Tulsa Zoo
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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 78 acres (316,000 m²) in Mohawk Park, the third largest municipal park in the United States. #redirect The zoo has nearly 1,500 animals (436 species).
The Tulsa Zoo is accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association 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
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 as well). #redirect The zoo responded with a display on Creationism. The display was later revoked when sponsors threatened to withdrawl their support. #redirect
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. 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.
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 sloths, black howler monkeys, toucanets, 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.
Penguin Habitat
A new exhibit featuring South African penguins, which is the first part of a new “Oceans and Islands” exhibit area for the zoo. Stage Two includes a new California Sea Lion set for completion by 2007. The zoo currently holds 20 penguins, all of which enjoy an imitation of their natural rocky-coast habitat. Visitors can view the penguins below the water from a glass viewing area.
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.
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.
Butterflies and Pollinators
An outdoor butterfly garden and walkway.
Other attractions include a children’s petting zoo and amphitheater, a African Savannah/walk-through Macaai Village, a naturalistic wetlands exhibit, the D.Z. Conservation Center, a big cats exhibit area, a bear and grotto exhibit, a Madagascar/Lemur exhibit, and an area in which visitors can view siamangs and spectacled langurs swinging from vines and playing around on a forested island.
External links
- [Tulsa Zoo] Official website
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