September Happenings Announced At The Oklahoma City Zoo

September Happenings Announced At The Oklahoma City Zoo. Monarch Madness 5K, Wolee turns 45, New Adult Zoo Camp, More Happening in September.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 2: TICKETS ON SALE FOR HAUNT THE ZOO: ALL GROWN UP

Haunt the Zoo: All Grown Up returns for its second year - BIGGER and BETTER than before! Join us Friday, October 25 from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. for OKC's biggest and best 21+ only Halloween event! Activities include games and prizes, DJ performance by Brothers Griiin, two haunted houses and a spooky sea lion presentation! Both General admission and VIP tickets are available. VIP tickets include access to the Area 51 lounge with exclusive bars, DJ and two free drinks. For more information and to purchase tickets starting Monday, click here.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 2: PYGMY HIPPO WOLEE'S 45TH BIRTHDAY

Pygmy hippo Wolee is turning 45! Join the celebration on Labor Day, Monday, September 2, at 10:30 a.m. with a hippo hoppin' birthday surprise including an enrichment activity for Wolee and a special sing-a-long at his habitat located in the OKC Zoo Pachyderm Building. Wolee has called the Zoo home since 1999 and is the second oldest pygmy hippo in North America. He spends his days relaxing in his wallow, lounging by the pool or taking a dip in the water. He enjoys investigating pool toys and sleeping on his cozy hay bed.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 2: SCHOOL'S OUT DAY CAMP

Wondering what to do when your child is out of school? Bring them to School's Out Day Camp at the OKC Zoo! School's Out Day Camps offer a variety of activities including Zoo tours, up-close animal visits, crafts and games. Snacks are provided, but campers must bring their lunch. Ages 4-11 welcome. Advanced registration and payment required. All campers are required to bring a copy of their immunizations. Camp runs 8:30 a.m.-5:15 p.m. Drop-off at Education Center from 8-8:30 a.m. Cost per child per day is $40 (ZOOfriends members) or $45 (non-members). To learn more about this program and register, click here.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7: ADULT DAY CAMP - NO KIDS ALLOWED

The kids are in school and summer is over but there's still time for Adult Zoo Camp fun on Saturday, September 7, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.! Join the OKC Zoo for an experience you're sure to never forget. Camp games, animal demonstrations, keeper chats and enrichment craft making will make this day camp unforgettable. Camp includes a pizza lunch, a Zoo water bottle and Zoo admission after the program is over. Register now, there are only 20 spots open for this experience.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7: VOLUNTEER OPEN HOUSE

Looking for an adventure? Volunteers at the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden help the community while igniting a passion for wildlife and wild places in those they serve. The Zoo has exciting volunteer opportunities available for individuals 18 and older. An open house on Saturday, September 7 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. in the Rosser Conservation Education Center will provide more information about volunteering. The OKC Zoo's volunteer program offers a variety of opportunities that are flexible, fun and involved in every aspect of the Zoo.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14: THIRD ANNUAL MONARCH MADNESS 5K/FUN RUN PRESENTED BY BOB MOORE SUBARU

Run, don't wait to register for the Oklahoma City Zoo's third annual Monarch Madness 5K/Fun Run presented by Bob Moore Subaru. The OKC Zoo's Monarch Madness 5K and one-mile Fun Run, happening Saturday, September 14, is an officially timed, family friendly run benefiting monarch butterfly conservation. New this year, the course goes into and through the Zoo! The 5K will begin at 7:30 a.m., the Fun Run begins at 8 a.m. and check-in for both events begins at 6 a.m. The officially timed course simulates the 4,000 kilometer (2,500 mile) migration monarchs make from Canada to Mexico for the winter with themed water stops along the trail. All participants will receive an event T-shirt, timed bib, a finisher's medal, a small bag of OKC Zoo Poo compost and FREE general admission into the Zoo that day. Registration is $40 for adults and $30 for kids ages 3-12. To register, click here or visit www.okczoo.org to learn more.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14: MONARCH FESTIVAL

After the 5K, enjoy the OKC Zoo's annual Monarch Festival from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Zoo's entry plaza. Festival activities will include information stations, milkweed giveaways, butterfly tagging and garden tours in the Zoo's Butterfly Garden, and storytelling at Grandma's Porch-all free with zoo admission. The goal of the Monarch Festival is to educate Zoo guests about declining monarch populations and to inspire them help protect butterflies and all pollinators by learning how to attract them to public gardens, neighborhoods or their own backyard. Learn more at www.okczoo.org.

NOW THROUGH MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16: ART GONE WILD ANIMAL ART EXHIBITION AT MYRIAD GARDEN

Art Gone Wild is a collection of paintings created by a wide variety of animals at the Oklahoma City Zoo. Participating species include elephants, giraffes, snakes, turtles, birds, tigers, bears, sea lions and many more. All of the art created by Zoo animals is made with safe, non-toxic tempura paint. Explore the Art Gone Wild gallery exhibition through Monday, September 16 at the Myriad Botanical Garden Crystal Bridge lobby. Works are available in a vary of sizes and range in price from $35 to $300.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21: WORLD RED PANDA DAY/CASSOWARY DAY PRESENTED BY BOB MOORE SUBARU

A double animal day means twice the fun! Presented by Bob Moore Subaru on Saturday, September 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. World Red Panda/Cassoway Day celebrates two unique species both located in the Zoo's new Sanctuary Asia habitat. Twin red panda cubs Ravi and Khyana - along with parents Leela and Thomas - are now viewable to the public! Red pandas are listed as an endangered species with only about 10,000 remaining in the wild. One of the newest species at the Zoo, cassowary are large, flightless birds most closely related to the emu. Their most notable feature is the helmet-like casque atop their heads. The Zoo's adolescent male and female cassowary are located across from Lotus Pavilion at Sanctuary Asia. Enrichment activities, bio-facts and more will be on-site to recognize these wonderful species!

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27: ZOOBREW AT THE OKC ZOO

Good beer for a great cause! Taste flights from 50 breweries at ZOOfriends' 11th annual fundraiser hosted by the Oklahoma Zoological Society and presented by Byron's Liquor Warehouse and sponsored by Bob Moore Subaru and Gulfport Energy. An evening of music, great food and wild prizes awaits - all in the heart of the Oklahoma City Zoo! Take in the tastes of the city while you enjoy exclusive after-hours access to the Zoo. This year, there's even more to love about ZOObrew as a larger portion of the Zoo will be available to explore while you enjoy unlimited samplings from over 200 beers. Spend your evening strolling from the Devon Picnic Grounds all the way to the Zoo's newest gem, Sanctuary Asia. Along the way, enjoy music, a raffle, and access to select animals. Tickets are now available.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28: OKC ZOO AND RED CROSS TO HOST BLOOD DRIVE

The American Red Cross of Oklahoma and the Oklahoma City Zoo are providing an opportunity for area residents to roll up a sleeve to save a life. The Red Cross will host a blood drive at the OKC Zoo's Rosser Conservation Education Center on Saturday, September 28, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. As a thank you, those who come to donate will receive a large bag of OKC Zoo Poo (which includes a pollinator-friendly plant seed pack) plus one voucher good for admission to the OKC Zoo! For additional information about donating blood and the requirements to give, visit www.redcrossblood.org.

ONGOING: OKC ZOO'S FAMILY EDUCATION PROGRAMS

The Zoo's family-based education programs connect the entire family to nature while exploring and learning together! Pre-registration is required seven days in advance of program date. Visit www.okczoo.org/family-programs or call (405) 425-0218. Mark these upcoming programs on your calendar!

Cub Club Toddler Programs (Held monthly on the second and third Thursdays from 10-11 a.m.)

Bring your little cub as we learn about Zoo animals through lessons, crafts, discovery stations, and/or guided zoo tours. Each program date features a different theme. Ages 2-5 years. Cost per child/adult pair: $12 (member), $15 (nonmember).

Date and themes for September:

· September 11, September 18 and September 28 from 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.: Gorgeous Gorillas - from beating their chests to climbing trees to using sticks to hunt for termites, gorillas are fascinating creatures. Through activities, story time, crating, and a guided Zoo tour learn all about gorgeous gorillas and their habitat.

OKC Zoo Family After-Hours "Prowlers" (Friday, Sept. 13 and Friday, Sept. 20 from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.)

Enjoy a night on the prowl as you explore the Zoo like animals do! Learn about nocturnal animal features through activities, like trying on echolocation ears and using night vision binoculars. Heighten your senses and experience the wildest side of the Zoo. Price: $12 for members, $15 for non-members. Ages 4+. Click here to register.

ONGOING: CAMEL RIDES AT THE OKC ZOO

OKC Zoo guests can add to their zoo-venture with a camel ride on one of three dromedary camels, Fred, Bill or Mongo. The $6 tickets to ride may be purchased on-site at the camel ride area. Rides will take place daily from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. (weather permitting) and children under 6 must be accompanied by a paying adult. Other rules are posted at the habitat. Camel rides are not included in the Zoo-It-All or Ride-It-All packages.

ONGOING: EYE SPY SAFARI FOR KIDS PRESENTED BY BOB MOORE SUBARU

Hey kids, set out on a safari to learn more about the OKC Zoo's extraordinary animals. The Eye Spy Safari for Kids is a free, interactive activity for children ages 3-11. Each child who completes their safari scratch-off card will receive a prize. Presented by Bob Moore Subaru, Eye Spy Safari cards are available at the Zoo's Guest Services and ZOOfriends' offices throughout the summer. Prizes are available at the Safari Shop located in the Global Plaza. Participation is free with Zoo admission and kids get a prize when they complete their card.

ONGOING: OKC ZOO'S WILD ENCOUNTERS

The Oklahoma City Zoo provides you with an exclusive peek at what happens behind the Zoo scene with Wild Encounters! Wild Encounters are unique experiences that let you see some of your favorite Zoo animals in up-close ways like never before. Follow our expert animal keepers backstage to learn more about the animal's unique personalities, stories. Wild Encounters are available daily and each experience comes with a souvenir lanyard! Wild Encounters are also a great gift idea for any occasion. Participants must be 6 years of age or older. Prices range from $41-$79 per person depending on the encounter. ZOOfriends' members receive $11 discount per encounter. Contact Guest Services at (405) 425-0262 for reservations.

ongoing: OKC ZOO's "ASK A Keeper"

OKC Zoo offers daily opportunities for guests to engage with its animal keepers called "Ask A Keeper". These free, informal chats allow guests to ask questions about the Zoo's wildlife and their counterparts in nature from the experts themselves-our keepers. Our animal keepers are everyday heroes dedicated to protecting and conserving our world's wildlife and wild places. "Ask A Keeper" signage will be posted on grounds and the schedule includes the following animal areas:

10 a.m.: Wallaby (Children's Zoo)

10:30 a.m.: Galapagos tortoise (Island Life)

11:30 a.m.: Big Rivers Aquarium (Oklahoma Trails)

1:30 p.m.: Great Escape

2 p.m.: Asian Elephant Presentation (Sanctuary Asia, elephant pavilion)

2:30 p.m.: Red panda (Sanctuary Asia)

3 p.m.: Southern cassowary (Sanctuary Asia)

See all that the OKC Zoo has to offer in October...

· Pumpkin Drive - Bring a pumpkin larger than your head, receive free Zoo admission! (Tuesday, Oct. 1 - Sunday, Oct. 6 during regular Zoo hours)

· Pistol Pete's 96th Birthday celebration at the OKC Zoo (Sunday, Oct. 6 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Entry Plaza)

· Red Cross Blood Drive at the OKC Zoo (Saturday, October 12 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.)

· World Okapi Day (Friday, October 18)

· Pumpkin Chomp and Stomp (Friday, Oct. 18, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.)

· 36th Annual Haunt the Zoo for Halloween (Saturday, Oct. 19-Sunday, Oct. 20 and Saturday, Oct. 26-Sunday, Oct. 27, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. each day)

· Second Annual Haunt the Zoo: All Grown Up (Friday, Oct. 25, 7 p.m. - 11 p.m.)

Go wild at the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden! Located at the crossroads of I-44 and I-35, the Oklahoma City Zoo is a proud member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the American Alliance of Museums, Oklahoma City's Adventure District and an Adventure Road partner. Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Regular admission is $11 for adults and $8 for children ages 3-11 and seniors ages 65 and over. Children two and under are admitted free. Stay up-to-date with the Zoo on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube by visiting Our Stories. Zoo fans can support the OKC Zoo by becoming Oklahoma Zoological Society members at ZOOfriends.org or in-person at the Zoo! To learn more about these and other happenings, call (405) 424-3344 or visit okczoo.org.

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