65º F
Current Conditions:
Mostly Cloudy
Forecast:
Thu - Partly Cloudy, High: 70
Fri - Partly Cloudy, High: 74
Pachyderm
Located west of the Zoo's main entrance, the
Pachyderm Building houses pachyderm and bird species from around the
world. See the Zoo's collection of
Indian and Black rhinos, watch pygmy hippos swim in their pond and listen to a
variety of wild birds while exploring this historical structure built in 1963. Plus, go inside the Pachyderm Building and
enter into the Zoo's Flowers in Flight: The Butterfly Experience, featuring
hundreds of native butterflies and blooming attractant plants. Flowers in Flight is open from mid-May to
September each year.
- Where have the elephants gone?
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The Oklahoma City Zoo's elephants arrived at the Tulsa Zoo on June 12, 2008. However, they will be back in a few short years. This is a very exciting time for Oklahomans as our elephants are going to play an even larger role in the future of their species. Our two females are at the right ages to begin breeding. Through efforts between the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the Tulsa Zoo, and our Zoo (along with other zoo professionals), a recommendation based upon scientific research indicates that Oklahoma City's elephants would be a good genetic match with Tulsa's male for breeding. And with a little help from Mother Nature, baby elephants could be back in Oklahoma City in a few years.
Through our collective conservation, education and research programs, elephants in our care play an essential role in the survival of the species in Africa and Asia. The number of Asian elephants in the wild has diminished to an estimated 30,000, scattered throughout several countries. Plus, the "wild" is disappearing rapidly. The Oklahoma City Zoo is one of more than 60 zoos in North America increasing the size and scope of our elephant habitat, with designs under way for a new Asia Exhibit, a themed, multi-species exhibit scheduled to open in 2011. This spacious exhibit will provide multiple diverse habitats for elephants including grassy knolls, shade trees, dust bathing areas, scratching trees, mud wallows and swimming holes to enjoy. The design will support both the physical and psychological needs of elephants and will be home to family groups of elephants.
- Why are our elephants temporarily leaving?
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Our two females, Asha, 13 and Chandra, 11 went to the Tulsa Zoo to meet Sneezy, a male elephant. These "dates" are a planned effort to breed and hopefully have baby elephants.
- How long will our elephants be at the Tulsa Zoo?
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Approximately two years.
- Will the Oklahoma City Zoo have elephants while ours are in Tulsa?
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No, but we will be sharing information about how our girls are doing while they are in Tulsa and we will be busy planning and building the new Asian exhibit for their return.
- Why didn't the male elephant come to our Zoo instead of our female elephants going to his Zoo?
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Primarily because our current elephant exhibit, built in the 1950's, does not have enough space to bring in a male elephant and was not designed to properly and safely house a male elephant (they are much larger and stronger than the females.)
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The Zoo is a fully accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and the American Association of Museums (AAM) as both a living museum and a botanical garden. AZA accredited facilities are dedicated to providing excellent care for their plants and animals, a great experience for guests and a better future for all living things.
A New Breath of Fresh Air: As of Nov. 1, 2007, state law prohibits smoking inside zoological parks. Please help us abide by this law by refraining from smoking within the Zoo. Thank you for maintaining a smoke-free environment for all living things!