Tulsa Zoo
Encyclopedia
The Tulsa Zoo and Living Museum is a 78 acres (31.6 ha) zoo
and living museum
located in Tulsa, Oklahoma
USA. The Tulsa Zoo is owned by the city of Tulsa and is part of the Tulsa Parks Department. The zoo is located in Mohawk Park, one of the largest municipal parks in the United States. The zoo has nearly 1,500 animals, covering 436 species.
The Tulsa Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums
and the American Association of Museums
.
and was granted $25,000 in a contest designed to promote the Zoo Tycoon 2
computer game. The contest counted votes from zoo visitors across the country for many of America's top zoos, including the San Diego Zoo
and the Bronx Zoo
.
elephant-headed god Ganesha
as part of the elephant exhibition. The Tulsa Park Board responded by voting to add a display on Creationism
. The board subsequently reconsidered and reversed its decision, citing widespread public criticism.
Tundra
, Southwest Desert
, Eastern Forest
, and Southern Lowland
s (which is wetlands). Exhibits include live animals, plants, Native American artifacts, fossils, and minerals. Unique features include a simulated earthquake area, a naturalistic walk-through cave, and a 20000 gal shark aquarium.
species through a variety of interactive exhibits. Visitors can view the elephants in a natural habitat from both indoor and outdoor viewing areas. Opening in April 2007 is a new Elephant Demonstration yard, where demonstrations of the zoo's two female elephants will be held for visitors to watch, if the weather permits it.
, a Pueblan milksnake
, aquatic caecilian
s, waxy monkey tree frogs
, and a Living Reef Tank.
Also visit Nature's Attic, an interactive area filled with interesting biofacts and other animal-related items. Open Noon-1pm weekdays and 2-pm on weekends. The zoo's dedicated volunteers will show you interesting things like deer antlers, sea shells, and hissing cockroaches. While there, take a peek at the Oklahoma Room, full of native Oklahoma animals, including fishes, snakes, a box turtle
, and a tarantula
.
s, sloths, a green anaconda
, piranha
s, dwarf caiman
s, and jaguar
s. The native human cultures of this region are also highlighted throughout the exhibit. Many species are not caged, including rainforest birds, to allow for a more realistic jungle
feel. If you're lucky you might spot one of the tufted-eared marmosets running above your head.
In 2007, the Tulsa Zoo was proud to welcome two new additions to the Chimp Connection - Vindi and Bernsen! You can see them on the Chimp Cams at the Zoo website at www.tulsazoo.org
A behavioral conditioning program for California Sea Lion
s is demonstrated for the public at 2:30 p.m. daily, April 1 - October 31.
” or water action simulator, plus a rocky coastline setting, imitates their natural habitat. Special viewing windows were built into the wall of the exhibit for visitors observe the penguins under water. The exhibit currently holds 20 penguins, and can hold up to 30.
The fund-raising campaign for this exhibit was a local art project that created 6 feet (1.8 m) tall penguin sculptures. Businesses gave donations to the fund-raising campaign and then received the penguin sculpture at their desired location. These penguins are now called, “Tulsa penguins.”
s, Giraffe
s, Zebra
s, Lion
s, and of course Cheetah
s in their natural habitats. The Cheetahs have a big area to run around and play. It is also said that you can see Cheetahs run across their exhibit, their area has an habitat similar to the ones of Africa
in a savanna type environment.
from central Asia
. This exhibit also contains the Siamang Overlook which has good view of Siamang
s. It also includes the Elephant Encounter which has Asian Elephants.
s, and emus. Plus American river otters and prairie dogs.
This building has a large variety of animals including primates, reptiles, birds, and fish
Some endangered animals on display are the spiny turtle
, Pan's box turtle (Cuora pani
), Black-breasted Hill Turtle
, radiated tortoise
, Flat-backed Spider Tortoise
, Fiji iguana, Grand Cayman Island Blue Iguana
, Bali Myna birds, Black and White Ruffed Lemur
s, and Thick-billed parrot
s.
Zoo
A zoological garden, zoological park, menagerie, or zoo is a facility in which animals are confined within enclosures, displayed to the public, and in which they may also be bred....
and living museum
Living museum
A living museum is a type of museum, in which historical events showing the life in ancient times are performed, especially in ethnographic or historical views, or processes for producing a commercial product in terms of technical and technological developments are shown, especially the craft...
located in Tulsa, Oklahoma
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Tulsa is the second-largest city in the state of Oklahoma and 46th-largest city in the United States. With a population of 391,906 as of the 2010 census, it is the principal municipality of the Tulsa Metropolitan Area, a region with 937,478 residents in the MSA and 988,454 in the CSA. Tulsa's...
USA. The Tulsa Zoo is owned by the city of Tulsa and is part of the Tulsa Parks Department. The zoo is located in Mohawk Park, one of the largest municipal parks in the United States. The zoo has nearly 1,500 animals, covering 436 species.
The Tulsa Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums
Association of Zoos and Aquariums
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums was founded in 1924 and is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and public aquariums in the areas of conservation, education, science, and recreation.The AZA headquarters is located in Silver...
and the American Association of Museums
American Association of Museums
The American Association of Museums is a non-profit association that has brought museums together since its founding in 1906, helping develop standards and best practices, gathering and sharing knowledge, and advocating on issues of concern to the museum community...
.
America's Favorite Zoo
In 2005, the Tulsa Zoo was named as "America's Favorite Zoo" by Microsoft Game StudiosMicrosoft Game Studios
Microsoft Studios is the video game production wing for Microsoft, responsible for the development and publishing of games for the Xbox, Xbox 360, Games for Windows and Windows Phone platforms. They were established in 2002 as Microsoft Game Studios to coincide with the release of the Xbox, before...
and was granted $25,000 in a contest designed to promote the Zoo Tycoon 2
Zoo Tycoon 2
Zoo Tycoon 2 is a video game in which the player may create and operate a zoo by managing its finances, employees and animal exhibits. The goal is to become a "zoo tycoon". Originally released for Windows, Zoo Tycoon 2 is also available for Windows Mobile, PDA, Mac OS X and Nintendo DS...
computer game. The contest counted votes from zoo visitors across the country for many of America's top zoos, including the San Diego Zoo
San Diego Zoo
The San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park, San Diego, California, is one of the most progressive zoos in the world, with over 4,000 animals of more than 800 species...
and the Bronx Zoo
Bronx Zoo
The Bronx Zoo is located in the Bronx borough of New York City, within Bronx Park. It is the largest metropolitan zoo in the United States, comprising of park lands and naturalistic habitats, through which the Bronx River flows....
.
Religious controversy
The Tulsa Zoo attracted national media attention in 2005 when a group complained about the mention of evolutionary theory and the inclusion of religious icons, theories, and beliefs in zoo displays, including a statue of the HinduHinduism
Hinduism is the predominant and indigenous religious tradition of the Indian Subcontinent. Hinduism is known to its followers as , amongst many other expressions...
elephant-headed god Ganesha
Ganesha
Ganesha , also spelled Ganesa or Ganesh, also known as Ganapati , Vinayaka , and Pillaiyar , is one of the deities best-known and most widely worshipped in the Hindu pantheon. His image is found throughout India and Nepal. Hindu sects worship him regardless of affiliations...
as part of the elephant exhibition. The Tulsa Park Board responded by voting to add a display on Creationism
Creationism
Creationism is the religious beliefthat humanity, life, the Earth, and the universe are the creation of a supernatural being, most often referring to the Abrahamic god. As science developed from the 18th century onwards, various views developed which aimed to reconcile science with the Genesis...
. The board subsequently reconsidered and reversed its decision, citing widespread public criticism.
Robert J. LaFortune North American Living Museum
A four-building complex which has been the recipient of many awards, including best new exhibit when it was constructed in 1978. Each building represents a region of the North American continent, ArcticArctic
The Arctic is a region located at the northern-most part of the Earth. The Arctic consists of the Arctic Ocean and parts of Canada, Russia, Greenland, the United States, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland. The Arctic region consists of a vast, ice-covered ocean, surrounded by treeless permafrost...
Tundra
Tundra
In physical geography, tundra is a biome where the tree growth is hindered by low temperatures and short growing seasons. The term tundra comes through Russian тундра from the Kildin Sami word tūndâr "uplands," "treeless mountain tract." There are three types of tundra: Arctic tundra, alpine...
, Southwest Desert
Desert
A desert is a landscape or region that receives an extremely low amount of precipitation, less than enough to support growth of most plants. Most deserts have an average annual precipitation of less than...
, Eastern Forest
Forest
A forest, also referred to as a wood or the woods, is an area with a high density of trees. As with cities, depending where you are in the world, what is considered a forest may vary significantly in size and have various classification according to how and what of the forest is composed...
, and Southern Lowland
Lowland
In physical geography, a lowland is any broad expanse of land with a general low level. The term is thus applied to the landward portion of the upward slope from oceanic depths to continental highlands, to a region of depression in the interior of a mountainous region, to a plain of denudation, or...
s (which is wetlands). Exhibits include live animals, plants, Native American artifacts, fossils, and minerals. Unique features include a simulated earthquake area, a naturalistic walk-through cave, and a 20000 gal shark aquarium.
Elephant Demonstrations
Encompasses a 2.5 acres (1 ha) area designed to provide an educational experience for visitors and a stimulating and safe environment for the elephants. It includes a state-of-the-art museum which highlights of the life and history of the Asian ElephantAsian Elephant
The Asian or Asiatic elephant is the only living species of the genus Elephas and distributed in Southeast Asia from India in the west to Borneo in the east. Three subspecies are recognized — Elephas maximus maximus from Sri Lanka, the Indian elephant or E. m. indicus from mainland Asia, and E. m....
species through a variety of interactive exhibits. Visitors can view the elephants in a natural habitat from both indoor and outdoor viewing areas. Opening in April 2007 is a new Elephant Demonstration yard, where demonstrations of the zoo's two female elephants will be held for visitors to watch, if the weather permits it.
Helmerich Discovery Center
A fun interactive experience, exhibits include sunburst diving beetlesThermonectus marmoratus
Thermonectus marmoratus is a species of diving beetle known by the common names sunburst diving beetle and spotted diving beetle...
, a Pueblan milksnake
Lampropeltis triangulum campbelli
The Pueblan milk snake or Campbell's milk snake, is an egg laying species of non-venomous colubrid snake. It is commonly bred in captivity and is found in several color variations...
, aquatic caecilian
Caecilian
The caecilians are an order of amphibians that superficially resemble earthworms or snakes. They mostly live hidden in the ground, making them the least familiar order of amphibians. All extant caecilians and their closest fossil relatives are grouped as the clade Apoda. They are mostly...
s, waxy monkey tree frogs
Phyllomedusa sauvagii
Phyllomedusa sauvagii, commonly known as the Waxy Monkey Leaf Frog, is a hylid frog belonging to the subfamily of South and Central American leaf frogs, Phyllomedusinae that inhabits the Chaco of Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay. The subfamily consists of around 50 species in three well...
, and a Living Reef Tank.
Also visit Nature's Attic, an interactive area filled with interesting biofacts and other animal-related items. Open Noon-1pm weekdays and 2-pm on weekends. The zoo's dedicated volunteers will show you interesting things like deer antlers, sea shells, and hissing cockroaches. While there, take a peek at the Oklahoma Room, full of native Oklahoma animals, including fishes, snakes, a box turtle
Terrapene carolina triunguis
The Three-toed box turtle is a subspecies within the genus of hinge-shelled turtles commonly referred to as box turtles...
, and a tarantula
Texas brown tarantula
Aphonopelma hentzi, the Texas Brown tarantula, , is one of the most common species of tarantula thriving in the southern-most United States today. Texas Browns can grow in excess of a four inch leg span, and weigh more than 3 ounces as adults. The body is dark brown in color...
.
Tropical American Rain Forest
A living, naturalistic re-creation of a Central and South American rain forest environment. The exhibit incorporates translucent panels to illuminate the canopy of the rain forest, and a path guides visitors through the nearly 50 feet (15.2 m) high building. Exotic species include , black howler monkeyHowler monkey
Howler monkeys are among the largest of the New World monkeys. Fifteen species are currently recognised. Previously classified in the family Cebidae, they are now placed in the family Atelidae. These monkeys are native to South and Central American forests...
s, sloths, a green anaconda
Green Anaconda
Eunectes murinus is a non-venomous boa species found in South America. It is the heaviest known snake species...
, piranha
Piranha
A piranha or piraña is a member of family Characidae in order Characiformes, an omnivorous freshwater fish that inhabits South American rivers. In Venezuela, they are called caribes...
s, dwarf caiman
Caiman
Caimans are alligatorid crocodylians within the subfamily Caimaninae. The group is one of two subfamilies of the family Alligatoridae, the other being alligators. Caimans inhabit Central and South America. They are relatively small crocodilians, with most species reaching lengths of only a few...
s, and jaguar
Jaguar
The jaguar is a big cat, a feline in the Panthera genus, and is the only Panthera species found in the Americas. The jaguar is the third-largest feline after the tiger and the lion, and the largest in the Western Hemisphere. The jaguar's present range extends from Southern United States and Mexico...
s. The native human cultures of this region are also highlighted throughout the exhibit. Many species are not caged, including rainforest birds, to allow for a more realistic jungle
Jungle
A Jungle is an area of land in the tropics overgrown with dense vegetation.The word jungle originates from the Sanskrit word jangala which referred to uncultivated land. Although the Sanskrit word refers to "dry land", it has been suggested that an Anglo-Indian interpretation led to its...
feel. If you're lucky you might spot one of the tufted-eared marmosets running above your head.
Chimpanzee Connection
Visitors can view chimpanzees in a large outdoor enclosure as well as a large indoor play-area, where visitors can get eye-to-eye with the chimps. The exhibit is outfitted with climbing equipment to help keep the chimps mentally and physically active.In 2007, the Tulsa Zoo was proud to welcome two new additions to the Chimp Connection - Vindi and Bernsen! You can see them on the Chimp Cams at the Zoo website at www.tulsazoo.org
California Sea Lion Show
Underwater view of sea lion swimmingA behavioral conditioning program for California Sea Lion
California Sea Lion
The California sea lion is a coastal sea lion of western North America. Their numbers are abundant , and the population continues to expand about 5% annually. They are quite intelligent and can adapt to man-made environments...
s is demonstrated for the public at 2:30 p.m. daily, April 1 - October 31.
Penguin Habitat
African Black-footed Penguin exhibit, opened to the public in 2002 after a four year fund-raising campaign. The penguin enclosure is the foundation of “Oceans and Islands,” a new exhibit area for the zoo that will be expanded with a new California Sea Lion exhibit in 2007. The design for this innovative penguin habitat includes geo-thermal heating and cooling to regulate the water temperature for these warm water inhabitants. A “wave poolWave pool
A wave pool is a swimming pool in which there are artificially generated, reasonably large waves, similar to the ocean's. Wave pools are often a major feature of water parks...
” or water action simulator, plus a rocky coastline setting, imitates their natural habitat. Special viewing windows were built into the wall of the exhibit for visitors observe the penguins under water. The exhibit currently holds 20 penguins, and can hold up to 30.
The fund-raising campaign for this exhibit was a local art project that created 6 feet (1.8 m) tall penguin sculptures. Businesses gave donations to the fund-raising campaign and then received the penguin sculpture at their desired location. These penguins are now called, “Tulsa penguins.”
African Area
Go on an African Safari and observe MeerkatMeerkat
The meerkat or suricate, Suricata suricatta, is a small mammal belonging to the mongoose family. Meerkats live in all parts of the Kalahari Desert in Botswana, in much of the Namib Desert in Namibia and southwestern Angola, and in South Africa. A group of meerkats is called a "mob", "gang" or "clan"...
s, Giraffe
Giraffe
The giraffe is an African even-toed ungulate mammal, the tallest of all extant land-living animal species, and the largest ruminant...
s, Zebra
Zebra
Zebras are several species of African equids united by their distinctive black and white stripes. Their stripes come in different patterns unique to each individual. They are generally social animals that live in small harems to large herds...
s, Lion
Lion
The lion is one of the four big cats in the genus Panthera, and a member of the family Felidae. With some males exceeding 250 kg in weight, it is the second-largest living cat after the tiger...
s, and of course Cheetah
Cheetah
The cheetah is a large-sized feline inhabiting most of Africa and parts of the Middle East. The cheetah is the only extant member of the genus Acinonyx, most notable for modifications in the species' paws...
s in their natural habitats. The Cheetahs have a big area to run around and play. It is also said that you can see Cheetahs run across their exhibit, their area has an habitat similar to the ones of Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
in a savanna type environment.
Asian Area
See various big cats, like the Siberian Tiger and the Snow leopardSnow Leopard
The snow leopard is a moderately large cat native to the mountain ranges of South Asia and Central Asia...
from central Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
. This exhibit also contains the Siamang Overlook which has good view of Siamang
Siamang
The siamang is a tailless, arboreal, black-furred gibbon native to the forests of Malaysia, Thailand, and Sumatra. The largest of the lesser apes, the siamang can be twice the size of other gibbons, reaching 1 m in height, and weighing up to 14 kg...
s. It also includes the Elephant Encounter which has Asian Elephants.
Children's Zoo
The Children's zoo has a contact yard where kids can get up close and personal with Nigerian dwarf goats, Southdown sheep Katadin sheep, earless Lamancha goats, and Nubian goats, and rabbits, even give their wooly coats a good brushing. Open March 1st to Oct. 31st. There are also llamas, alpacas, Sicilian donkeys, and Guinea Forest hogs. This exhibit also contains the Australian Outback Area, which has red kangarooRed Kangaroo
The Red Kangaroo is the largest of all kangaroos, the largest mammal native to Australia, and the largest surviving marsupial. It is found across mainland Australia, avoiding only the more fertile areas in the south, the east coast, and the northern rainforests.-Description:This species is a very...
s, and emus. Plus American river otters and prairie dogs.
Dave Zucconi Conservation Center
Fish
Fish are a paraphyletic group of organisms that consist of all gill-bearing aquatic vertebrate animals that lack limbs with digits. Included in this definition are the living hagfish, lampreys, and cartilaginous and bony fish, as well as various extinct related groups...
Some endangered animals on display are the spiny turtle
Spiny Turtle
The Spiny turtle inhabits lowland and hill rainforest, usually in the vicinity of small streams, mainly in hill areas up to 900 m...
, Pan's box turtle (Cuora pani
Cuora pani
Pan's box turtle is a species of turtle in the family Geoemydidae . The yellow-headed box turtle is sometimes included herein as a subspecies Cuora pani aurocapitata...
), Black-breasted Hill Turtle
Black-breasted Hill Turtle
The Black-breasted leaf turtle, Vietnamese leaf turtle or Black-breasted hill turtle is a species of turtle in the family Geoemydidae . It is found in China and Vietnam....
, radiated tortoise
Radiated Tortoise
The radiated tortoise is a species in the family Testudinidae. Although this species is native to and most abundant in southern Madagascar, it can be also be found in the rest of this island, and has been introduced to the islands of Réunion and Mauritius...
, Flat-backed Spider Tortoise
Flat-backed Spider Tortoise
The flat-backed spider tortoise, flat-shelled spider tortoise, or Madagascar flat-shelled tortoise is a species of turtle in the Testudinidae family.It is endemic to Madagascar.-Source:...
, Fiji iguana, Grand Cayman Island Blue Iguana
Blue Iguana
The Blue Iguana or Grand Cayman Iguana is a critically endangered species of lizard of the genus Cyclura endemic to the island of Grand Cayman. Previously listed as a subspecies of the Cuban Iguana, it was reclassified as a separate species in 2004 because of genetic differences discovered four...
, Bali Myna birds, Black and White Ruffed Lemur
Ruffed lemur
The ruffed lemurs of the genus Varecia are strepsirrhine primates and the largest extant lemurs within the family Lemuridae. Like all living lemurs, they are found only on the island of Madagascar...
s, and Thick-billed parrot
Thick-billed Parrot
The Thick-billed Parrot, Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha is an endangered, medium-sized, up to 38 cm long, bright green parrot with a large black bill and a red forecrown, shoulder and thighs...
s.