Columbus Zoo
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| Columbus Zoo and Aquarium | |
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| Date opened | May 1905; 1927 |
| Location | Powell, Ohio, USA |
| # of Animals | 6,000 |
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The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is a zoo located in Powell, Ohio (Liberty Township/Delaware County), just north of Columbus. It has a worldwide reputation, largely attributable to the efforts and promotion of director emeritus Jack Hanna. The Columbus Zoo has over 6,000 animals and sees over 1.5 million visitors annually.
The original Columbus Zoo was located in the north Columbus neighborhood of Beechwold in Clintonville. The zoo opened in May, 1905 and closed five months later in October, 1905. The former monkey house can still be seen on the property of 150 Beechwold Road where it is used as a barn. The zoo's original brick entranceway can also be seen on North High Street at Beechwold Road.
The present Columbus Zoo opened in 1927 as the Columbus Zoological Gardens. The city of Columbus took over management of the Zoo in 1951.
In 1956, Colo, the world's first captive-born gorilla, was born at the Columbus Zoo. On December 22, 2006 she will celebrate her 50th birthday thus making her one of the oldest gorillas in captivity.
The Columbus Zoo has a rapidly expanding group of bonobos, also known as pygmy chimpanzees. Bonobos are the closest living relative to humans and are only found at about a dozen zoos outside their native Democratic Republic of the Congo, where they are critically endangered.
The Columbus Zoo became one of only three institutions outside of Florida to keep endangered manatees when Manatee Coast opened in 1999, a large indoor facility with a retractable roof.
The Columbus Zoo is also involved in a breeding program for Mexican Wolves and the goal is to have a population of at least 100 wolves living in what once was their historical range. Mexican wolves became extinct in the wild in the mid 1900's due to being trapped, poisoned, and shot. Since the zoo became involved in 1992, 29 pups have been born at their facility.
In spring 2000 the zoo added its restored 1914 Mangels-Illions carousel. This carousel had originally been built for the former Olentangy Park in Clintonville. When the park closed in 1938 the carousel was moved to Wyandotte Lake where it continued operating for sixty years, though in deteriorating condition. In 1999 the carousel was removed and underwent a million dollar restoration before being moved to a new location at the zoo. With 52 hand carved horses and 2 chariots this rare "grand carousel" in the Coney Island style is one of only a few manufactured by the William E. Mangels Company as a Mangels-Illiions carousel. It was ridden 42,000 times in its first month of operation at the zoo.
In 2004 voters passed a measure that would give the Columbus Zoo an estimated $180 million to expand over the next 10 years. The 120 acre expansion is planned to include additional parking, a Polar exhibit, and an African Savannah. Future plans possibly include a resort-style hotel to intice tourists to visit the zoo as well as its neighboring outdoor water park, Wyandot Lake.
On June 21, 2006 the zoo opened the first phase of its new "Asia Quest," featuring Tigers, Sun Bears, and Pallas Cats in a new open air environment. The second phase is expected to open November 3, 2006. The second phase includes muntjac, two species of rare cranes, langurs, tufted deer, and a water monitor.
In June 2006, the Columbus Zoo announced that it would be purchasing Wyandot Lake, a Six Flags-operated water/amusement park located next to the zoo. The zoo will take over the park beginning in 2007 although the zoo may choose to contract with a third party to oversee day to day operations. Wyandot Lake will be closed the year of 2007 due to renovations. [1]
[edit] References
- ^ Zoo to keep Wyandot Lake afloat, Marla Matzer Rose. Columbus Dispatch, June 13, 2006.
[edit] External links
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Conservation biology | List of zoos | List of zoo associations | Zoological Garden | Menagerie | Tourist attraction | Wildlife Conservation | Endangered species |
