The prehistoric rulers of the animal kingdom are coming to the Zoo...are you ready? Presented by Dr Pepper, excavate a world of discovery as the Zoo hosts Dinosaurs Unearthed, March 13 through June 30! Experience the world's largest and most advanced collection of animatronic dinosaurs as they come to life through movement and sound. Witness a life-sized tyrannosaurus rex, triceratops, stegosaurus and more. Then, explore a variety of real dinosaur skeletons and fossils from the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods.
Dinosaurs Unearthed brings a world of learning to guests of all ages through animatronic, multimedia and live action displays. Participate in an interactive computer game or excavate your own dinosaur "bones!" These amazing scientific displays follow the latest discoveries by leading paleontologists, international dinosaur centers, prominent dig sites, museums and academic institutions to ensure their accuracy.
Dinosaurs Unearthed will be located just south of Great EscApe and is free with regular Zoo admission. For more information, please call the Zoo's Guest Relations office at (405) 425-0262.
Asha and Chandra, the Zoo’s two Asian elephants, have temporarily left for the Tulsa Zoo. However, they will be back in a few short years. This is a very exciting time for Oklahomans as our elephants are going to play a major role in the future of their species. Our two females are at the right ages to begin breeding. Through efforts between the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the Tulsa Zoo, and our Zoo (along with other zoo professionals), a recommendation based upon scientific research indicates that Oklahoma City’s elephants would be a good match with Tulsa’s male, Sneezy, for breeding. And with a little help from Mother Nature, baby elephants could be back in Oklahoma City in a few years.
Since moving to Tulsa last summer, Asha and Chandra have settled into their new home. Their routine in Tulsa is very similar to the one they enjoyed in Oklahoma City. They still receive daily baths, participate in training and engage in routine care. Asha and Chandra also have been fully integrated into life with the Tulsa Zoo’s two female elephants, Gunda and Suki. The foursome has developed a normal matriarchal herd much like you would find in the wild, with Gunda acting as the dominant female.
So, where is Sneezy in this process? Staff from the Oklahoma City Zoo and Tulsa Zoo continues to introduce him to Asha and Chandra. However, they will likely begin going on “dates” some time in early summer if everything goes as planned.
In light of the move, the Tulsa and Oklahoma City Zoos have formed an Elephant Management Group to monitor Asha and Chandra’s progress. This group meets about once every six months and consists of both zoos’ executive directors, curators, pachyderm staff and veterinary teams. In addition, a member of the Oklahoma City Zoo’s pachyderm staff travels to the Tulsa Zoo once a month to help with the introductions and observe behaviors. By remaining involved in this process, the Oklahoma City and Tulsa Zoos ensure that Asha and Chandra receive the best care possible during their Tulsa “vacation.”
Asha and Chandra are going to be gone for approximately two years, but many preparations are already being made for their return. While the Oklahoma City Zoo will not have any elephants while they are gone, we will begin building a brand new Asian Exhibit called Expedition Asia that features a state-of-the-art elephant habitat. This habitat includes several yards for the elephants, areas for a bull (male) elephant, and even a maternity suite for mothers and babies. With the improvements that the Zoo is making, we hope to not only welcome back Asha, Chandra, and their offspring, but also increase our elephant herd and be more involved in the conservation of this magnificent species.
The Oklahoma City Zoo and Tulsa Zoo are working to welcome the return of our elephants prior to them giving birth. If everything goes as planned, the offspring will be the first baby elephants to be born at the Oklahoma City Zoo in our history.
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