FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                  January 23, 2012

CONTACTS: 

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

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

FEBRUARY HAPPENINGS AT THE OKC ZOO

FEBRUARY:         FREE MONDAYS CONTINUE THROUGH FEBRUARY

Every Monday the Zoo offers free admission for all guests. Zoo hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

FEBRUARY:         ANIMAL ADOPTION SPECIAL

Think outside of the box and go wild when gift giving this Valentine’s Day. OZS ZooFriends is offering a special adoption option that allows you to symbolically adopt an elephant, tiger and/or grizzly bear. Your generous $40 donation helps supply the Oklahoma City Zoo with important funding for health, enrichment and the nutritional needs of all our zoo animals including our Asian elephants, Sumatran tigers and grizzly bears. Gift recipients will receive a plush elephant, tiger or bear, an adoption certificate, a fact sheet about their animal and name recognition on Zoo grounds for an entire year. Animal adoptions do not include personal possession of any Zoo animals.  For more information call ZooFriends at (405) 427-2461, ext. 618 or order online at www.zoofriends.com.

FEBRUARY 2:      OKC ZOO GROUNDHOG DAY TRADITION

Who needs a groundhog when the Zoo has weather predicting grizzlies! The Zoo’s annual Groundhog Day tradition continues with help from grizzly bear brothers, Will and Wiley. Since the Zoo does not have groundhogs in its collection, Will and Wiley have been designated as our Groundhog Day delegates. Join us on Groundhog Day, Thursday, February 2 at 10 a.m. at the grizzly bear habitat located at Oklahoma Trails. Can’t make it out to the Zoo? We’ll post the official outcome on www.facebook.com/okczoobg. 

FEBRUARY 4:      VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT

The Zoo is searching for passionate, dependable individuals 18 or older to apply to become Animal Area, Education and/or Horticulture volunteers. If you are interested in one of these opportunities, attend our Volunteer Recruitment on Saturday, February 4 at 10 a.m. in the Rosser Conservation Education Center (located at the east end of the Zoo’s parking lot). Orientation and paperwork will begin at 10 a.m. with staff interviews immediately following. For more information, contact the Zoo’s Volunteer Coordinator at (405) 425-0275.

FEBRUARY 18:    ZOOFRIENDS MEMBERS NIGHT AT THE OKC BARONS GAME

The Oklahoma City Barons are creating miracles for wildlife. Join the Zoo and OZS ZooFriends for a special members’ night on Saturday, February 18 and for every ticket purchased through ZooFriends the Barons will donate $4 back to the Zoo. Plus, if you purchase your ticket from ZooFriends you will be entered into a drawing to win a seat in the penalty box to watch the warm up or a chance to ride the Zamboni during half time. Tickets can be purchased at www.zoofriends.com or at the ZooFriends membership office located at the Zoo’s front entrance. For questions call (405) 425-0613.

FEBRUARY 20:    SCHOOL’S OUT SAFARI DAY CAMP          

Want a unique outing for your child to enjoy during the next school holiday? On Monday, February 20, the Zoo’s Education Department is hosting a safari day camp geared for kiddos four to 12 years old from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Snacks will be provided, but campers need to bring their own lunch. Cost per child is $30. Advance registration and payment required. Call (405) 425-0218 to learn more.

FEBRUARY 20-MARCH 31:           DR PEPPER VENDING MACHINE ART CONTEST

From February 20 to March 31, Oklahoma students in grades K-12 are invited to participate in the Dr Pepper Vending Machine Art Contest for a chance to have their design placed on one of two Dr Pepper vending machines located on Zoo grounds. This year’s contest theme is The Zoo + You = Conservation! Contest details, rules and official entry forms will be available beginning February 20 at www.okczoo.com.

FEBRUARY 24:    HOMESCHOOL DAY

Looking for an opportunity to teach your child about the natural world? Make the zoo your outdoor classroom for the day. The Zoo’s Education Department is hosting a Homeschool Day on Friday, February 24 with programs for children in preK-12th grade. Each forty-five minute program beings at 10 a.m. and includes a live animal demonstration. Advance registration and payment required. Call (405) 425-0218 to learn more.

FEBRUARY 29:    NEW AMPHIBIAN EXHIBITS TO OPEN ON LEAP DAY

Hop on over to Island Life and see the new frog and toad displays. Leap and learn about amazing species such as cinnamon tree frogs, blue-legged mantellas, Solarte Island dart frogs, and climbing toads and what you can do to help conserve amphibians everywhere. Guests will enjoy interactive craft and information stations in the Global Plaza on Wednesday, February 29. Visit www.okczoo.com to learn more. Together, we CAN (Conservation Action Now) make a difference.

Oh, the fun spring will bring…

• Kicking off Spring Break:

• Weekend Animal Feedings
• Sea Lion Shows

• March 31:  Animal and Pet Enrichment Day
• March 31:  Deadline for Dr Pepper Vending Machine Art Contest entries

Visit Oklahoma’s #1 attraction and one of the top three family-friendly zoos in the nation today! The Oklahoma City Zoo is located at the crossroads of I-44 and I-35 in Oklahoma City’s Adventure District. Zoo hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Buildings close at 4:45 p.m. daily. Regular admission is $8 for adults, $5 for children ages three-11 and seniors ages 65 and over. Children two and under are admitted free. Become a Zoo fan at http://www.facebook.com/okczoobg. To learn more about these and other happenings, call (405) 424-3344 or visit okczoo.com.

-okczoo-