Akron Zoo Akron Zoo Review 2022

EagleScout610

EagleScout610

Well-Known Member
10+ year member
Took my first trip to Akron in close to 10 years (Last trip was 2012/13-ish) today, and since then there have been three additions to the zoo:

  • Grizzly Ridge (Which I saw, but was in it's construction phase)
  • Wild Asia
  • Pride of Africa
I’ll be giving a breakdown of each area of the zoo and my thoughts on them.

Legends of the Wild

Species: Penguins, Jaguar, Lemurs, Capybara, Flamingo, Tufted Deer, Snow Leopard, Bats, Condors, Alpaca

Today at least, this area of the zoo came off as mildly disappointing, although in no way a bad area. My guess is I just hit on a bad day, given the lack of penguins, swans, condors, and flamingos due to Aviary Flu, and just the fact today was kinda cold, so everybody was kind of hunkered down. The exhibits themselves still hold up very well, especially the Jaguar/Capybara mix. It was funny that the jag was just staring daggers at Capy, who didn’t seem to give a hoot.

Total score: 3.5/5.

Komodo Kingdom

Species: Komodo Dragon, Galapagos Tortoise, Rainforest Species (Didn’t get a head count), Underwater exhibits (Again, didn’t get a head count), Green Tree Python, Bamboo Shark

This is the exhibit that drew me back to Akron, truthfully. I love, love, love Komodo Dragons and wish they were included every time I go to Cleveland. The lizards in question have a very nice indoor exhibit, but no outdoor exhibit. The zoo currently has two Komodos, Draco and Padar (Who I believe was the one out and about).

To the left of the Komodos, is the Galapagos Tortoise exhibit, which is standard. On their right is a RainForest streamside, which reminded me of Cleveland. The traveling exhibit is Curious Creatures, but I passed on it.

Score: 5/5

Wild Asia

Species: Tiger, Red Panda, Gibbons

The first new area of the zoo to me, and it’s a major improvement over the former tiger and gibbon exhibits (I don’t remember if they had Red Pandas before). Again, with it being slightly chilly out, nobody was all that active. I only got a glimpse of the tiger as it crossed the yard, and the Gibbons were huddled in a top corner of their indoor enclosure.

Each animal has two exhibits, except for the Red Panda (who was contently chilling on his platform, btw). Next to Cleveland’s Asian Highlands, it’s not as good, but a definite upgrade to what was there before. My only complaint is it felt like the space taken up by the amphitheater style seating could’ve gone to the animals.

Score: 4/5

Prides of Africa

Species: Lion, Speke’s Gazelle, Dwarf Goat, White Stork, Pygmy Goat

Alright, as much as I hate to say it, this is the weakest new area of Akron. Essentially a rethemed children’s zoo (since that’s what it replaced) and a new lion habitat, which is easily the highlight of the area. Theme wise, it’s alright. While I get they had limited space to work with, I’m hoping Phase II (which they had a sign for) can improve the areas, since it was teasing giraffes.

Score: 2/5

Wild Prairie/Theater:

Species: Barn Owl, Snowy Owl

Both the Snow and Barn Owl were off exhibit (Thanks Avian Flu). I’m hopeful this becomes Africa II, since unless the birds are there, it’s pointless.

Score: 1/5

Grizzly Ridge:

Species: Grizzly Bears, Red Wolves, Coyotes, Screech Owl, River Otters, Bald Eagle

Grizzly Ridge is by far my favorite area of Akron, tying with Komodo Kingdom. The entire area is so well designed. The theme of a northern town where the animals roam worked really well in the space they had, since it didn’t feel too spaced out to lose the town feel. The only gripe I had was the aviary and Eagles were off exhibit (Again, thanks AF). Best part was by far the Otters, which were rocketing around their exhibit, and the slide was fun (Yes, I went on as an adult. Sue me).

Score: 5/5.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the great review! I can see being disappointed in Prides of Africa, but just as a person with young kids, it may be worth noting that having a kids/petting zoo area is necessary to small/mid size zoos, or really any zoo. That said (not having been to Akron), there are ways to theme kids sections to appeal to everyone.
 
SwampDonkey said:
Thanks for the great review! I can see being disappointed in Prides of Africa, but just as a person with young kids, it may be worth noting that having a kids/petting zoo area is necessary to small/mid size zoos, or really any zoo. That said (not having been to Akron), there are ways to theme kids sections to appeal to everyone.
Click to expand...
As someone who doesn't have kids, I still liked Africa for what it was. The closer space allowed for a very effective village theme, which I liked. I felt the theming was stronger than Cleveland's Africa (Save for the Elephant and Rhino exhibits). Of course the lion exhibit was great and blew Cleveland's out of the water (since they still have a grotto type exhibit).

The theme and lions were what gave it its score, which looking back should be a 3 instead of a 2.

I'm sure if I was there in the summer when everybody was out and the weather was nicer it'd get a higher rating. Like I said in an earlier section of the review, I think I just hit the zoo on an off-day.
 
CMZman said:
As someone who doesn't have kids, I still liked Africa for what it was. The closer space allowed for a very effective village theme, which I liked. I felt the theming was stronger than Cleveland's Africa (Save for the Elephant and Rhino exhibits). Of course the lion exhibit was great and blew Cleveland's out of the water (since they still have a grotto type exhibit).

The theme and lions were what gave it its score, which looking back should be a 3 instead of a 2.

I'm sure if I was there in the summer when everybody was out and the weather was nicer it'd get a higher rating. Like I said in an earlier section of the review, I think I just hit the zoo on an off-day.
Click to expand...
Thanks, that is great information. Akron is on my "go to" list eventually, I have a thought plan to make it to Cleveland and Akron on one trip to OH.
 
It has to be remembered that Pride of Africa was built as a first phase. When Tiger Valley was removed, they couldn’t fit all the new habitats in that area. The big project got split into Pride of Africa and Wild Asia. I think it was always expected that both areas would be expanded later. This is a start. Tiger Valley needed removed. The reason Pride has the barnyard because the previous one was removed for Pride’s entrance. The new one has more room too. Africa will be expanded later in the decade. It will be located behind the lion habitat. Giraffes are to be an anchor. Possibly primates too.
 
TigerValley98 said:
It has to be remembered that Pride of Africa was built as a first phase. When Tiger Valley was removed, they couldn’t fit all the new habitats in that area. The big project got split into Pride of Africa and Wild Asia. I think it was always expected that both areas would be expanded later. This is a start. Tiger Valley needed removed. The reason Pride has the barnyard because the previous one was removed for Pride’s entrance. The new one has more room too. Africa will be expanded later in the decade. It will be located behind the lion habitat. Giraffes are to be an anchor. Possibly primates too.
Click to expand...
Would Asia expand into Wild Prairie or are there other plans for that space? That's the only other area I can think of the Zoo has to work with. Komodo Kingdom, the Carousel, and Grizzly Ridge box it in
 
SwampDonkey said:
Thanks, that is great information. Akron is on my "go to" list eventually, I have a thought plan to make it to Cleveland and Akron on one trip to OH.
Click to expand...

They’re both worth visiting, but on separate days. Cleveland alone took me almost the entire time it was open to get through. Admittedly I wasted a lot of that staying outside the rain looking for a very elusive echidna, but it’s still a big zoo that can take as much time as you want to give it.
 
I actually did both in one day back in 2007. Akron had just opened Legends of the Wild and Cleveland at the time boasted the largest collection of species for both bears and primates (possibly macropods?). Cleveland in general had more species then they do now. I basically got to Akron when it opened and stayed at Cleveland until they ushered us out. I don't remember feeling very rushed and was taking lots of pictures too
 
CMZman said:
I'm not sure how do-able both in one day would be. Maybe if you timed it *perfectly* you could hit both
Click to expand...

Persephone said:
They’re both worth visiting, but on separate days. Cleveland alone took me almost the entire time it was open to get through. Admittedly I wasted a lot of that staying outside the rain looking for a very elusive echidna, but it’s still a big zoo that can take as much time as you want to give it.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tips. Honestly I would more than likely break it into two days. If time allowed I would probably stack Akron Zoo and Cleveland Aquarium on the same day and the Cleveland Zoo on another.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top