Also hearing talks of a new Zoo Amphitheater:

KOCO-TV reports: https://www.koco.com/article/oklahoma-city-zoo-new-marine-mammal-habitat-plans/41597787

The mention is of the amphitheater at this exhibit, not the concert venue.

See the plan above.

Does this mean we will be able to walk among the penguins?? How cool

Also hearing talks of a new Zoo Amphitheater:

KOCO-TV reports: https://www.koco.com/article/oklahoma-city-zoo-new-marine-mammal-habitat-plans/41597787

nm, Pete's quicker on the trigger than I am.

Pete and Travelers, appreciate the clarification of the Amphitheater.

I like the expansion, but when will it stop, lol? I have not once been to the Zoo and there was not any construction going on that hinders enjoying the whole zoo. Seems like once they finish one project, they start on another.

I like the expansion, but when will it stop, lol? I have not once been to the Zoo and there was not any construction going on that hinders enjoying the whole zoo. Seems like once they finish one project, they start on another.

It's because they have a continuous flow of money through getting a slice of all OKC sales tax.

It won't be long before they have rebuilt the entire zoo.

They may have a flow of money from the OKC sales tax but the Zoo has been in desperate need for the makeover it has been going through.

I hope it doesn't stop. The Zoo leadership seems to be consistently looking to improve the experience for the Zoo visitors AND the animals. As we learn more about the animals it's only appropriate that we do everything we can to recreate their natural habitat. When OKC didn't have anything else, we had the Zoo. I put that sales tax vote for the Zoo on par with the passage of Maps as far as improving the lives of OKC residents and civic pride.

The sales tax revenue also helps to keep admission to our Zoo the most cost friendly I've found anywhere. Other Zoo's are often $20 or more per person and the quality is about the same as OKC. It really is a gem.

As for the dolphins dying, a aquatics employee told me that is was related to bacteria in the air from Remington Park, not a problem with the facility. It seems consistent that with this renovation, there is no plan to bring back dolphins.

I so love our zoo. This new addition looks really great. We've been Zoo Friends members for years and I love hearing about anything new going on there. I wish I could still go cover the whole grounds like my wife and I used to.

I like the expansion, but when will it stop, lol? I have not once been to the Zoo and there was not any construction going on that hinders enjoying the whole zoo. Seems like once they finish one project, they start on another.

That's a good thing! I just wish they had more acreage!

That's a good thing! I just wish they had more acreage!

If someone would build a true outdoor amphitheater in the OKC area (capable of holding 20k or so, covered seating etc) then the old zoo amp space can be added to the zoo, and new exhibits put there.

But I don't think that will ever happen....

If someone would build a true outdoor amphitheater in the OKC area (capable of holding 20k or so, covered seating etc) then the old zoo amp space can be added to the zoo, and new exhibits put there.

But I don't think that will ever happen....

Would love something like Ascend Amphitheater in Nashville to be downtown. Holds 7k

If someone would build a true outdoor amphitheater in the OKC area (capable of holding 20k or so, covered seating etc) then the old zoo amp space can be added to the zoo, and new exhibits put there.

But I don't think that will ever happen....

with how historic the zoo amp is there would be a lot of push back in demoing it ...

with how historic the zoo amp is there would be a lot of push back in demoing it ...

Maybe so, but if we had a newer, better alternative, those residents nearby would LOVE this news.

Seeing everyone talking about future zoo plans, I thought I’d share this info. This month’s zoo trust meeting included approval of a contract with Studio Hanson Roberts for a new master plan. (Destination Africa and the new sea lion and penguin habitats project are the last pieces of the current plan.) The plan will cover the next 10 years. Items below are pasted from the contract with my comments in italics.

The Master Plan will include the following components:

- Improved guest circulation.
I hope they can figure this out. I love our zoo, but it’s a pain to make it to the elephants and rhinos and have to backtrack forever.

- Concepts for renovation of 4 existing habitats (Cats Habitat, Great Apes, Children’s Zoo, and Oklahoma Trails).
I guess this makes sense based simply on exhibit age, but I can’t imagine what could be done to Oklahoma Trails. I love it just the way it is.

- Concepts for new habitats including a new reptile house, a new bird habitat and use of the southern portion of the Zoo property.
A new herpetarium and bird habitat are sorely needed. The last one is the most interesting, though. This suggests they are looking at tearing down the Zoo Amphitheatre and claiming additional acreage for animal exhibits. I wouldn’t read too much into it at this point though. The last master plan contained this also, but clearly it was never implemented.

- Integration of concepts to enhance the botanic garden aspects of the property.
I’m glad to see this. The garden aspect of the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden has seemed like an afterthought as of late.

Seeing everyone talking about future zoo plans, I thought I’d share this info. This month’s zoo trust meeting included approval of a contract with Studio Hanson Roberts for a new master plan. (Destination Africa and the new sea lion and penguin habitats project are the last pieces of the current plan.) The plan will cover the next 10 years. Items below are pasted from the contract with my comments in italics.

The Master Plan will include the following components:

- Improved guest circulation.
I hope they can figure this out. I love our zoo, but it’s a pain to make it to the elephants and rhinos and have to backtrack forever.

- Concepts for renovation of 4 existing habitats (Cats Habitat, Great Apes, Children’s Zoo, and Oklahoma Trails).
I guess this makes sense based simply on exhibit age, but I can’t imagine what could be done to Oklahoma Trails. I love it just the way it is.

- Concepts for new habitats including a new reptile house, a new bird habitat and use of the southern portion of the Zoo property.
A new herpetarium and bird habitat are sorely needed. The last one is the most interesting, though. This suggests they are looking at tearing down the Zoo Amphitheatre and claiming additional acreage for animal exhibits. I wouldn’t read too much into it at this point though. The last master plan contained this also, but clearly it was never implemented.

- Integration of concepts to enhance the botanic garden aspects of the property.
I’m glad to see this. The garden aspect of the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden has seemed like an afterthought as of late.

The first two kind of go together. They would need to rework pathways going through Oklahoma trails to support two directions of walking and link that up with Exhibition Asia so your not having to backtrack after visiting Asia and Great Ape Escape.

The new marine mammal exhibit is actually removing the butterfly garden. So your last point is definitely true.

Would love something like Ascend Amphitheater in Nashville to be downtown. Holds 7k

That might be nice but, since the Scissortail Park concert venue can accommodate more than that, it's unlikely to happen.,

The first two kind of go together. They would need to rework pathways going through Oklahoma trails to support two directions of walking and link that up with Exhibition Asia so your not having to backtrack after visiting Asia and Great Ape Escape.

The new marine mammal exhibit is actually removing the butterfly garden. So your last point is definitely true.

the "easy fix" (just want to and money ) is to link the path from the Red pandas back to the Big river cafe (start of the ok trails) this would not effect any habitat ...

That might be nice but, since the Scissortail Park concert venue can accommodate more than that, it's unlikely to happen.,

also the future soccer stadium can accommodate at least 10,000 people

I was at the zoo on Monday morning with my daughter talking to an employee and I asked when they expected work to be done. She said the north part of construction (can't remember which exhibit, lemurs?) is expected to be open in the middle of March with the rest of early June. I would assume there would be some sort of ribbon cutting or something for that.

I was at the zoo on Monday morning with my daughter talking to an employee and I asked when they expected work to be done. She said the north part of construction (can't remember which exhibit, lemurs?) is expected to be open in the middle of March with the rest of early June. I would assume there would be some sort of ribbon cutting or something for that.

I think the opening is tied to the ZooFriends gala on June 3.

The Oklahoma City Zoo has filed plans and work will soon start on a new and elaborate marine mammal habitat.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/zoo040323w.jpg


This new expansion will be located in the eastern section of the park overlooking Zoo Lake and encompass 3.5 acres including existing sites for the Zoo’s Noble Aquatic Center/Aquaticus, which has been closed to guests since 2017, and Pollinator Garden. With the Pollinator Garden being repurposed for this project, the Zoo is establishing additional pollinator gardens throughout its grounds to replenish habitat for native pollinators.

The facility will be home to the Zoo’s California sea lions and seals. This additional space will provide an expanded and enriched setting for these coastal animals with large rocky outcroppings and other design features to mimic their natural habitats.

There will also be a large indoor/outdoor penguin exhibit.

Design features of the improved marine mammal habitat include an outdoor amphitheater for educational presentations and caretaker chats, beach areas for the animals, “nose-to-nose” views of the sea lions and seals, an interactive sand area for kids, special event space and much more. There will be an 8-foot tall underwater viewing window offering opportunities to watch sea lions and seals swim and glide through the water.

Project plans also include reusing and repurposing select materials from existing sites into the new habitat.

Funding for the expansion was secured through the Zoo’s 1/8-of-a-cent sales tax accrual, approved by Oklahoma City citizens in 1990.



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Looks awesome!

Got to take a tour through the new Expedition Africa area yesterday. Am far from a zoo expert but it seems like it's going to be pretty fantastic when it opens later this summer.

Looks pretty elaborate and the penguins will be a huge draw.

This is a huge improvement!

Any idea what the goal date is for completion? Hopefully my kids are still the young enough to really enjoy it!

I bet demolishing old aquatic building will take a good amount of work.

wonderful addition!

i know a lot of people always complain that our zoo always seems to be under construction. but it's so much better than it used to be, and is continuously one of the better zoos i visit.

i know a lot of people always complain that our zoo always seems to be under construction. but it's so much better than it used to be, and is continuously one of the better zoos i visit.

When the massive project in the heart of the zoo opens this summer, that will go a long way towards having most of the complex be almost new.

This is really one of the last pieces and it should be super cool with all the hardscape.

Looks awesome!

Got to take a tour through the new Expedition Africa area yesterday. Am far from a zoo expert but it seems like it's going to be pretty fantastic when it opens later this summer.

I have a feeling that we were on the same tour, it looks pretty impressive!

The marine mammal project should be an incredible addition. Zoos know that penguins are a big draw, so a good number of them build small exhibits with 10 or 12 birds. Not here. The new habitat in OKC is designed for around 50! Can’t wait.

Also, the sea lion habitat has a lot of similarities with the one in Omaha (designed by the same consultant group.) The Omaha exhibit is arguably the best sea lion habitat in the country.

The third image shows the new administration building next to the under-construction planetarium.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/zoo040923a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/zoo040923b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/zoo040923c.jpg

I talked to a zoo worker a few weeks ago asking when they thought construction would be completed and they said by early June in time for all the summer camps.

Is the new Expedition Africa exhibit open yet? Going to the sip and stroll thing today and was hoping to see it.

Is the new Expedition Africa exhibit open yet? Going to the sip and stroll thing today and was hoping to see it.

getting very close but not open until the end of the month

getting very close but not open until the end of the month

Dang that's a bummer, didn't see anything on their site/socials but was hoping they were late updating it after the Gala.

getting very close but not open until the end of the month

I've asked them about this several times and they refuse to give me a date -- just "summer".

They like to tightly control the media and I don't think they are very happy that I keep getting out in front of their PR, such as with the aquarium and the penguin exhibit.

I've asked them about this several times and they refuse to give me a date -- just "summer".

They like to tightly control the media and I don't think they are very happy that I keep getting out in front of their PR, such as with the aquarium and the penguin exhibit.

As we all know with construction it is always fluid. And hard to get a firm date especially when lots of this deals with weather and then at the end Animal transit.

I’m sure they don’t want to continue to give soft dates and then have to continue to push them back.

As we all know with construction it is always fluid. And hard to get a firm date especially when lots of this deals with weather and then at the end Animal transit.

I’m sure they don’t want to continue to give soft dates and then have to continue to push them back.

They won't even answer my direct questions.

One email went completely unanswered and then after trading texts, they stopped responding after another question.


Believe me, given what I do, I understand the realities of completion dates better than anyone. But they have outright ignored me after an initial polite non-answer.

You would think that's the least they could do is attempt to meet their own deadlines.

Let's not forget the dedicated 1/8 penny sales tax the Zoo receives to fund the zoo. It's not uncommon for there
to be delays with projects, the tax payers deserve transparency and updates.

I agree the secrecy has been super annoying. They did slip in a Facebook post on May 28, stating that Expedition Africa is “slated to open this June.”

https://www.facebook.com/100067321606029/posts/pfbid0PJYL4V7GxtiKnFbXGZzonVcASGd2u5MW4VBGXnD5cHXJ XRNt1c9S9BgP3a1fYUkkl/?mibextid=afzh1R

Got a Curbside Chronicle today, which features a free zoo ticket and an article about the zoo. Article in there mentions a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Expedition Africa on September 22nd.

It’s been so close the last couple times I’ve been there. I’m ready for it

Nothing like a press release at 6PM on a Friday to try and bury bad news:


The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden announces that it will be delaying the official opening of Expedition Africa until March 2024. Despite the OKC Zoo’s best efforts to complete the 12-acre expansion for an opening celebration on Thursday, October 12, the Zoo has made the difficult decision to delay the official opening until next spring. This fall, as buildings and habitats become completed and animals have acclimated to their new environments, the OKC Zoo will begin opening select pathways and buildings in Expedition Africa for guests to discover.

Good grief. Their own website still has a page promoting when it was supposed to open Spring 2023. https://www.okczoo.org/habitats#collection=1616

My kid works there and they have had some issues that arose unexpectedly (construction stuff) and worry about the honey badger area.

How long are they going keep pulling the "getting acclimated" card? I bet the Giraffs are getting tired of staying in a barn.

How long are they going keep pulling the "getting acclimated" card? I bet the Giraffs are getting tired of staying in a barn.

The giraffes were out thurs.

Demolition has begun on the old Acquaticus facility to make way for a new and elaborate marine mammal habitat which will feature a large indoor/outdoor penguin exhibit.


HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/zoo112223a.jpg


The Oklahoma City Zoo has filed plans and work will soon start on a new and elaborate marine mammal habitat which will include a large indoor/outdoor penguin exhibit.

This new expansion will be located in the eastern section of the park overlooking Zoo Lake and encompass 3.5 acres including existing sites for the Zoo’s Noble Aquatic Center/Aquaticus and Pollinator Garden. With the Pollinator Garden being repurposed for this project, the Zoo is establishing additional pollinator gardens throughout its grounds to replenish habitat for native pollinators.

The facility will be home to the Zoo’s California sea lions and seals. This additional space will provide an expanded and enriched setting for these coastal animals with large rocky outcroppings and other design features to mimic their natural habitats.

Design features of the improved marine mammal habitat include an outdoor amphitheater for educational presentations and caretaker chats, beach areas for the animals, “nose-to-nose” views of the sea lions and seals, an interactive sand area for kids, special event space, and much more. There will be an 8-foot tall underwater viewing window offering opportunities to watch sea lions and seals swim and glide through the water.

Project plans also include reusing and repurposing select materials from existing sites into the new habitat.

Funding for the expansion was secured through the Zoo’s 1/8-of-a-cent sales tax accrual, approved by Oklahoma City citizens in 1990.



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Penguins!!! Fantastic! Hopefully this one actually adheres to its timeline better than Expedition Africa

Looks like they are recycling the planks from the roof? I wouldn't expect them to be that precise with the rest of the structure.

I guess they just ran out of time with Expedition Africa? It all looks done, but most animals are not out yet, I'm guessing they want them to fully explore when the temperatures are more like their native habitat. I would have thought you could at least go inside giraffe barn. Shrug

Looks like they are recycling the planks from the roof? I wouldn't expect them to be that precise with the rest of the structure.

I guess they just ran out of time with Expedition Africa? It all looks done, but most animals are not out yet, I'm guessing they want them to fully explore when the temperatures are more like their native habitat. I would have thought you could at least go inside giraffe barn. Shrug

expedition africa is largely fully open they just wanted the "grand opening" to be during good weather not entering the winter months ..

expedition africa is largely fully open they just wanted the "grand opening" to be during good weather not entering the winter months ..

I just went Friday. Paths are open, but Giraff barn was closed. Didn't really see any animals out, but it was also cold.

I just went Friday. Paths are open, but Giraff barn was closed. Didn't really see any animals out, but it was also cold.

yep lots of those animals have a temp limit ..

What? It's not below freezing on the savannah? LOL.

If we're getting penguins, I'll be very happy. But i do feel like it's a bit of a cheap version of an aquarium. Maybe that's the idea while they figure out if they are going to build one elsewhere where they can earn an extra ticket price on admission? My hope is that once the old building is gone, they have room to add on to the new aquarium to make it a real destination besides a few water tanks. We really lack a GOOD aquarium in the state (the Jenks one sucks....and it sucks hard). So my hope is on the OKC zoo will eventually do it right.

What? It's not below freezing on the savannah? LOL.

If we're getting penguins, I'll be very happy. But i do feel like it's a bit of a cheap version of an aquarium. Maybe that's the idea while they figure out if they are going to build one elsewhere where they can earn an extra ticket price on admission? My hope is that once the old building is gone, they have room to add on to the new aquarium to make it a real destination besides a few water tanks. We really lack a GOOD aquarium in the state (the Jenks one sucks....and it sucks hard). So my hope is on the OKC zoo will eventually do it right.

the new okc aquarium will not be on the okc zoo site .. that is not even under discussion ..

this simply gives okc zoo a new modern sea lion habitat and makes room for other animals

"Marine mammal habitat". Even with the old building the aquarium aspect of it was secondary to being home to sea lions, seals, and formally dolphins. This new building will be a great replacement from that concrete bunker.

Like almost everything else in this world, much more is known about habitats that are well-suited for animals and the zoo is slowly but surely replacing every single area with all that in mind.

I can still see that poor, traumatized polar bear pacing back and forth in one of those narrow concrete cells (that will be removed for this project).

One thing that I thought was a nice bonus to Exhibition African, is that you can now see the back side of of one of the lion yards from the path leading up to the Giraffes.

the new okc aquarium will not be on the okc zoo site .. that is not even under discussion ..

this simply gives okc zoo a new modern sea lion habitat and makes room for other animals

I know that's part of what had previously been discussed, but that plan died. So i would say don't count it being on the actual zoo grounds out until you see it actually open somewhere else.