Jack Hanna

Jack Hanna was hired in 1978. When hired he set as his top priority to increase attendance and build interest in the Columbus Zoo. He started by offering educational and entertaining events. In 1983 he was invited to appear on Good Morning America, and then a few years later he appeared on Letterman's show several times each year.

Bodhi the Elephant

Bodhi was born at the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium in April 2004. He is an Asian Elephant and can be seen regularly at the zoo. His father was Coco and his mother is Phoebe.

Columbus Zoo

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is acclaimed nationally and internationally as a year-round recreational and educational facility, as well as a conservation center, contributing to the preservation of the world's wildlife and habitats.

 

 

Originally the zoo was housed at Franklin Park. It was founded in 1927 with a small menagerie of donated animals. Later it moved to its present location near the O'Shaughnessy Dam. Over the next four decades the city and community worked together to acquire animals and construct new exhibits and buildings.

 

 

 

In 1956, the zoo made history with the birth of Colo, the world's first captive-born, Western lowland gorilla. During the 1960s and 1970s, the Zoo added major exhibits including a reptile house, the Children's Zoo, and the herbivore/carnivore and pachyderm buildings. The Zoo received accreditation by the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums (AZA) in 1980. During the same decade, the Zoo gained recognition nationally for housing four generations of a lowland gorilla family, one of the largest collections in the country. Since 1994 the following master plan projects have been implemented:

Open 365 days a year, the Zoo is the number one rated cultural attraction in central Ohio receiving more than 1.3 million visitors each year. The success of the Zoo has been based on a blend of private and public support and the enthusiasm of Jack Hanna.

The Columbus Zoo & Aquarium is divided into areas based on the natural habitat of the animals on display. Those areas include:

• North America

• Asia Quest

• Shores

• African Forest

• Voyage to Australia & the Islands

• Polar Frontier (scheduled to open in the fall of 2009)

There are a number of pavilions and exhibit areas throughout the park dedicated to various species. Another area is called Habitat Hollow that specializes in environmental awareness exhibits. First time visitors should pick up a map of the park at the front gate, and there are also numerous large maps located throughout the park just in case you get lost. If you can't find anything, just ask anyone; everyone working at the zoo will be able to give you good directions.

The Grand Carousel

One of the features at the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium is the Grand Carousel. This particular Grand Carousel was manufactured in 1914 by the William I. Mangels Company with wood horses carved by the Marcus Illions Company. It didn't start out at the Columbus Zoo, but was first located at the Olentangy Amusement Park just off North High Street in Clintonville. In 1938 the Olentangy Amusement Park closed and the carousel was then relocated to the Scioto Ranch Park which was also known as the Zoo Amusement Park and Wyandot Lake.

In 2000, the restored carousel, with it's original 52 horses and 2 chariots, began operation again at it's current location in the park. There were almost 5000 Grand Carousels in operation at the beginning of the 20th Century. Today there are fewer than 200 remaining in operation.

Wildlights at the Zoo

Every year the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium gets turned into a wonderland of lights. It takes about 4 months to string all the lights. The Central Ohio Model Railroad Club also gets into the act by laying over 6000' of wire and 600' of train track for the Wildlights exhibit that runs starting about mid November, through December. Through an ongoing upgrade, the 1000s of Christmas lights are being converted to energy saving LEDs.

The first week of January, they begin taking down the lights to get ready for Spring— taking the lights down only takes about 3 months.

Besides the Model Train Railway, there is also an ice rink (skate rental is available), reindeer, Santa Claus and plenty of photo opts. Don't forget to check out Santa feeding the sharks at 7:00 p.m. at Discovery Reef.

New Water Park Opened in 2008

The new water park opened in May 2008. The new 22.7 acre water park, called Zoombezi Bay, is a name chosen by Central Ohio residents. The water park is part of the park grounds and will be located just south of the zoo. Seperate admission is required to the waterpark.

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Labor Day to Memorial Day Weekend — Open Every Day — 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day — Open Every Day — 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Regular Admission Adults ages 12 - 59 $12.00
Children ages 2 - 11 $7.00
Children under 2 Free
Senior ages 60 & up $8.00
Parking $5.00

Franklin County Residents: Visit the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium on Wednesday and receive a 50% discount off regular admission prices. Photo ID Required.

 

Colobus

See also:

Zoombezi Bay Amusement Park

The Wilds

History of the Olentangy Amusement Park