Join ZooFriends at the Oklahoma City Barons hockey game on February 18 at 7 p.m. Ticket prices are $14, $21, $26 and $36. For each ticket sold, $4 will be donated back to the Zoo and for every ticket purchased you will be automatically entered in a raffle to win a seat in the penalty box to watch the Barons warm-up or a chance to ride the Zamboni during intermission. All tickets will be held at will call and can be picked up at the Barons will call office the night of the game. Tickets must be purchased through the ZooFriends membership office by contacting 405-425-0618 or online.

Duane Andrews of Kingfisher, OK started the campaign which brought Judy the elephant to Oklahoma City. His check for $16.73 was the first donation made and many others followed. School children also participated by collecting their coins. Within two weeks of the campaign starting the funds had been raised to bring Judy to Oklahoma City. Approximately 50,000 donors participated in the campaign and raised the $4,500 needed to purchase the new elephant and on May 21, 1949 Judy made her debut in Oklahoma City. Judy lived at the Zoo until her passing in 1998.

Currently the Zoo is home to three female Asian elephants: Asha, Chandra and Asha’s calf, Malee, but a new male elephant will soon be joining our girls! Rex, an Asian bull elephant, will be coming to the Zoo from Canada. “We are very excited about Rex’s approaching arrival, said Dwight Scott, Oklahoma City Zoo Executive Director/CEO. “We have been working with the Asian Elephant Species Survival Plan (SSP) to find a compatible bull to breed with our adult female elephants and Rex was recommended. In time we hope to see our herd grow.”

Pack your trunk! Elephant expenses are quite large, as you can imagine. Transportation costs could run as high as $10,000.00 to bring Rex to the Zoo so we need help from you! The Oklahoma Zoological Society (OZS) and Bank of Oklahoma will be working together to raise money to transport Rex from Canada to Oklahoma City. Rex has a long trek to cover – over 1,500 miles. His exact arrival date has yet to be determined. Bank of Oklahoma will be accepting donations November 16 through December 7, to help bring Rex to Oklahoma City. Donations will be accepted at all metro area Bank of Oklahoma branches. However, coin donations cannot be taken at grocery store branches, only checks and bills.

Westwood Elementary in Oklahoma City is excited about helping support Rex’s Trek.  Area schools are encouraged to get involved for great prizes, fun field trips and being able to say “I supported Rex’s Trek!”

Special “Rex’s Trek” collection bags can be picked up at Bank of Oklahoma Branches or the ZooFriends membership office located at the Zoo beginning November 17. The ZooFriends membership office is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. You may also drop off donations at the membership office.  For further information please call OZS at 405-425-0612.