FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                              November 6, 2012

CONTACTS:  Candice Rennels:         (405) 425-0298 / O, (405) 412-6172 / C or crennels@okczoo.com

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

NOVEMBER HAPPENINGS AT THE OKLAHOMA CITY ZOO

NOVEMBER:             ZOOFRIENDS HOLIDAY SPECIALS
Give the gift of the wild. Now through December 31, OZS ZooFriends is offering membership and animal adoption package specials for the holidays both of which are perfect gift ideas for anyone on your list! Purchase on line at www.zoofriends.org or visit the ZooFriends office at the Zoo’s main entrance open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Receive $5 off any gift, new or renewal membership purchased now through December 31. Excludes Junior and Adult membership levels.
• For the animal lover on your list consider an animal adoption package. Proceeds benefit the health and enrichment needs of animals at the Zoo. Adoption packages are $40 and include: an adoption certificate, fact sheet about your animal, your choice of a plush sea lion, chimpanzee or alligator, and name recognition on grounds.
• Twice as nice…purchase both a membership and adoption package and save $15!

NOVEMBER 1:          OFF-SEASON ATTRACTION HOURS
Effective November 1 through the start of Spring Break, the following Zoo attractions will be adopting off-season hours. The Safari Voyage boats, Centennial Choo Choo, paddle boats, Leapin’ Lizard, and the stream in the Children’s Zoo are closed for the season. All attractions and rides are open if it’s 55 degrees or warmer. Off-season hours are as follows:

• The Children’s Zoo’s Lorikeet and Barnyard exhibits: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. daily.
• Safari Tram and Endangered Species Carousel: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. daily.
• The ZooZeum will be open from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. daily.
• Elephant presentation: 1:15 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays.
• Giraffe Feeding Platform: 11-noon or 1:30-2:30 p.m.; Friday – Sunday.

NOVEMBER 8:          KID’S CHOICE DAY

It’s Kid’s Choice Day at the Zoo; time to discover, explore and play! Join us on Thursday, November 8 for Kid’s Choice Day. On a Kid's Choice Day, kids get to bring an adult to the Zoo for free. Buy one child admission and get one adult admission free. This discount applies to regular child admission ages three-11. No other discounts apply.

NOVEMBER 11 and 12:        VETERAN’S DAY
For your service and sacrifice, the Zoo salutes you! On Veteran’s Day, Sunday, November 11 and Monday, November 12 the Zoo is proud to offer free admission to all active duty, active reserve, Ready Reserve Service Members, National Guardsmen, Coalition Forces members and retirees and up to five guests. Spouses and dependants of deployed personnel are also welcome. Military ID or proof of service is required. The Zoo is pleased to offer a 50 percent discount to veterans and up to five direct dependants on a daily basis.

NOVEMBER 11:        “I WANT A HIPPOPOTAMUS…” SKYPE SING-A-LONG WITH GAYLA PEEVEY HENDERSON

Help us kick off the holiday season in true zoo fashion, with a come-one-come-all sing-a-long of “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas” featuring Gayla Peevey Henderson via Skype. The singing fun is free to participate in and will take place at 2 p.m. in the Zoo’s Conservation Education Center’s auditorium. Guest can park and enter through the Education Center located at the east end of the Zoo’s parking lot. Light refreshments will be served while they last. Be sure to check out our cool selection of “hippo” merchandise in the Zoo’s Safari Gift Shop and get a jump on your holiday shopping! The sing-a-long is free to attend. Admission required for Zoo entry. Come on and sing along!

NOVEMBER 21:        FREE DAY
Wednesday, November 21, admission to the Zoo is free for guests of all ages in celebration of the Thanksgiving holiday. The Zoo is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

NOVEMBER 22:        The Zoo is closed for Thanksgiving Day.

UPCOMING HAPPENINGS:

Mondays:                 FREE DAYS. Zoo admission is free on Mondays in December, January andFebruary. 

December 1-31:       ZooFriends members receive 25% off of on all purchases made at the Zoo’s Safari Gift Shop.

December 1-24:       Deck the Zoo

December 10:          Santa Delivers

December 25:          Christmas Day, the Zoo is closed.

January 1:               New Year’s Day, the Zoo is closed.

January 2-3:            Winter Break Day Camps

I spy something fun for everyone happening at the Oklahoma City Zoo. Visit Oklahoma’s number one attraction and one of the nation’s top three zoos, as named in the 2012 10Besties Readers' Choice Travel Awards. The Zoo is a proud member of Oklahoma City’s Adventure District located near the crossroads of I-44 and I-35. The Zoo is open every day, except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s days. Regular hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission is $8 for adults, and $5 for children ages 3-11 and seniors ages 65 and over. Children 2 and under are admitted free. Military members, spouses and up to 5 children receive a 50 percent discount. Parking is free. Additional fees for rides and attractions within the Zoo apply. The Zoo’s Web site posts discount and free days and some extended hours throughout the year. All exhibit buildings close 15 minutes prior to closing and all guests must exit the Zoo grounds at closing. Become a ZooFan at www.facebook.com/okczoobg, follow us on Twitter @okczoo and become a ZooFriends member at www.zoofriends.org.  For more information, call (405) 424-3344 or visit www.okczoo.com.

-okczoo.com-