WELCOME TO THE

LITTLE RIVER ZOO

			Come and experience Norman’s Little River Zoo!
	HOME ABOUT US OUR PHILOSOPHY AWESOME ANIMALS MEET THE ZOO CREW PROGRAMS & EVENTS CALENDAR JR. ZOOKEEPERS BIRTHDAY PARTIES OUTREACH FUN ZOO MAP THE FUN ZONE		NOT YOUR TYPICAL ZOO! While we call ourselves a zoo, you’ll see that we’re very different than any zoo you’ve ever visited! Our mission is based in Humane Education. Humane Education is a progressive educational approach that teaches children (of all ages!) about empathy, compassion and respect for all life on the planet. When young children are exposed to animals and nature, they have a deeper understanding that they are all part of something bigger than themselves, and that everything they do in life does indeed make a difference.		HOW WE ARE FUNDED Although the Zoo is a 501c3 tax exempt organization, our earned income from education services comprises the majority of our annual budget. In other words, we are a mission based, service organization who doesn’t solely exist from charitable donations. However, with that said, we rely greatly on your financial and in-kind support to be able to provide the ground-breaking educational services to children and the excellent care we provide for our animals.

	YOU CAN HELP VOLUNTEER LR ZOO SPONSORS GIFT SHOP EDUCATION ZOO JOBS TEACHERS & SCHOOLS Little River ZOO BLOG Little River ZOO NEWS LR ZOO NEWSLETTER LINKS CONTACT US		While the vast majority of zoos are funded and operated through the city or county they are located in, we are a private organization who strictly relies on your support and donations and the income generated from our services in the community. ABOUT THE ZOO The Zoo sits on 50+ acres located in Norman near the beautiful and award winning Lake Thunderbird Resort area. It is surrounded by an endangered ecosystem call the Cross Timber Forest, one of the last remaining ancient forests of North America. Fed by the natural waters of the Garber-Wellington Aquafir, the zoo is peaceful, comforting setting where visitors feel completely in harmony with nature. Opened to the public in 1996 as a non-profit zoological educational facility, visitation has grown over the years to approximately 50,000 visitors who come from all around the world to visit their favorite animals. Additionally, nearly 35,000 children participate in our formal education programs such as field trips, camps and more. As the years passed, the animal resident population grew to nearly 350 animals who represent about 100 different species from around the world. You Can Make the Difference! Little River Zoo is Your Zoo - Please Visit and You will Love it Too! WAYS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE