The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is a non-profit zoo located near Powell in Liberty Township, Delaware County, Ohio, United States, north of the city of Columbus. The land lies along the eastern banks of the O'Shaughnessy Reservoir on the

Scioto River The Scioto River ( ) is a river in central and southern Ohio more than in length. It rises in Hardin County, Ohio, Hardin County just north of Roundhead, Ohio, flows through Columbus, Ohio, where it collects its largest tributary, the Olent ...

, 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 Jack Bushnell Hanna (born January 2, 1947) is an American retired zookeeper and director emeritus of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. Commonly nicknamed "Jungle Jack", he was director of the zoo from 1978 to 1992, and is viewed as largely respons ...

. In 2009, it was named by the USA Travel Guide as the number one zoo in the United States. It was also ranked number one best zoo in 2012 by Besties Readers Choice. The Columbus Zoo is home to more than 7,000 animals representing over 800 species and sees over 2 million visitors annually. The animal exhibits are divided into regions of the world, with the zoo currently operating eight such regions. In addition the zoo owns an 18-hole golf course, known as the Safari Golf Club which encompasses . The zoo also owns Zoombezi Bay which encompasses . In total, the zoo owns of land, with dedicated to the zoo itself. The zoo operates its own conservation program, donating money to outside programs as well as participating in their own conservation efforts. Over the past five years the zoo has contributed over $3.3 million to more than 70 projects in 30 countries. The zoo also has a close working relationship with the Wilds, a animal conservation center located in southeast Ohio and featured on the Columbus Zoo's website. Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, and by extension The Wilds, are prominently featured in the

Nat Geo Wild National Geographic Wild (shortened as Nat Geo Wild and abbreviated NGW) is a global pay television network owned by National Geographic Partners, a joint venture between The Walt Disney Company (73%) and the National Geographic Society (27% ...

series ''Secrets of the Zoo'', a series focusing on various activities done with the animals in the zoo.

History

Early history

Columbus Zoo aerial photograph - DPLA - 2a0c9853ddfe6a4dc9d4430d014bb46a

The first zoo in Columbus, known as "the Zoo" was operated by the Columbus Zoological Company (not affiliated with today's Columbus Zoo). It was located in the present-day Old Beechwold Historic District 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 West Beechwold Boulevard 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 Riverside Park on 21-acres by the O'Shaughnessy Reservoir. The zoo was initially conceived by Harry P. Wolfe, owner of the '' Columbus Dispatch'', and the Columbus Mayor on a trip to the St. Louis in 1920 where they visited the zoo. Wolfe began purchasing exotic animals for the zoo and kept them in the Franklin Park Conservatory until the park was ready. Its first building housed lions and tigers and was completed in 1932. In 1937, the zoo's name changed to the Columbus Municipal Zoo and utilized membership fees to fund its growth but by 1950 was struggling financially.

1950 to present

The city of Columbus took over management of the zoo in 1951, but later gave up ownership to the Zoological Park Association, Inc., a non-profit organization, in 1970. The city continued providing funds from the city's general fund, however, until 1986. Jack Hanna feeds a giraffe - DPLA - ea8f6f51431e0680ffef975de42e6abc

Jack Hanna feeds a giraffe - DPLA - ea8f6f51431e0680ffef975de42e6abc

became the director of the Columbus Zoo in 1978 and remained director until 1993. The zoo benefited greatly from his oversight, rising to national recognition during his tenure. Prior to his arrival, the zoo saw an average annual attendance of about 360,000. In addition, the animal facilities were in need of renovation. Hanna put an extensive amount of effort into turning the Columbus Zoo into a model facility, including personally picking up trash after hours. Cage enclosures were also removed during his time and replaced with more natural looking habitats. His enthusiasm, along with his national television recognition, helped attract more visitors to the zoo, with over 1.4 million visitors annually by 1992. Hanna was named director emeritus of the zoo in 1993 and continued to be the public face for the zoo in its marketing campaigns until 2020. In 2004, voters passed a measure that would raise an estimated $180 million to expand the zoo over 10 years. The expansion includes additional parking, Polar Frontier, an exhibit including polar bears and Arctic foxes as well as Heart of Africa, the most recent exhibit, which includes lions, antelope, cheetahs, giraffe, zebras, etc. To make room for these new exhibits, bordering Powell Road has been relocated around the eastern and southern border of the zoo. A new entrance was constructed along the new roadway, which opened in early 2008. Long-term plans include the possibility of a resort-style hotel to attract tourists along with its outdoor

water Water is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula . It is a transparent, tasteless, odorless, and Color of water, nearly colorless chemical substance. It is the main constituent of Earth's hydrosphere and the fluids of all known liv ...

amusement park An amusement park is a park that features various attractions, such as rides and games, and events for entertainment purposes. A theme park is a type of amusement park that bases its structures and attractions around a central theme, often fea ...

, Zoombezi Bay. On June 28, 2009, Jeff Swanagan, the executive director of the zoo, died suddenly at the age of 51. Dale Schmidt, the zoo's chief operating officer, was named executive director on November 20, 2009.

Loss and restoration of accreditation

Additionally, zoo executives were reported by ''The Columbus Dispatch'' as having inappropriate businesses practices that used zoo resources for personal use. Zoo officials addressed the allegations, admitting to mistakes and cut ties to institutions involved but did not clarify specific issues. On October 7, 2021, the Columbus Zoo was to lose its

Association of Zoos and Aquariums The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), originally the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums (AAZPA), is an American 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1924 and dedicated to the advancement of zoos and public aqu ...

accredited status for financial mismanagement and animal endangerment. The zoo appealed the decision, and kept its accreditation provisionally. In December 2021 this appeal was denied, with an option to reapply in autumn 2022. In December 2021, Tom Schmid became the president and CEO of the Columbus Zoo. Schmid came to Columbus from the Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi, Texas, and planned to improve the zoo's image and restore its accreditation. The zoo regained AZA accreditation in March 2023. It is also accredited by the Zoological Association of America.

Exhibits

The Columbus Zoo is divided into regions, each housing animals from a particular region of the world. Each region is themed for the particular area of the world they are representing, though older regions are themed less than the newly constructed ones. Food and souvenir shops are located throughout the zoo, each one also themed for the region the shop is in. There are three modes of transportation through the zoo other than walking. These include a train that circles the North America Trek, a tram that borders the southern part of the North America Trek that takes visitors to Polar Frontier, and a boat ride around the Islands of Southeast Asia region.

Adventure Cove

Adventure Cove opened in 2020. This region contains a pool for California sea lions and harbor seals, Jack Hanna's Animal Encounter Village, and the Stingray Bay. Featured animals include: *

California sea lion The California sea lion (''Zalophus californianus'') is a coastal eared seal native to western North America. It is one of six species of sea lions. Its natural habitat ranges from southeast Alaska to central Mexico, including the Gulf of Califo ...

(''Zalophus californianus'') * Harbor seal (''Phoca vitulina'') *

Serval The serval (''Leptailurus serval'') is a wild small cat native to Africa. It is widespread in sub-Saharan countries, where it inhabits grasslands, wetlands, moorlands and bamboo thickets. Across its range, it occurs in protected areas, and ...

(''Leptailurus serval'') *

Blue-and-yellow macaw The blue-and-yellow macaw (''Ara ararauna''), also known as the blue-and-gold macaw, is a large Neotropical parrot with a mostly blue dorsum, light yellow/orange venter, and gradient hues of green on top of its head. It is a member of the large g ...

(''Ara ararauna'') *

Scarlet macaw The scarlet macaw (''Ara macao'') also called the red-and-yellow macaw, red-and-blue macaw or red-breasted macaw, is a large yellow, red and blue Neotropical parrot native to humid evergreen forests of the Americas. Its range extends from south ...

(''Ara macao'') *

Laughing kookaburra The laughing kookaburra (''Dacelo novaeguineae'') is a bird in the kingfisher subfamily Halcyoninae. It is a large robust kingfisher with a whitish head and a brown eye-stripe. The upperparts are mostly dark brown but there is a mottled light ...

(''Dacelo novaeguineae'') *

Toco toucan The toco toucan (''Ramphastos toco'') is a species of bird in the toucan Family (biology), family Ramphastidae. It is the largest species of toucan and has a distinctive appearance, with a black body, a white throat, chest and uppertail-Covert ( ...

(''Ramphastos toco'') * Red ruffed lemur (''Varecia rubra'') *

Capybara The capybara or greater capybara (''Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris'') is the largest living rodent, native to South America. It is a member of the genus '' Hydrochoerus''. The only other extant member is the lesser capybara (''Hydrochoerus isthmi ...

(''Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris'') * Linnaeus's two-toed sloth (''Choloepus didactylus'') * Indian crested porcupine (''Hystrix indica'') * Crested porcupine (''Hystrix cristata'') * African spurred tortoise (''Centrochelys sulcata'') *

Leopard tortoise The leopard tortoise (''Stigmochelys pardalis'') is a large and attractively marked tortoise found in the savannas of eastern and southern Africa, from Sudan to the southern Cape Province. It is the only extant member of the genus ''Stigmochelys' ...

(''Stigmochelys pardalis'') * Radiated tortoise (''Astrochelys radiata'') * Red-footed tortoise (''Chelonoidis carbonarius'') *

Domestic duck Domestic ducks (mainly mallards, ''Anas platyrhynchos domesticus'', with some Muscovy ducks, ''Cairina moschata domestica'') are ducks that have been domesticated and raised for meat and egg (food), eggs. A few are kept for show, or for thei ...

(''Anas platyrhynchos domesticus'') *

Geoffroy's cat Geoffroy's cat (''Leopardus geoffroyi'') is a small wild cat native to the southern and central regions of South America. It is around the size of a domestic cat. It is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List due to it being widespread and a ...

(''Leopardus geoffroyi'') * Abyssinian ground hornbill (''Bucorvus abyssinicus'') * Red-legged seriema (''Cariama cristata'') * Southern three-banded armadillo (''Tolypeutes matacus'') * Prehensile-tailed porcupine (''Coendou prehensilis'') * White cockatoo (''Cacatua alba'') *

Northern greater galago The northern greater galago (''Otolemur garnettii''), also known as Garnett's greater galago, Garnett's galago, or the small-eared greater galago, is a nocturnal, arboreal primate endemic (ecology), endemic to Africa. Subspecies Four subspecies ...

(''Otolemur garnettii'') *

Virginia opossum The Virginia opossum (''Didelphis virginiana''), also known as the North American opossum, is a member of the opossum family found from southern Canada to northern Costa Rica, making it the northernmost marsupial in the world and the only marsup ...

(''Didelphis virginiana'') *

Striped skunk The striped skunk (''Mephitis mephitis'') is a skunk of the genus ''Mephitis (genus), Mephitis'' that occurs across much of North America, including southern Canada, the United States, and northern Mexico. It is currently listed as least concern ...

(''Mephitis mephitis'') * Big hairy armadillo (''Chaetophractus villosus'') * Sand cat (''Felis margarita'') *

Southern tamandua The southern tamandua (''Tamandua tetradactyla''), also called the collared anteater or lesser anteater, is a species of anteater from South America and the island of Trinidad in the Caribbean. It is a solitary animal found in many habitats, from ...

(''Tamandua tetradactyla'') *

American crow The American crow (''Corvus brachyrhynchos'') is a large passerine bird species of the family (biology), family Corvidae. It is a common bird found throughout much of North America. American crows are the New World counterpart to the carrion cro ...

Common raven The common raven or northern raven (''Corvus corax'') is a large all-black passerine bird. It is the most widely distributed of all Corvidae, corvids, found across the Northern Hemisphere. There are 11 accepted subspecies with little variatio ...

(''Corvus brachyrhynchos'') x (''Corvus corax'') * Cownose ray (''Rhinoptera bonasus'') * Southern stingray (''Hypanus americanus'') *

Red drum The red drum (''Sciaenops ocellatus''), also known as redfish, channel bass, puppy drum, spottail bass, or simply red, is a game fish found in the Atlantic Ocean from Massachusetts to Florida and in the Gulf of Mexico from Florida to northern Mexi ...

(''Sciaenops ocellatus'') * Pinfish (''Lagodon rhomboides'') * Bluestriped grunt (''Haemulon sciurus'')

North America Trek

The North America Trek (formerly known as North America) of the Columbus Zoo is the second-largest and the oldest. In total, the North America Trek contains large exhibits featuring an migratory

songbird A songbird is a bird belonging to the suborder Passeri of the perching birds (Passeriformes). Another name that is sometimes seen as the scientific or vernacular name is Oscines, from Latin ''oscen'', "songbird". The Passeriformes contains 5,00 ...

aviary containing over 20 species. In addition to the exhibits, the North America Trek contains the train ride that circles the region. The first phase of the region is currently going through extensive construction for a renovation, and will reopen in June 2025. Featured animals include: * American golden plover (''Pluvialis dominica'') *

American goldfinch The American goldfinch (''Spinus tristis'') is a small North American bird in the finch Family (biology), family. It is Bird migration, migratory, ranging from mid-Alberta to North Carolina during the breeding season, and from just south of th ...

(''Spinus tristis'') *

American robin The American robin (''Turdus migratorius'') is a migratory bird of the true thrush genus and Turdidae, the wider thrush family. It is named after the European robin because of its reddish-orange breast, though the two species are not clos ...

(''Turdus migratorius'') * American tree sparrow (''Spizelloides arborea'') *

Baltimore oriole The Baltimore oriole (''Icterus galbula'') is a small icterid, icterid blackbird common in eastern North America as a migratory breeding bird. It received its name from the resemblance of the male's colors to those on the Flag of Maryland, coat- ...

(''Icterus galbula'') * Black-throated blue warbler (''Setophaga caerulescens'') * Black-and-white warbler (''Mniotilta varia'') * Brown-headed cowbird (''Molothrus ater'') *

Bufflehead The bufflehead (''Bucephala albeola'') is a small sea duck of the genus ''Bucephala'', the goldeneyes. It breeds in Alaska and Canada and migrates in winter to southern North America. This species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his lan ...

(''Bucephala albeola'') * Cedar waxwing (''Bombycilla cedrorum'') * Eastern bluebird (''Sialia sialis'') * Gray catbird (''Dumetella carolinensis'') *

Indigo bunting The indigo bunting (''Passerina cyanea'') is a small seed-eating bird in the cardinal family, Cardinalidae. It is bird migration, migratory, ranging from southern Canada to northern Florida during the breeding season, and from southern Florida to ...

(''Passerina cyanea'') * Killdeer (''Charadrius vociferus'') * Lesser scaup (''Aythya affinis'') * Orchard oriole (''Icterus spurius'') *

Ovenbird The ovenbird (''Seiurus aurocapilla'') is a small songbird of the New World warbler family (biology), family (Parulidae). This bird migration, migratory bird breeds in eastern North America and winters in Central America, many List of Caribbean ...

(''Seiurus aurocapilla'') * Painted bunting (''Passerina ciris'') * Purple martin (''Progne subis'') * Red-winged blackbird (''Agelaius phoeniceus'') * Rose-breasted grosbeak (''Pheucticus ludovicianus'') * Ruddy duck (''Oxyura jamaicensis'') * Scarlet tanager (''Piranga olivacea'') * Slate-colored junco (''Junco hyemalis'') *

Snow bunting The snow bunting (''Plectrophenax nivalis'') is a passerine bird in the family Calcariidae. It is an Arctic specialist, with a circumpolar Arctic breeding range throughout the northern hemisphere. There are small isolated populations on a few ...

(''Plectrophenax nivalis'') * Song sparrow (''Melospiza melodia'') * Sora (''Porzana carolina'') * Swainson's thrush (''Catharus ustulatus'') * Virginia rail (''Rallus limicola'') * White-faced ibis (''Plegadis chihi'') *

White-throated sparrow The white-throated sparrow (''Zonotrichia albicollis'') is a passerine bird of the New World sparrow family Passerellidae. It breeds in northern North America and winters in the southern United States. Taxonomy In 1760 the English naturalist ...

(''Zonotrichia albicollis'') *

Wood duck The wood duck or Carolina duck (''Aix sponsa'') is a partially migratory species of perching duck found in North America. The male is one of the most colorful North American waterfowls. Taxonomy The wood duck was Species description, formal ...

(''Aix sponsa'') * Wood thrush (''Hylocichla mustelina'') *

Trumpeter swan The trumpeter swan (''Cygnus buccinator'') is a species of swan found in North America. The heaviest living bird native to North America, it is also the largest extant species of waterfowl, with a wingspan of 185 to 304.8 cm (6 ft 2 in ...

(''Cygnus buccinator'') *

North American river otter The North American river otter (''Lontra canadensis''), also known as the northern river otter and river otter, is a semiaquatic mammal that endemism, lives only on the North American continent throughout most of Canada, along the coasts of the U ...

(''Lontra canadensis'') *

Bald eagle The bald eagle (''Haliaeetus leucocephalus'') is a bird of prey found in North America. A sea eagle, it has two known subspecies and forms a species pair with the white-tailed eagle (''Haliaeetus albicilla''), which occupies the same niche ...

(''Haliaeetus leucocephalus'') * Mexican wolf (''Canis lupus baileyi'') *

American black bear The American black bear (''Ursus americanus''), or simply black bear, is a species of medium-sized bear which is Endemism, endemic to North America. It is the continent's smallest and most widely distributed bear species. It is an omnivore, with ...

(''Ursus americanus'') * Hellbender (''Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis'') * Plains garter snake (''Thamnophis radix'') * Spotted turtle (''Clemmys guttata'') * American burying beetle (''Nicrophorus americanus'') * Freshwater mussels *

Wolverine The wolverine ( , ; ''Gulo gulo''), also called the carcajou or quickhatch (from East Cree, ''kwiihkwahaacheew''), is the largest land-dwelling species, member of the family Mustelidae. It is a muscular carnivore and a solitary animal. The w ...

(''Gulo gulo'') * Alaska moose (''Alces alces gigas'') *

Reindeer The reindeer or caribou (''Rangifer tarandus'') is a species of deer with circumpolar distribution, native to Arctic, subarctic, tundra, taiga, boreal, and mountainous regions of Northern Europe, Siberia, and North America. It is the only re ...

(''Rangifer tarandus'') *

Cougar The cougar (''Puma concolor'') (, ''Help:Pronunciation respelling key, KOO-gər''), also called puma, mountain lion, catamount and panther is a large small cat native to the Americas. It inhabits North America, North, Central America, Cent ...

(''Puma concolor'') *

Canada lynx The Canada lynx (''Lynx canadensis'') or Canadian lynx is one of the four living species in the genus ''Lynx''. It is a medium-sized wild cat characterized by long, dense fur, triangular ears with black tufts at the tips, and broad, snowshoe- ...

(''Lynx canadensis'') *

Dexter cattle The Dexter is an Irish breed of small cattle. It originated in the eighteenth century in County Kerry, in south-western Ireland, and appears to be named after a man named Dexter, who was factor of the estates of Lord Hawarden on Valentia Isl ...

(''Bos taurus'') * Jacob's sheep (''Ovis aries'') * Barbados Blackbelly sheep (''Ovis aries'') * Hampshire sheep (''Ovis aries'') * Nigerian Dwarf goat (''Capra hircus'') *

Angora goat The Angora or Ankara is a Turkish breed A breed is a specific group of breedable domestic animals having homogeneous appearance (phenotype), homogeneous behavior, and/or other characteristics that distinguish it from other organisms of the sa ...

(''Capra hircus'') * San Clemente Island goat (''Capra hircus'') * African Pygmy goat (''Capra hircus'')

Polar Frontier

Polar Frontier opened in May 2010, featuring animals native to colder climates including

Arctic fox The Arctic fox (''Vulpes lagopus''), also known as the white fox, polar fox, or snow fox, is a small species of fox native to the Arctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere and common throughout the Tundra#Arctic tundra, Arctic tundra biome. I ...

es and

brown bear The brown bear (''Ursus arctos'') is a large bear native to Eurasia and North America. Of the land carnivorans, it is rivaled in size only by its closest relative, the polar bear, which is much less variable in size and slightly bigger on av ...

s. The region also marked the return of

polar bear The polar bear (''Ursus maritimus'') is a large bear native to the Arctic and nearby areas. It is closely related to the brown bear, and the two species can Hybrid (biology), interbreed. The polar bear is the largest extant species of bear ...

s to the zoo, whose habitat includes a pool and an underwater viewing area. The center of the exhibit includes a Conservation/Education Building and a new play area. The zoo added a third polar bear in 2013 and further expanded Polar Frontier in 2014. In 2015, one of the bears in the Polar Frontier, Aurora, gave birth to a bear cub, which the zoo named Nora. Nora, born on November 6, 2015, was the first polar bear born and raised at the zoo since the opening of Polar Frontier. She now resides at the Hogle Zoo in Utah. Featured animals include: *

(''Vulpes lagopus'') * Alaska Peninsula brown bear (''Ursus arctos gyas'') *

Polar bear The polar bear (''Ursus maritimus'') is a large bear native to the Arctic and nearby areas. It is closely related to the brown bear, and the two species can Hybrid (biology), interbreed. The polar bear is the largest extant species of bear ...

(''Ursus maritimus'') *

Rainbow Trout The rainbow trout (''Oncorhynchus mykiss'') is a species of trout native to cold-water tributary, tributaries of the Pacific Ocean in North America and Asia. The steelhead (sometimes called steelhead trout) is an Fish migration#Classification, ...

(''Oncorhynchus mykiss'') * White Amur (''Ctenopharyngodon idella'') *

Bluegill The bluegill (''Lepomis macrochirus''), sometimes referred to as "bream", "brim", "sunny", or, in Texas, "copper nose", is a species of North American freshwater fish, native to and commonly found in streams, rivers, lakes, ponds and wetlands ea ...

(''Lepomis macrochirus'') *

Redear Sunfish The redear sunfish (''Lepomis microlophus''), also known as the shellcracker, Georgia bream, cherry gill, chinquapin, improved bream, and sun perch, is a freshwater fish in the family Centrarchidae and is native to the southeastern United States ...

(''Lepomis microlophus'') *

Largemouth Bass The largemouth bass (''Micropterus nigricans'') is a carnivorous, freshwater fish, freshwater, ray-finned fish in the Centrarchidae (sunfish) family, native to the eastern United States, eastern and central United States, southeastern Canada an ...

(''Micropterus nigricans'') *

Black Crappie The black crappie (''Pomoxis nigromaculatus'') is a freshwater fish in the sunfish family ( Centrarchidae). It is endemic to North America, one of the two types of crappies. It is very similar to the white crappie (''P. annularis'') in size, s ...

(''Pomoxis nigromaculatus'') *

Yellow Perch The yellow perch (''Perca flavescens''), commonly referred to as perch, striped perch, American perch or preacher is a freshwater perciform fish native to much of North America. The yellow perch was described in 1814 by Samuel Latham Mitchill fr ...

(''Perca flavescens'')

Asia Quest

Asia Quest opened two phases in 2006. The region is an attempt to more fully immerse visitors into the exhibits, not only building larger and more attractive exhibits, but also melding them together with the scenery. Visitors entering Asia Quest pass a waterfall flanked by two habitats, travel through a cave containing the indoor habitats, exit into a Chinese forest, and finally enter an Asia Quest aviary designed to look like an abandoned Asian garden. Instead of fences, habitats are either recessed and separated via rock walls, or on ground level and separated by the rock walls and glass. Asia Quest also promotes donations for animal conservation, as many of the region's animals are threatened in the wild. Featured animals include: * Tufted deer (''Elaphodus cephalophus cephalophus'') *

Reeves's muntjac Reeves's muntjac (''Muntiacus reevesi''), also known as the Chinese muntjac, is a species of muntjac found widely in south-eastern China (from Gansu to Yunnan) and Taiwan. It has also been introduced in the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Netherla ...

(''Muntiacus reevesi'') * Silvered leaf langur (''Trachypithecus cristatus'') *

Reticulated python The reticulated python (''Malayopython reticulatus'') is a Pythonidae, python species native to South Asia, South and Southeast Asia. It is the world's List of largest snakes, longest snake, and the list of largest snakes, third heaviest snake. I ...

(''Malayopython reticulatus'') *

Asian water monitor The Asian water monitor (''Varanus salvator'') is a large Varanidae, varanid lizard native to South Asia, South and Southeast Asia. It is widely considered to be the List of largest extant lizards, second-largest lizard species, after the Komodo ...

(''Varanus salvator'') * Little golden-mantled flying fox (''Pteropus pumilus'') * Large flying fox (''Pteropus vampyrus'') * Blue-faced honeyeater (''Entomyzon cyanotis'') * Greater Malay chevrotain (''Tragulus napu'') * Radiated tortoise (''Astrochelys radiata'') *

Aldabra giant tortoise The Aldabra giant tortoise (''Aldabrachelys gigantea'') is a species of tortoise in the family Testudinidae and genus '' Aldabrachelys''. The species is endemic to the Seychelles, with the nominate subspecies, ''A. g. gigantea'' native to Alda ...

(''Aldabrachelys gigantea'') * Sloth bear (''Melursus ursinus'') *

Indian elephant The Indian elephant (''Elephas maximus indicus'') is one of three extant recognized subspecies of the Asian elephant, native to mainland Asia. The species is smaller than the African elephant species with a convex back and the highest body po ...

(''Elephas maximus indicus'') *

Red panda The red panda (''Ailurus fulgens''), also known as the lesser panda, is a small mammal native to the eastern Himalayas and southwestern China. It has dense reddish-brown fur with a black belly and legs, white-lined ears, a mostly white muzz ...

(''Ailurus fulgens'') * Smew duck (''Mergellus albellus'') *

Azure-winged magpie The azure-winged magpie (''Cyanopica cyanus'') is a bird in the crow family. It is 31–35 cm long and similar in overall shape to the Eurasian magpie (''Pica pica'') but is more slender with proportionately smaller legs and bill. It belong ...

(''Cyanopica cyanus'') * Chinese hwamei (''Garrulax canorus'') * Northern bald ibis (''Geronticus eremita'') *

Reeves's pheasant Reeves's pheasant (''Syrmaticus reevesii'') is a large pheasant within the genus ''Syrmaticus''. It is Endemism, endemic to China. It is named after the British people, British natural history, naturalist John Reeves (naturalist), John Reeves, wh ...

(''Syrmaticus reevesii'') * Javan pond heron (''Ardeola speciosa'') * Black-throated laughingthrush (''Pterorhinus chinensis'') * Western cattle egret (''Bubulcus ibis'') *

Magpie goose The magpie goose (''Anseranas semipalmata'') is the sole living representative species of the family Anseranatidae. This common waterbird is found in northern Australia and southern New Guinea. As the species is prone to wandering, especially ...

(''Anseranas semipalmata'') * Nicobar pigeon (''Caloenas nicobarica'') * Burmese mountain tortoise (''Manouria emys'') * Markhor (''Capra falconeri heptneri'') *

Pallas's cat The Pallas's cat (''Otocolobus manul''), also known as the manul, is a small wild cat with long and dense light grey fur, and rounded ears set low on the sides of the head. Its head-and-body length ranges from with a long bushy tail. It is w ...

(''Otocolobus manul'') *

Amur tiger The Siberian tiger or Amur tiger is a population of the tiger subspecies '' Panthera tigris tigris'' native to Northeast China, the Russian Far East, and possibly North Korea. It once ranged throughout the Korean Peninsula, but currently inhab ...

(''Panthera tigris tigris'') *

Red-crowned crane The red-crowned crane (''Grus japonensis''), also called the Manchurian crane (; the Chinese character '丹' means 'red', '頂/顶' means 'crown (anatomy), crown' and '鶴/鹤' means 'crane'), is a large East Asian Crane (bird), crane among the ...

(''Grus japonensis'')

Shores & Aquarium

The shores region is most well known for the

fish A fish (: fish or fishes) is an aquatic animal, aquatic, Anamniotes, anamniotic, gill-bearing vertebrate animal with swimming fish fin, fins and craniate, a hard skull, but lacking limb (anatomy), limbs with digit (anatomy), digits. Fish can ...

and

manatee Manatees (, family (biology), family Trichechidae, genus ''Trichechus'') are large, fully aquatic, mostly herbivory, herbivorous marine mammals sometimes known as sea cows. There are three accepted living species of Trichechidae, representing t ...

aquariums, known as "Discovery Reef" and "Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Center". In addition to the indoor aquariums, the shores region also features exhibits of Caribbean flamingos, American alligators,

Humboldt penguin The Humboldt penguin (''Spheniscus humboldti'') is a medium-sized penguin. It resides in South America, along the Pacific coast of Peru and Chile. Its nearest relatives are the African penguin, the Magellanic penguin and the Galápagos penguin. ...

s, and

s. Featured outdoor animals include: * Caribbean flamingo (''Phoenicopterus ruber ruber'') * American alligator (''Alligator mississippiensis'') *

(''Spheniscus humboldti'') *

(''Aldabrachelys gigantea'') Discovery Reef is an saltwater aquarium and houses numerous species of

seahorse A seahorse (also written ''sea-horse'' and ''sea horse'') is any of 46 species of small marine Osteichthyes, bony fish in the genus ''Hippocampus''. The genus name comes from the Ancient Greek (), itself from () meaning "horse" and () meanin ...

shark Sharks are a group of elasmobranch cartilaginous fish characterized by a ribless endoskeleton, dermal denticles, five to seven gill slits on each side, and pectoral fins that are not fused to the head. Modern sharks are classified within the ...

s, and garden eels. It also houses a live coral exhibit, one of the largest in the United States although the coral in the largest tank is synthetic. Featured animals include: *

Lined Seahorse The lined seahorse (''Hippocampus erectus''), northern seahorse or spotted seahorse, is a species of fish that belongs to the family Syngnathidae. ''H. erectus'' is a Diurnality, diurnal species with an approximate length of and lifespan of one ...

(''Hippocampus erectus'') * Spotted garden eel (''Heteroconger hassi'') * Banggai cardinalfish (''Pterapogon kauderni'') * Leopard moray eel (''Enchelycore pardalis'') *

Atlantic horseshoe crab The Atlantic horseshoe crab (''Limulus polyphemus''), also known as the American horseshoe crab, is a species of horseshoe crab, a kind of marine biology, marine and Brackish water, brackish chelicerate arthropod. It is found in the Gulf of Mexic ...

(''Limulus polyphemus'') * Phataria sea star (''Phataria unifascialis'') * Pencil sea urchin (''Heterocentrotus mamillatus'') * Mandarinfish (''Synchiropus splendidus'') * Raccoon butterflyfish (''Chaetodon lunula'') * Canary wrasse (''Halichoeres chrysus'') * Yellow prawn goby (''Cryptocentrus cinctus'') * Chinese zebra goby (''Ptereleotris zebra'') * Blue green damsel (''Chromis viridis'') * Old Glory goby (''Amblygobius rainfordi'') * Pink anemonefish (''Amphiprion perideraion'') * Six-line wrasse (''Pseudocheilinus hexataenia'') * Potbelly seahorse (''Hippocampus abdominalis'') * Glassy sweeper (''Pempheris schomburgkii'') * Doctorfish (''Acanthurus chirurgus'') *

Tomato clownfish The tomato clownfish (''Amphiprion frenatus'') is a species of marine fish in the family (biology), family Pomacentridae, the clownfishes and damselfishes. It is native to the waters of the Pacific Ocean, Western Pacific, from the Japan to Indon ...

(''Amphiprion frenatus'') * Flame angelfish (''Centropyge loricula'') * Pajama cardinalfish (''Sphaeramia nematoptera'') * Red-belted anthias (''Pseudanthias rubrizonatus'') * Black-axil chromis (''Chromis atripectoralis'') * Lined surgeonfish (''Acanthurus lineatus'') * Palette surgeonfish (''Paracanthurus hepatus'') * Sailfin tang (''Zebrasoma velifer'') * Bignose unicorn tang (''Naso vlamingii'') * Pennant coralfish (''Heniochus acuminatus'') * Zebra shark (''Stegostoma fasciatum'') *

Epaulette shark The epaulette shark ('', Hemiscyllium ocellatum'') is a species of longtailed carpet shark of the family (biology), family Hemiscylliidae, found in shallow, tropical waters off Australia and New Guinea (and possibly elsewhere). The common name o ...

(''Hemiscyllium ocellatum'') * Emperor angelfish (''Pomacanthus imperator'') * Yellowbar angelfish (''Pomacanthus maculosus'') * Golden Trevally (''Gnathanodon speciosus'') * Whitemargin Unicorn tang (''Naso annulatus'') * Humphead wrasse (''Cheilinus undulatus'') *

Bamboo shark The Hemiscylliidae are a family (biology), family of sharks in the order Orectolobiformes, commonly known as longtail carpet sharks and sometimes as bamboo sharks. They are found in shallow waters of the tropical Indo-Pacific. They are relativ ...

(''Chiloscyllium plagiosum'') * Yellowmask angelfish (''Pomacanthus xanthometopon'') * Titan triggerfish (''Balistoides viridescens'') * Yellow tang (''Zebrasoma flavescens'') * Semicircle angelfish (''Pomacanthus semicirculatus'') * Threadfin snapper (''Symphorichthys spilurus'') * Orbicular batfish (''Platax orbicularis'') * Sohal surgeonfish (''Acanthurus sohal'') * Bonnethead (''Sphyrna tiburo'') *

Blacktip reef shark The blacktip reef shark (''Carcharhinus melanopterus'') is a species of requiem shark, in the family (biology), family Carcharhinidae, which can be easily identified by the prominent black tips on its fins (especially on the first dorsal fin and ...

(''Carcharhinus melanopterus'') Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Center, which opened in 1999, is the cornerstone of the region, supporting the endangered Florida manatees,

stingray Stingrays are a group of sea Batoidea, rays, a type of cartilaginous fish. They are classified in the suborder Myliobatoidei of the order Myliobatiformes and consist of eight families: Hexatrygonidae (sixgill stingray), Plesiobatidae (deepwate ...

s, a

sea turtle Sea turtles (superfamily Chelonioidea), sometimes called marine turtles, are reptiles of the order Testudines and of the suborder Cryptodira. The seven existing species of sea turtles are the flatback, green, hawksbill, leatherback, loggerh ...

, and

pelican Pelicans (genus ''Pelecanus'') are a genus of large water birds that make up the family Pelecanidae. They are characterized by a long beak and a large throat pouch used for catching prey and draining water from the scooped-up contents before ...

s in a indoor habitat. This habitat is one of only two outside of Florida to keep manatees, making it an especially popular exhibit. The building is also covered by a retractable roof, which creates an outdoor environment for up to five manatees during warm weather. Featured animals include: * Florida manatee (''Trichechus manatus latirostris'') *

Hawksbill sea turtle The hawksbill sea turtle (''Eretmochelys imbricata'') is a critically endangered sea turtle belonging to the family Cheloniidae. It is the only extant species in the genus ''Eretmochelys''. The species has a global distribution that is largel ...

(''Eretmochelys imbricata'') * Southern stingray (''Hypanus americanus'') * Brown pelican (''Pelecanus occidentalis'') * Permit (''Trachinotus falcatus'') * Bermuda chub (''Kyphosus sectatrix'') * French grunt (''Haemulon flavolineatum'') * Bluestriped grunt (''Haemulon sciurus'') * Cottonwick grunt (''Haemulon melanurum'') * Atlantic spadefish (''Chaetodipterus faber'') * Lookdown (''Selene vomer'') * Porkfish (''Anisotremus virginicus'') * Blue tang (''Acanthurus coeruleus'') * Doctorfish tang (''Acanthurus chirurgus'') * Atlantic needlefish (''Strongylura marina'') The Reptile Habitat is the first building encountered heading west after exiting the tunnel under Riverside Drive and is located within the shores region. It is a fully indoor facility, containing numerous

snake Snakes are elongated limbless reptiles of the suborder Serpentes (). Cladistically squamates, snakes are ectothermic, amniote vertebrates covered in overlapping scales much like other members of the group. Many species of snakes have s ...

terrapin Terrapins are a group of several species of small turtle (order Testudines) living in freshwater, fresh or brackish water. Terrapins do not form a taxonomic unit and may not be closely related. Many belong to the families Geoemydidae and Emydid ...

lizard Lizard is the common name used for all Squamata, squamate reptiles other than snakes (and to a lesser extent amphisbaenians), encompassing over 7,000 species, ranging across all continents except Antarctica, as well as most Island#Oceanic isla ...

s, and

tortoise Tortoises ( ) are reptiles of the family Testudinidae of the order Testudines (Latin for "tortoise"). Like other turtles, tortoises have a shell to protect from predation and other threats. The shell in tortoises is generally hard, and like o ...

s. The Columbus Zoo has also bred many threatened reptile species, including Jamaican boas, Madagascar ground boas, yellow-spotted river turtles, Roti Island snake-necked turtles, and eastern plains garter snakes. Featured animals include: * Roti Island snake-necked turtle (''Chelodina mccordi'') * Spotted turtle (''Clemmys guttata'') * Yellow-spotted river turtle (''Podocnemis unifilis'') * Barbour's map turtle (''Graptemys barbouri'') * Yellow-blotched map turtle (''Graptemys flavimaculata'') *

Pig-nosed turtle The pig-nosed turtle (''Carettochelys insculpta''), also known as the Fly River turtle, the pitted-shelled turtle, and the Warrajan is a species of turtle which is native to northern Australia and southern New Guinea. It is the only living mem ...

(''Carettochelys insculpta'') *

Alligator snapping turtle The alligator snapping turtle (''Macrochelys temminckii'') is a large species of turtle in the Family (biology), family Chelydridae. They are the largest freshwater turtle in North America. The species is Endemism, endemic to freshwater habitat ...

(''Macrochelys temminckii'') * Pancake tortoise (''Malacochersus tornieri'') * Spider tortoise (''Pyxis arachnoides'') * Coahuilan box turtle (''Terrapene coahuila'') * Indian star tortoise (''Geochelone elegans'') * Malaysian giant turtle (''Orlitia borneensis'') * Madagascar ground boa (''Boa madagascariensis'') * Malagasy giant hognose (''Leioheterodon madagascariensis'') * Jamaican boa (''Epicrates subflavus'') * Rainbow boa (''Epicrates cenchria'') *

Burmese python The Burmese python (''Python bivittatus'') is one of the largest species of snakes. It is native to a large area of Southeast Asia and is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Until 2009, it was considered a subspecies of the Indian pyth ...

(''Python bivittatus'') * Blood python (''Python curtus'') * Ball python (''Python regius'') * Scrub python (''Simalia amethistina'') * Savu python (''Liasis mackloti savuensis'') * West African burrowing python (''Calabaria reinhardtii'') * Macklot's python (''Liasis mackloti'') * Pine snake (''Pituophis melanoleucus'') * Plains garter snake (''Thamnophis radix'') * Western cottonmouth (''Agkistrodon piscivorus leucostoma'') * Black rat snake (''Pantherophis obsoletus'') * Eastern green mamba (''Dendroaspis angusticeps'') *

King cobra The king cobra (''Ophiophagus hannah'') is a species complex of snakes Endemism, endemic to Asia. With an average of and a record length of , it is the world's longest venomous snake and among the heaviest. Under the genus ''Ophiophagus'', i ...

(''Ophiophagus hannah'') * Red spitting cobra (''Naja pallida'') * Eastern copperhead (''Agkistrodon contortrix'') * Sidewinder (''Crotalus cerastes'') *

Timber rattlesnake The timber rattlesnake (''Crotalus horridus''), also known Common name, commonly as the canebrake rattlesnake and the banded rattlesnake,Albert Hazen WWright AH, species:Anna Allen WWright AA (1957). ''Handbook of Snakes of the United States a ...

(''Crotalus horridus'') * Massasauga (''Sistrurus catenatus'') * Plumed basilisk (''Basiliscus plumifrons'') *

Crested Gecko The crested gecko (''Correlophus ciliatus''), also known Common name, commonly as the eyelash gecko, is a species of lizard in the Family (biology), family Diplodactylidae. The species is native to southern New Caledonia. Originally species descr ...

(''Correlophus ciliatus'') * Weber's Crested Lizard (''Hydrosaurus weberi'') * Smallwood's anole (''Anolis smallwoodi'') *

Solomon Islands skink The Solomon Islands skink (''Corucia zebrata''), also known as prehensile-tailed skink, monkey-tailed skink, giant skink, zebra skink, and monkey skink, is an arboreal species of skink endemic to the Solomon Islands archipelago. It is the larg ...

(''Corucia zebrata'') * Chinese crocodile lizard (''Shinisaurus crocodilurus'') *

Gila monster The Gila monster (''Heloderma suspectum'', ) is a species of venomous lizard native to the Southwestern United States and the northwestern Mexico, Mexican state of Sonora. It is a heavy, slow-moving reptile, up to long, and it is the only ve ...

(''Heloderma suspectum'') * Smooth-fronted caiman (''Paleosuchus trigonatus'') *

San Esteban chuckwalla The San Esteban chuckwalla (''Sauromalus varius''), also known as the piebald chuckwalla or pinto chuckwalla, is a species of chuckwalla belonging to the family Iguanidae endemic to San Esteban Island in the Gulf of California. It is the largest ...

(''Sauromalus varius'') * Grand Cayman blue iguana (''Cyclura lewisi'') * Black spiny-tailed iguana (''Ctenosaura similis'') * Titicaca water frog (''Telmatobius culeus'') * Panamanian golden frog (''Atelopus zeteki'') *

Blue poison dart frog The blue poison dart frog or blue poison arrow frog (''Dendrobates tinctorius'' "azureus") is a poison dart frog found in the "forest islands" surrounded by the Sipaliwini Savanna in southern Suriname. Its indigenous Tiriyó language, Tiriyo na ...

(''Dendrobates tinctorius "azureus"'') *

Axolotl The axolotl (; from ) (''Ambystoma mexicanum'') is a neoteny, paedomorphic salamander, one that Sexual maturity, matures without undergoing metamorphosis into the terrestrial adult form; adults remain Aquatic animal, fully aquatic with obvio ...

(''Ambystoma mexicanum'') * Hellbender (''Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis'')

Congo Expedition

The African forest region, "Congo Expedition", opened in 2000 and showcases animals from the Central African rainforest, which includes numerous

primate Primates is an order (biology), order of mammals, which is further divided into the Strepsirrhini, strepsirrhines, which include lemurs, galagos, and Lorisidae, lorisids; and the Haplorhini, haplorhines, which include Tarsiiformes, tarsiers a ...

hooved mammal Ungulates ( ) are members of the diverse clade Euungulata ("true ungulates"), which primarily consists of large mammals with Hoof, hooves. Once part of the clade "Ungulata" along with the clade Paenungulata, "Ungulata" has since been determined ...

s, large cats, and many

bird Birds are a group of warm-blooded vertebrates constituting the class (biology), class Aves (), characterised by feathers, toothless beaked jaws, the Oviparity, laying of Eggshell, hard-shelled eggs, a high Metabolism, metabolic rate, a fou ...

s housed in an

aviary An aviary is a large enclosure for confining birds, although bats may also be considered for display. Unlike birdcages, aviaries allow birds a larger living space where Bird flight, they can fly; hence, aviaries are also sometimes known as flig ...

. The highlight of the region is the primate area featuring three generations of

western lowland gorilla The western lowland gorilla (''Gorilla gorilla gorilla'') is one of two Critically Endangered subspecies of the western gorilla (''Gorilla gorilla'') that lives in Montane ecosystems#Montane forests, montane, Old-growth forest, primary and sec ...

s, the progeny of Colo, the first

gorilla Gorillas are primarily herbivorous, terrestrial great apes that inhabit the tropical forests of equatorial Africa. The genus ''Gorilla'' is divided into two species: the eastern gorilla and the western gorilla, and either four or five su ...

to be born in captivity in the world. The Columbus Zoo has a rapidly expanding group of

bonobos The bonobo (; ''Pan paniscus''), also historically called the pygmy chimpanzee (less often the dwarf chimpanzee or gracile chimpanzee), is an endangered great ape and one of the two species making up the genus ''Pan (genus), Pan'' (the other bei ...

, also known as pygmy chimpanzees. Bonobos are the closest living relative to

human Humans (''Homo sapiens'') or modern humans are the most common and widespread species of primate, and the last surviving species of the genus ''Homo''. They are Hominidae, great apes characterized by their Prehistory of nakedness and clothing ...

s and are only found at eight U.S. zoos and less than 20 worldwide zoos outside their native

Democratic Republic of the Congo The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), also known as the DR Congo, Congo-Kinshasa, or simply the Congo (the last ambiguously also referring to the neighbouring Republic of the Congo), is a country in Central Africa. By land area, it is t ...

, where they are

critically endangered An IUCN Red List critically endangered (CR or sometimes CE) species is one that has been categorized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. As of December 2023, of t ...

. On May 18, 2012, one of the zoo's gorillas, Mumbah, died of heart failure at the age of 47. Mumbah had been part of the Columbus Zoo since 1984, when he was acquired from an animal park in England. Featured animals include: * Grey parrot (''Psittacus erithacus'') * Common bulbul (''Pycnonotus barbatus'') * Blue-bellied roller (''Coracias cyanogaster'') * Black crowned crane (''Balearica pavonina'') *

White-headed buffalo weaver The white-headed buffalo weaver or white-faced buffalo-weaver (''Dinemellia dinemelli'') is a species of passerine bird in the family Ploceidae native to East Africa. The buffalo part of its name derives from its habit of following the African bu ...

(''Dinemellia dinemelli'') * Black crake (''Zapornia flavirostra'') * Violet-backed starling (''Cinnyricinclus leucogaster'') * Green wood hoopoe (''Phoeniculus purpureus'') *

Marbled duck The marbled duck or marbled teal (''Marmaronetta angustirostris'') is a medium-sized species of duck from southern Europe, northern Africa, and western and central Asia. The scientific name, ''Marmaronetta angustirostris'', comes from the Greek ' ...

(''Marmaronetta angustirostris'') * Buff-crested bustard (''Lophotis gindiana'') *

Speckled pigeon The speckled pigeon (''Columba guinea''), also African rock pigeon or Guinea pigeon, is a pigeon that is a resident breeding bird in much of Africa south of the Sahara. It is a common and widespread species in open habitats over much of its range ...

(''Columba guinea'') * Southern bald ibis (''Geronticus calvus'') * Black-and-white colobus (''Colobus guereza'') *

African leopard The African leopard (''Panthera pardus pardus'') is the nominate subspecies of the leopard, native to many countries in Africa. It is widely distributed in most of sub-Saharan Africa, but the historical range has been Habitat fragmentation, fragm ...

(''Panthera pardus pardus'') *

Western lowland gorilla The western lowland gorilla (''Gorilla gorilla gorilla'') is one of two Critically Endangered subspecies of the western gorilla (''Gorilla gorilla'') that lives in Montane ecosystems#Montane forests, montane, Old-growth forest, primary and sec ...

(''Gorilla gorilla gorilla'') *

Bonobo The bonobo (; ''Pan paniscus''), also historically called the pygmy chimpanzee (less often the dwarf chimpanzee or gracile chimpanzee), is an endangered great ape and one of the two species making up the genus ''Pan (genus), Pan'' (the other bei ...

(''Pan paniscus'') *

Mandrill The mandrill (''Mandrillus sphinx'') is a large Old World monkey native to west central Africa. It is one of the most colorful mammals in the world, with red and blue skin on its face and posterior. The species is Sexual dimorphism, sexually ...

(''Mandrillus sphinx'') *

Okapi The okapi (; ''Okapia johnstoni''), also known as the forest giraffe, Congolese giraffe and zebra giraffe, is an artiodactyl mammal that is endemic to the northeast Democratic Republic of the Congo in central Africa. However, non-invasive gen ...

(''Okapia johnstoni'')

Australia and the Islands

The Australia region is located on the far west side of the zoo, lying along the east bank of the Scioto River. The "Roadhouse" nocturnal exhibit opened in November 2003, while the kangaroo walkabout,

koala The koala (''Phascolarctos cinereus''), sometimes inaccurately called the koala bear, is an arboreal herbivorous marsupial native to Australia. It is the only Extant taxon, extant representative of the Family (biology), family ''Phascolar ...

habitat, and Lorikeet Aviary opened in 2004. "Bob and Evelyn's Roadhouse" is an indoor nocturnal exhibit displaying animals from Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. The Roadhouse features animals including Indian crested porcupine, North Island brown kiwi, and southern hairy-nosed wombat. The final section of the Roadhouse is an indoor flight aviary displaying over twenty species of Asian and Australian birds. The regions feature habitat is the kangaroo walkabout exhibit, which houses

red kangaroo The red kangaroo (''Osphranter rufus'') is the largest of all kangaroos, the largest terrestrial mammal native to Australia, and the Largest mammals#Marsupials (Marsupialia), largest extant marsupial. It is found across mainland Australia, exce ...

s and

eastern grey kangaroo The eastern grey kangaroo (''Macropus giganteus'': gigantic large-foot; also great grey kangaroo or forester kangaroo) is a marsupial found in the eastern third of Australia, with a population of several million. Although a large ''M. giganteus ...

s. The habitat is at ground-level, which allows visitors to walk through the actual habitat along with the kangaroos. The Columbus Zoo is one of only nine US zoos to permanently house koalas and is one of the few US zoos to display the species in both outdoor and indoor habitats. The exhibit in the region is Lorikeet Aviary featuring

rainbow lorikeet The rainbow lorikeet (''Trichoglossus moluccanus'') is a species of parrot found in Australia. It is common along the eastern seaboard, from northern Queensland to South Australia. Its habitat is rainforest, coastal bush and woodland areas. Six ...

s, coconut lorikeets, and marigold lorikeets. The exhibit allows visitors to purchase a cup of nectar and feed the birds. In 2019, the Tasmanian devil exhibit opened, featuring the

Tasmanian devils The Tasmanian devil (''Sarcophilus harrisii''; palawa kani: ''purinina'') is a carnivorous marsupial of the family Dasyuridae. It was formerly present across mainland Australia, but became extinct there around 3,500 years ago; it is now conf ...

. Featured Roadhouse animals include: * Weedy seadragon (''Phyllopteryx taeniolatus'') * North Island brown kiwi (''Apteryx mantelli'') *

(''Otolemur garnettii'') * Southern hairy-nosed wombat (''Lasiorhinus latifrons'') *

Pygmy slow loris The pygmy slow loris (''Xanthonycticebus pygmaeus'') is a species of slow loris found east of the Mekong, Mekong River in Vietnam, Laos, eastern Cambodia, and China. It occurs in a variety of forest habitats, including Tropical and subtropical d ...

(''Xanthonycticebus pygmaeus'') * Matschie's tree-kangaroo (''Dendrolagus matschiei'') *

Feathertail glider The feathertail glider (''Acrobates pygmaeus''), also known as the pygmy gliding possum, pygmy glider, pygmy phalanger, flying phalanger and flying mouse, is a species of marsupial native to eastern Australia. It is the world's smallest gliding ...

(''Acrobates pygmaeus'') *

Tawny frogmouth The tawny frogmouth (''Podargus strigoides'') is a species of frogmouth native to the Australian mainland and Tasmania and found throughout. It is a big-headed, stocky bird often mistaken for an owl due to its nocturnal habits and similar colouri ...

(''Podargus strigoides'') * Indian crested porcupine (''Hystrix indica'') *

Luzon bleeding-heart The Luzon bleeding-heart, bleeding-heart dove, bleeding-heart pigeon or punay (''Gallicolumba luzonica'') is a species of ground dove in the genus '' Gallicolumba,'' known as "bleeding-hearts" due to their distinctive red patch on its chest. It ...

(''Gallicolumba luzonica'') *

Masked lapwing The masked lapwing (''Vanellus miles'') is a large, common and conspicuous bird native to Australia (particularly the northern and eastern parts of the continent), New Zealand and New Guinea. It spends most of its time on the ground searching for ...

(''Vanellus miles'') * Freckled duck (''Stictonetta naevosa'') * Metallic starling (''Aplonis metallica'') * Chestnut teal (''Anas castanea)'') * Victoria crowned pigeon (''Goura victoria'') * Pied imperial pigeon (''Ducula bicolor'') * Nicobar pigeon (''Caloenas nicobarica'') *

Bali myna The Bali myna (''Leucopsar rothschildi''), also known as Rothschild's mynah, Bali starling, or Bali mynah, locally known as jalak Bali, is a medium-sized (up to long), stocky myna, almost wholly white with a long, drooping crest, and black tip ...

(''Leucopsar rothschildi'') * Southern masked weaver (''Ploceus velatus'') *

Red-billed leiothrix The red-billed leiothrix (''Leiothrix lutea'') is a member of the family Leiothrichidae, native to southern China and the Himalayas. Adults have bright red bills and a dull yellow ring around their eyes. Their backs are dull olive green, and the ...

(''Leiothrix lutea'') * Black-naped fruit dove (''Ptilinopus melanospilus'') * Crested wood partridge (''Rollulus rouloul'') * Scarlet-faced liocichla (''Liocichla ripponi'') Featured outdoor animals include: * Queensland Koala (''Phascolarctos cinereus adustus'') *

Tasmanian devil The Tasmanian devil (''Sarcophilus harrisii''; palawa kani: ''purinina'') is a carnivorous marsupial of the family Dasyuridae. It was formerly present across mainland Australia, but became extinct there around 3,500 years ago; it is now con ...

(''Sarcophilus harrisii'') *

Red kangaroo The red kangaroo (''Osphranter rufus'') is the largest of all kangaroos, the largest terrestrial mammal native to Australia, and the Largest mammals#Marsupials (Marsupialia), largest extant marsupial. It is found across mainland Australia, exce ...

(''Osphranter rufus'') *

Eastern grey kangaroo The eastern grey kangaroo (''Macropus giganteus'': gigantic large-foot; also great grey kangaroo or forester kangaroo) is a marsupial found in the eastern third of Australia, with a population of several million. Although a large ''M. giganteus ...

(''Macropus giganteus'') *

Rainbow lorikeet The rainbow lorikeet (''Trichoglossus moluccanus'') is a species of parrot found in Australia. It is common along the eastern seaboard, from northern Queensland to South Australia. Its habitat is rainforest, coastal bush and woodland areas. Six ...

(''Trichoglossus moluccanus'') * Coconut lorikeet (''Trichoglossus haematodus'') * Marigold lorikeet (''Trichoglossus capistratus'') Orangutan-Columbus-zoo

The Islands of Southeast Asia region opened in 2003. Similarly to Asia Quest, Islands of Southeast Asia attempts to be more immersive, melding the exhibits and scenery to create the feeling that the visitor is walking through one continuous exhibit. This is done mostly with

man-made Artificiality (the state of being artificial, anthropogenic, or man-made) is the state of being the product of intentional human manufacture, rather than occurring naturally through processes not involving or requiring human activity. Connotati ...

scenery and vegetation. Included in the man-made scenery is a waterway that flows around the region and carries the boat ride from which visitors can view the region's exhibits. Featured animals include: * White-handed gibbon (''Hylobates lar'') *

Siamang The siamang (, ; ''Symphalangus syndactylus'') is an endangered arboreal, black-furred gibbon native to the forests of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. The largest of the gibbons, the siamang can be twice the size of other gibbons, reaching i ...

(''Symphalangus syndactylus'') *

Bornean orangutan The Bornean orangutan (''Pongo pygmaeus'') is an orangutan species endemic to the island of Borneo. It belongs to the only genus of great apes native to Asia and is the largest of the three ''Pongo'' species. It has a coarse, reddish coat and up ...

(''Pongo pygmaeus'') * Asian small-clawed otter (''Aonyx cinereus'') * Yellow-headed temple turtle (''Heosemys annandalii'') *

Komodo dragon The Komodo dragon (''Varanus komodoensis''), also known as the Komodo monitor, is a large reptile of the monitor lizard family Varanidae that is endemic to the Indonesian islands of Komodo (island), Komodo, Rinca, Flores, Gili Dasami, and Gili ...

(''Varanus komodoensis'')

Heart of Africa

The "Heart of Africa" region opened in 2014 and is located to the north and east of the zoo . The area encompasses of land, and feature many African plains animals. One exhibit in the new region are

lion The lion (''Panthera leo'') is a large Felidae, cat of the genus ''Panthera'', native to Sub-Saharan Africa and India. It has a muscular, broad-chested body (biology), body; a short, rounded head; round ears; and a dark, hairy tuft at the ...

s, which were moved in order to accommodate Asia Quest, as well as

giraffe The giraffe is a large Fauna of Africa, African even-toed ungulate, hoofed mammal belonging to the genus ''Giraffa.'' It is the Largest mammals#Even-toed Ungulates (Artiodactyla), tallest living terrestrial animal and the largest ruminant on ...

cheetah The cheetah (''Acinonyx jubatus'') is a large Felidae, cat and the Fastest animals, fastest land animal. It has a tawny to creamy white or pale buff fur that is marked with evenly spaced, solid black spots. The head is small and rounded, wit ...

zebra Zebras (, ) (subgenus ''Hippotigris'') are African equines with distinctive black-and-white striped coats. There are three living species: Grévy's zebra (''Equus grevyi''), the plains zebra (''E. quagga''), and the mountain zebra (''E. ...

s, and

vervet monkey The vervet monkey (''Chlorocebus pygerythrus''), or simply vervet, is an Old World monkey of the family Cercopithecidae native to Africa. The term "vervet" is also used to refer to all the members of the genus '' Chlorocebus''. The five distin ...

s. Following the design of recent exhibits such as the Islands of Southeast Asia, the African savanna attempts to merge habitats and scenery to make visitors feel as if they are on the plains. Other features including giraffe feedings, as well as dining facilities. Featured animals include: *

Donkey The donkey or ass is a domesticated equine. It derives from the African wild ass, ''Equus africanus'', and may be classified either as a subspecies thereof, ''Equus africanus asinus'', or as a separate species, ''Equus asinus''. It was domes ...

(''Equus africanus asinus'') *

Common ostrich The common ostrich (''Struthio camelus''), or simply ostrich, is a species of flightless bird native to certain areas of Africa. It is one of two extant species of ostriches, the only living members of the genus ''Struthio'' in the ratite group ...

(''Struthio camelus'') *

African lion The lion (''Panthera leo'') is a large cat of the genus '' Panthera'', native to Sub-Saharan Africa and India. It has a muscular, broad-chested body; a short, rounded head; round ears; and a dark, hairy tuft at the tip of its tail. It is ...

(''Panthera leo'') *

Cheetah The cheetah (''Acinonyx jubatus'') is a large Felidae, cat and the Fastest animals, fastest land animal. It has a tawny to creamy white or pale buff fur that is marked with evenly spaced, solid black spots. The head is small and rounded, wit ...

(''Acinonyx jubatus'') *

Vervet monkey The vervet monkey (''Chlorocebus pygerythrus''), or simply vervet, is an Old World monkey of the family Cercopithecidae native to Africa. The term "vervet" is also used to refer to all the members of the genus '' Chlorocebus''. The five distin ...

(''Cercopithecus aethiops'') * Masai giraffe (''Giraffa tippelskirchi'') *

Reticulated giraffe The reticulated giraffe (''Giraffa reticulata'' or ''Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata'') is a species/subspecies of giraffe native to the Horn of Africa. It is differentiated from other types of giraffe by its coat, which consists of large, p ...

(''Giraffa reticulata'') * Grant's zebra (''Equus quagga boehmi'') *

Dama gazelle The dama gazelle (''Nanger dama''), also known as the addra gazelle or mhorr gazelle, is a species of gazelle. It lives in Africa, in the Sahara desert and the Sahel. A critically endangered species, it has disappeared from most of its former ra ...

(''Nanger dama'') *

Thomson's gazelle Thomson's gazelle (''Eudorcas thomsonii'') is one of the best known species of gazelles. It is named after explorer Joseph Thomson (explorer), Joseph Thomson and is sometimes referred to as a "tommie". It is considered by some to be a subspecies o ...

(''Eudorcas thomsonii'') * Rhim gazelle (''Gazella leptoceros'') *

Greater kudu The greater kudu (''Tragelaphus strepsiceros'') is a large woodland antelope, found throughout East Africa, eastern and southern Africa. Despite occupying such widespread territory (animal), territory, they are sparsely populated in most areas d ...

(''Tragelaphus strepsiceros'') *

Blue wildebeest The blue wildebeest (''Connochaetes taurinus''), also called the common wildebeest, white-bearded gnu or brindled gnu, is a large antelope and one of the two species of wildebeest. It is placed in the genus ''Connochaetes'' and Family (biology), ...

(''Connochaetes taurinus'') *

Grey crowned crane The grey crowned crane or gray crowned crane (''Balearica regulorum''), also known as the African crowned crane, golden crested crane, golden crowned crane, East African crane, East African crowned crane, African crane, Eastern crowned crane, ...

(''Balearica regulorum'') * Saddle-billed stork (''Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis'') * Helmeted guineafowl (''Numida meleagris'') The centerpiece of the Heart of Africa exhibit is the Watering Hole, an open rotational enclosure containing a large pond. The exhibit is designed to accommodate many different species, and different animals rotate in and out throughout the day. Some of the zoo's species can only be viewed at the Watering Hole. Featured Watering Hole animals include: *

(''Acinonyx jubatus'') *

Spotted hyena The spotted hyena (''Crocuta crocuta''), also known as the laughing hyena, is a hyena species, currently classed as the sole extant member of the genus ''Crocuta'', native to sub-Saharan Africa. It is listed as being of least concern by the IUC ...

(''Crocuta crocuta'') *

Common warthog The common warthog (''Phacochoerus africanus'') is a wild member of the pig family (Suidae) found in grassland, savanna, and woodland in sub-Saharan Africa. In the past, it was commonly treated as a subspecies of ''P. aethiopicus'', but today th ...

(''Phacochoerus africanus'') *

Aardvark Aardvarks ( ; ''Orycteropus afer'') are medium-sized, burrowing, nocturnal mammals native to Africa. Aardvarks are the only living species of the family Orycteropodidae and the order Tubulidentata. They have a long proboscis, similar to a pi ...

(''Orycteropus afer'')

Notable animals

On December 22, 1956, Colo, a

, became the world's first captive-born

at the Columbus Zoo. When she died in January 2017, at the age of 60, she was the oldest gorilla in

care. Colo's extended family includes one child, ten grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren living in zoos throughout the country. The Columbus Zoo currently houses fifteen gorillas, six of which are related to Colo. The Columbus Zoo has a gorilla breeding program, with 31 gorillas born at the zoo since 1956. Colo was named after Columbus, the city of her birth. FluffySnake

In March 2007, Fluffy, a

reticulated python The reticulated python (''Malayopython reticulatus'') is a Pythonidae, python species native to South Asia, South and Southeast Asia. It is the world's List of largest snakes, longest snake, and the list of largest snakes, third heaviest snake. I ...

(''Malayopython reticulatus'') and

Guinness World Records ''Guinness World Records'', known from its inception in 1955 until 1999 as ''The Guinness Book of Records'' and in previous United States editions as ''The Guinness Book of World Records'', is a British reference book published annually, list ...

holder for the longest snake in captivity, measuring , was put on display at the zoo. In September 2007, the zoo purchased Fluffy from her owner, and she was on permanent display afterwards. On October 26, 2010, the , 18-year-old snake died. A necropsy found a tumorous mass on one of her ovaries.Potthoff, Gina, ''Crowd-pleaseing Fluffy dies at zoo'', The Columbus Dispatch, October 28, 2010, Pg. B4 The zoo has since acquired her daughter named Hanna.

Other attractions

Mangels-Illions Carousel

In the spring of 2000, the zoo added its restored 1914 Mangels-Illions

carousel A carousel or carrousel (mainly North American English), merry-go-round (International English), or galloper (British English) is a type of amusement ride consisting of a rotating circular platform with seats for riders. The seats are tradit ...

. This carousel had originally been built for the former Olentangy Park in Clintonville. When the park closed in 1937 and the land and rides sold 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, two

chariot A chariot is a type of vehicle similar to a cart, driven by a charioteer, usually using horses to provide rapid Propulsion, motive power. The oldest known chariots have been found in burials of the Sintashta culture in modern-day Chelyabinsk O ...

s, and a

Wurlitzer The Rudolph Wurlitzer Company, usually referred to as simply Wurlitzer, is an American company started in Cincinnati in 1853 by German immigrant (Franz) Rudolph Wurlitzer. The company initially imported stringed, woodwind and brass instruments ...

#153 fairground organ, band organ (which plays upon request), this rare "grand carousel" in the Coney Island style is one of only a few manufactured by the William F. Mangels Company with wooden horses carved by Marcus Illions, M. C. Illions and Sons Carousell Works, and is thus known 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 water park opened in May 2008 and contains 17 major slides and attractions.

Rides At Adventure Cove

When the zoo bought Wyandot Lake, it split the park into two sections. They used "Jungle Jack's Landing" as the name for the dry ride section of the park when it first opened in May 2008 alongside Zoombezi Bay, it features 14 rides and attractions, including the historical Sea Dragon (roller coaster), Sea Dragon roller coaster. In 2020, "Jungle Jack's Landing" was renamed to "Rides At Adventure Cove" to tie into the neighboring Adventure Cove area of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium which opened for the first time on the same year.

Conservation

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium runs a conservation program that funds multiple projects outside of the zoo. In 2010, the zoo provided more than $2 million worth of grant (money), grants to support conservation projects worldwide. These monies come from fundraisers, visitor donations and privately raised funds. Projects the zoo supports include the ''Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund'', the ''International Elephant Foundation'', and the ''Ohio Wildlife Center.'' In an effort to increase funding for, and public awareness of, the conservation projects around the world, the Columbus Zoo has in recent years incorporated information about threatened species, threatened and endangered species into exhibits. In addition to helping visitors become more aware, the zoo has also added donation boxes that help fund the many projects the Columbus Zoo supports. The Columbus Zoo is also involved in conservation programs internally. Manatee Coast, while built as an exhibit, is also a Wildlife rehabilitation, rehabilitation facility for injured manatees. Due to the threatened status of manatees in the wild, Manatee Coast attempts to inform its visitors of the manatee's situation, with an entire room dedicated to manatee conservation. This room includes a video describing the manatee's natural habitat and what can be done to protect them. The Columbus Zoo also runs a breeding program for Mexican wolves. This program has the goal of having 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-20th century due to being trapped, poisoned, and shot. Since the zoo became involved in 1992, 29 pups have been born at their facility.

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Columbus Zoo And Aquarium Protected areas of Delaware County, Ohio Zoos in Ohio Tourist attractions in Delaware County, Ohio Educational organizations established in 1927 Zoos established in the 1920s 1927 establishments in Ohio Aquaria in the United States