I WANT A HIPPOPOTAMUS FOR CHRISTMAS!!
On Monday, December 1st, native Oklahoman, Gayla Peevey Henderson will sing her famous song “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas” during a Skype broadcast at 11 a.m. in the Zoo’s Education Center’s auditorium located at the east end of the Zoo’s parking lot. Refreshments will be served along with a selection of “hippo” merchandise that will be available for purchase.
Gayla first sang the song in 1953. It quickly gained popularity on the radio, and a local promoter used the song in order to raise money to purchase the OKC Zoo's first hippo; Matilda, who lived at the zoo for over 50 years.
Merry Christmas!!!
Sunday, November 30, 2014
Thursday, November 13, 2014
INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL:
The University of Central
Oklahoma’s International Festival was hosted today in Ballrooms A, B, and C in
the Nigh University Center. Students gathered to partake in the free music,
food, and activities being held by different groups of international students.
There were booths
for Western Culture, including an American booth and England, which was made up
of a lot of fun, pop culture series such as Doctor Who and Harry Potter (and I’m
pretty sure I saw a few Hogwarts students in their uniforms milling about with
all us muggles!)
Eastern culture
was represented all around; Taiwan, Vietnam, China. These students showed off
their beautiful paper artworks (such as lanterns and sets for plays; I recall a
boat and a cherry blossom tree in one of the booths.) The students in these
booths also gave out free samples of indigenous recipes for the rice and
chicken combination.
The Middle East
was represented with the beautiful opening number of the festival; showcasing a
Saudi Arabian wedding dance, where the bride’s maids danced for the bride. The
music was vibrant and fun, and you could really tell that the students putting
on these performances to show off bits of their home countries were enjoying
the experience and being able to share that experience with their fellow
classmates at UCO, whether they are native to America, or are from another
country themselves.
It was very fun,
but also very crowded and loud. It was hard to really take in all of the
different booths when people were being so impatient.
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
End of Season Updates:
Okay folks, we've entered the time of year where the weather is getting colder and holidays are popping up every other week in seems. That means that a lot of activity in the zoo goes down.
For the time being, the following activities will still go on, weather and staff permitting:
The Zoo will stay open to the public everyday with the exceptions of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's. In the past, the Zoo has closed when roads have been deemed too hazardous to drive on.
For those of you on a budget but still wanting to see the Zoo, December and January offers special Free Admission Mondays.
Okay folks, we've entered the time of year where the weather is getting colder and holidays are popping up every other week in seems. That means that a lot of activity in the zoo goes down.
For the time being, the following activities will still go on, weather and staff permitting:
- Giraffe Feeding
- Lorikeet Feeding
- Elephant Demonstration
- Carousel
- and Tram
The Zoo will stay open to the public everyday with the exceptions of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's. In the past, the Zoo has closed when roads have been deemed too hazardous to drive on.
For those of you on a budget but still wanting to see the Zoo, December and January offers special Free Admission Mondays.
Thursday, October 30, 2014
WHY HAVE THE ELEPHANTS MOVED?
Recent visitors to Expedition Asia may have noticed that the female and male elephants have switched yards. Normally the larger yard that is connected to the presentation yard houses our female elephants, while a smaller yard is used for our solitary male, Rex.
For a few months, Rex will be in the larger yard, and occasionally be used in the Elephant demonstration (only on weekends, weather permitting.)
We are simply preparing for the birth of our new baby elephant. This smaller yard is the 'baby proof' yard. The small pool can be drained in about a minute, and there are no tough hills to climb or slopes to tumble down.
The Pachyderm team is just preparing for a safe birth should Asha go into labor outside, rather than in her maternity stall inside the Elephant Barn. Chandra and Malee will be with Asha throughout the daytime hours. The aunt and young elephant will stay together in their own stall while Asha sleeps in the maternity stall so that the team can be ready if the baby comes at night.
Once the baby is born it will be like any human birth process (give or take a few hundred pounds!) The baby will be 'finger printed', weight and such, a process that takes very little time and then the baby will be back with mama for the important first bonding moments!
Recent visitors to Expedition Asia may have noticed that the female and male elephants have switched yards. Normally the larger yard that is connected to the presentation yard houses our female elephants, while a smaller yard is used for our solitary male, Rex.
For a few months, Rex will be in the larger yard, and occasionally be used in the Elephant demonstration (only on weekends, weather permitting.)
 |
| Rex, a male Asian Elephant. His tusks were trimmed after repeatedly getting stuck in the netting for hay bales. Photo by Jamie West |
The Pachyderm team is just preparing for a safe birth should Asha go into labor outside, rather than in her maternity stall inside the Elephant Barn. Chandra and Malee will be with Asha throughout the daytime hours. The aunt and young elephant will stay together in their own stall while Asha sleeps in the maternity stall so that the team can be ready if the baby comes at night.
Once the baby is born it will be like any human birth process (give or take a few hundred pounds!) The baby will be 'finger printed', weight and such, a process that takes very little time and then the baby will be back with mama for the important first bonding moments!
Thursday, October 23, 2014
HAUNT THE ZOO:
Haunt the Zoo is the big event that wraps up the season at the OKC Zoo. It takes place the last week of October (26th-31st) from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Families can enjoy a safe evening of collecting candies passed out by volunteers from all over the metro, gathered onto a trail throughout the park. Different colorful sets have been set up along the trail.
Tickets for Haunt the Zoo are redeemed for a treat bag when you arrive. Only trick-or-treaters need a ticket; chaperones are free.
Tickets in advance (Up until the 25th) can be purchased at the reduced rate of $6 a piece.
Tickets bought for the day-of events will be $7.
Even though this is the last major event of the season, the Zoo will remain open to visitors! The only 3 days the Zoo is closed is for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the New Year's.
Haunt the Zoo is the big event that wraps up the season at the OKC Zoo. It takes place the last week of October (26th-31st) from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Families can enjoy a safe evening of collecting candies passed out by volunteers from all over the metro, gathered onto a trail throughout the park. Different colorful sets have been set up along the trail.
Tickets for Haunt the Zoo are redeemed for a treat bag when you arrive. Only trick-or-treaters need a ticket; chaperones are free.
Tickets in advance (Up until the 25th) can be purchased at the reduced rate of $6 a piece.
Tickets bought for the day-of events will be $7.
Even though this is the last major event of the season, the Zoo will remain open to visitors! The only 3 days the Zoo is closed is for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the New Year's.
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Throw-back Thursday: Baby Malee!!
In honor of the quickly approaching birth of our second baby elephant, let's take a look back at his or her sister; Malee!
Malee was the first elephant baby born at the OKC Zoo. Born April 15, 2011, she weighed 304 lbs. (She's now almost 2,000 lbs!!!) Her name means "Flower," in Thai.
Her Father is Sneezy, from Tulsa Zoo, and her Mother is Asha, the older of the two adult female half-sisters at OKC. Chandra is Asha's half-sister (and Malee's favorite playmate!)
In honor of the quickly approaching birth of our second baby elephant, let's take a look back at his or her sister; Malee!
Malee was the first elephant baby born at the OKC Zoo. Born April 15, 2011, she weighed 304 lbs. (She's now almost 2,000 lbs!!!) Her name means "Flower," in Thai.
Her Father is Sneezy, from Tulsa Zoo, and her Mother is Asha, the older of the two adult female half-sisters at OKC. Chandra is Asha's half-sister (and Malee's favorite playmate!)
 |
| Chandra (left), Asha (Right) and a 4-week-old Malee (bottom center between the adults.) Photo by Jamie West. |
Monday, October 13, 2014
Ethics Conference: Photoshop; Touch-Up or Too Much?
A panel was given by UCO professors Mark Zimmerman and Jesse Miller, as well as Chris Landsberger, who is a photographer for the Oklahoman.
They've done a similar panel for the last several years for the conference, talking about manipulating photographs using image-editing software, and what levels of manipulation is appropriate or acceptable in what fields of the media.
For advertising campaigns, it's considered acceptable to edit a photo beyond recognition to its original material.
For portraiture, manipulation to remove imperfections like blemishes and run-away hairs is acceptable, but not much beyond those simple edits.
For documentary material, the ethical boundaries are very tight and strict. Color corrections and cropping are among the very few accepted manipulations, but even those edits must be subtle, and must not change the feeling of the image to anything other than what would be felt by the viewer if they'd seen the original photo.
Journalism rules of ethics for photographs extend beyond the photograph alone. Captions cannot mislead a reader, or it is considered manipulation. Photojournalism is considered "natural moments," that means that even if you were photographing a natural moment once, the moment your subject reacts to the camera and changes their behaviors, it is considered a manipulation.
This is the style that I prefer. As a nature photographer, I don't want to change photos or make them something unnatural. That's the whole point of photographing nature is to keep it original appeal.
A panel was given by UCO professors Mark Zimmerman and Jesse Miller, as well as Chris Landsberger, who is a photographer for the Oklahoman.
They've done a similar panel for the last several years for the conference, talking about manipulating photographs using image-editing software, and what levels of manipulation is appropriate or acceptable in what fields of the media.
For advertising campaigns, it's considered acceptable to edit a photo beyond recognition to its original material.
For portraiture, manipulation to remove imperfections like blemishes and run-away hairs is acceptable, but not much beyond those simple edits.
For documentary material, the ethical boundaries are very tight and strict. Color corrections and cropping are among the very few accepted manipulations, but even those edits must be subtle, and must not change the feeling of the image to anything other than what would be felt by the viewer if they'd seen the original photo.
Journalism rules of ethics for photographs extend beyond the photograph alone. Captions cannot mislead a reader, or it is considered manipulation. Photojournalism is considered "natural moments," that means that even if you were photographing a natural moment once, the moment your subject reacts to the camera and changes their behaviors, it is considered a manipulation.
This is the style that I prefer. As a nature photographer, I don't want to change photos or make them something unnatural. That's the whole point of photographing nature is to keep it original appeal.
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Dr. Kurt Hochenauer, the author and creator of Okie Funk, spoke to Dr. Clark’s Blogging for Journalists class today about the history and purpose of his blog.
It was started in 2004 when Hochenauer believed that Oklahoma was in desperate need of a liberal voice in our very “red” state. Overall it is a blog that provides a liberal perspective on issues that span the political sphere; the challenge however, is being original in topics that other bloggers or journalists may also be covering. Sometimes the answer is simple; find a topic that isn’t the top story.
He believes that good writing, personal satisfaction in your posts, and the influence your blog provides for your readers contribute to the overall success of a blog.
Blogging provides you with an outlet of “personal voice” that journalism through the medium of a newspaper could potentially limit. It was mentioned, though, through our discussion, that if your newspaper company is aware of your blog, there could be some level of lesser freedom of information you can get away with posting.
For me, this sort of hits home. As a worker of the Oklahoma City Zoo, I’m under a specific gag order in regards to certain information in the zoo. So I do have to be careful in regards to what topics or photos I present on my blog.
Information regarding zoo animal births, deaths, illnesses, new arrivals, or animals that are being sent to other zoological establishments are guarded by our PR team. Until there is a Press Release on some information, it’s very important that zoo employees keep that information to themselves.
It was started in 2004 when Hochenauer believed that Oklahoma was in desperate need of a liberal voice in our very “red” state. Overall it is a blog that provides a liberal perspective on issues that span the political sphere; the challenge however, is being original in topics that other bloggers or journalists may also be covering. Sometimes the answer is simple; find a topic that isn’t the top story.
He believes that good writing, personal satisfaction in your posts, and the influence your blog provides for your readers contribute to the overall success of a blog.
Blogging provides you with an outlet of “personal voice” that journalism through the medium of a newspaper could potentially limit. It was mentioned, though, through our discussion, that if your newspaper company is aware of your blog, there could be some level of lesser freedom of information you can get away with posting.
For me, this sort of hits home. As a worker of the Oklahoma City Zoo, I’m under a specific gag order in regards to certain information in the zoo. So I do have to be careful in regards to what topics or photos I present on my blog.
Information regarding zoo animal births, deaths, illnesses, new arrivals, or animals that are being sent to other zoological establishments are guarded by our PR team. Until there is a Press Release on some information, it’s very important that zoo employees keep that information to themselves.
Bring a pumpkin bigger than your head and get free admission into the zoo October 1-13
For several years, the OKC Zoo has encouraged this fun activity for the community. It offers a discount on the entrance fees, and gets people into the holiday spirit.
Pumpkins will eventually be placed into animal exhibits. Pumpkins serve as a form of enrichment; providing the animals with fun toys, even a tasty treat for the veggie-loving animals.
For more information and pictures, visit the OKC Zoo's Facebook page!
For several years, the OKC Zoo has encouraged this fun activity for the community. It offers a discount on the entrance fees, and gets people into the holiday spirit.
Pumpkins will eventually be placed into animal exhibits. Pumpkins serve as a form of enrichment; providing the animals with fun toys, even a tasty treat for the veggie-loving animals.
For more information and pictures, visit the OKC Zoo's Facebook page!
 |
| Curious Meerkats explore a Pumpkin placed into their exhibit. Meerkats naturally tunnel through the ground, so the carved spaces in the pumpkin make for a fun obstacle. Photo by Jamie West. |
Sunday, September 28, 2014
Baby News:
Some of you may know that Asha, mother of Malee (pictured,) is expecting her second calf later this winter. The baby will be the second Asian Elephant born at the Oklahoma City Zoo.
The baby will share the massive exhibit along with its sister, mother, and aunt Chandra. The father, Rex, lives in a nearby exhibit. The separation is natural, as male elephants do not live with females once they reach maturity. Females and young will live in a large family herd.
Some of you may know that Asha, mother of Malee (pictured,) is expecting her second calf later this winter. The baby will be the second Asian Elephant born at the Oklahoma City Zoo.
 |
| Asian Elephant, Malee, receives some positive reinforcement after demonstrating how the elephants lift their legs so the Keepers may inspect their feet during bathing. Photo by Jamie West. |
I am very excited to announce that I've been chosen as a member of volunteers on a team to watch for when Asha gives birth to ensure that everything goes smoothly!
Thursday, September 25, 2014
Ever-changing Exhibits:
The exhibit I hear people talk about the most in regards to how quickly it changes is the Tide Pool in the Nobel Aquatics Center (Aquaticus,)
First constructed in the late 80's, the Tide Pool held a variety of animals, such as fish, sponges, sea urchins and star fish. The exhibit was open to the public to touch.
After complications with the life expectancy of the animals, zoo staff decided to shut down the Tide Pool for many years, leaving the exhibit empty.
In 2013, the Tide Pool was re-opened in the form of Explore a Seashore. The touch pool was gated, allowing zoo staff to control how many people could get to the animals at any given moment. Staff was also present to educate guests on how to properly touch the animals, as well as give interesting facts, such as the Horseshoe crabs that have blue blood, and Starfish don't have brains!
Currently, 2014, the zoo staff wanted to try something new, and now the Tide Pool is an interactive I Spy game, where little ones can search for plastic replicas of all the animals unique to the beaches on the coasts of the U.S.
Explore a Seashore is free to enjoy. (You might even get a visit from a Sea Lion at the window!)
The exhibit I hear people talk about the most in regards to how quickly it changes is the Tide Pool in the Nobel Aquatics Center (Aquaticus,)
 |
| Bahama Sea Star (underside w/ mouth, eye-sensors and tube-feet.) Photo by Jamie West. |
After complications with the life expectancy of the animals, zoo staff decided to shut down the Tide Pool for many years, leaving the exhibit empty.
 |
| Horseshoe Crab. Photo by Jamie West. |
 |
| Bahama Sea Star. Photo by Jamie West. |
Explore a Seashore is free to enjoy. (You might even get a visit from a Sea Lion at the window!)
 |
| California Sea Lion. Photo by Jamie West. |
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Recent Zoo Baby News:
The baby Lowland Gorilla, recently named Kamina by keepers, has been paired with a foster mom at the Cincinnati Zoo! She will be sent off soon to meet her new family. This will be a great new page in her life, and though we are sad to see her go, we're overjoyed to know that she will soon be able to socialize with her kind the way gorilla's are meant to.
Update:
Kamina is settling into her new home, after the routine quarantine that new animals coming into a zoo go through, she will be introduced to her new family. Videos and other updates on Kamina can be found on the Cincinnati Zoo website.
The baby Lowland Gorilla, recently named Kamina by keepers, has been paired with a foster mom at the Cincinnati Zoo! She will be sent off soon to meet her new family. This will be a great new page in her life, and though we are sad to see her go, we're overjoyed to know that she will soon be able to socialize with her kind the way gorilla's are meant to.
Update:
Kamina is settling into her new home, after the routine quarantine that new animals coming into a zoo go through, she will be introduced to her new family. Videos and other updates on Kamina can be found on the Cincinnati Zoo website.
Monday, September 15, 2014
Come Enjoy the Bay:
Stingray Bay is a fun experience offered at the OKC Zoo. It's one of the many seasonal experiences, which means guests can visit the rays and sharks of the touch pool from March through October.
During the winter months, the animals are taken to a climate controlled facility, so they don't have to deal with the cold winter temps they would not experience in the wild.
The Cownose Ray is one of the species of Stingray Bay; others include Southern and Bat Rays, as well as Bamboo and Bonnethead Sharks. Photo by Jamie West.
Thursday, September 11, 2014
Special Activities:
Alright, so I'm going to tell you about some of the fun extras the Zoo offers for guests. Most of these experience are seasonal (March-October) and weather permitting.
General Zoo Admission: $8- Adult, $5-Senior, Child, Babies 2-and-under are free!
Tram: $4-All-day pass for a Narrated Tour around 80% of the Zoo!
By location:
*Children's Zoo
Explorikeet: Free to enter the Lorikeet exhibit. Guests may purchase cups of nectar to feed the Lorikeets for $3-Per cup.
Petting Zoo: Free to enter. Guests can pet sheep, goats, pigs, mules, and chickens.
*Aquatics-side of the Zoo
Sea Lion Show: $2-Per person, babies are free. 20 minute demonstration with Keepers and sea lions and harbor seal.
Stingray Bay:$3-Per person, babies are free. Touch pool with three different types of rays and two small species of shark. Random feedings at $2-Per bowl of food. Must be 12 years and up to go in alone, 16 and up to chaperone children.
Touch Pool: Free to enjoy, a little pool with replicas of animals and shells one would find at the beach. No live animals, just a fun area for the little ones.
*Lakeside
Safari Voyage: $2-Adults, $1-Child, babies are free. Narrated ferryboat ride across the lake. One-way trip from Aquatics-side to Elephants-side (or vice versa).
Swan Paddle Boats: $5-Per boat for 30-minute sessions on the lake.
Endangered Species Carousel: $2-Per ride. Guests my ride on the backs of replicas of some of their favorite zoo animals.
*Hoof-stock-side of the Zoo
Giraffe Feedings: $3-Per feeding. Guests can purchase three leaves of lettuce or branches to be fed to or Giraffes. Likely giraffes to feed are Bogey and Ellie.
Centennial Choo Choo: $2-Per rider. Narrated train ride through the exotic deer exhibit.
*Elephant-side of the Zoo
Elephant Demo: Free 20-minute demonstration with Keepers and elephants.
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
Basic Topics Covered in This Blog:
Hey guys, this blog is going to heavily focus on information pertaining to the OKC ZOO. Familiarizing you all with the Zoo through photos, news stories, updates, and information about animals will be my primary goal.
If you have any requests or questions about animals, events, or opportunities at the Zoo, feel free to ask and I'll be happy to find an answer for you!
My first few posts will be general information about some of the fun extras that guests can enjoy when they visit the Zoo during the normal season (March - October,) and other general information about the Zoo itself.
Later, I will have posts that are more specific about certain animals.
Friday, September 5, 2014
Thursday, September 4, 2014
The Zoo took part in its final "Late Saturday" of the season last weekend.
During the summer months between May and August, the Zoo would keep its gates open until 8 p.m. When accompanied with the July and August special "Zoo Rise," the park would be open for a full 12 hours each Saturday; opening an hour earlier than its regular 9 a.m.
The zoo has now returned to its regular hours; 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Guests were also able to take part in this season's final Sea Lion Show (photos to come). The Sea Lion Show will return in the Spring of 2015.
During the summer months between May and August, the Zoo would keep its gates open until 8 p.m. When accompanied with the July and August special "Zoo Rise," the park would be open for a full 12 hours each Saturday; opening an hour earlier than its regular 9 a.m.
The zoo has now returned to its regular hours; 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Guests were also able to take part in this season's final Sea Lion Show (photos to come). The Sea Lion Show will return in the Spring of 2015.
Thursday, August 28, 2014
The newest addition to the Oklahoma City Zoo is here!
She's a Western Lowland Gorilla. Born to the silverback Togo and female Ndjole. Unfortunately, Ndjole has rejected her baby.
The vet staff waited 24 hours to see if Ndjole would show interest in her baby girl, but after hours of disinterest, the vet staff decided to interfere in the interest of the baby. Further attempts to get the two to bond will take place in the next few weeks.
Until an ultimatum is reached, the vet staff will hand-raise the baby girl.
http://www.news9.com/story/26316760/okc-zoo-celebrates-birth-of-baby-gorilla
She's a Western Lowland Gorilla. Born to the silverback Togo and female Ndjole. Unfortunately, Ndjole has rejected her baby.
The vet staff waited 24 hours to see if Ndjole would show interest in her baby girl, but after hours of disinterest, the vet staff decided to interfere in the interest of the baby. Further attempts to get the two to bond will take place in the next few weeks.
Until an ultimatum is reached, the vet staff will hand-raise the baby girl.
http://www.news9.com/story/26316760/okc-zoo-celebrates-birth-of-baby-gorilla
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
My name is Jamie West, I'm 23 years old. I work at the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical
Garden.
I'm a senior at the University of Central Oklahoma majoring in the Photographic Arts program; I've already completed my minor in Journalism. I've interned at Edmond Life and Leisure Newspaper and Magazine where I took part in photography and the journalism side.
I'll be using this blog to talk about the goings-on of the OKC zoo. These posts are going to cover past, current, and future plans for the ever-changing zoo. In the course of this year alone we've had several babies born at the zoo, and are still expecting more babies in the following months.
Pictures, descriptions, and more to come!
I'm a senior at the University of Central Oklahoma majoring in the Photographic Arts program; I've already completed my minor in Journalism. I've interned at Edmond Life and Leisure Newspaper and Magazine where I took part in photography and the journalism side.
I'll be using this blog to talk about the goings-on of the OKC zoo. These posts are going to cover past, current, and future plans for the ever-changing zoo. In the course of this year alone we've had several babies born at the zoo, and are still expecting more babies in the following months.
Pictures, descriptions, and more to come!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)