Zoo Exhibits

Here is just a taste of what you will experience when you visit the Tulsa Zoo!  These are descriptions of some of our key exhibits, but there is much, much more to see.  Come visit us to get the full zoo experience!

NOTE:  The Desert Exhibit building is currently under renovation.  We look forward to reopening with a fresh look and new amazing animals soon!  Construction has begun on the new Helmerich Sea Lion Cove exhibit and is expected to be complete by Spring 2012.

	Robert J. LaFortune North American Living Museum Complex One of the Tulsa Zoo's most unique facilities, the Robert J. LaFortune North American Living Museum, is a four-building complex that was completed in 1978. Each building represents a region of our continent, telling an exciting story of North America's land and its wildlife. Exhibits include live animals, plants, Native American artifacts, fossils, and minerals. Unusual graphics and audio/visual displays are prominent throughout the complex. Special features include a Time Gallery with a simulated earthquake, and a naturalistic walk-through cave. Recent renovations to the complex have added several new exhibits for guests to enjoy.
	Africa The South end of the zoo is home to the African area and is one of the most popular with guests.  Many unique and awe-inspiring animals are housed in this region including Aldabra Tortoises, Cape Buffalo, Cheetahs, Giraffe, Kudu, Lions, Meerkats, Ostrich, and Zebra.  This area is also home to the Maasai Village.  The exhibit is a recreation of a typical Maasai village. This particular display consists of three huts: a family hut, an elder hut (an elder serves as a village leader or advisor) and a hut under construction.  The “under construction” hut is purposely left unfinished to illustrate techniques and materials used by these people to build their dwellings.
	Tropical American Rainforest A living re-creation of a Central and South American rain forest environment comes to life in the Tulsa Zoo's Tropical American Rain Forest exhibit. The exhibit incorporates great expanses of translucent panels which illuminate the canopy of the rain forest, while a path along the jungle floor takes visitors through stands of live, lush tropical vegetation. The building is nearly 50' high at its central point and houses many exotic species including the black howler monkey, anaconda, piranha, dwarf caiman, and jaguar. A backdrop of pre-Columbian ruins enhances the indoor/outdoor habitat for jaguars. The native human cultures of this region are also highlighted throughout the exhibit.  A variety of bird species fly freely throughout this interactive exhibit.
	Dave Zucconi Conservation Center This multi-purpose facility houses a variety of animals from birds and primates to reptiles and fish. Within the Conservation Center building are displays such as the Secrets of Survival exhibit, which demonstrates the characteristics that help animals and plants survive in their environment. The Reptile Nursery allows visitors to watch as baby reptiles emerge from their eggs in incubators and talk with reptile keepers as they work.
	Asia See some big cats like the Malayan Tiger and the Snow leopard from central Asia. This Exhibit also contains the Siamang Overlook which is a viewing deck offering excellent views of Siamang and Spectacled Langur monkeys. One of the more popular Asian exhibits is the Elephant Encounter which houses the zoo’s Asian Elephants.  The Elephant Encounter offers regular demonstrations for the public in our demonstration yard.  Watch the keepers walk the elephants through their training and enrichment exercises.  Check the activity schedule for current times.
	Oceans and Islands This area of the Zoo represents animals from the world's oceans and islands. Our keystone exhibit is the California Sea Lion exhibit with our stars, Dorsey and Briney. A brand new Sea Lion exhibit is being designed that will allow for a better experience for both visitors and our sea lions.  You can also see the award-winning African Penguin exhibit and the entertaining Black and White Ruffed Lemurs from Madagascar.
	Children’s Zoo The Children’s Zoo is home to our Contact Yard, an area housing small farm animals that children can touch.  One popular spot in the Children’s Zoo is the prairie dog exhibit.  Guests can watch our resident family of prairie dogs interact.  In addition, the area houses guinea hogs, llamas, river otters, kangaroos, emus, donkeys, turkeys and much more.
	Education Areas The zoo offers many areas to gain a better understanding of our natural world.  Through educational signage and hands-on opportunities, these areas provide guests with a unique experience at the Tulsa Zoo.  These areas include the Helmerich Discovery Center, the Oklahoma Trail, the Sensory Garden, the Lang Memorial Garden, the Wetlands and the COX Nature Exchange.