The Oklahoma City Zoo has many programs and events for children in the next few months.

Zoo visitors may help ZooFriends preserve and conserve wildlife and wild places around the globe with the adoption of animals at the zoo.



Adopt an animal

Adopt a flamingo or squirrel monkey to help contribute toward the health, nutritional and enrichment needs of these animals at the Zoo. For a $40 donation, will be appreciated, and you'll receive your choice of a plush flamingo or squirrel monkey, adoption certificate, a fact sheet and name recognition on Zoo grounds. Adoption does not include personal possession of any Zoo animal. Visit zoofriends.com to learn more.



Dr. Pepper

vending machine art contest

The Zoo and Dr Pepper invite all Oklahoma students in grades K-12 to enter the sixth annual Dr Pepper Vending Machine Art Contest. Now through March 26, students may submit their artwork for a chance to win one of two $500 savings bonds courtesy of First Security Bank and have their design placed on one of two Dr Pepper vending machines located on Zoo grounds.

This year's contest theme is playful by nature. Why this theme? In celebration of the Zoo's new Children's Zoo opening March 12, children are encouraged to let their imaginations run wild and tell the zookeepers what they enjoy most about being outside.

Kids are playful by nature and the Children's Zoo was designed just for them. Entries must be postmarked by March 26. Entry forms and official contest rules are available online at okczoo.com.



ZooFriends membership

Answer the call of the wild and enjoy the Zoo all year long! ZooFriends is offering a $5 discount on ZooFriends memberships $40 and up. ZooFriends members enjoy unlimited zoo visits, a quarterly newsletter, ZooSounds, special event invitations and 10 percent off on zoo concessions, gift shop purchases and education classes.

For more information or to purchase a membership, go to zoofriends.com or call 427-2461.



Grin and Win Photo Safari

Grab your camera, your grin and you might win in the Oklahoma City Zoo's Grin and Win Photo Safari. The Zoo has teamed up with these partners to generate enthusiasm for the new Children's Zoo: KJ103, 101.9 The Twister, News9 and News9.com.

Ever wondered what you would look like with a monkey tail or peacock feathers? Visit one of the photo safari stations around town to get a party pic of your body superimposed onto that of an animal. E-mail it to the zoo to be randomly selected for daily and weekly prizes.

Five children will win the opportunity to be Children's Zoo director for the day, and one winner will win the grand prize, a Rainbow Play Set provided by Statuary World. Visit okczoo.com for more details.



Children's Zoo grand opening

Play, jump, explore ? children are invited to do this and more as they discover the Oklahoma City Zoo's new Children's Zoo. Made possible by the one-eighth of a cent Oklahoma City sales tax, The Inasmuch Foundation, The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, The Potts Family Foundation and ZooFriends; the Zoo is excited to unveil its newest multi-million dollar exhibit to the public on Friday.

The Children's Zoo is a place where children can play in a natural setting and have direct contact with animals. Kids are playful by nature and the Children's Zoo was designed just for them with a choose your own adventure format, with lots of trails and individual play spaces.

Explore the underground to uncover fun creepy crawlies. Enter the barnyard to brush a goat. Check out the ever-popular lorikeet exhibit. The new Children's Zoo, playful by nature.

Sea Lion show season begins

The Zoo's popular Sea Lion Show kicks off another exciting season beginning March 12. Cost of admission is $2 for adults and $1 for children ages three to 11. Children two and under are free. The show time schedule is as follows:

March 12-21

· 1 and 3 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays

· 10:30 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. Saturdays

· 1 and 3 p.m. Sundays

April-August

· 10 a.m. and noon Thursdays and Fridays

· 10:30 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. Saturdays

· 1 and 3 p.m. Sundays

September

· 10:30 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. Saturdays

· 1 and 3 p.m. Sundays



Animal feedings

Watch and learn about some of the zoo's scaled, feathered and furry friends during regularly scheduled animal feedings beginning Saturday and continuing through October. See the schedule below. All feedings are weather permitting.

Saturdays

· 10:30 a.m. Spectacled Bear (Wild Dog Drive)

· 11 a.m. Children's Zoo (Barnyard)

· 1:30 p.m. Andean Condor (across from picnic pavilions)

· 1:30 p.m. Great EscApe

· 2 p.m. Indian Rhino

· 2:30 p.m. Beaver/Otter (Oklahoma Trails)

· 3 p.m. Grizzly Bears (Oklahoma Trails)

· 3:30 p.m. Upper Aquarium (Noble Aquatic Center)

· 4 p.m. Alligators (Oklahoma Trails)

Sundays

· 10:30 a.m. Giraffe

· 11 a.m. Children's Zoo (Grandma's Porch)

· 11:30 a.m. Galapagos Tortoise (Island Life)

· 1:30 p.m. Andean Condor (across from picnic pavilions)

· 1:30 p.m. Great EscApe

· 2 p.m. Indian Rhino

· 2:30 p.m. Beaver/Otter (Oklahoma Trails)

· 3 p.m. Grizzly Bears (Oklahoma Trails)

· 3:30 p.m. Lower Aquarium (Noble Aquatic Center)

· 4 p.m. Bird Aviary (Oklahoma Trails)

Tuesdays

· 11 a.m. Alligators (Oklahoma Trails)

Sunday

· Senior Citizens Day

Guests 65 and older will receive admission for 65 cents during regular hours.

March 16-19



Spring break day camps

Hey kids, this spring break escape the mild life and enjoy the wild life at Zoo camp. Our single-day camps offer a variety of activities including tours, up-close animal visits, crafts and games.

This year's camp themes include Thriller, Black or White, Fly Away and You Are Not Alone. All camps are for 4-5, 6-7 and 8-11 year olds, meet daily from 9 a.m. to noon and provide a snack. Cost is $20 per child for ZooFriends and $25 per child for non-members and requires advance registration and payment.

Registrations can be made on-line at http://okczoo.recware.com or by phone. For more information call 425-0218.

Visit the Oklahoma City Zoo at the crossroads of Interstates 35 and 44 in the heart of Oklahoma City's Adventure District. The Zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with exhibit building closing at 4:45 p.m. Admission is $7 for adults and $4 for children ages three to 11 and seniors ages 65 and older. Children two and under are free. For more information, call 424-3344 or visit okczoo.com.