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TULSA ZOO CROWNED KING OF THE JUNGLE; Tulsa Zoo Wins the "Zoo Tycoon 2" America's Favorite Zoo Contest

Zoo officials plan to utilize the grant by improving the alligator exhibit located inside the zoo's Southern Lowlands building. Currently, in order for these animals to get unfiltered sunshine and fresh air, one of the alligators has to be moved to an off-display holding area. "The addition of a new enclosure will give the alligators access to an outside area without moving them off-display and will allow public viewing in the area" said Stephen Walker, Tulsa Zoo Interim Zoo Director. To celebrate, guests visiting the zoo before 3 p.m. on Saturday, November 27, and Sunday, November 28, will receive complimentary admission to the zoo. On this weekend only, the zoo's Safari Grille is offering $1 hotdogs to add to the festivities.

The America's Favorite Zoo contest began on August 2 when Microsoft Game Studios selected fifty zoos from across the United States to participate in the competition. The nationwide contest consisted of three rounds, the first of which called on the knowledge of four expert judges to narrow down the selected zoos to 15 semifinalists. Rounds two and three consisted of zoo fans all over the country voting online for their favorite zoo.

Upon making the semifinal and final rounds, which entailed public online voting, zoo staff implemented an aggressive campaign. The campaign included partnering with local media and businesses to get the word out to vote for the Tulsa Zoo.

Tactics ranged from distributing flyers and stickers, hanging posters, newspaper ads, live media appearances and even a voting rally attended by the zoo's youngest supporters, a group of 4-5 year old kids from a local day school, holding "Vote Tulsa Zoo" placards as they chanted "Tulsa Zoo number one!" The zoo was inundated with calls and inquiries from the general public about this contest. "There were folks who did not own or know how to use computers calling the zoo asking how they can vote," shared Mary Collins, Zoo Friends executive director and zoo spokesperson. "The zoo is delighted at the positive impact this campaign has made on the city and surrounding areas."

Shane Kim, general manager of Microsoft Game Studios commented- "We were very impressed by the Tulsa Zoo's campaign efforts and the support from their community." Kim, who was also one of the judges in the first round of competition, added "We could tell the people in the Tulsa area love their zoo!"

Tulsa Zoo staff learned of the zoo's nomination for the contest in early August, and was challenged with putting together an entry that would prove why Tulsa Zoo should be America's Favorite Zoo. The answer was a mad capped "audition tape," which takes the viewer on a whirlwind tour of the zoo; paying homage to the "Zoo Tycoon 2" game, Bill Gates, soap operas and The Blair Witch Project along the way. To accompany the video, zoo staff painted a three-foot penguin sculpture – a smaller version of the popular penguin sculptures found throughout Tulsa – to resemble Bill Gates. Arrow Trucking Company generously donated their services to take "Penguin Bill" and the materials to Microsoft Game Studios in Redmond, Washington.

About the Tulsa Zoo:
The Tulsa Zoo is accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA). With its more than 200 accredited members, AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation, and your link to helping animals in their native habitats. For more information visit www.aza.org. The Tulsa Zoo is located in Mohawk Park on 36th Street North, just east of Sheridan. The zoo is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Weekend and holiday parking is $2 for cars and $10 for buses. Admission is $6.04 for adults, $4.03 for seniors age 55 and older and $3.02 for children age 3-11; children 2 and under and Zoo Friends members are free. For more info call 918/669-6600 or www.tulsazoo.org.

About Microsoft Game Studios
Microsoft Game Studios is a leading worldwide publisher and developer of games for the Xbox® video game system, the Windows® operating system and online platforms. Comprising a network of top developers, Microsoft Game Studios is committed to creating innovative and diverse games for Windows (http://www.microsoft.com/games), including such franchises as Age of Empires®, Flight Simulator and Zoo Tycoon®; Xbox (http://www.xbox.com), including such games as Fable® and franchises as Halo®, Project Gotham Racing® and MechAssault®; and MSN® Games (http://www.games.msn.com), the official games channel for the MSN network and home to such hits as "Bejeweled" and "Hexic™."

Contact: Mimi De Castro
Phone Number: 918-669-6223