals that I rarely see at other zoos such as bush dogs and a gaur.
Here is a sampling of the best the OKC Zoo has to offer:
Cat Forest/Lion Overlook:
Surround yourself with bamboo as you meander through this impressive exhibit. You may catch a glimpse of a lion, snow leopard, or any of the 10 species of cats highlighted in this area. The impressive interpretive center greets you with thick etched glass doors. Upon entering you will see it has a very African feel…from the fabrics used around the room and the pitched thatch roof, to the elaborately carved wood of the benches.
Great EscApe:
This is a huge exhibit that features lowland gorillas, chimpanzees, and orangutans. Wander along the paths that are encircled with tropical plants. Along your way you come across many viewing areas. Waterfalls, lush vegetation, and logs help to make the habitat as natural as possible. Like the Cat Forest there is also an interpretive center in the Great EscApe. We were able to be just inches (separated by safety glass, of course) away from several baby gorillas.
Noble Aquatic Center:
The big draw to this exhibit is the Atlantic bottlenose dolphin. In the summer there are several shows daily (admission is charged). In addition there are also California sea lions, green sea turtles, and other, smaller fish exhibits. Not only are there exotic saltwater specimens but also fish species that are indigenous to Oklahoma’s rivers and lakes.
Unfortunately, this area was, by far, the most crowded portion of the zoo. At times it was difficult to see the various exhibits due to all the strollers and wagons that littered the area.
For the kids:
Like most zoos, the Oklahoma City Zoo has a children’s zoo. In addition, however, there are a few added attractions located throughout. There are several small playgrounds to give parents a chance to rest and a carousel located near the river. The carousel is beautifully made with hand-carved endangered animals. If you’ve ever dreamt of hopping a ride on a manatee or panda bear here is your chance.
Accessibility:
Every exhibit we visited was easily accessible by stroller and wheelchairs. In most locales the creators opted for ramps over stairs. Several other zoos that I have visited in the past either have stairs that must be traversed or it is difficult to find the accessible areas (ramps or elevators).
Amenities:
- Stroller/wheelchair rentals – Range in price from $3 to $10
- Locker rentals - $.50
- Pet hotel - $1.00
- Covered tram – Takes you on a guided tour through most of the park
- Refreshments – The Canopy Food Court offers pizza, sandwiches, salads, and more. There are smaller snack-type stands located throughout the zoo.
Tips:
- Go early in the day
It is cooler and the animals tend to be much more active. By the time we got to the zoo (right around noon), many of the animals had taken shelter from the heat and were hard to find. We found this especially true with the large cats and gorillas. Once we went entered the indoor portion of the exhibits we found them close to the glass viewing area. It was shaded and probably the coolest spot in the habitat.
- Bring you walking shoes.
The OKC Zoo is very large (it lies on 110 acres) and spread out. If you have young ones you probably want to bring your stroller or rent one.
- If you decide to watch the dolphin show get to the area early. We passed by the center right around 3PM and there was already a huge crowd waiting to enter the amphitheater for the 3:30PM show.
Hours:
Summer 9AM to 6PM (the indoor exhibits close at 5:45), guests are encouraged to stay on the grounds until dusk
Winter 9AM to 5PM
Admission:
Adults - $6.00
Seniors - $3.00
Children (3 - 11) - $3.00
For more info visit the Oklahoma City Zoo website or call:
www.okczoo.com
(405) 424-3344
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
saprswife
|
|
Location: Washington State
Reviews written: 75
Trusted by: 104 members
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.