Omss Animal: Vote for Aurora as Cutest Zoo Baby

Dear omss,

Here's what's new at the Houston Zoo.

Introducing the 4-D Experience!

Daily, 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

We are very excited to announce that our brand-new 4-D Experience is now open!

We're taking 3-D and adding a 4th dimension of senses: motion, scent, wind, mist, lights and more! Come enjoy a variety of short family-friendly films in a thrilling way you've never experienced before.

For movie descriptions and information, visit our 4D Experience web page!

Behind The Scenes Tours!

Picture yourself face to face with a bear, feeding the meerkat mob, or see what it takes in the

Commissary to feed over 6,000 animals.

These are just a few of the exciting things that could happen on a Behind-the-Scenes tour at the Houston Zoo. There's a wide variety from which to choose. So make memories, share unforgettable experiences with your friends and family, or give a tour -- they make a truly great gift!

Click HERE for all the details!

Zookeeper, the Movie

Opening July 8, 2011

The Houston Zoo and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums partnered with Sony Pictures for the release of Zookeeper - a story about zookeeper Griffin Keyes (Kevin James) who is more comfortable with animals than the ladies. When he decides to pursue a career he thinks more appealing, the animals break their code of silence to talk him out of it!

In conjunction with the release, the Houston Zoo along with Stauffer's will offer a special discount coupon for Houston Zoo guests. Just purchase a package of Stauffer's animal crackers at stores such as Target and HEB, and visit the website on the box to find a printable coupon to the Houston Zoo. Bring the coupon and the Stauffer's package to the Zoo to receive your discount: Buy One Adult, Get One Child's Ticket at Half Price.

Visit our website for details.

Tetons-Yellowstone
Travel to Yellowstone with the Zoo

September 20-24, 2011

This fantastic trip offers one of the premiere wolf and bear viewing opportunities in the country -- a must if you are a bear or wolf enthusiast, or are just curious about North American wildlife.

Travel to the best sites in Yellowstone to look for grizzly and black bear as they forage for food leading up to their hibernation, as well as the interaction of wolves and their prey. Elk bugling is at its peak during the fall as large bull elk round up and guard their harems.

Contact conservation@houstonzoo.org or visit our website for more information. Space is limited.

Planning ahead? Join us in 2012 for Polar Bears of Churchill Manitoba, Botswana's Okavango Delta or Mountain Gorillas of Rwanda.

Update: Our Visitors From Zimbabwe!

It's been three months since Xmas and Dought, Painted Dog Conservation's employees, came to the Houston Zoo from Zimbabwe.

Thanks to Xmas' experience with our vet clinic and carnivore staff while he was here, he has recognized the importance of having more veterinary care knowledge. He is now looking at doing a correspondence veterinarian technician program. Dought has been in contact with our Facilities department to help him fix a refrigeration unit they use to keep the captive dog's meat cold.

Through ongoing communication, our staff continue to inspire and enrich their lives, as they have ours! Read more HERE!

TXU Energy Presents Chill Out at the Houston Zoo

TXU Energy presents Chill Out at the Houston Zoo for a summer full of breaks from the heat!

Not only do we have 13 indoor, air-conditioned locations, and refreshing enrichment activities for our animals like showers and ice pops - we have icy treats for humans too! We have a great selection of cold refreshments at the Zoo like snow cones and slushies, and we now offer the one and only Blue Bell ice cream! Stop by the Blue Bell location at the African Forest Trading Post to see what delicious flavor you can try today!

Don't forget to visit our web page for more tips on staying cool this summer!

Our Aurora Orangutan has been nominated as a finalist for Cutest Zoo Baby -- but she is the underdog! You can vote every 24 hours (from each different IP address you have, like both your computer and your smart phone). You can also help by asking friends/fam/co-workers to vote too! Post the link on your Facebook wall, e-mail it, Tweet it or blog about it!

There's just over a week left, so please, VOTE EVERY DAY!

And keep an eye out on our website, our blog, Facebook and Twitter for upcoming Aurora news!