FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                       January 31, 2012

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

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

THE OKC ZOO NEEDS VOTES TO WIN “BEST ZOO” RECOGNITION

Show us some love! The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden has been nominated in 10Best.com’s 10Besties Readers’ Choice Travel Awards in the Best Zoos category, and we need votes to win bragging rights of #1 zoo in the nation. Voting is open now through February 19 and fans may vote daily at http://www.10best.com/TravelAwards/Vote/best-zoos/ (zoos are listed in alphabetical order so be sure to scroll down). Winning destinations will be announced the week of February 27.

While some zoos may tout beautiful beaches in their backyards or celebrity endorsements (hey we love Jack Hanna, too) for votes we know what makes the Oklahoma City Zoo number one–it’s you! Thanks to the support of the 980,000+ guests who visited last year, our 25,000+ ZooFriends members and the community at large the Zoo continues to grow, improve and excel not only as a world class destination but as a leader in conservation and animal well being. Come on, Oklahoma vote now. Vote proud. Vote often.

The Zoo is Oklahoma’s #1 tourist attraction now let’s make it America’s #1! Located in the heart of Oklahoma City’s Adventure District at the crossroads of I-44 and I-35, the Zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Exhibit buildings close at 4:45 p.m. and guests must exit grounds at 5 p.m. Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for children three-11 and seniors 65 and older. Children two and under are 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-