FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                      April 28, 2010

 CONTACTS: 

Tara Henson: (405) 425-0219, (405) 919-9038, cell or thenson@okczoo.com

Candice Rennels: (405) 425-0298, (405) 412-6172, cell or crennels@okczoo.com

MAY HAPPENINGS AT THE OKLAHOMA CITY ZOO

MAY 01:         STAY AND PLAY ON SATURDAYS

            Starting Saturday, May 1 and continuing through Saturday, September 4, the Zoo will remain open until 8 p.m. on Saturdays with exhibit buildings closing at 7:45 p.m.

MAY 01:         OKLAHOMA CITY WALK MS

The Oklahoma Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society will hold the Oklahoma City Walk MS presented by Supercuts on Saturday, May 1 at the Oklahoma City Zoo (2000 Remington Place). Participate in the Oklahoma City Walk MS individually or as a team, or volunteer. Register in advance or on the day of the walk beginning at 7:30 a.m. The Walk officially begins at 9 a.m. For more information, call 1-800-344-4867 or visit nationalMSsociety.org/ok. 

MAY 01:         VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT

            Come on and volunteer, the wild is calling! The Zoo is in search of volunteers interested in working with plants, animals or people to assist our fun and passionate staff. Volunteer opportunities are available for individuals 18 or older. The time requirement is one 8-hour day per week. Want to learn more? Attend a volunteer orientation on Saturday, May 1 from 10 a.m. to noon in the Rosser Conservation Education Center located at the east end of the Zoo’s parking lot, or call the Education Department at (405) 425-0218.

MAY 01-31:    MATHIS BROTHERS OFFERS ZOO MEMBERSHIP DISCOUNT

            Save some moola in May! Mathis Brothers and OZS ZooFriends have partnered for the month of May to offer a discount on ZooFriends memberships to the Oklahoma City Zoo. Visit Mathis Brothers (3434 West Reno) to take advantage of this annual discount and receive a free gift while supplies last.

MAY 09:         MOTHER’S DAY AT THE ZOO

            In celebration of Mother’s Day, all moms receive free admission with any paid admission on Sunday, May 9. While at the Zoo be sure to visit our newest moms and their babies; giraffe Ellie and her baby Keyara and jaguar Ixchel and her cub Xochi!

MAY 15:         OSTRICH EGG BREAKFAST

            Twenty-four years and still cooking! OZS ZooFriends will host the 24th annual Ostrich Egg Breakfast on Saturday, May 15 from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Zoo. This wild morning includes all-you-can-eat pancakes, waffles, sausage, Krispy Kreme doughnuts, scrambled hens’ eggs and the famous ostrich egg omelets! Tickets are $10 per adult and $5 per child for ZooFriends members, and $12 per adult and $7 per child for nonmembers. Children two and under eat free. Ticket prices include Zoo admission, breakfast and sea lion show admission. Event T-shirts are available for sale at $12 for adult sizes and $9 for youth sizes. To order tickets or T-shirts, visit the OZS ZooFriends web site at www.zoofriends.org or call ZooFriends at (405) 427-2461, ext. 618.

MAY 15:         ZOOLYMPICS

            From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. children 11 and under are invited to participate in Zoolympics and a variety of activities that include learning about animal behaviors, conservation, and health and fitness! This fun-filled event is free with admission and will take place on Zoo grounds. Activity maps will be available at the turnstiles.

 MAY 15:         INTERNATIONAL MIGRATORY BIRD & PLANT CONSERVATION DAY

            The day is going to the birds and plants as the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden celebrates International Migratory Bird and Plant Conservation Day! Be an early bird and join the Zoo’s bird team as they lead a free guided bird-watching tour on Zoo grounds from 6:30 to 8 a.m. Meet at the Zoo’s main gate at 6:30 a.m. to join the group. Later in the day, visit exciting information booths in the Zoo’s Global Plaza to learn about plant and migratory bird issues. Regular admission applies for entrance into the Zoo.

MAY 18:         JUNIOR CURATOR OPEN HOUSE

            Interested in what goes on behind the scenes at the Zoo?  We’re looking for dedicated, enthusiastic teens between the ages of 14 and 18 to join our Junior Curator program. On Tuesday, May 18, there will be a Junior Curator open house at the Rosser Conservation Education Center from 6 to 8 p.m. The open house will allow interested individuals to meet current Junior Curators, ask questions and get a better understanding of the application and interview process. The Junior Curator program is a great opportunity for young volunteers wanting to learn about the Zoo and our animals. Applications will be available at the Zoo’s Education Department, Guest Relations office and online at okczoo.com starting May 15. The application deadline is June 15. Contact the Education Department at (405) 425-0218 to learn more.

MAY 21:         ENDANGERED SPECIES DAY

            Support plant and animal conservation and endangered species by journeying to the Zoo on Friday, May 21 for Endangered Species Day. With a theme of “Endangered Means There is Still Time,” the Zoo will host information stations from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the exhibits of endangered species such as the rhino, snow leopard, Galapagos tortoise, gorilla and others. Learn about the past, present and future of these endangered species while observing the fascinating animals in their habitats. This event is free with admission.

MAY 28:         FLOWERS IN FLIGHT OPENING FOR THE SEASON

            We’re all a flutter! On Friday, May 28, the Oklahoma City Zoo’s butterfly garden exhibit, Flowers in Flight; The Butterfly Experience will open for the season. Located inside the Pachyderm Building, Flowers in Flight is open Sunday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., weather permitting. This butterfly experience houses 200 to 300 butterflies representing various species native to the state of Oklahoma and is free with Zoo admission. 

Join the fun in June with…    

• Wild Tuesdays Story Time Safaris (every Tuesday)               
• Zoobilation 2010 (June 11)
• Summer Season Celebration (June 19)
• Camp With the Keepers (June 19)

• Father’s Day (June 20)                       
• Bowling for Rhinos (June 26)
• Scoot for Conservation (June 27)       

            Visit the Oklahoma City Zoo, Oklahoma’s #1 attraction and one of the top three family-friendly zoos in the nation. The wild is calling! Located in the heart of Oklahoma City’s Adventure District, the Zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with exhibit buildings closing at 4:45 p.m. May through September, the Zoo will remain open until 8 p.m. on Saturdays with exhibit buildings closing at 7:45 p.m. Admission is $7 for adults and $4 for children ages three to 11 and seniors ages 65 and older. Children two and under are free. For more information, call (405) 424-3344 or visit okczoo.com.

-okczoo-