The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

I sincerely believe that there's room for cutting down trees for forestry and grazing, so as we all get to eat. Everyone has to compromise.

- Steve Irwin

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is a world of adventure that does a world of good. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is a non-profit zoo located in Powell, Ohio, just north of Columbus. The land lies along the eastern banks of the O'Shaughnessy Reservoir on the Scioto River, at the intersection of Riverside Drive and Powell Road. It has a worldwide reputation, largely attributable to the efforts and promotion of director emeritus Jack Hanna.

The Zoo is home to more than 9,000 animals representing 650 species from around the globe. The Zoo provides more than $1 million annually to support over 70 conservation projects worldwide. A recreation and education destination that includes the 22-acre Zoombezi Bay water park and 18-hole Safari Golf Club, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium was named the number one zoo in America by USA Travel Guide.

HISTORY:

The first zoo in Columbus, the Columbus Zoological Company (not affiliated with today's Columbus Zoo), was located in the north Riverview neighborhood of Beechwold in Clintonville. The zoo opened in May, 1905 but closed for unknown reasons only five months later in October, 1905. The former monkey house can still be seen on the property of 150 W. Beechwold Blvd. where it is used as a barn. The zoo's original brick entrance can also be seen on North High Street at Beechwold Road.

The present Columbus Zoo opened in 1927 as the Columbus Zoological Gardens. For the next thirteen years, the park maintained a small collection of animals. Beginning in the 1940s, local efforts increased the number of animals dramatically and improved the zoo's facilities. In 1951, the City of Columbus took over operation of the zoo. The zoo made history in 1956, when Colo became the first gorilla to be born in captivity. Colo was the first gorilla born in captivity. Colo was born at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium on December 22, 1956.

Local residents have repeatedly supported the Columbus Zoo. In 1967, 1984, 1990, and 1994, voters approved property tax increases to support the zoo. Local businesses have also donated millions of dollars to finance exhibits and cover operating expenses. This financial support helped the Columbus Zoo become one of the leading zoos in the United States.

During the 1990s and the first decade of the 2000s, a number of new exhibits opened at the zoo. Among the more notable was Discovery Reef, an authentic representation of a coral reef from the Indian Ocean. In 1999, the Manatee Coast opened and the zoo changed its name to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. Manatee Coast is one of only three sites outside of Florida that provides care and rehabilitation to injured manatees. The Columbus Zoo also expanded the pachyderm facility and opened a Humboldt Penguin habitat. Exhibits entitled Voyage to Australia, Islands of Southeast Asia, and African Forest also were opened to the public.

At the start of the twenty-first century, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium supports over 70 projects in 38 countries and more than one million people visit annually. The major milestones of the Columbus Zoological Park...

1927	The Columbus Zoological Park opens with a small collection of donated animals.
1930	The Columbus Dispatch and the Ohio State Journal found the Columbus Zoological Society.
1937	First membership drive begins, leading to the creation of a planned Zoo.
1940-1950	Fundraising campaigns help acquire animals and aid the construction of major buildings.
1951	The City of Columbus takes over Zoo operations.
1956	Colo, the world’s first zoo-born gorilla, is born at the Columbus Zoo.
1978	Jack Hanna is hired as Zoo Director.
1979	Cora, the first third-generation zoo-born gorilla, is born at the Columbus Zoo.
1980	The Zoo receives accreditation by the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums (now known as the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, or AZA).
1984	The Zoo opens its North America region, housing animals native to this continent.
1985	Franklin County voters approve a .25 mil levy for the Zoo.
1989	The Zoo purchases the adjacent golf course, situated just south of the Zoo, adding an additional 265 acres for expansion opportunities.
1990	Franklin County voters approve a .5 mil levy for the Zoo.
1991	The koala habitat opens and the Columbus Zoo becomes one of the only zoos in the country to permanently house koalas.
1992	The Zoo hosts 1.4 million guests – an all time high.
	The Zoo houses two giant pandas from April to October, raising nearly $730,000 for the conservation of the giant panda and other endangered species.
	Jack Hanna becomes the Director Emeritus of the Zoo – a title he still holds to this day.
	Jerry Borin is named the Zoo’s Executive Director.
1993	The Zoo opens Discovery Reef, a 100,000 gallon saltwater aquarium featuring a variety of fish, thousands of pieces of manmade coral, and special wave-producing equipment to provide a diver’s view of ocean life around a coral reef.
1994	Franklin County voters approve a .75 mil Zoo levy, producing substantial revenue for the Zoo throughout 2005.
1995	The Zoo begins construction of several zoogeographic regions to be represented as part of an aggressive 10-year master plan.
1998	The Zoo expands the pachyderm building and its outside yards, allowing for year-round viewing of elephants and rhinoceroses.
	The Zoo renovates its Reptile Building with interactive features, fun facts, and video monitors.
	The Zoo opens African Forest, Phase I, including new gorilla and bonobo habitats and experiences.
1999	The Zoo partners with the United States Fish and Wildlife Manatee Rehabilitation and Recovery program and opens Manatee Coast, becoming one of only three institutions outside of Florida to house and rehabilitate West Indian manatees. With the addition of Manatee Coast, the Zoo formally changes its name to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.
	The Zoo acquires 130 acres of adjacent land, bringing the Zoo’s total acreage up to 536 acres.
2000	The Zoo opens African Forest Phase II – Congo Expedition, with new animal habitats and an aviary.
	The Zoo acquires 52 more acres of land, bringing its total acreage to 588 acres.
2003	Islands of Southeast Asia opens, featuring orangutans, gibbons, Asian small-clawed otters, komodo dragons, and a boat ride through the islands.
	Bob and Evelyn’s Roadhouse, a nocturnal building and aviary, opens.
2004	Voyage to Australia opens at the Zoo, featuring koalas, kangaroos, and a lorikeet aviary.
	Franklin County passed a .75 mill replacement levy to help support the Zoo’s growth through 2015.
	The Zoo celebrates several significant births, including a Western lowland gorilla, a litter of Mexican wolves, two bonobos, and Bodhi, the first Asian elephant born at the Zoo.
2006	The Zoo opens Asia Quest, a new zoogeographic region themed around the destruction of poaching and the encroaching of human populations into wild spaces.
	In October, the Zoo’s Board of Directors approves the plans for Phase One renovation of Wyandot Lake into a new water park.
	On December 22, Colo, the world’s first zoo-born gorilla, turns 50.
	The Zoo sets records for highest single day attendance (22,619) and highest year attendance (1,565,928).
2007	Fluffy, the world’s largest reticulated python, arrived at the Zoo.
	A silvered langur is born at the Zoo on July 7, 2007 – an institutional first.
	The Zoo completes major renovations of its parking lot and the Safari Golf Club.
2008	Jerry Borin, the Zoo’s executive director since 1992, retires.
	The Zoo opens Zoombezi Bay Waterpark, Jungle Jack’s Landing, and Colo’s Cove – all adjacent to the Zoo - to the public.
	Zoombezi Bay, a 22.7 acre park, features three new water slides, a wave pool, an action river, a toddler and family pool area, and a lazy river and adult-only pool area.
	Jungle Jack’s Landing, a 12 acre park, features 14 rides and attractions.
	Colo’s Cove is opened as a corporate and family event space, complete with picnic areas, a gazebo, and concession areas.
	The Zoo unveils its new front entrance, which houses admission and membership offices for both the Zoo and Zoombezi Bay.
	The Zoo begins earthwork and construction on its newest area, Polar Frontier, scheduled to open in 2010.
2009	On March 27, the Zoo welcomes a male Asian elephant calf; the second calf born at the Zoo. Through suggestions and voting from the central Ohio community, the calf is named Beco, from Phoebe (his mother) and Coco (his father).
	In May, the Zoo opens its Animal Encounters Village, where guests can interact with Zoo animals and staff up close and personal.
2010	Polar Frontier opens bringing polar bears back to the Zoo.

OTHER ATTRACTIONS:

Mangels-Illions Carousel

The Mangels-Illions Carousel, post-restoration, on the grounds of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. 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 Wyandot Lake where it continued operating for sixty years, though in deteriorating condition. In 1999 the carousel was removed from Wyandot Lake and underwent a million dollar restoration before being moved to a new location at the zoo. With 52 hand carved horses, 2 chariots, and a Wurlitzer 153 band organ, this rare "grand carousel" in the Coney Island style is one of only a few manufactured by the William F. Mangels Company as a Mangels-Illions carousel. It was ridden 42,000 times in its first month of operation at the zoo, and celebrated its one millionth rider on July 28, 2004.

Zoombezi Bay

The zoo purchased Wyandot Lake at the end of 2006 and have renovated the park into "Zoombezi Bay". The new water park contains 11 attractions, with almost all of them being brand new. The park opened in May 2008 and is accompanied by Jungle Jack's Landing, the dry ride park.

Jungle Jack's Landing

When the zoo bought Wyandot Lake, they split the park into two sections. The new dry park, called Jungle Jack's Landing The park features 16 rides and attractions, including the historical Sea Dragon Roller Coaster.

CONTACT DETAILS:

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium:

http://www.columbuszoo.org

E-mail address:

info@columbuszoo.org

Postal address is:

P.O. Box 400,
Powell,
Ohio 43065

Telephone number:

614-645-3550

TIMINGS:

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is open every day of the year with the exception of Thanksgiving and Christmas. Hours by month are as follows:

January	10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
February	10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
March	10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
April	9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
May	9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Starting May 26 Zoo hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
June	9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Zoo closes at 3 p.m. on June 16 for Zoofari)
July	9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
August	9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
September	10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Zoo open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Sep. 3)
October	10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
November(1-15)	10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
November (16-30)	10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Wildlights Hours are: Sun. - Thurs. 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. / Fri. and Sat. 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.)*
December	10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Wildlights Hours are: Sun. - Thurs. 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. / Fri. and Sat. 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.)*
*The Columbus Zoo has extended hours during Wildlights, the Zoo's seasonal light display. Sundays through Thursdays the Zoo stays open from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The Zoo is closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve (for Wildlights) and Christmas Day.