Growing Wild! Capital Campaign
There is a special place near you where imagination thrives and dreams come alive. A place where children have the chance, maybe their only chance ever, to trek through a Tropical Rainforest, learn the customs of a remote Maasai tribe, or observe the quirky habits of an African penguin. It is a place dedicated to education, conservation, research and most importantly… Keeping the Wonder Alive for children of all ages.
Currently, the Tulsa Zoo is embarking on the most ambitious program of expansion and improvement in our 77-year history. Our new capital campaign, "Growing Wild!", not only paves the way for future growth, but will enable your zoo’s most engaging and interactive components. With the help of the entire community the zoo has continuously been raising over $7.2 million to develop and enhance three specific areas: the California sea lions, Asian elephants and a new event center.
To contribute to the Growing Wild! Campaign, please contact Lindsay Hutchison at (918) 669-6637 or lhutchison@tulsazoo.org. You may also click here to make a lasting contribution today.
Phase 1: Asian Elephant Encounter
The Asian Elephant Encounter was completed in April 2007 and Tulsa Zoo Friends could not be more thrilled with the outcome.
A brand new elephant Demonstration Yard is now connected to the east end of the Main Cow yard, with elephant access from this yard through a new hydraulic gate. This facility provides seating for approximately 80 people (with handicap accessible seating) with additional viewing outside the seating area. Guests riding the new ONEOK Safari Zoo Train will get a good view of the elephant presentation as they pass near the Demo Yard on their way to the Crane Depot. The Demo Yard also has a brand new shade structure over the seating area and the elephant area to provide comfort for elephants, keepers and guests.
The regularly scheduled demonstrations have been a huge hit and the children have loved the opportunity to interact with keepers while they are involved in husbandry and training sessions, and even elephant baths! There is nearly 4,000 ft2 of demonstration space where keepers can work with Gunda and Sooky while answering questions and speaking about elephants and elephant conservation.
In addition to the demonstration yard, Phase 1 included a complete renovation of the existing elephant reserve yard, including expansion to over 13,000 ft2 and new pipe fencing to allow Sneezy, the Zoo’s resident bull elephant, as well as the Zoo’s two cows Gunda and Sooky, to use the yard. This new space was very important this past summer, when Asha and Chandra, Oklahoma City’s female Asian Elephants headed to the Tulsa Zoo for an extended visit. All five of our elephants now have the ability to roam more freely.
In addition to the other new features, a new Training Wall was incorporated into the fence that allows keepers to perform necessary husbandry, such as foot care, body inspections and blood draws, in a situation that’s safe for them and the elephants. Other aspects of Phase 1 included a new “bull-proof” door into the barn, a hydraulic gate from Sneezy’s yard to facilitate safe shifting and improved vehicle access to the yard. This addition has improved the keepers’ access to the elephants, greatly increase the holding space available for the bull and facilitate breeding by providing space for visiting cows. 
Phase 2: H.A. Chapman Event Lodge
We are very happy to report that Phase 2, the H.A. Chapman Event Lodge is now under construction at the Tulsa Zoo. FlintCo, our amazing contractors, broke ground in September 2008 and is on schedule to complete the project on-time in May 2009. The beams are up, the lodge has taken shape and we truly could not be more excited about this much-needed revenue building facility.
Located within Africa, this multi-use event facility will be themed as an African lodge. The back deck will overlook our expansive African Savannah where guests can view our kudu, zebra, gazelle and more. This one-of-a-kind facility will have the capacity to hold over 1,000 individuals inside, yet provide an intimate setting for as little as 50 guests. The amenities will include a catering kitchen as well as private bathrooms.
This facility will be one of the most spectacular event facilities in the region – and it will make a terrific new home for events such as WALTZ on the Wild Side, ZooFari and an array of private events. We are excited about the possibilities this will bring us and hope you are just as excited as we are.
Phase 3: The Helmerich California Sea Lion Exhibit
The California sea lions are by far the most popular attraction at the Tulsa Zoo. Their aquatic acrobatics and charisma captivate guests and their imagination. We are thrilled to be able to focus this new exhibit on the health and well-being of our animals, as well as introduce an immersion, for animal and human alike, into the sea lions’ natural habitat.
Of course, our first obligation is always to the health of our animals. Plans are still being drawn for our California Sea Lion exhibit because it is especially important that we get exhibit perfect. Currently we are working on ensuring that both our salt water filtration system, updated filter technology and our life support system are the best we can provide.
As stated before, we are close to finalizing our plans and hope to break ground in Summer 2009. Dorsey and Briney will be headed to the Oklahoma City Zoo in late spring 2009.
