OKC zoo launches live mountain lion cam

Whether you visiting the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden or staying at home, you can watch the OKC Zoo’s mountain lions, pounce and play every day - thanks to the Zoo’s new, live mountain lion cam! While the Zoo has officially re-opened to the public with advanced reservations, it remains committed to connecting its fans to the wild wonder of its beloved animal family both in-person and virtually. You can watch the wild feline fun unfold live at the Zoo’s mountain lion habitat in their Oklahoma Trails habitat from the ease of your smartphone, computer or tablet. Feisty 1-year-old feline brothers, Toho and Tanka, are constantly on the move - climbing, interacting with enrichment and exploring their habitat, providing endless hours of viewing enjoyment.

In February 2019, the OKC Zoo became home to Tanka, Toho and their sister, Tawakoni, after being rescued as orphans in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The siblings were found by game officials with the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks. Realizing the cubs’ mother was deceased and they were too young to survive on their own, game officials immediately intervened and began providing 24/7 care for the cubs. They also contacted the Association of Zoos and Aquariums to locate a permanent home for the litter because recovered cubs cannot return to the wild according to South Dakota state protocol. Today, Toho and Tanka thrive side-by-side at the Zoo, while their sister, Tawakoni, resides at Cameron Park Zoo in Waco, Texas.

Mountain lions, also known as pumas, cougar, panther or catamount, are excellent climbers and leapers – jumping as far as 40 to 45 feet into the air. These felines are comfortable in many different habitats and, aside from humans, have the widest geographic range of any land mammal in the Western Hemisphere.

Beginning today, Thursday, June 18, enjoy a real-time look at the Zoo’s mountain lion brothers, Tanka and Toho, at www.okczoo.org/mtlioncam. The Zoo’s mountain lion cam will stream live daily, with optimal viewing from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., weather permitting. When temperatures reach 90 degrees or higher, the mountain lions are given exclusive access to their indoor habitats, outside the camera’s field of view.

Virtually at www.okczoo.org/mtlioncam!