You'll have to drag me back kicking & screaming...

Not if we don't go all cheap on the tranq dart :)

There needs to be a "Mystery Seattle Institution OKC Is Taking Next" thread. My votes are CuatrodeMayo and Sound Transit.


You'll have to drag me back kicking & screaming...

https://sp.yimg.com/ib/th?id=HN.608022813883698451&pid=15.1&P=0

Make that first class: Let's get the muzzle and the gurney :wink::wink:.

Took the drone out to the park to the east of the OKC Zoo this morning.

Took some pretty decent pics from the park, facing the zoo - didn't fly 'over' the zoo for obvious reasons.

Here's one....

10318

I'd be really interested in seeing others. Especially ones that show both Safari Voyage docks in the same shot, if you have them.

I'd be really interested in seeing others. Especially ones that show both Safari Voyage docks in the same shot, if you have them.

Probably as good as I can get since I wasn't going for that shot when I was out there....

10319

Cool, thanks! Even caught a boat at each dock, on the first day of operation in 2015 I might add.

There needs to be a "Mystery Seattle Institution OKC Is Taking Next" thread. My votes are CuatrodeMayo and Sound Transit.

How about 600-900 high paying Boeing jobs?

got that (actually more) already! Next. ..

Let's rename them - one can be OKC and the other THUNDER.:tongue:

Technically they are only on loan

When I was at the zoo last summer with my kids, they had some new construction going on for some neat new exhibits etc. Does anyone have any pics or updates of such?

When I was at the zoo last summer with my kids, they had some new construction going on for some neat new exhibits etc. Does anyone have any pics or updates of such?

They should be starting construction on this project pretty soon.

Oklahoma City Zoo moves forward with second phase of Asia project | News OK (http://newsok.com/oklahoma-city-zoo-moves-forward-with-second-phase-of-asia-project/article/5361594)

The Zoo today... disappointing. When will they revamp the old areas of the zoo.. seems they would fair better to fix up and make new the older areas before expanding more.

The Zoo today... disappointing. When will they revamp the old areas of the zoo.. seems they would fair better to fix up and make new the older areas before expanding more.

It's much better than most zoo's across the country, even given the current condition of some of the old exhibits like Pachyderms and such. Went to the Tulsa Zoo recently and it was depressing to say the least. It's right behind their airport on a weird industrial road in a park, almost no entrance, zoo is in a normal type of park, exhibits are poorly designed, old, decrepit and signage/branding throughout the zoo was seriously lacking and downright depressing. Been to many zoo's across the country, and it's made me thankful for OKC's after seeing several across the country.

The Zoo today... disappointing. When will they revamp the old areas of the zoo.. seems they would fair better to fix up and make new the older areas before expanding more.

I walk past the old areas of the zoo. Probably what they want you to notice is the improvements; the old areas can be a bit of a distraction from what you're there to observe.


https://sp.yimg.com/ib/th?id=HN.608050945939146603&pid=15.1&P=0 https://sp.yimg.com/ib/th?id=HN.608024793884004252&pid=15.1&P=0The Oklahoma City Zoo has been a great attraction since the permanent sales tax allowed them to expand and create some quality habitats like the Cat Forest, Great EscAPE, Butterfly Garden, Island Life, Elephant Habitat and Aquatics.

http://static.seattletimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/d4f26194-bee8-11e4-891b-c2fc162562e5-780x574.jpg
Bamboo and Chai


Come on Seattle, give up those elephants before we take your Seahawks. ;)


Often ranked as one of the top 10 zoos in the United States, the Oklahoma City Zoo is also the oldest in the Southwest.
--The Oklahoma City Zoo - Admission, Exhibits, Animals (http://okc.about.com/od/museumseducational/p/okczoo.htm)

I'll admit, zoo's are usually not my place to frequent when I go on vacation (actually an oversight on my part, which I should visit other zoo's as something to do in other cities.).

In comparison, if I had seen other zoo's (and if they are as bad as you have described) then I suppose I would have something to compare them against and recognize the superiority of these older OKC exhibits.
I don't think the average person has a lot of zoo's that they have visited that they can compare with OKC's.

So.. imho, for the average zoo visitor, they may seem old and outdated or even uncared for. (?)

I LOVE OKC's zoo and have taken my family several times when visiting OKC. Though Denver's is decent, OKC's is far better. After the elephants, my vote is to get Mt. Rainier down here.

The oldest areas of the zoo I can think of will be replaced when Exhibition Asia gets built. The aquarium is also on the zoo roadmap to be remodeled eventually. All of the major new habits that have been built have replaced older ones.

The OKC Zoo has done a lot in the past 20 some odd years to improve. I love taking the kids there. My biggest peeve with the zoo is the lion overlook. We should overlook them, not the other way around. The way it's built now, if the cats decide they don't wanna be seen, then they can just go behind the hill and hide. It sucks to take your kids by the exhibit only to see the area be seemingly empty.

It's much better than most zoo's across the country, even given the current condition of some of the old exhibits like Pachyderms and such. Went to the Tulsa Zoo recently and it was depressing to say the least. It's right behind their airport on a weird industrial road in a park, almost no entrance, zoo is in a normal type of park, exhibits are poorly designed, old, decrepit and signage/branding throughout the zoo was seriously lacking and downright depressing. Been to many zoo's across the country, and it's made me thankful for OKC's after seeing several across the country.

Ah right on cue. Why does everyone think their zoo is one of the best in the country?

The OKC Zoo has done a lot in the past 20 some odd years to improve. I love taking the kids there. My biggest peeve with the zoo is the lion overlook. We should overlook them, not the other way around. The way it's built now, if the cats decide they don't wanna be seen, then they can just go behind the hill and hide. It sucks to take your kids by the exhibit only to see the area be seemingly empty.yeah, how dare those animals have any privacy. They are here for human entertainment and they have no feelings or desires!

yeah, how dare those animals have any privacy. They are here for human entertainment and they have no feelings or desires!

Dude, get a fricken life. They're there for us to see. You pay the money, you wanna see the animals, the kids wanna see the animals. They don't wanna see grass and fences, they can see that for free in the backyard. I'm guessing you'd be perfectly fine with paying to see a play only to have the actors hide in the wings because they have feelings and desires and deserve to privacy.

Dude, get a fricken life. They're there for us to see. You pay the money, you wanna see the animals, the kids wanna see the animals. They don't wanna see grass and fences, they can see that for free in the backyard. I'm guessing you'd be perfectly fine with paying to see a play only to have the actors hide in the wings because they have feelings and desires and deserve to privacy.you know what, I guess I believe animals have feelings to. Humans aren't the only creatures on the planet that need privacy, can think, and are intelligent. Just because a lion isn't able to build a skyscraper doesn't make them stupid. If you want to see animals like that, there should be designated sanctuaries and zoos in select cities or you can go to their natural habitat.

But whatever, I guess its fun to look at a lion for 15 minutes and have your daughter pretend it's real throughout that duration and it can stay there until you're ready to view them again in the next 3 years or so.

Traxx, I'm not trying to be argumentive or disrespectful, sorry if I came across that way.

I just have strong opinions of zoos and Seaworld. I understand zoos play an important part in animal rehabilitation and provide funding towards greater causes.

I'm going to agree with PluPan here. The best zoos give the animals some privacy. If that means you can't see the lion immediately, then oh well.

^^^^^^

Since I don't know how to quote multiple posts from multiple users, I'll just say it. I agree with the last few posts.

I here there is are traveling show that people and animals perform for others entertainment. Better hurry up and see a show before they get rid of the elephant acts.

I here there is are traveling show that people and animals perform for others entertainment....

The trouble with sleepy Tuesdays is one can never be truly certain if this might reference a circus, or a bar crawl.

Look, if you disagree with the concept of a zoo, then take that up with the zoo, not me.

Hmm, I think the OKC zoo along with most across the country may have a different idea. They could put them in concrete cages where everyone could always see them, but if they were always unhappy and unhealthy no one would want to see that either. Its a balance between making guest happy and the animals happy. I think most people want the animals to be happy even if it means not seeing 100% of all the animals every weekend they go. I think SeaWorld's stock plummeting after the release of Blackfish is proof of that.

Zoo Mission Statement

Mission Statement

The Oklahoma City Zoological Park and Botanical Garden shall contribute to an understanding and preservation of the earth's natural resources through positive recreational and educational experiences. The Zoo will also conduct and participate in scientifically based conservation programs that benefit animal and plant communities, both at the Zoo and in nature.

The Zoo shall provide the following to support and implement its Vision and Mission Statements:
•A diverse animal and plant collection exhibited under naturalistic conditions.
•An environment where visitors may enjoy a recreational experience that is compatible with the Zoo's mission.
•Educational opportunities that reflect current information about the natural world and its diversity.
•Opportunities for zoological research that will contribute to the husbandry, conservation and overall well being of all animal and plant communities.•Resources for the development of staff and volunteers to assure program potential and growth in performance excellence.
•A sound foundation of fiscal and organizational controls that preserve the community's trust and support.

Hmm, I think the OKC zoo along with most across the country may have a different idea. They could put them in concrete cages where everyone could always see them, but if they were always unhappy and unhealthy no one would want to see that either. Its a balance between making guest happy and the animals happy. I think most people want the animals to be happy even if it means not seeing 100% of all the animals every weekend they go.

Maybe it would help if you guys would actually read my post before being outraged. Where did I say that I wanted them in concrete cages and for them to be unhappy? Show me that. Point out exactly where I said these things. You guys assume things that I never said just so it will fit your little argument.

I never said that I wanted the animals in concrete cages or for them to be unhappy. All I said was that the lion overlook could've been designed better and everyone lost their freakin' mind thinking that it meant that I hate animals and want them to be sad and abused. I'm just saying that if you design it to where the humans are elevated, like how they did the elephant exhibit, then the animals could still have a somewhat natural habitat and the patrons could see the animals. It could be designed in such a way where the animals feel that they have privacy because they don't realize they're being "gawked at." Plus, the animals have privacy. They aren't on display 24/7. The zoo closes in the evening so they have that time. It's busy in the summer but probably the busiest on the weekends in the summer and moderately busy during the week in the summer. There's little to no visitors during the colder months and it's not very busy during the school year for the most part.

This is kind of like what I was talking about:

http://i.imgur.com/BAAYw5q.jpg?1

The Lion Overlook was specifically designed to give the cats the option to get away from people and find alone time if they wanted to, OR to interact with people and be visible. A number of years ago animal biologists began to understand that being displayed 100% of the time with no ability to withdraw was bad for the psychology of certain animals, such as big cats. Creating a habitat that allows cats to interact with the public mostly on their own terms was precisely the purpose of the Lion Overlook.

If you miss seeing them one day and feel like you didn't get your money's worth I would recommend joining Zoofriends (http://www.zoofriends.org/membership/). For only $45 bucks ($65 for families) you can make unlimited visits to the zoo in a year. Your lion view-per-dollar ratio should go up pretty dramatically, if that is what's important to you.

The Lion Overlook was specifically designed to give the cats the option to get away from people and find alone time if they wanted to, OR to interact with people and be visible. A number of years ago animal biologists began to understand that being displayed 100% of the time with no ability to withdraw was bad for the psychology of certain animals, such as big cats. Creating a habitat that allows cats to interact with the public mostly on their own terms was precisely the purpose of the Lion Overlook.

If you miss seeing them one day and feel like you didn't get your money's worth I would recommend joining Zoofriends (http://www.zoofriends.org/membership/). For only $45 bucks ($65 for families) you can make unlimited visits to the zoo in a year. Your lion view-per-dollar ratio should go up pretty dramatically, if that is what's important to you.

. .and thru the end of March, it's $5 off the regular membership. . Family Plus is a super deal. . .$30 gift card good for concession, rides, gift shop brings the family down to $60. Two adults, up to 5 kids, one extra guest, plus $$30 gift card for $90. . . sign up on line. Ask me how I know :)!!

The Zoo today... disappointing. When will they revamp the old areas of the zoo.. seems they would fair better to fix up and make new the older areas before expanding more.

Last summer when I was in England I took my kids to the London Zoo. I figured a city of its size would have a pretty killer zoo. But I was a bit disappointed in its scale and overall quality. I have no issue saying OKC's is a better experience. I've been to close to 20 zoos in 3 countries and many states and while I wouldn't dare say ours is the best, I think we hold our own just fine against most zoos.

And they won the Visionary Award from OKC Beautiful today.

Ours is definitely better than the DC Zoo.

Last summer when I was in England I took my kids to the London Zoo. I figured a city of its size would have a pretty killer zoo. But I was a bit disappointed in its scale and overall quality. I have no issue saying OKC's is a better experience. I've been to close to 20 zoos in 3 countries and many states and while I wouldn't dare say ours is the best, I think we hold our own just fine against most zoos.

I went to the London Zoo last summer as well. It was just kind of a side adventure since it was only a few blocks from where I was staying, but I was fairly underwhelmed also given the size of London and how small the zoo itself was. I certainly was expecting better and will agree without uncertainty that OKC's is a better experience.

I guess there is going to be a lot of drama about taking their elephants now.

Group files federal lawsuit in effort to stop elephant move | News OK (http://newsok.com/group-files-federal-lawsuit-in-effort-to-stop-elephant-move/article/5405085)

I wonder if we'll rename them when they get here and retain the rights to their history. And I think the Seattlites should start video-bombing news crews covering the story with signs that say "save our elephants".

http://newsok.com/group-files-federal-lawsuit-in-effort-to-stop-elephant-move/article/5405085

i removed several posts that had devolved into nothing more than pointless bickering. i never would have realized that the zoo elicited so much rage in folks.

if i happened to miss a few posts, please report them so that they can be cleaned up. -M

What's the big deal about the elephants; does it have more to do with the welfare of Bamboo & Chai or the possibility that Oklahoma City will pluck a morsel of an attraction from the 'Emerald City?'


http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D27HVe9e6Ac/TIR_tr9ictI/AAAAAAAACf8/2U9jQ94AH6U/s1600/1a.jpg
A 'TAIL' of TWO CITIES...
https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR9fBnm_DXNAVrRg3ABFiFjsqSicKjzV _WyL0GnGRZD0zBCkJvy https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQjYy3aJDZLDWPwRvfjWfhgiwnuZ5DL-zCeGWOKjgp-smf8Hz75Can you image what will happen when Seattle gets an NBA expansion or relocation franchise; especially if they play the Oklahoma City Thunder 3-4 times a year. This will be an NBA made-for-TV blood-thirsty rivalry.

Went to the zoo today, it was completely packed. My only complaint was all the Rascal scooters..........(The old part of the zoo seemed kind of sad in comparison with the newer parts such as the wonderful elephant exhibit.)
(EDIT: I understand some people do need these scooters, but the wideness of their use has me wondering.)
1054210543105441054510546

Most of the older areas are slated for pretty radical makeovers on their long term plan.

I guess there is going to be a lot of drama about taking their elephants now.

Group files federal lawsuit in effort to stop elephant move | News OK (http://newsok.com/group-files-federal-lawsuit-in-effort-to-stop-elephant-move/article/5405085)

They had been threatening to do so before OKC was even decided to be the destination, they planned on doing so if any other zoo was chose.

Went to the zoo today, it was completely packed. My only complaint was all the Rascal scooters..........(The old part of the zoo seemed kind of sad in comparison with the newer parts such as the wonderful elephant exhibit.)
(EDIT: I understand some people do need these scooters, but the wideness of their use has me wondering.)
1054210543105441054510546

People are too fat. No surprise here.

http://static.seattletimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/2004472798-300x0.jpg
U.S. District Judge Marsha Pechman
King County Superior Court.

Seattle has threatened and settled lawsuit before. Would love to see this in U.S. District Judge Marsha Pechman's King County Superior Court.

What's best for the welfare of Bamboo & Chai?

http://static.seattletimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/2004472798-300x0.jpg
U.S. District Judge Marsha Pechman
King County Superior Court.

Seattle has threatened and settled lawsuit before. Would love to see this in U.S. District Judge Marsha Pechman's King County Superior Court.

What's best for the welfare of Bamboo & Chai?

The elephant exhibit is amazing. They're making a controversy just to make a controversy. (Bob Barker)
1056310564105651056610567

Is the snake exhibit slated to be redone? I also wish they'd make bigger cages for the snakes as well.

Is the snake exhibit slated to be redone? I also wish they'd make bigger cages for the snakes as well.

Yes, the current food court will eventually be turned into the new Herpetarium. This would probably after the new giraffe restaurant and habitat is built at some point in the future. It sounds like the zoo pushed the exhibition Asia attraction ahead of these two things so who knows when it will be done.

The elephant exhibit is amazing. They're making a controversy just to make a controversy. (Bob Barker)
1056310564105651056610567

It's like they are saying, you took our Sonics; now you want to take our elephants (straw that broke the camel's back).

Don't worry Seattle, we'll be back in 10 years. Cherish what you have, take care of it or we'll find a home for it in OKC.

It's like they are saying, you took our Sonics; now you want to take our elephants (straw that broke the camel's back).

Don't worry Seattle, we'll be back in 10 years. Cherish what you have, take care of it or we'll find a home for it in OKC.

Okc needs a few landmarks, I for one would enjoy the space needle.

Okc needs a few landmarks, I for one would enjoy the space needle.

I can picture Carmen SanDiego sitting in her penthouse at City Place thinking about the space needle.

A judge declined Friday to block the transfer of Woodland Park Zoo's two elephants, putting them closer to a new home at an Oklahoma zoo.

Zoo CEO Deborah Jensen said after Friday's hearing that she's not sure when the actual move will take place. "It is important to move our elephants in a timely manner for their welfare. This decision allows us to move forward with our plans to place Chai and Bamboo with a new multigenerational family at Oklahoma City Zoo," Jensen said in a statement Friday afternoon.

Judge won't block elephants' move from one zoo to another - seattlepi.com (http://www.seattlepi.com/news/science/article/Judge-to-hear-case-challenging-Seattle-elephants-6177152.php)

Will the zoo be getting any pandas? Specifically plutonic pandas.

I made a suggestion that they build a 20 lane highway for their golf carts and they don't let me back in there no more.

Will the zoo be getting any pandas? Specifically plutonic pandas.

If they've got cougars, you can bet they've got plutonic pandas.

What elephant in the room? For OKC Zoo, the more the merrier | The Seattle Times (http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/what-elephant-in-the-room-for-okc-zoo-the-more-the-merrier/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=article_bottom)

What elephant in the room? For OKC Zoo, the more the merrier | The Seattle Times (http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/what-elephant-in-the-room-for-okc-zoo-the-more-the-merrier/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=article_bottom)


The turmoil in Seattle barely registered here, said City Councilman John Pettis Jr., whose ward encompasses the city’s “Adventure District,” with the zoo, a casino, a racetrack — and, nearby, the arena where the former Seattle SuperSonics play basketball. A few local pundits riffed on what else Oklahomans should steal from Seattle. But in a city famed for oil and cattle, there was no public hand-wringing over a couple more elephants.

I knew there was a way they would tie this to the NBA Seattle vs. Supersonics debacle.

Steal?

$350 million looks like a bargain discount by Professional Basketball Club LLC (Clayton Bennett) now that NBA franchises have increased their original worth from 2006 to 2015. The Thunder ranks 13th among NBA teams with a value of $930 million.

The Business Of Basketball - Forbes (http://www.forbes.com/nba-valuations/#page:2_sort:0_direction:asc_search:)

Bad weather forces Woodland Park Zoo elephants on a detour to San Diego


Woodland Park Zoo’s two elephants will stay at the San Diego Zoo after severe weather forced the elephants’ caravan to change its route on the way to their new home at the Oklahoma City Zoo.

Bad weather forces Woodland Park Zoo elephants on a detour to San Diego | The Seattle Times (http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/woodland-park-zoos-elephants-take-a-detour-to-san-diego/)

An update on the Asia II exhibit.

NewsOK Videos | Zoo Expansion Asia II (http://newsok.com/multimedia/video/4462489410001)