Did you know that Tulsa Zoo Management, Inc., and the city of Tulsa work together to make enhancements to the Tulsa Zoo?
More and more private donors require public funding to be in place before committing their dollars. Public funding gives our private donors confidence that the community wants the zoo to thrive. Tulsa Zoo has a long history of matching public dollars we receive with private dollars. For our Mary K. Chapman Rhino Reserve, as an example, the zoo raised three private dollars for every public dollar.
Tulsa Zoo is grateful for the generous support of our community and Tulsa taxpayers.
Improve Our Tulsa 3 (2023)
Thank you to the citizens of Tulsa for approving Improve Our Tulsa 3 on Aug. 8, 2023. This important capital improvements package provides $25.7 million toward infrastructure needs of our nearly 100-year-old zoo.
Tulsa Zoo has already started work to replace vital infrastructure at the Rainforest exhibit; replace failing roofs at TREK, Conservation Center and Lemurs, and soon will secure our perimeter for the new Animal Shelter near the zoo’s staff entrance and address accessibility and other needs at Children’s Zoo.
Improve Our Tulsa 2019
Thank you, Tulsa! Tulsa taxpayers approved $6 million in infrastructure improvements as part of the 2019 third-penny extension. The zoo’s owner, the City of Tulsa, envisioned pursuit of public funding such as this when developing the public-private partnership. The zoo greatly appreciates your support.
This investment in vital parking lot improvements — from safety enhancements, to additional parking spaces, to flood control — is part of the planned front entry project complex slated for construction during the third phase of master plan construction.
Vision
Thanks to your support through Vision, your zoo opened The Mary K. and John T. Oxley Family Elephant Experience and Elephant Preserve on April 7, 2025. This Vision and private donor funded project added a 36,650 square-foot elephant barn, 10 acres for elephants to roam freely, privacy yards for new mothers and calves, as well as geriatric animals, and guest amenities.
A portion of these Vision funds will go toward the front entry project, scheduled as part of Phase 3. The streamlined guest entry is necessary to accommodate our projected growth, a more than 40% jump in sustained annual attendance
In return, Tulsa Zoo Management, Inc., is responsible for ongoing operations and maintenance through earned revenue and our operating budget.
You can learn about the Vision projects by visiting the City of Tulsa website.
Improve our Tulsa 2013
Your Tulsa Zoo was included in the 2013 capital improvements package to fund much-needed repairs to the City of Tulsa’s infrastructure. Your vote yes provided vital funding for exhibits that help the zoo thrive and continue contributing to our community.
The zoo received $11.75 million to partially fund replacement of what we call the big cat grottos, home to our tigers, lions and snow leopards. These exhibits can no longer be repaired or upgraded and are marked for demolition. We used $3.75 million toward building new tiger and snow leopard exhibits that opened in with Lost Kingdom and will use $8 million for William S. Smith African Wilds, under construction now.
You can learn about the full city funding package by visiting the City of Tulsa website.