OKC Zoo @ Two: Education Connection

Lesson Theme: A Gazelle Almost Gone Thanks for hoofin’ it over to our Education Connection! The Zoo is full of different species of hoofstock, from our iconic giraffe to the lesser seen western tufted deer. But have you hung out with the world’s largest and tallest gazelle? The Zoo is home to two Addra gazelle, also known as a Dama or Mhorr gazelle. While they’re out and about often in their habitat, this is a species you would rarely see in the wild. Once found across much of the Saharan Desert, there is estimated to be less than 200 mature adults located in small populations in Chad, Niger and Mali. Overhunting and habitat loss have caused such a decline in this species that they’ve been deemed critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. With striking features, such as their brown and white coat and curvy horns, these gazelles are a sight to see when they get excited! Gazelle exhibit a behavior called pronking. They use their long legs to shoot straight up in the air and hop around. This behavior may seem strange to us but it’s a great defense mechanism because it makes them very hard to catch!

Activity: A Pronkin’ Good Time Nice weather means it is time to get out and enjoy nature! Let’s get you moving—gazelle style! We’re going to make our very own Addra horns and play a game of Pronk, Pronk, Graze!

MATERIALS: Brown paper or white paper to be colored / ribbon or yarn / glue or tape / scissors

INSTRUCTIONS Step 1: Fold your paper in half like a hamburger and draw your triangle shape. If you’re using white paper, color your horns! Step 2: Cut out your horns and make a fold in the middle going down about ¾ of the way. Step 3: Roll them into a cylinder shape and glue the bottom together. Hold the paper together so that the glue sets. Step 4: Put a little fold in your horn to give it the Addra shape. Make sure both your horns point out. Step 5: Poke holes on both sides of each horn then string them onto your yarn or ribbon. Strap them on and you’re ready to go a-pronkin’! Now that you have your horns, you can head outside and get active! Grab your adult for a game of Pronk, Pronk, Graze! Each time your adult says cheetah, jump all around to avoid being eaten. When they say gazelle, you know you’re safe with your herd and can walk around while pretending to munch on grass. If they say cheetah again, you know what to do—PRONK! Step 2 Step 3

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