Oklahoma City Zoo approves updates to new children’s exhibit

The Oklahoma City Zoo Trust on Wednesday approved $105,000 in changes to the zoo’s new children’s exhibit.

The additional cost is a compilation of necessary changes to the Children’s Zoo, said Tommy Bryant, zoo director of building and grounds.

The changes include rock repairs, wall expansion, cage upgrades and additional soil, pavement, drains and gates.

The changes also will improve handicap accessibility.

Children’s Zoo construction is on schedule, Bryant said.

Most major structures are near completion.

In other business

→Demolition has begun in the area of the zoo where the new Asia exhibit will be built, Bryant said.

→Assistant Zoo Director Brian Aucone announced plans to host a gorilla husbandry workshop at the zoo next year. Attendees are expected from across the country and around the world.

→Vince White, senior vice president of investor relations at Devon Energy Corp., was sworn in as a new board member. White is a past president of the Oklahoma Zoological Society.

→The trust approved a $40,700 contract to buy fish from supplier Atlantic Pacific.

→Zoo attendance in July was 102,000 visitors, up 13 percent from last July.

Zoo attendance in July was more than 102,000 visitors, up 13 percent from last July.