Last Updated on March 1, 2024, 11:54 AM | Published: March 1, 2024
The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden sends this information as posted below:
Spring into conservation action with Zoo events promoting clean water, saving wild gorillas, and a jam-packed Spring Break schedule.
SATURDAY, MARCH 2: OKC ZOO HOSTS WORLD WATER DAY ACTIVITIES FROM 10 A.M. TO 1 P.M.
Wet your whistle at the Zoo’s first animal awareness day of the year on Saturday, March 2, 2024, during World Water Day. Admission to Stingray Bay will be free for the day with an opportunity to feed the stingrays for $3 per person. Head to the new Love’s Pachyderm Building at Expedition Africa to meet members of the Zoo’s Aquatics team and learn about the African lungfish. Be sure to grab one of 500 free water bottles sponsored by Shape Your Future and TSET (Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust). All event activities are free with Zoo admission and take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. inside the Pachyderm Building.
SATURDAY, MARCH 9 THROUGH SUNDAY, MARCH 17: RIDE OKC BICYCLE PROGRAM
Ride OKC is teaming with the Oklahoma City Adventure District to encourage more cyclists to explore the city from Saturday, March 9 through Sunday, March 17. Rent a bike through Ride OKC and receive a free ticket to the OKC Zoo. Visit http://www.rideokc.com for more information and locations.
SATURDAY, MARCH 9: NEWS 9 PRESENTS SEVERE WEATHER AWARENESS DAY AT THE OKC ZOO
Spring showers (and other weather phenomena) are always on Oklahomans’ minds this time of year. Join David Payne and the largest weather team in the state for some family-friendly fun at the Oklahoma City Zoo from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, March 9, 2024. Take photos with David Payne and Lacey Swope, meet and greet News 9’s meteorologists and weather trackers, plus, pick up free materials on how to prepare your family for severe weather season. Event activities including photo opportunities will take place inside the Zoo’s Love’s Pachyderm Building at Expedition Africa. This event is free with regular Zoo admission. Follow News 9 for the latest weather on all the socials, their handle is @News9.
FRIDAY, MARCH 15: BREAKFAST WITH THE ANIMALS TICKET SALES BEGIN
This spring brings a new way for guests to interact with the Zoo during Breakfast with the Animals. For four Saturdays in May, the newly renovated Love’s Pachyderm Building will host a breakfast taco bar and buffet from 9 to 11 a.m. While they dine, ticket holders will enjoy an animal ambassador presentation from the Zoo Education Team. Tickets are $55/person for ages 12 and older ($39 for ZOOfriends members) and $45 for children ages 3-11 ($32 for ZOOfriends members). They go on sale Friday, March 15, 2024 at www.okczoo.org.
SATURDAY, MARCH 16: OKC ZOO HOSTS OUR BLOOD INSTITUTE DRIVE, 9 A.M. TO 2 P.M.
The Oklahoma City Zoo and Our Blood Institute (OBI) are calling on the community to stand tall and donate by giving blood! Take time to attend this blood drive being hosted at the OKC Zoo’s Education Center on Saturday, March 16, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. All donors will receive a new, giraffe-themed T-shirt and an admission voucher to the OKC Zoo. Zoo vouchers may be used throughout the remainder of the year. To make an appointment click here.
SATURDAY, MARCH 16 THROUGH SUNDAY, MARCH 24: SPRING BREAK AT THE OKC ZOO
Cancun? Daytona Beach? Forget it! The best Spring Break is happening at the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden from Saturday, March 16 to Sunday, March 24, 2024. The Zoo will stay open until 6 p.m. Monday through Friday with final entry allowed at 5 p.m. Enjoy the return of seasonal attractions including giraffe feedings, Flamingo Mingle, camel rides, and more. And tour the Zoo in style on the new Scooter Pals for a go-at-your-own-pace motorized tour of the park. Scooter Pals are available for guests 16 and older to rent in the Zoo’s entry plaza. Map out your Zoo day in advance and discover all the unique experiences available at www.okczoo.org/plan_your_visit. Admission tickets can all be purchased in advance for faster entry into the Zoo at www.okczoo.org/tickets.
- NEW Scooter Pals! Take a ride on the wild side with the OKC Zoo’s new Scooter Pals. This new mobile entertainment opportunity is a fun way for guests 18 and older to explore the park. Scooter Pals are animal themed and available to rent daily weather permitting, located in the Zoo’s entry plaza. Cost is $5 activation fee, $0.35/minute.
- Children’s Zoo Barnyard (Children’s Zoo) is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Elephant Express Tram: Take the tram for a relaxing, informative tour of the Zoo. Rides offered daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. All day bracelets are $6 per person. Children two and under free.
- Elephant Presentations are free to attend and take place at Sanctuary Asia, elephant habitat at 2 p.m. Friday through Sunday.
- Endangered Species Carousel: Carousel rides are available daily from 9:30 a.m. to 430 p.m. Cost is $4 per person.
- Explorikeet Feedings (Children’s Zoo):These feathered favorites are waiting to meet you! Feeding opportunities are available daily from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost is $4 per person. Participants under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a paying adult.
- Gorilla Trek VR: Experience the life of gorillas in the jungle with this 360-degree live action virtual reality film with motion platform seating. Open Monday through Friday 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost is $8 per person.
- Rhino Feedings: Discover this memorable experience with one of the most magical residents at the Zoo – an Indian rhino! Feeding opportunities available weekends (Thurs.–Sun.) from 11:30 a.m. to noon. at Sanctuary Asia. Cost is $10 per person.
- Stingray Bay: Our stingrays will bring a smile to your face! Stingray Bay is open daily from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost is $4 per person to enter. Stingray feedings occur Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., while supplies last, for an additional $3 per person.
- Flamingo Mingle: Flock to the Flamingo Mingle feeding daily from 9:30 to 10 a.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 3:30 to 4 p.m. Cost is $5 per person.
- Giraffe Feeding: Feed our tallest friends during the Giraffe Feeding Saturday and Sunday from 2 to 3 p.m.
- Camel Rides: Starting Saturday, March 9, Camel Rides return to the OKC Zoo daily from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Cost is $8 per person.
SATURDAY, MARCH 30: CONSERVATION CLUB PROGRAM
Help the next generation preserve the environment with the Zoo’s Conservation Club. This monthly program is open to kids ages 8-13 and includes a half-day of hands-on activities, chats with animal experts, and expeditions through the Zoo. On March 30, 2024, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., the topic is Cultivating Conservation. Club members will learn more about plant life from the ground up! Tickets are $20 per child ($15 per child for ZOOfriends members). Learn more at https://www.okczoo.org/conservation-club.
ONGOING: OKC ZOO SUMMER CAMP SIGN-UPS OPEN
Learning doesn’t end during the summer at the OKC Zoo. Enrollment is now open for the Zoo’s award-winning Summer Camp program. Sign-ups are open for weekly camps created for kids ages 5-17 with themes including Wildlife Warriors, Animals of Pride Rock, Zoolympics, and more. Class sizes are limited, so sign up early to ensure your kids get in. Each week-long day camp is $300 per child ($270 per child for ZOOfriends members). Visit https://www.okczoo.org/summer-camps to learn more and sign up.
ONGOING: GORILLAS ON THE LINE CELL PHONE CHALLENGE
Have you recently upgraded to a new phone? Spring cleaning turn up a device you don’t use anymore? Make a huge impact by donating cell phones or other small electronics to help save gorillas. Support the Oklahoma City Zoo in its efforts to protect wild gorillas and their habitat by donating to the Gorillas on the Line Cell Phone Challenge now through Tuesday, April 30, 2024. Donate a cellphone or small electronic and receive a free general Zoo admission ticket! Recycling old cellphones and electronics raises funds to directly support gorilla conservation initiatives through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Gorilla SAFE: Saving Animals from Extinction programs. Answer the call for gorillas and donate a device now through April 30. Schools, organizations, businesses and individuals are encouraged to collect as many cell phones and electronics as they can in support of gorilla conservation. Donated items can be dropped off for recycling in the Zoo’s Guest Services office located in the entry plaza during regular park hours.
The Oklahoma City Zoo is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily with the last entry no later than 4 p.m. Purchase advance Zoo admission tickets at okczoo.org/tickets and avoid the entry lines. Located at the crossroads of I-44 and I-35, the OKC Zoo is a proud member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the American Alliance of Museums, and Oklahoma City’s Adventure District. Zoo admission is $16 for adults and $13 for children ages 3-11 and seniors ages 65 and over. Children two and under are admitted free. Membership has its perks! As a ZOOfriends member of the Oklahoma City Zoo, enjoy free admission all year-long, plus many additional benefits and discounts. You will also be supporting the Zoo’s animal family, education programming and conservation initiatives both locally and globally. Join or renew today at www.okczoo.org/membership.
Stay connected with the Zoo on Facebook, X, Instagram, Threads, Linktree and TikTok, and by visiting our blog stories. To learn more about Zoo happenings, call (405) 424-3344 or visit okczoo.org.
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