MEDIA ADVISORY                                                                           January 31, 2012       

CONTACT:   Tara Henson   (405) 425-0219, O / (405) 919-9038, C /thenson@okczoo.com                             

GROUNDHOG DAY HAS GONE TO THE GRIZZLIES AT THE OKC ZOO

WHAT:           Who needs a groundhog when the Oklahoma City Zoo has weather predicting grizzlies! The Zoo’s annual Groundhog Day tradition continues with help from grizzly bear brothers, Will and Wiley.

WHEN:           Thursday, February 2 at 10 a.m.

WHERE:         The grizzly bear habitat located at Oklahoma Trails. In the case of rain, festivities will move inside the Big Rivers building.

DETAILS:       Watch as Will and Wiley make their annual Groundhog Day prediction. The Zoo’s collection does not include groundhogs, so our brother bears have agreed to step in to be our Groundhog Day delegates. Guests will enjoy complimentary hot chocolate and doughnuts courtesy of Krispy Kreme (while supplies last).  The grizzly bears’ prediction will be posted on Facebook and the Zoo’s web site following the festivities.

Groundhog Day “did you knows”…

• Past Zoo prognosticators have included bison, pot-bellied pigs and a prairie dog!

• In Europe, a bear was originally used for the traditional event. However, as the number of bears began to diminish, a badger or groundhog was used in its place. This practice led to the development of the name Groundhog Day.

• In the United States, the legend of Groundhog Day is associated with Candlemas in England. According to an old English song: If Candlemas be fair and bright, come winter, have another flight; if Candlemas bring clouds and rain, go winter and come not again.

-okczoo-