The Tulsa Forum by TulsaNow

Located in Oklahoma City's Adventure District, the district boast many attractions like the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Firefighters Museum, Science Museum Oklahoma (Omniplex),  Girl Scouts campground, Tinsletown Theater, Pigeon Museum, National Softball Hall of Fame and our Zoo nestled on Northeast Lake at 2000 Remington Place.

During the WCWS, shouts out to Remington Park, they offered free parking in their massive lot--sure they lured some of the out-of-state guests into the casino world; kudos for them.

Thirty plus years ago, Oklahoma City voters approved a 1/8 permanent sales tax to fund the Oklahoma City Zoo.   The sales tax can fluctuate more than other government funding, like property taxes or annual stipends. But many zoos don't have public funds that are so reliable.

The Zoo leadership has been good stewards of those funds;  many new projects, exhibits and renovations has made the Zoo one of OKC's best attractions.

Our citizens stepped up and said they wanted a great zoo, it's up to the zoo trust and the Friends of the Zoo and the city council to make sure we deliver. They've done a good job of creating one of the best zoos in the country.

We'll look at some of the exhibits made possible by funding the Zoo's sales tax.

Located in the heart of Oklahoma City, the Oklahoma City Zoo & Botanical Gardens has grown into a memory-making experience over the decades—and it's not done growing. In October of 2021, the Zoo opened its newest exhibit, the 61,000-square-foot Predator Pass...

...As of 2020, Oklahoma City was the sixth fastest-growing city among the 25 largest U.S. cities by population. Along with growth comes the need for family activities, and a visit to the Oklahoma City Zoo & Botanical Gardens will not disappoint. Regular admission is $12 for adults. Children ages 3-11 and seniors age 65 and over are $9, while children two and under are admitted free. Be sure to plan to spend an entire day to see each exhibit, and don't forget to experience Predator Pass.--OKC 405 Magazine.


Full article 405 Magazine  https://www.405magazine.com/lions-and-tigers-and-cheetahs-to-spy/ (https://www.405magazine.com/lions-and-tigers-and-cheetahs-to-spy/)

OKC Zoo debuts plans for marine mammal habitat expansion https://kfor.com/news/local/okc-zoo-debuts-plans-for-marine-mammal-habitat-expansion/ (https://kfor.com/news/local/okc-zoo-debuts-plans-for-marine-mammal-habitat-expansion/)

The new habitat expansion will be located in the eastern section of the park overlooking Zoo Lake and encompass 3.5 acres.

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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PRESS RELEASE:

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OKC ZOO ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR NEW MARINE MAMMAL HABITAT EXPANSION

October 11, 2022

As a leader in animal care and wellbeing, the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden, is proud to announce plans for its next expansion project,
a new marine mammal habitat. Construction will begin Spring 2023 on this premier animal habitat that will be home to the Zoo's California sea lions,
harbor seals and potentially other species. This additional space will provide an expanded and enriched habitat for these coastal animals while creating an exciting opportunity for guests to enjoy them from a fresh perspective.

While the habitat is being constructed, the Zoo's sea lion family including males Xander, 19, and Cash, 5, and females Piper, 22, Addie, 22, Pearl, 19,
Phoenix, 6, and Isla, 4, as well as harbor seals, Liberty, 20, and Bixby, 10, will all be temporarily relocated to other Association of Zoos and Aquariums
member zoos and aquariums. The Zoo's marine mammal caretakers will be shifting to work in other animal areas throughout this transition.

Wildlife fans interested in "sea"ing our marine mammals before they move are encouraged to attend the Zoo's sea lion presentations occurring at 1 p.m.
daily and 10 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays now through Sunday, October 30. Sea lion presentations will be a featured attraction at the new habitat that
will resume once the project is completed in 2025. Additionally, the Zoo's Wild Encounter experience with sea lions will conclude on Sunday, October 30.

"This is an exciting time of growth and transformation for the OKC Zoo and we are extremely grateful to our guests, members and the community for their continuous support," said Dr. Dwight Lawson, Zoo executive director/CEO. "Guests will experience a renewed connection to these animals and their habitat
as they discover this breathtaking new oasis. Our goal is to inform guests about the importance of protecting and maintaining healthy water sources for all living things while inspiring conservation action."

This new habitat 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.

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. Guests will be in awe of
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.

"We are thrilled to build a brand new, dynamic habitat space for our marine mammal family," said Sierra Chappell, OKC Zoo's assistant curator of marine mammals. "Our sea lions and seals will be welcomed back to an innovative space full of opportunities to enhance their overall wellbeing."

Help send our pinnipeds off in style and make plans to attend one of the weekend sea lion presentations happening now through Sunday, October, 30. Presentations occur at 1 p.m. daily and 10 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays in the Zoo's Sea Lion Presentation Stadium. Cost is $5 per person in addition to
Zoo admission. Children two and under are free.

                             
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                         (https://kfor.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/10/OKC-Zoo-new-Marnie-Mammal-Habitat-viewing-area.jpg?w=876&h=493&crop=1)

         Oklahoma City Zoo announces planned expansion for new marine mammal habitat

           
                  OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden has announced its plan to
                  break ground on a state-of-the-art habitat for its resident California sea lions and harbor seals in
                   Spring 2023.  

       KFOR Link: https://kfor.com/news/local/okc-zoo-debuts-plans-for-marine-mammal-habitat-expansion/ (https://kfor.com/news/local/okc-zoo-debuts-plans-for-marine-mammal-habitat-expansion/)

                  Ten-year master plan has been done in correlation with the strategic plan, which helps the zoo prioritize projects based on revenue projections
                  and other funding sources.

            The $71 million in projects spans from 2018 to 2028 and includes $6 million in fundraising by the Oklahoma City Zoological Society and less than
            $9 million in borrowing or bonding to ensure timely completion.  The 1/8 dedicated penny sales tax generates over $12.5 million annually for the
            Zoo for capital improvements.

            Since 1990, the zoo has received one-eighth of a cent from the city's sales tax collections approved by Oklahoma City voters.


           Other sources:  Journal Record and Oklahoman.


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          Oklahoma City Zoo New Marine Mammal Habitat Plans


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OKCTalk.com reports:  https://www.okctalk.com/content.php?r=932-Zoo-ready-to-start-on-new-marine-mammal-habitat (https://www.okctalk.com/content.php?r=932-Zoo-ready-to-start-on-new-marine-mammal-habitat)


                                                     Project costs:  Included in $71 million in renovations and new exhibits.

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