Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

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Columbus Zoo and Aquarium


Date opened	May 1905; 1927
Location	Powell, Ohio, USA
Land area	82 acres (250 acres after expansion)
# of Animals	6,000
# of Species	700
Accreditations/ Memberships	AZA
Website
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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 is home to over 6,000 animals representing over 700 species and sees over 1.5 million visitors annually. In addition the zoo owns an 18-hole golf course, known as Safari Golf Club, located just south of zoo grounds. It also has a close working relationship with The Wilds, a 10,000 acre animal conservation center located in southeast Ohio.

1 History
2 Current Events
- 2.1 Expansion
- 2.2 Outside the Gates
3 Exhibits:
4 References
5 External links

[edit] History

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 celebrated her 50th birthday thus making her one of the oldest gorillas in captivity.

[edit] Current Events

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.

In addition, the zoo became one of only three institutions outside of Florida to keep endangered manatees when Manatee Coast, a large indoor facility with a retractable roof, opened in 1999.

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 was once their natural 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 the spring of 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.

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 recently opened November 3, 2006, adding muntjac, two species of rare cranes, langurs, tufted deer, and a water monitor to the zoo's species list.

[edit] Expansion

In 2004 voters passed a measure that would raise an estimated $180 million to expand the zoo over the next 10 years. The 120 acre expansion is planned to include additional parking, Polar Frontier, an exhibit including polar bears, and an African savannah. There has also been rumors of a South American exhibit in the near future. Long term plans include the possibility of a resort-style hotel to help intice tourists to visit the zoo as well as its neighboring outdoor water park, Wyandot Lake.

[edit] Outside the Gates

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 they 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, but should open in 2008 with a zoo-themed atmosphere to compliment its next-door neighbor. ^[1]