Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden, Zoo and botanical garden in Oklahoma City, United States
The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden covers 130 acres in the Adventure District, with sections such as Sanctuary Asia, Great EscAPE, Cat Forest/Lion Overlook, Oklahoma Trails, and Expedition Africa. A zoo train links the areas, and the grounds include a butterfly garden and a herpetarium.
The zoo opened in 1904 with a small animal collection in Wheeler Park. After a flood destroyed the grounds, it moved to Lincoln Park, where a fire destroyed the facilities again in 1924 and the zoo was rebuilt elsewhere in the park. In fiscal year 2014/2015 it recorded more than one million visitors for the first time.
The Oklahoma Trails section displays native species such as black bears and bison, helping visitors connect with the region's wildlife and plant life.
The site is located in the Adventure District in northeast Oklahoma City with pathways connecting different areas throughout the grounds. Plan for a full day and bring water and sun protection, as you will spend considerable time outdoors.
Monarch butterflies raised in the zoo's butterfly garden are marked and released so researchers can track their migration. The garden's plants feed both the adult butterflies and their caterpillars. The zoo also keeps monarchs among its invertebrate collection.
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