Imagine a deep, misty jungle with unique, up-close encounters and climbing structures that both our zoo guests and the animals will enjoy.
African Forest will provide a new-to-the-zoo species, gorillas, plus a new home for our chimpanzee troop.
Chimpanzees arrived at the Tulsa Zoo in 1950. The current facility for these amazing apes took shape in 1978. Tulsa Zoo is one of only two AZA-facilities using a water moat to aid in containment of chimpanzees. This feature is no longer consistent with modern zoological practices and will limit future opportunities to receive new chimpanzees from AZA institutions and the Species Survival Plan.
This impressive exhibit will be themed as the wild forests of Africa – lush, wild and welcoming – and serve as an icon for the Tulsa Zoo. Multiple housing situations and stimulating environments for these highly social ape species will mesh with opportunities for our guests to feel truly part of their tightly bonded groups.
As mentioned, gorillas will be a new species for the Tulsa Zoo and we anticipate this exhibit will be a significant economic driver for both the zoo and the City of Tulsa.