Review: Awesome Exhibitions Attract Guests to Tulsa Zoo

Some divisions of Tulsa Zoo have been under construction for the past years, and a few areas were not accessible to visitors. For instance, in 2022, the zoo started the building of the Oxley Family Elephant Experience and Elephant Preserve project.

The big zoo’s attraction is a family of giraffes with a baby giraffe named Mi-Na, who was born on July 26, 2023. (Photo by Tatyana Nyborg)

Two years later, it was wonderful to see the new Elephant Preserve Barn and Yard completed! The zoo looked fully functional in spring 2024. Everything seemed open, such as exciting animal displays, shops, restaurants, and the kids’ playground.

A tiger found shade and a cool place to relax during a hot spring day at the Tulsa Zoo. (Photo by Tatyana Nyborg)

The big zoo’s attraction is a family of giraffes with a baby giraffe named Mi-Na, who was born on July 26, 2023. Mi-Na means “the first daughter” in translation from the Osage (Native American) language. The baby giraffe has grown a lot since last year: She is already three-fourths of the height of an adult giraffe.

The baby giraffe Mi-Na has grown a lot since the last year: she is already three-fourths of the height of an adult giraffe. (Video by Tatyana Nyborg)

The entire giraffe family can be observed from the second floor of a deck designed for the zoo visitors at the giraffe’s pavilion. In the mornings, animal lovers and visitors are invited to feed the giraffes during a two-hour period for an extra cost.

The baby giraffe Mi-Na (c) loves to lean on the fence at the African Plains Pavilion at the Tulsa Zoo. (Video by Tatyana Nyborg)

Another magnificent Tulsa Zoo’s experience is the Amazon-like Rainforest. (Rainforests have existed on Earth for 70 million years. They are characterized by a high amount of rainfall. The Amazon River has the largest rainforest area. Rainforests produce 20% of our planet’s oxygen and help fight climate change.) The attraction was opened in 1997 and combines animal displays with rainforest gardens. Glass domes allow light to come through the tree’s branches for a more naturalistic impression. The birds’ exhibit is caged halfway so an individual has a feeling that he or she is immersed in a real rainforest. Besides mammals and birds, the Rainforest exhibit shows fish, for example, the red-bellied piranha.

The Rainforest pavilion combines animal displays with rainforest gardens at the Tulsa Zoo. (Video by Tatyana Nyborg)

The birds’ exhibit, featuring Mayan macaws, is caged halfway so an individual has a feeling that he or she is immersed in a real rainforest at the Tulsa Zoo’s Rainforest Exhibit. (Video by Tatyana Nyborg)

Besides animals and birds, the Tulsa Zoo’s Rainforest Exhibit displays various fish breeds, like the red-bellied piranha. (Video by Tatyana Nyborg)

Tulsa Zoo also has a train and a Children’s Zoo, where kids can pet domestic animals, such as goats, ponies, and cows.

A variety of animals came to Tulsa Zoo from different parts of the world. The wide range of animals include Chinese alligator, a Malayan tiger, an Asian elephant, a snow leopard from the Himalayas, and a Malaysian giant turtle. Rear animals, such as red pandas, are also available for the community to see.

Visiting the Tulsa Zoo’s awesome exhibitions is an opportunity that an Oklahoman should not miss. For more information, check https://tulsazoo.org