Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Columbus Zoo and Aquarium News 2025

[EagleScout610]

Columbus Zoo | Black Bear Cubs
0.2 American black bear cubs have arrived. They will be named soon.

 

[zoo fan55]

I went to the zoo today and here are some updates
the big one is that Trumper swans are now on exhibit in north American trek but the aviary is still not open and I don't think it will open this month

2 The zoo has updated their outdoor koala exhibit with new wood

3 last time I visited the nocturnal house I saw that the bearcat exhibit was filled in but no resident well that's still the case the sign in that exhibit says exhibit closed also not news but I saw the kiwi for the first time in 5 years

4 the Humboldt penguins are still off exhibit due to habitat maintenance but I saw no one working on it so

 

[zoo fan55]

Also the zoo removed the outdoor chicken coop so It will not return and the main gift shop is now open and It looks amazing!

 

[zoo fan55]

The zoo announced on Facebook that a baby elephant was born!! And it's a girl!Log in to Facebook

 

[Frankie_number_1_fan]

The zoo announced on Facebook that a baby elephant was born Log in to Facebook

The baby was born to Sundara (Sunny) and is the zoo's first female calf since 2018!

 

[Nile Hippo Expert]

The zoo announced on Facebook that a baby elephant was born!! And it's a girl!Log in to Facebook

This is amazing, Columbus hasn’t ever had a surviving female calf before (Ellie, born in 2018, died at three weeks old), so this is now their first time having a family herd! The zoo is looking real good for their future of elephants, especially with Phoebe being due in the fall, which hopefully will be another female calf!

 

[Frankie_number_1_fan]

This is amazing, Columbus hasn’t ever had a surviving female calf before (Ellie, born in 2018, died at three weeks old), so this is now their first time having a family herd! The zoo is looking real good for their future of elephants, especially with Phoebe being due in the fall, which hopefully will be another female calf!

Yes this is FANTASTIC news for Columbus! Aside from being female, this calf is currently her wildborn father's only offspring as well. Perfect outcome all around!

 

[EagleScout610]

0.1 tufted deer Lily is now in Akron

 

[zoo fan55]

The zoo announced on Facebook that max the bonobo has passed Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

 

[USZOOfan42]

There should now be 2 red foxes in the former lynx exhibit, information found on the app.

 

[Nile Hippo Expert]

Does anyone know the capacity of the zoo's elephant exhibit, I know the added former rhinoceros area has added a bit more space to the existing elephant space, because I feel they can hold a few more from the six (soon to be seven) they already have?

 

[Frankie_number_1_fan]

Does anyone know the capacity of the zoo's elephant exhibit, I know the added former rhinoceros area has added a bit more space to the existing elephant space, because I feel they can hold a few more from the six (soon to be seven) they already have?

I was told by a staff member a few years back that their capacity is 8-10 adults, with presumably a few more calves.

 

[endogenylove]

I will be at the zoo August 9, any idea if the aviary will be open by then?

 

[blospz]

I will be at the zoo August 9, any idea if the aviary will be open by then?

If it isn't, at least the last time I went this month, the original North American aviary was still open.

 

[USZOOfan42]

I got a confirmation about phase two of North American trek, and here’s all the info:
It will be called Expanding the Tapestry of Life and will house the following:
• Wolverines
• Canadian Lynx
• Moose
• Sandhill Crane
• Red Fox
• Reindeer
• Cougar

The new section is set to showcase North America’s biodiversity and how each inhabitant is different. It may include more species (porcupines, beavers, larger birds, raccoons) and should be finished by 2028.

 

[Jonathan]

I got a confirmation about phase two of North American trek, and here’s all the info:
It will be called Expanding the Tapestry of Life and will house the following:
• Wolverines
• Canadian Lynx
• Moose
• Sandhill Crane
• Red Fox
• Reindeer
• Cougar

The new section is set to showcase North America’s biodiversity and how each inhabitant is different. It may include more species (porcupines, beavers, larger birds, raccoons) and should be finished by 2028.

Would be nice if the zoo brought back bison and pronghorn

 

[Frankie_number_1_fan]

Would be nice if the zoo brought back bison and pronghorn

Not very likely unfortunately. They have a thriving group of Bison at The Wilds and no reason to move any to the zoo, and the Pronghorn herd passed from what I believe was a fungus in the grass which is probably something they want to avoid repeating.

 

[Frankie_number_1_fan]

I was at the zoo today for the first time in about a month and got to check up on the progress of the Aviaries!
Both look basically completed, but the songbird aviary is still lacking birds. I would've thought both would be open by now but it appears around mid-August might be their target. I do have to say that I am not very fond of either aviary at all, there is a stunning lack of foliage and trees, both look incredibly barren. I hope they grow on me, but it's definitely a downgrade for the songbirds. The Swan aviary is improved by the green-roof holding building and the pond is pretty nice, but those are really the only highlights imo.

Songbird aviary (please excuse the flower lanterns)


Swan aviary

Some other Zoo updates as well:

• There is netting around the Flamingo habitat, presumably due to bird flu concerns
• Penguin habitat is back open
• The Gibbon and Siamang "indoor" holding is being officially converted into a truly indoor building

 

[Frankie_number_1_fan]

The elephant calf will be viewable starting Monday!
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium on Instagram

 

[Nile Hippo Expert]

The baby elephant made her public debut today and she is already living with Rudy, as well as part-time with Phoebe and Frankie!
https://www.aol.com/columbus-zoos-baby-elephant-made-160001471.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAMc2WlSy9UefBipGZ8eUuGx_ZchVewLUXUT1gcGDQXmy2sE3x7iTJKVbGxR5M6PfgGFBLUgx1AzuiBYEuIDLCC93018aI9mhFRV0OKBp-4JP9hD5ivBUGYayb8jnxPH8iqUl0-lB8AicE3c_KLkDUOgsZlXVfYVLeHqaWehMtM-d