OKC Zoo’s Centennial Anniversary celebrations begin June 7

Terré Gables/KFOR
·4 min read

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – The OKC Zoo is gearing up for its Centennial Anniversary of wildlife and wild memories at Lincoln Park with a membership sale and activities June 7-9, 2024.

According to OKC Zoo officials, the OKC Zoo was first established in downtown Oklahoma City’s Wheeler Park area and designated as Oklahoma’s first zoo in 1902. Unfortunately, the location in Wheeler Park frequently flooded from the Oklahoma River, forcing the Zoo to temporarily close in 1923. Zoo officials made the decision to temporarily shelter at the Oklahoma City Fairgrounds before relocating to its permanent location at Lincoln Park in Northeast Oklahoma City, and officially reopened the Zoo on June 7, 1924.

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From its humble beginnings with one white-tailed deer, the OKC Zoo now spans 130 acres, cares for more than 1,000 animals, and brings people from around the world together to connect with wildlife and wild places, said Zoo officials.

OKC Zoo is recognizing the unique milestone at Lincoln Park Friday, June 7, 2024 as the anniversary that the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden first opened at its current location at Lincoln Park 100 years ago, and the Zoo is inviting fans from near and far to partake in special activities planned for the weekend in June 7 – June 9.

“We’re thrilled to commemorate this anniversary at Lincoln Park and bring the community together to celebrate,” said Dr. Dwight Lawson, executive director/CEO for the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden. “The Zoo’s growth and achievements in advanced animal care and conservation, as well as world-class expansions like Expedition Africa, would not be possible without our supporters and we are grateful to all who continue to help move us forward.”

100 YEARS AT LINCOLN PARK WEEKEND ACTIVITIES

  • OKC ZOO MEMBERSHIP SALE: From Friday, June 7 through Sunday, June 9, only, the Zoo is hosting a flash membership sale and offering the ZOOfriends Passport for four for $100, a savings of $49. Memberships are good for 12 months and provide the member with free general admission into the Zoo for four people as well as discounts on the Zoo’s behind-the-scenes experiences, Wild Encounters, VIP tours, special events, gift shop purchases, concessions, summer camps and more. Members also receive discounted admission to hundreds of Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited zoos and aquariums. This sale is available only online at www.okczoo.org/membership and expires midnight on Sunday, June 9.

  • OKC ZOO KEY GIVEAWAYS: The first 500 families to visit the Zoo on Saturday, June 8 and Sunday, June 9 will receive a complimentary OKC Zoo Key. A popular activity since the 1960s, these interactive keys are a fun way to learn about the Zoo’s wildlife as you unlock recorded messages from the Zoo’s partners at Oklahoma’s Own News 9. Giveaways start at 9 a.m. both days and keys will be distributed from the ticket check in station in the Zoo’s Entry Plaza. One key per family. Retro OKC Zoo Keys also work on the current displays.

  • VINTAGE POSTCARD PHOTO-OPS: Enjoy a view of the Zoo from yesteryear with this series of enlarged vintage postcard photo banners. These banners are not only the perfect photo-op but they depict iconic Zoo scenes from a then-and-now perspective complete with short histories and located in the exact locations where they were first illustrated or photographed nearly a century ago! Guests will be in awe by how much the Zoo has grown over the years. Share your pics with the Zoo on our social channels @okczoo.

  • ANIMAL ENRICHMENT: The Zoo’s animal family is getting in on the centennial festivities, too! Watch as select Zoo animals enjoy special enrichment provided for them by their caretakers on Friday, June 7. The enrichment schedule will be shared on the Zoo’s social channels @okczoo and includes:

    • 10 a.m.: Chimpanzees (Great EscApe)

    • 10 a.m.: Honey badgers (Expedition Africa)

    • 11 a.m.: Red river hogs (Expedition Africa)

    • 11:30 a.m.: African painted dogs (Predator Pass)

    • 2 p.m.: Asian elephants (Sanctuary Asia)

The Oklahoma City Zoo is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily with the last entry no later than 4 p.m. Through Labor Day, Monday, September 2, the Zoo is open daily at 8:30 a.m. for ZOOfriends with current memberships.

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To purchase advance Zoo admission tickets at click okczoo.org/tickets and avoid the entry lines.

Zoo admission is $16 for adults and $13 for children ages 3-11 and seniors ages 65 and over. Children two and under are admitted free.

Don’t forget membership has its perks for more information on how to join or renew today click okczoo.org/membership.

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