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

NOW – MAY 15:            DR PEPPER ZOO SAFARI

Continuing through May 15, the Zoo invites children 11 and under to participate in the Dr Pepper Zoo Safari. Each week, your “I spy” safari will lead you to four answers in different areas of the Zoo. Find the answers then go to Guest Relations to collect your prize. Prizes and answers will change weekly, so play again! Click the QR codes on the answer signs to learn more about that particular area of the Zoo and upcoming happenings. During the game, follow us on Facebook and Twitter to learn how you could win Dr Pepper Zoo Safari swag! For more information, visit the Zoo’s Web site at www.okczoo.com.

MAY 1 – MAY 31: MATHIS BROTHERS AND ZOOFRIENDS PARTNERSHIP

During the month of May, purchase or renew a ZooFriends membership at Mathis Brothers Furniture (3434 West Reno in Oklahoma City) and save $15 or more! This is the lowest membership price of the year.

MAY 1 – OCTOBER: BEHIND THE SCENES EXPERIENCES

Ever wonder what happens behind the scenes at the Zoo? Here’s your opportunity for an amazing and rare experience. You’ll get to spend time with our animal teams as they care for and enrich their animals. You’ll be able to ask lots of questions and learn what you can do to help animals in the wild. Spaces are limited so reserve your place on Sunday mornings only from 9 a.m. to noon through October. You may choose to visit one of ten different animal areas. Participants must be 14 years and older. Cost per day is $100 (members) and $120 (non-members), which includes Zoo admission. Pre-registration is required. Gift certificates available. To book a Behind the Scenes experience, call (405) 425-0275.

MAY 04: STAY LATE AND PLAY ON SATURDAYS

Starting Saturday, May 4, guests can stay late at the Zoo on Saturdays. Every Saturday through September 7, the Zoo will remain open until 8 p.m., giving guests the chance to enjoy the cooler evening hours. Exhibit buildings will close at 7:45 p.m. All guests must leave Zoo grounds at closing time.

MAY 04:  TEEN VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT OPEN HOUSE

Join our team and become a teen volunteer. The Zoo is looking for dedicated enthusiastic teens between 14 and 18 years to join its Junior Curator program. Selected teens volunteer with keepers and staff to see what it takes to run the Zoo and inspire the next generation. Junior Curators are selected once a year. Prospective volunteers and their parents may attend an open house and meeting on Saturday, May 4 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Rosser Conservation Education Center. Applications will be available May 1-31 on www.okczooed.com/volunteers or at Guest Relations. For questions, please contact the Zoo’s volunteer coordinator at (405) 425-0275.

MAY 11: OSTRICH EGG BREAKFAST - TICKETS ON SALE!

Get your breakfast on! Tickets are on sale now for the 27^th annual ZooFriends’s famous Ostrich Egg Breakfast. Head to the Zoo on Saturday, May 11, for the best breakfast in town from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Ticket costs include all-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage, scrambled hens’ eggs, waffles and omelets cooked to order by professional chefs from area restaurants and a Sea Lion Show. Event T-shirts are also on sale. Tickets for members are $10 for adults and $6 for children ages 3-11. For nonmembers it is $12 for adults and $8 for children. For more information, call ZooFriends at (405) 427-2461, ext. 618, or visit www.zoofriends.org.

MAY 11: ZOOLYMPICS

Kids age 11 and under are invited to join in the fun during Zoolympics on Saturday, May 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Global Plaza. These fun, interactive activities teach kids about animal behaviors, conservation and health and fitness! This event is free with Zoo admission.

MAY 12: MOTHER’S DAY AT THE ZOO

Celebrate the moms in your life by bringing them to the Oklahoma City Zoo on Sunday, May 12. Moms get in free with any paid admission!

MAY 17: ENDANGERED SPECIES DAY

Endangered means there is still time to help save animals.  Come and visit our interactive stations on Endangered Species Day, Friday, May 17, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to learn what the Zoo is doing to help endangered species and discover ways you can help, too! Learn about the past, present and future of these endangered animals while watching them in their habitats. This event is free with Zoo admission.

MAY 18: VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT

Do you hear the call of the wild? Volunteering at the Zoo is the best way to answer! The Zoo is seeking dedicated, enthusiastic volunteers to work with our animal keepers, horticulture department, education outreach and special events! Attend a volunteer orientation on Saturday, May 18, at 10 a.m. in the Zoo’s Rosser Conservation Education Center. Orientation and paperwork will be followed by staff interviews.  Volunteer opportunities are available for individuals age 18 or older and the time requirement is one eight-hour day per week. For questions, contact the Zoo’s Volunteer Coordinator at (405) 425-0275.

MAY 23 – AUGUST 29:  OBI AND ZOO SUMMER PARTNERSHIP

Feel fierce. Give blood. Visit the Zoo–for free! The Oklahoma Blood Institute (OBI) and the Zoo are teaming up for a good cause. When you donate blood at any OBI mobile drive or donor center between May 23 and August 29, 2013, you will receive two free adult admission tickets to the Zoo, an OBI T-shirt, health screenings and Donor Rewards Points. To schedule a blood donation appointment, visit www.obi.org.

MAY 24:  DON’T FRY DAY
Animals protect themselves from the sun and you should, too! The Zoo’s annual Don’t Fry Day on Friday, May 24, is an opportunity to learn about ways to help reduce rising rates of skin cancer and to promote sun-safe behaviors.  Activity stations, sunscreen samples and UV bracelets await. This free event is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Zoo’s Global Plaza. Regular Zoo admission required to enter Zoo grounds.

MAY:  WEEKEND KEEPER CONNECTIONS

We want to share our passion with you. Attend the Zoo’s free weekend Keeper Connections, weather permitting, to learn more about your favorite animals from the people who know them best, the keepers. Learn fun and interesting facts about the Zoo’s amazing animals. The complete schedule is as follows:

Saturdays:

• 11 a.m.            Koi Pond @ the Children’s Zoo
• 11 a.m.            Red River Hogs
• 11 a.m.            Birds/Parrots @ Great EscApe’s Observation Tower
• 11:30 a.m.       Elephant Presentation @ the Elephant Pavilion (March-June)
• 11:30 a.m.       Black Rhino (July-October)
• 1:15 p.m.         Elephant Presentation @ the Elephant Pavilion
• 1:30 p.m.         Birds of Prey (across from the picnic pavilions)
• 1:30 p.m.         Great Apes (rotating conservation chats)
• 2 p.m.              Upper Aquarium (Noble Aquatic Center)
• 2:30 p.m.         River Otters @ Big Rivers, Oklahoma Trails
• 3 p.m.              Tigers
• 4 p.m.              Alligators @ Oklahoma Trails
• 4 p.m.              Indian Rhino

Sundays:

• 10:30 a.m.       Cheetah (exciting lure run!) 

• 10:30 a.m.       Galapagos Tortoise @ Island Life
• 11 a.m.            Red Pandas
• 11 a.m.            Birds/Parrots @ Great EscApe’s Observation Tower
• 11:30 a.m.       Elephant Presentation @ the Elephant Pavilion (March-June)
• 11:30 a.m.       Black Rhino (July-October)
• 1:15 p.m.         Elephant Presentation @ the Elephant Pavilion
• 1:30 p.m.         Birds of Prey (across from the picnic pavilions)
• 1:30 p.m.         Great Apes (rotating conservation chats)
• 2 p.m.              Lower Aquarium (Noble Aquatic Center)
• 2:30 p.m.         River Otters @ Big Rivers, Oklahoma Trails
• 3 p.m.              Tigers
• 4 p.m.              Indian Rhino

There’s something fun for everyone at the Oklahoma City Zoo. The Zoo is a proud member of Oklahoma City’s Adventure District located at the crossroads of I-44 and I-35. Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Buildings close at 4:45 p.m. daily. Regular admission is $8 for adults, and $5 for children 3-11 and seniors ages 65 and over. Children two and under are admitted free. Become a Zoo fan at www.facebook.com/okczoobg or follow us on Twitter @okczoo. To learn more about these and other happenings, call (405) 424-3344 or visit okczoo.com.

-okczoo-