American Zoo Paradise - Columbus, Ohio?

tigertiger said:
I'm saying there's nothing really in particular that would causes a 'rivalry' between these zoos the way others have suggested. You can go "Well, they both have bonobos and manatees and are in Ohio" but that's almost where it stops.
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OK, I'm the one who suggested a "rivalry". I'm not saying that the people insider the zoos have this rivalry feeling between them. In fact, if you read Jack Hanna's book, he and the Columbus Zoo staff have a very friendly and cooperative relationship with the Cincinnati Zoo staff. The "rivalry" I'm suggesting is between the people of the two cities, and especially between the fans of these two zoos. Like I said, for years and years, the Cincinnati Zoo was THE big famous zoo -- not only in Ohio, but in the Midwest in general. Now it seems that the Columbus Zoo is overtaking them in that role. This creates a sort of "rivalry" because those who still want to believe that "their zoo" is the best, whether it's in Cincinnati or in Columbus. And when I even suggest that Columbus may be the Midwest's best zoo, there are those in Chicago (Brookfield) or St. Louis who feel very strongly that I'm wrong. This is another example of this rivalry.
 
ANyhuis said:
OK, I'm the one who suggested a "rivalry". I'm not saying that the people insider the zoos have this rivalry feeling between them. In fact, if you read Jack Hanna's book, he and the Columbus Zoo staff have a very friendly and cooperative relationship with the Cincinnati Zoo staff. The "rivalry" I'm suggesting is between the people of the two cities, and especially between the fans of these two zoos. Like I said, for years and years, the Cincinnati Zoo was THE big famous zoo -- not only in Ohio, but in the Midwest in general. Now it seems that the Columbus Zoo is overtaking them in that role. This creates a sort of "rivalry" because those who still want to believe that "their zoo" is the best, whether it's in Cincinnati or in Columbus. And when I even suggest that Columbus may be the Midwest's best zoo, there are those in Chicago (Brookfield) or St. Louis who feel very strongly that I'm wrong. This is another example of this rivalry.
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Eh, I guess. At the same time though...let's be realistic: this isn't college football. We're talking about handfuls of people rather than stadiums packed with 25K+, you know? I feel like all zoos have 'rivalry' in the sense of competition.

When it comes down to it, people are going to like the zoo they like. It doesn't matter if everyone else agrees, people will still like it.
 
This thread began as a celebration of the great zoos in the State of Ohio, and how they are in close proximity to many other major American zoos. Here are the zoos in order of annual attendance:

Columbus Zoo - 1.8 million
Cincinnati Zoo - 1.3 million
Cleveland Zoo - 1.2 million
Toledo Zoo - 1 million
Akron Zoo - 300,000
The Wilds - ??
 
ANyhuis said:
About 20,000 !!! They are a joke, attendance-wise!
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Maybe compared to zoos; but I wonder how they do if compared to OTHER non-profit conservation centers. They also only offer tours six months out of the year, and I believe prior to 2009 they were weekends only - I think this is the firsy year they've added weekday tour for June-Aug (because of increased interest / attendance)
 
Yes, I think The Wilds will continue to see an increase, since they have added new attractions recently. Although I haven't been there myself (yet), I know they added the cheetah/wild dog area last year and they added a new walking boardwalk and overlook a couple years ago.

This is definitely a zoological park to keep an eye on.
 
Who was Asian elephant Ganesh who was swapped between Cincinnati and Columbus? The only Ganesh in AZA circles was bred in Miami to Dalip and Seetna but had to be sent to Calgary after Hurricane Andrew and became a breeding male for Maharani. He's known as Spike. When Calgary sent its elephants away, the three girls went to NZP, while Spike went to Busch Gardens on a breeding rec for Kaurnaudi. When that failed, the AZA sent Spike to NZP to breed again with Maharani. Ganesh/Spike has never been in Cincinnati or Columbus.
 
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