Wild Wednesday: When Tulsa Zoo visitors can see giraffes, rhinos again

Anyone who has been to the Tulsa Zoo in April knows there are several construction projects underway.

These projects have made certain areas of the zoo and its animals inaccessible to guests, including the giraffes and rhinos.

Construction Progress

The Tulsa Zoo has fencing up around the worksite for the William S. Smith African Wilds complex.

The construction project broke ground in March. Tulsa Zoo Curator of Mammals, Jordan Piha said, "It is a new home for lions, painted dogs, Diana monkey, we will have pygmy hippo and zebra here, there is a vulture aviary, there is a walk through aviary, there is a new meerkat exhibit, and it is all for a bigger and better zoo."

Due to the construction, crews had to temporarily block off the pathways from Lost Kingdom to African Plains, stalling giraffe feedings and making the giraffes and rhinos inaccessible to guests.

Pathway Reopening

The Tulsa Zoo is setting up a new temporary guest pathway to give zoogoers access to the area while the construction on African Wilds continues.

"We want people to get over and see some of their favorite animals, but we need that to happen safely," said Piha. "So, the new pathway is actually going to veer off of how you normally would have gotten over here and you are going to go through what was part of the giraffe yard."

The temporary pathway is just days away from being complete and should be available to guests very soon. After that, Piha said the only animals in the zoo guests still will not see are the meerkats and southern ground hornbills.

Giraffe Calf Update

Since the giraffes have not been accessible to guests many have wondered, how is the giraffe calf doing? Piha said she is a couple days shy of two-months-old and still does not have a name. The calf is growing fast at 7-feet tall and 250 pounds. "She is out in the yard, she is exploring the yard, she is experiencing all this construction, she can see and hear that as well but she is doing great with it," he added.

For updates visit the Tulsa Zoo website or follow along on social media.