Review of the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
https://cincinnatizoo.org
With its Zoological Society being founded in 1873, followed by an 1875 opening, this makes the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, found in Cincinnati, Ohio, the nation’s second oldest. The Zoo had a slow beginning due to a number of financial issues, but when it was purchased by the city in 1932, things started to turn around for the place. Not only did Cincy continue to expand and prosper, but the facility also saw a huge boost to its conservation and breeding programs. While there were some notable achievements prior to this, such as the world’s first captive birth of giraffe and sea lion, the Zoo made its mark with more highly endangered species (including the Sumatran rhinoceros for a period of time), established a “frozen zoo,” and created “CREW,” a scientific research foundation dedicated to preserving biodiversity. This even gave Cincinnati its title as “America’s Sexiest Zoo” at one point! Today, the establishment houses around 17,000 individual animals making up over 500 species.
One important aspect that must be noted for Cincinnati, especially in the present, is “perspective.” I believe it has been stated on here that the Zoo’s reputation and some of its management decisions are not quite as strong as prior years. Some examples include the loss of some notable rare animals, the opening of some exhibits that are perhaps not as successful as anticipated, and more recently the current debate of the hippo exhibit. These viewpoints are completely understandable, and even agreeable in some cases; at the same time, however, if one were to look at the Zoo as a whole beyond some of these details, especially as a casual or first-time visitor, there is still a lot to do and see that succeeds, and makes for a memorable experience.
Elephant Reserve – A trio of Asian elephant cows serves as the Zoo’s welcome wagon. The pachyderms occupy a pair of exhibits, with one on each side of the barn. Both have a dirt substrate, a pool, a few scattered furnishings such as logs and shade structures, and are on the small side. These exhibits are probably average at best (with the larger one being the more successful of the two), but there are a couple saving graces to be found. First is the barn itself, which resembles the Taj Mahal, and is quite gorgeous to behold. It’s housed a variety of animals for over a century, with the elephants being the mainstays overtime; from what I could tell though, the viewable space indoors seemed quite small. I also like how the landscape both within and surrounding the enclosures resembles a forest edge, particularly the bamboo that towers over most of the viewing area. It’s a nice change of pace seeing elephants amongst the trees and patches of shade in contrast to mostly open exhibits, especially when comparing to the older elephant exhibits.
P&G Discovery Forest – A miniature indoor jungle that also functions as an education center. A ring of classrooms surrounds a patch of lush greenery that can be seen on two levels. The views from the treetops are nice, but it’s down on the forest floor where things get interesting. The main attraction here is an extensive set-up for two-toed sloths, consisting of the main habitat and two artificial trees that are connected via vines. The sloth on display was dozing the day away, but I can only imagine how cool it would be to look up and see it inching along through the canopy. The slow mammals are also accompanied by a tortoise pen for two species (red-footed and radiated), and some neat signage revolving around plant life and their benefits to the environment. It’s smaller and not as extensive in comparison to some of the larger rainforest buildings around, but it has its own little charm.
Africa – What was once the Zoo’s original parking lot has become a sprawling complex dedicated to wildlife from the Dark Continent, opening in five different phases over the years. Up first was “Giraffe Ridge,” which opened in 2008. A herd of Masai giraffes resides in a lush habitat that isn’t huge, but a decent size for the tall hoofstock. With the longer layout and how the foliage surrounded the enclosure, it reminded me quite a bit of Nashville’s giraffe habitat. Viewing is from a large wooden deck, which also contains a feeding area and a couple windows that offer a glimpse into the barn. Phase 2 followed a couple years later, consisting of a tiny greater flamingo pool (which almost blends into the giraffes behind), and a renovated cheetah run arena. The latter was a major highlight on my visit, as I had never seen such a presentation before. In the case of Cincinnati, the show plays out similarly to a murder mystery, taking advantage of an artificial zebra carcass in the grassy enclosure. One by one, the “suspects” appeared as the presenters gave fun facts about them and deduced how they were not responsible for the zebra “killing.” The animal ambassadors included companion dogs, a red river hog, and a serval before the real “culprits” revealed themselves to the public. On two occasions, a line with a baiter attached would zoom around the arena, with a cheetah in hot pursuit. To see these cats do what they are best known for was astonishing - the sheer agility and speed truly was an incredible sight to behold! Moving on, Phase 3 consisted of two big cat habitats that opened in 2013. There is a separate cheetah habitat that isn’t connected to the running arena, but rather near the primary entrance to the complex. It has a similar design to Memphis’ exhibit, in that it is on the small side, but fairly lush with a water moat. The more successful feline habitat can be found down the path in the form of the African lion habitat. Although about average in size, it is very well-designed, with enormous viewing windows, grassy hills, and a few rocks to soak up the sun. The best feature is the panoramic view into the adjacent savannah; while only off to one side, it looks great and utilizes the water moat nicely.
Speaking of which, that takes us to “Phase 4,” which I feel is the strongest part of this complex. The mixed-species savannah habitat is marvelous, with a sprawling sea of green grass, trees and rocks that dot the landscape, a dedicated island for some of the birds, and even a water feature that looks really cool, transitioning from a marsh-like setting, to a river that flows into the lion exhibit – it’s a solid touch of detail. There is an impressive roster of birds (a saddle-billed stork, ostriches, Kenyan crested guineafowl, pink-backed pelicans, crowned crane, and vultures – Ruppell’s and lappet-faced) to go with the trio of lesser kudu, which are the last mammals in residence after several other antelope and even a warthog. It would be nice to see another mammal species or two in here, but the mix and exhibit itself are still a sight to see. Nearby, there is a large sandy exhibit for meerkats, offering plenty of digging space, a couple shady trees, and even a pop-up bubble for younger guests. There is also an African wild dog exhibit that is fantastic, with a design that winds around some artificial rockwork, and resembles the scrublands of Africa with several low trees. Finally, we have “Phase 5,” which is the world-famous “Hippo Cove.” What makes this particular exhibit world-famous are the residents: the famed preemie female Fiona (born in early 2017), her mother Bibi, the adult male Tucker, and Bibi and Tucker’s one-year-old son Fritz. Seeing the pod of hippos was a real treat (more on this later), however it is difficult to hide that the exhibit itself could use improvement. Although the pool is deep and appeared to be a nice size, along with excellent underwater viewing, it’s the land area that holds this habitat back from not being as successful as it could be. It is relatively barren and appeared to be rather narrow and tiny, with the only wider areas being on either side of the pool. To go off topic briefly, I am aware that this is a common critique with most newer hippo exhibits on this site – the amount of land area being sacrificed for more swimming and underwater viewing space. I will confess that, while I do understand these viewpoints, I don’t necessarily see this as a huge detriment because hippos usually spend almost the whole day cooling down in the water, and likely not as much time on land. Of course, more space is something I wouldn’t complain about especially for animals as huge as these, but there isn’t any major disadvantage to this, at least in my opinion. That being said, I feel that Cincy would greatly benefit from a larger amount of land space. At the very least enough so that multiple hippos can occupy the shoreline, however it would be nice to see a further expansion or a separate exhibit as well. On the whole though, I quite enjoyed this African complex; despite some comments on a few exhibits and species, the well-crafted design and additional perks make this section one of the Zoo’s most impressive points.
Wolf Woods – This is a smaller scale North American complex that debuted in 2005. One positive note here is that the setting is within the Zoo’s hilly forest, and it takes advantage of it pretty well. Guests will find themselves either winding down a hill or traversing a boardwalk in an attempt to catch a glimpse of some native wildlife. Without question, the stars of this area are the namesake Mexican gray wolves, which occupy a steep habitat packed with foliage and dens. They can be viewed from either an open overlook, or a rustic cabin with windows. The latter is a nice touch to give a more immersive experience and providing educational and interpretive displays on wolf behavior and research. Other exhibits found here are a tall barred owl aviary; an average-sized pool for river otters; and a small but nicely furnished cage for a gray fox. It’s an exhibit complex that is best defined as “short and sweet.”
Jungle Trails – Out of all the Zoo’s exhibit complexes, this is the strongest if you ask me.
Set within a deep canyon filled with bamboo, this certainly feels like the most immersive as well. Opening in 1993, it begins with a good-sized aviary for macaws (scarlet, blue-throated, and blue-and-yellow), followed by a play area encouraging guests to replicate primate behavior. These include brachiating across monkey bars, or testing one’s strength to hold on for a period of time. After this, the complex is mainly dedicated to two continents, the first being “Asia.” Outdoor habitats consist of a small mesh enclosure for gibbons (including a baby that was celebrating its first birthday), and a large, lush orangutan habitat built on an incline. Despite the climbing opportunities being a bit limited, I felt this was a creative layout to still encourage climbing behaviors for the red apes (didn’t see any). Going inside, there is a small nocturnal hall for pygmy slow loris, followed by a series of indoor rooms for gibbons; these are really nice with artificial trees allowing for plenty of climbing space. After encountering exhibits for white-faced saki monkeys and Burmese brown mountain tortoises, the focus shifts over to “Africa.” It starts out strong with what is possibly the best bonobo habitat I’ve ever seen; it’s similarly designed to the orangutan habitat with a lush and steep layout, but there is even more vegetation present and additional climbing structures such as rocks and a huge tree trunk. The icing on the cake was watching a small troop emerge from the shadows, making their way down the hill, while a youngster was swinging about on the tree trunk. Nearby is a Coquerel’s sifaka exhibit, highlighted by the fact that I got to watch their amazing leaping abilities, before heading into another primate building. Once again, a series of nocturnal exhibits greets visitors, this time with greater bushbabies and pottos which appeared to share the trio of exhibits. Around the corner is a lush terrarium for Henkel’s leaf-tailed gecko (believe this is a first for me), followed by an aviary (species like Kenyan crested guineafowl and hamerkop), an average-sized Angolan colobus monkey exhibit, a large indoor bonobo room, and the highlight of this structure is a tall and colossal nocturnal habitat for a pair of aye-ayes (always wonderful seeing these unique lemurs!). Ranging from an impressive array of primate species, to overall great quality exhibitry, to an awesome immersive setting for guests (even the buildings are well-executed with plants, wooden boardwalks, and mock rock), it's easy to see why this complex is a favorite.
Rhino Reserve – This is a ring of hoofstock enclosures whose appeal is the rare species on display, along with some surprisingly close views. These enclosures are on the whole average at best, and their size ranges from small (rhino and zebra) to so-so (okapi and flamingo), with the only decently sized one being for the warty pigs. In my opinion, this is among the Zoo’s less successful areas. Species list: black rhino (didn’t see), plains zebra, greater flamingo (including a few gray chicks), bongo (including a calf), okapi, and Visayan warty pig.
Manatee Springs – Opening in 1999, this building is one of two(?) manatee rehab and housing facilities outside of their native Florida. It begins in a hot and humid greenhouse environment, where two crocodilian pools can be found. American alligator and American crocodile each lurk in their own enclosure as guests wind around the lush greenery and over a trickling stream. Up next, going down a dark corridor, one will come across an underwater environment for alligator snapping turtle, followed by good-sized terrariums for basilisk and indigo snake. Then, the room opens up to the main attraction: a pair of Florida manatees slowly moving through the water. The sea cows share their home with a wide variety of fish such as alligator gar, and are visible via expansive underwater windows, along with a neat pop-in bubble to one side. The habitat has a narrower design that appears to resemble an underwater grotto, with a rocky background, and appeared to be about average in size with a fairly deep pool. Seeing the manatees is already a treat in itself, but what makes this section stand out are the guest education features. Above the manatee tank, several graphics detail the care and rehab level each resident is at, such as their diet. In an adjacent room, there are also many artifacts pertaining to the anatomy of these creatures, with a skeleton prominently displayed in the center, surrounded by other bones, and specimens of invertebrates as well. The room highlights the biodiversity of Florida, and how we must help conserve it from threats. Among these threats is invasive species, which the complex covers via a couple live animal exhibits. One is a fish tank with species such as cichlids (along with a couple native fish), and the other a large terrarium containing a huge Burmese python. The building finishes off with some smaller but nice terrariums for a variety of herps such as dusky pygmy rattlesnake, greater siren, and two-toed amphiuma. Although I feel the similar Manatee Coast in nearby Columbus slightly edges out this section, it doesn’t take away that this is still a solid and well-executed complex.
Dragons! – A small reptile building that opened in 2010. This area is dedicated to the more dragon-like lizards and monitors like armadillo lizard (another first), blue tree monitor, and lace monitor. For the most part, the exhibits range from smaller to larger-sized terrariums with varying amounts of furnishings like logs and plants. The stand-out here would have to be the indoor/outdoor pair of Komodo dragon habitats. The indoor room is nicely designed and a decent size, with a nice combination of lush jungle greenery and rocky landscape; there is even a flock of zebra finches fluttering around the space. This species is the only one to have access to the great outdoors with a good-sized, grassy, and shady enclosure. The one downside is that the resident Komodo had recently passed away, meaning I was looking at an empty set of exhibits aside from the finches. The only none-reptile exhibit is at the front of the structure, which is “Lemur Lookout,” a good-sized ring-tailed lemur habitat that is reminiscent to rocky primate islands, but has the added bonus of some lush foliage and scattered enrichment items.
World of the Insect – Any fans of bugs and invertebrates would be in paradise in this building, as this is certainly one of the premier displays for these types of animals in the nation. Opened in 1978, this structure not only exhibits a wide variety of bugs, several of which I don’t recall seeing before, but even goes into detail about all sorts of intriguing facts and details. Such dioramas and displays include metamorphosis, the many ways that insects eat, their roles in the ecosystem, and how they evolved into the fascinating creatures we know them as today; some of the species were even grouped with these educational sections to match the theme! I was quite intrigued and impressed by the level of detail presented. This isn’t even getting into the exhibits themselves; while most are fairly basic in presentation and size, they are all nicely furnished. Some of these are quite large for their occupants, making them almost blend in with their surroundings. The strongest and most unique of these would have to be the ant displays. Both species (Texas bullet ants, but they were off-exhibit due to renovations, and leafcutter ants) each have large exhibits connected by clear tubes. The latter species was particularly amazing to watch, as they marched down their anthills, up and over guests’ heads, and into the next area – all while carrying bits and pieces of leaves. It’s just about one of the greatest insect displays I’ve ever come across. Just a sample of the species on display: naked-mole rat, leafcutter ant, Texas bullet ant, water scorpions, chuckwalla, blue death feigning beetle, gray bird grasshopper, emerald beetle, giant walking stick, sunburst diving beetle, white-eyed assassin bug, and various cockroaches, tarantulas, and butterflies (the separate walk-through area was closed by the time I arrived).
Night Hunters – There was a time when Cincinnati had one of, if not the, most extensive collection of cats in the nation. Most of them were housed in this structure, once known as the “Cat House.” Back in 2011, the building saw a renovation that also combined features from the former nocturnal house, becoming the complex seen today. For the most part, these enclosures share the same design, being fairly basic glass-fronted areas with varying amounts of rockwork, branches, and substrate, and being on the small side for their occupants. There are a few exceptions to this rule; for example, the clouded leopard and binturong have perhaps the largest exhibits in the building, and even a temple-theme in the case of the leopards. Also, the genets have a decent amount of height to encourage climbing. Lastly, the Pallas cat are the one and only species with access to the elements, with a small grassy and rocky cage that was unoccupied during my visit. In all, while a bit basic in presentation, it was a little stronger than I anticipated. Species list: tawny frogmouth, Pallas cat, aardwolf (another first), sand cat, black-footed cat, ringtail, clouded leopard, binturong, aardvark, vampire bat, potto (didn’t see), fishing cat, three-banded armadillo (didn’t see), fruit bat, large-spotted genet (another first), and bat-eared fox.
Cat Canyon – A series of larger feline enclosures that mostly opened in 2012. Up first is a cougar exhibit (2011) that is slightly small, but nicely designed with a rocky waterfall area accompanying a grassy section. Down the path is a pair of Malayan tiger grottoes that are lush, but awkward to look into because of the viewing angles available. One has very deep viewing from up high, so it was a bit hard to properly see at times, and the other is via window looking down a hill. The tiger exhibits themselves are okay, but the viewing made it difficult to properly see into them, let alone trying to find a striped cat. After passing a Eurasian eagle owl aviary, the last habitat is for snow leopards. This is the best enclosure in my opinion, as it utilizes the “canyon” aspect to its advantage; the mesh-enclosed habitat consists of a rocky gorge, a stream flowing into a pool, and an artificial tree. On a side note, my visit here was slightly tainted by the fact that apart from the owl, no animals were seen.
Gorilla World – Despite primarily opening in the late 1970’s, this great ape exhibit surprisingly holds up pretty well! After viewing a couple tall mesh-enclosed colobus monkey exhibits, one will come across the main attraction. Two troops of lowland gorillas (a family and a newly arrived bachelor group from Detroit) occupy two different habitats. The first is an outdoor habitat that interestingly is reminiscent to a modern-day bear grotto. Viewing is entirely across a wide (and quite deep) water moat aside from a close-up cave, the rocky walls in the background are a dominant force, and it’s slightly above-average in terms of size. However, it is packed with lush foliage, whether it is green grass, the plentiful shrubs, a large log to clamber over, or even a few small trees. It’s similar to those I’ve seen in San Diego Safari Park, Memphis, and Albuquerque, but I’d say Cincinnati is the strongest of these. This is also thanks to the second exhibit; in an adjacent covered area, there’s an enormous indoor space that debuted in 2017. Expansive windows look into a room that is packed with natural substrate and several artificial branches. What surprised me the most were the skylights; so much natural light is allowed in here due to their size – it was amazing to see! These attributes help make this one of the more impressive indoor gorilla exhibits I’ve come across.
Roo Valley – Perhaps what makes this complex most notable is not exactly the exhibit itself, but rather what it replaced. Before this Aussie section, the area was known as “Wildlife Canyon,” home to mostly rarer species of hoofstock such as Bactrian camels, Przewalski’s wild horse, and takin. These pale in comparison though to what were the Zoo’s most well-known animals before the hippos: the Sumatran rhinos, which ultimately left for their native Indonesia in 2015. I’ll admit, it’s hard to imagine Cincinnati and not think of those hairy pachyderms, especially since I hadn’t visited the Zoo before and thus never saw them. Moving forward from that, the complex begins by passing some Australian-themed signage as one winds their way down the hill. Before long, the gateway to the outback comes into view, opening into a long, grassy paddock dotted with trees and the occasional rockwork. Red and grey kangaroos share this nice habitat, and they were dozing in the shade at the time of my visit. So far this sounds like a typical walkthrough kangaroo exhibit that’s become a common sight these days, but there is one trick up this 2020 complex’s sleeve. At the opposite end of the roo habitat, one will come across the best little blue penguin habitat I’ve seen. The world’s smallest penguin species have a very spacious coastline, with about 1/3 being a sandy shore, and the rest being a long, refreshing pool that seemed of average depth. In addition, a trio of ducks (New Zealand scaup, freckled duck, and spotted whistle duck – all of which I don’t recall seeing before) live alongside the penguins, making for a neat mix of birds. In total, while this section may not match seeing some sacred rare species, I won’t deny that it is a fun addition that adds its own spice to differentiate itself from others of its kind.
Reptile House – To be honest, I only quickly went through this building as it was just before the Zoo closed, and as I was passing by, it was “now or never.” From what I recall, there was a series of fairly typical terrariums that were arranged on the outer walls (the only species I recall are a juvenile Komodo dragon, gila monster, a couple snakes, and hellbender), and in the center of it all was a tiny Chinese alligator pool. I will say though that it was cool to be in what is the oldest zoo building in the nation still standing (1875). There are also outdoor habitats for Galapagos giant tortoise (missed this one) and bald eagle (this was a good size with nice amount of plantings).
Other Exhibits – There are some bird enclosures scattered around the Zoo that aren’t part of any specific complex. Near Elephant Reserve, there is a pretty lagoon shared by red crowned cranes and red-breasted goose. Before entering Wolf Woods, one will encounter “African Penguin Point,” a rocky pool that once housed sea lions, but has been modified into a nice home for African penguins, yellow-billed duck, ruddy shelduck, and white-breasted cormorant (another first). There are two more exhibits near Wings of the World: a roomy free flight aviary with species like kookaburra, red-legged seriema, Lady Ross’ turaco, and more; and a smaller exhibit with cockatoo and cape barren geese. Finally, across from Roo Valley is a pair of fantastic bird of prey aviaries. These are for Andean condor (didn’t see) and Steller’s sea eagle, and they are very spacious for the birds to spread their wings, packed with plants and rocks, and can be seen either from below or a deck near the top of the aviaries.
NOTE – Because of time constraints, I was unable to see: Birds of the World, Spaulding Children’s Zoo, and a few separate enclosures for gibbons and red pandas.
The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden definitely fits the practice of making the most of one’s space! Until around the 2010’s, the Zoo was one whole property, with the parking lot and entrance in the area that Africa stands today. Nowadays, one must go in one of two parking lots across the street, and cross a bridge in order to reach “Vine Street Village,” the Zoo’s entrance plaza. The lead up is pretty nice with a beautiful garden in between the parking lot and road, an imposing brick wall set in the cliff proudly displays the Zoo’s name from the road, there’s a brief view into the Asian elephant exhibit on the way to the ticket booth, and the plaza itself is spacious with all the amenities needed to start the day. Navigating the Zoo is for the most part easy, following a primary loop with most of the animal complexes shooting off onto their own trails. Once in a while one will find themselves backtracking with areas like Discovery Forest, Roo Valley, or especially Africa, but fortunately it’s not often. The Zoo grounds consist of a lush forest that is pretty and a bit hilly to stroll through, with the only steeper parts being on the way down to “Giraffe Ridge” and Jungle Trails. The only exception to this is near the entrance by Swan Lake; with the crane exhibit in the foreground, the large fountain splashing in the background, and the occasional train clickety-clacking along the shore, it’s a stunning scene. And of course, this having “Botanical Garden” in the establishment’s name, there are a number of small gardens scattered around the property that are bright, colorful, and add a lovely charm to the landscape. Special mention also goes to the few historical buildings at the facility; I already talked about the elephant and reptile structures, but I would like to highlight the one of great conservation significance: the “Passenger Pigeon Memorial.” Nestled in a forest clearing, there is a small oriental-looking building with a pigeon statue in front, and a tiny cage on one of the outer walls. This was the location where Martha, the last passenger pigeon alive, lived and sadly passed away in 1914. I didn’t venture into the building, but it was astonishing to imagine that just over a century ago, the last of a once populous bird species went extinct in the very structure right in front of me.
In addition to viewing captive wildlife, the Zoo offers plenty of other attractions. A train circles Swan Lake and a few animal exhibits in the center of the facility, a carousel that is also situated along the scenic lake, the Wings of Wonder bird show found next to Rhino Reserve, and a ropes course adjacent to Roo Valley called “Kanga Klimb.” In terms of guest amenities, the primary eateries are spaced out evenly through the grounds: “Hops” is located close to the entrance, “Base Camp Café” offers some great views of the savanna in Africa, and the Rhino Reserve area has a wide variety on either side with a pizzeria, “Mai Thai’s Market” (named after one of the Zoo’s elephants), and “The Grove” with its many food trucks. Additional smaller food and drink stands are scattered around the Zoo too. Other notable amenities worth mentioning are the Zoo’s two gift shops (one at the entrance and another in “Mai Thai’s Market”), the “Clubhouse” that acts as a central guest hub, “Treetops,” the Zoo’s private event center, and a picnic area situated near Dragons!
HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY: It only figures that Cincy’s most famous animal would slide into this section. The hippo pod was the most active I’ve seen in my zoo visits, highlighted by the fact I heard a hippo vocalize for the first time! Initially, Tucker, Bibi, and Fritz were floating lazily to one side of the enclosure when I came up to the exhibit. However, Fiona soon swam over behind her little brother and Tucker. The latter caused a tremendous splash and even honked to ward off Fiona. The little diva hippo didn’t seem to mind, as she soon proceeded to swim laps around the pool, doing barrel rolls, and propelling herself up and down the viewing windows, soaking up all the attention of onlookers. Seeing one of the zoo world’s “celebrity animals” was a delight, and I can see why she’s so popular with her antics.
OVERALL: Of the trio of Ohio zoos I’ve had the privilege to tour, I’d put Cincinnati in the middle of the pack. It shares some similarities to Toledo with its extensive animal collection and historical preservation, however I find Cincy to be more successful in terms of exhibitry and visitor elements. On the other hand, it is hard to beat Columbus’ more organized layout and overall exemplary level of naturalistic habitats. Regardless of these comparisons and the facts stated at the beginning, one cannot hide that this Zoo is still a great day out. I had a wonderful time taking in the rarities, pleasant blend of old and new enclosures and buildings, and admiring some of the features that put this place on the map. It’s a splendid and popular zoological establishment that caters to all, whether that is a zoo/animal nerd or a casual visitor. Because of all this, I definitely say check it out.
The Zoo is in the midst of its latest capital campaign, “More Room to Roam.” Roo Valley was the first of these projects, and there are two projects presently under construction: Elephant Trek, a huge, brand-new complex for the Zoo’s Asian elephant herd (including a quartet of pachyderms coming from Dublin later this year), and the old bear grottoes are being redeveloped into a small North American section with American black bears, sea otters, and other native species – both of which will open next year. On deck is a modification to Rhino Reserve, and the current elephant area will be renovated to move the Zoo’s herd of Masai giraffes.
https://cincinnatizoo.org
With its Zoological Society being founded in 1873, followed by an 1875 opening, this makes the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, found in Cincinnati, Ohio, the nation’s second oldest. The Zoo had a slow beginning due to a number of financial issues, but when it was purchased by the city in 1932, things started to turn around for the place. Not only did Cincy continue to expand and prosper, but the facility also saw a huge boost to its conservation and breeding programs. While there were some notable achievements prior to this, such as the world’s first captive birth of giraffe and sea lion, the Zoo made its mark with more highly endangered species (including the Sumatran rhinoceros for a period of time), established a “frozen zoo,” and created “CREW,” a scientific research foundation dedicated to preserving biodiversity. This even gave Cincinnati its title as “America’s Sexiest Zoo” at one point! Today, the establishment houses around 17,000 individual animals making up over 500 species.
One important aspect that must be noted for Cincinnati, especially in the present, is “perspective.” I believe it has been stated on here that the Zoo’s reputation and some of its management decisions are not quite as strong as prior years. Some examples include the loss of some notable rare animals, the opening of some exhibits that are perhaps not as successful as anticipated, and more recently the current debate of the hippo exhibit. These viewpoints are completely understandable, and even agreeable in some cases; at the same time, however, if one were to look at the Zoo as a whole beyond some of these details, especially as a casual or first-time visitor, there is still a lot to do and see that succeeds, and makes for a memorable experience.
Animal Exhibit Complexes
Elephant Reserve – A trio of Asian elephant cows serves as the Zoo’s welcome wagon. The pachyderms occupy a pair of exhibits, with one on each side of the barn. Both have a dirt substrate, a pool, a few scattered furnishings such as logs and shade structures, and are on the small side. These exhibits are probably average at best (with the larger one being the more successful of the two), but there are a couple saving graces to be found. First is the barn itself, which resembles the Taj Mahal, and is quite gorgeous to behold. It’s housed a variety of animals for over a century, with the elephants being the mainstays overtime; from what I could tell though, the viewable space indoors seemed quite small. I also like how the landscape both within and surrounding the enclosures resembles a forest edge, particularly the bamboo that towers over most of the viewing area. It’s a nice change of pace seeing elephants amongst the trees and patches of shade in contrast to mostly open exhibits, especially when comparing to the older elephant exhibits.
P&G Discovery Forest – A miniature indoor jungle that also functions as an education center. A ring of classrooms surrounds a patch of lush greenery that can be seen on two levels. The views from the treetops are nice, but it’s down on the forest floor where things get interesting. The main attraction here is an extensive set-up for two-toed sloths, consisting of the main habitat and two artificial trees that are connected via vines. The sloth on display was dozing the day away, but I can only imagine how cool it would be to look up and see it inching along through the canopy. The slow mammals are also accompanied by a tortoise pen for two species (red-footed and radiated), and some neat signage revolving around plant life and their benefits to the environment. It’s smaller and not as extensive in comparison to some of the larger rainforest buildings around, but it has its own little charm.
Africa – What was once the Zoo’s original parking lot has become a sprawling complex dedicated to wildlife from the Dark Continent, opening in five different phases over the years. Up first was “Giraffe Ridge,” which opened in 2008. A herd of Masai giraffes resides in a lush habitat that isn’t huge, but a decent size for the tall hoofstock. With the longer layout and how the foliage surrounded the enclosure, it reminded me quite a bit of Nashville’s giraffe habitat. Viewing is from a large wooden deck, which also contains a feeding area and a couple windows that offer a glimpse into the barn. Phase 2 followed a couple years later, consisting of a tiny greater flamingo pool (which almost blends into the giraffes behind), and a renovated cheetah run arena. The latter was a major highlight on my visit, as I had never seen such a presentation before. In the case of Cincinnati, the show plays out similarly to a murder mystery, taking advantage of an artificial zebra carcass in the grassy enclosure. One by one, the “suspects” appeared as the presenters gave fun facts about them and deduced how they were not responsible for the zebra “killing.” The animal ambassadors included companion dogs, a red river hog, and a serval before the real “culprits” revealed themselves to the public. On two occasions, a line with a baiter attached would zoom around the arena, with a cheetah in hot pursuit. To see these cats do what they are best known for was astonishing - the sheer agility and speed truly was an incredible sight to behold! Moving on, Phase 3 consisted of two big cat habitats that opened in 2013. There is a separate cheetah habitat that isn’t connected to the running arena, but rather near the primary entrance to the complex. It has a similar design to Memphis’ exhibit, in that it is on the small side, but fairly lush with a water moat. The more successful feline habitat can be found down the path in the form of the African lion habitat. Although about average in size, it is very well-designed, with enormous viewing windows, grassy hills, and a few rocks to soak up the sun. The best feature is the panoramic view into the adjacent savannah; while only off to one side, it looks great and utilizes the water moat nicely.
Speaking of which, that takes us to “Phase 4,” which I feel is the strongest part of this complex. The mixed-species savannah habitat is marvelous, with a sprawling sea of green grass, trees and rocks that dot the landscape, a dedicated island for some of the birds, and even a water feature that looks really cool, transitioning from a marsh-like setting, to a river that flows into the lion exhibit – it’s a solid touch of detail. There is an impressive roster of birds (a saddle-billed stork, ostriches, Kenyan crested guineafowl, pink-backed pelicans, crowned crane, and vultures – Ruppell’s and lappet-faced) to go with the trio of lesser kudu, which are the last mammals in residence after several other antelope and even a warthog. It would be nice to see another mammal species or two in here, but the mix and exhibit itself are still a sight to see. Nearby, there is a large sandy exhibit for meerkats, offering plenty of digging space, a couple shady trees, and even a pop-up bubble for younger guests. There is also an African wild dog exhibit that is fantastic, with a design that winds around some artificial rockwork, and resembles the scrublands of Africa with several low trees. Finally, we have “Phase 5,” which is the world-famous “Hippo Cove.” What makes this particular exhibit world-famous are the residents: the famed preemie female Fiona (born in early 2017), her mother Bibi, the adult male Tucker, and Bibi and Tucker’s one-year-old son Fritz. Seeing the pod of hippos was a real treat (more on this later), however it is difficult to hide that the exhibit itself could use improvement. Although the pool is deep and appeared to be a nice size, along with excellent underwater viewing, it’s the land area that holds this habitat back from not being as successful as it could be. It is relatively barren and appeared to be rather narrow and tiny, with the only wider areas being on either side of the pool. To go off topic briefly, I am aware that this is a common critique with most newer hippo exhibits on this site – the amount of land area being sacrificed for more swimming and underwater viewing space. I will confess that, while I do understand these viewpoints, I don’t necessarily see this as a huge detriment because hippos usually spend almost the whole day cooling down in the water, and likely not as much time on land. Of course, more space is something I wouldn’t complain about especially for animals as huge as these, but there isn’t any major disadvantage to this, at least in my opinion. That being said, I feel that Cincy would greatly benefit from a larger amount of land space. At the very least enough so that multiple hippos can occupy the shoreline, however it would be nice to see a further expansion or a separate exhibit as well. On the whole though, I quite enjoyed this African complex; despite some comments on a few exhibits and species, the well-crafted design and additional perks make this section one of the Zoo’s most impressive points.
Wolf Woods – This is a smaller scale North American complex that debuted in 2005. One positive note here is that the setting is within the Zoo’s hilly forest, and it takes advantage of it pretty well. Guests will find themselves either winding down a hill or traversing a boardwalk in an attempt to catch a glimpse of some native wildlife. Without question, the stars of this area are the namesake Mexican gray wolves, which occupy a steep habitat packed with foliage and dens. They can be viewed from either an open overlook, or a rustic cabin with windows. The latter is a nice touch to give a more immersive experience and providing educational and interpretive displays on wolf behavior and research. Other exhibits found here are a tall barred owl aviary; an average-sized pool for river otters; and a small but nicely furnished cage for a gray fox. It’s an exhibit complex that is best defined as “short and sweet.”
Jungle Trails – Out of all the Zoo’s exhibit complexes, this is the strongest if you ask me.
Set within a deep canyon filled with bamboo, this certainly feels like the most immersive as well. Opening in 1993, it begins with a good-sized aviary for macaws (scarlet, blue-throated, and blue-and-yellow), followed by a play area encouraging guests to replicate primate behavior. These include brachiating across monkey bars, or testing one’s strength to hold on for a period of time. After this, the complex is mainly dedicated to two continents, the first being “Asia.” Outdoor habitats consist of a small mesh enclosure for gibbons (including a baby that was celebrating its first birthday), and a large, lush orangutan habitat built on an incline. Despite the climbing opportunities being a bit limited, I felt this was a creative layout to still encourage climbing behaviors for the red apes (didn’t see any). Going inside, there is a small nocturnal hall for pygmy slow loris, followed by a series of indoor rooms for gibbons; these are really nice with artificial trees allowing for plenty of climbing space. After encountering exhibits for white-faced saki monkeys and Burmese brown mountain tortoises, the focus shifts over to “Africa.” It starts out strong with what is possibly the best bonobo habitat I’ve ever seen; it’s similarly designed to the orangutan habitat with a lush and steep layout, but there is even more vegetation present and additional climbing structures such as rocks and a huge tree trunk. The icing on the cake was watching a small troop emerge from the shadows, making their way down the hill, while a youngster was swinging about on the tree trunk. Nearby is a Coquerel’s sifaka exhibit, highlighted by the fact that I got to watch their amazing leaping abilities, before heading into another primate building. Once again, a series of nocturnal exhibits greets visitors, this time with greater bushbabies and pottos which appeared to share the trio of exhibits. Around the corner is a lush terrarium for Henkel’s leaf-tailed gecko (believe this is a first for me), followed by an aviary (species like Kenyan crested guineafowl and hamerkop), an average-sized Angolan colobus monkey exhibit, a large indoor bonobo room, and the highlight of this structure is a tall and colossal nocturnal habitat for a pair of aye-ayes (always wonderful seeing these unique lemurs!). Ranging from an impressive array of primate species, to overall great quality exhibitry, to an awesome immersive setting for guests (even the buildings are well-executed with plants, wooden boardwalks, and mock rock), it's easy to see why this complex is a favorite.Rhino Reserve – This is a ring of hoofstock enclosures whose appeal is the rare species on display, along with some surprisingly close views. These enclosures are on the whole average at best, and their size ranges from small (rhino and zebra) to so-so (okapi and flamingo), with the only decently sized one being for the warty pigs. In my opinion, this is among the Zoo’s less successful areas. Species list: black rhino (didn’t see), plains zebra, greater flamingo (including a few gray chicks), bongo (including a calf), okapi, and Visayan warty pig.
Manatee Springs – Opening in 1999, this building is one of two(?) manatee rehab and housing facilities outside of their native Florida. It begins in a hot and humid greenhouse environment, where two crocodilian pools can be found. American alligator and American crocodile each lurk in their own enclosure as guests wind around the lush greenery and over a trickling stream. Up next, going down a dark corridor, one will come across an underwater environment for alligator snapping turtle, followed by good-sized terrariums for basilisk and indigo snake. Then, the room opens up to the main attraction: a pair of Florida manatees slowly moving through the water. The sea cows share their home with a wide variety of fish such as alligator gar, and are visible via expansive underwater windows, along with a neat pop-in bubble to one side. The habitat has a narrower design that appears to resemble an underwater grotto, with a rocky background, and appeared to be about average in size with a fairly deep pool. Seeing the manatees is already a treat in itself, but what makes this section stand out are the guest education features. Above the manatee tank, several graphics detail the care and rehab level each resident is at, such as their diet. In an adjacent room, there are also many artifacts pertaining to the anatomy of these creatures, with a skeleton prominently displayed in the center, surrounded by other bones, and specimens of invertebrates as well. The room highlights the biodiversity of Florida, and how we must help conserve it from threats. Among these threats is invasive species, which the complex covers via a couple live animal exhibits. One is a fish tank with species such as cichlids (along with a couple native fish), and the other a large terrarium containing a huge Burmese python. The building finishes off with some smaller but nice terrariums for a variety of herps such as dusky pygmy rattlesnake, greater siren, and two-toed amphiuma. Although I feel the similar Manatee Coast in nearby Columbus slightly edges out this section, it doesn’t take away that this is still a solid and well-executed complex.
Dragons! – A small reptile building that opened in 2010. This area is dedicated to the more dragon-like lizards and monitors like armadillo lizard (another first), blue tree monitor, and lace monitor. For the most part, the exhibits range from smaller to larger-sized terrariums with varying amounts of furnishings like logs and plants. The stand-out here would have to be the indoor/outdoor pair of Komodo dragon habitats. The indoor room is nicely designed and a decent size, with a nice combination of lush jungle greenery and rocky landscape; there is even a flock of zebra finches fluttering around the space. This species is the only one to have access to the great outdoors with a good-sized, grassy, and shady enclosure. The one downside is that the resident Komodo had recently passed away, meaning I was looking at an empty set of exhibits aside from the finches. The only none-reptile exhibit is at the front of the structure, which is “Lemur Lookout,” a good-sized ring-tailed lemur habitat that is reminiscent to rocky primate islands, but has the added bonus of some lush foliage and scattered enrichment items.
World of the Insect – Any fans of bugs and invertebrates would be in paradise in this building, as this is certainly one of the premier displays for these types of animals in the nation. Opened in 1978, this structure not only exhibits a wide variety of bugs, several of which I don’t recall seeing before, but even goes into detail about all sorts of intriguing facts and details. Such dioramas and displays include metamorphosis, the many ways that insects eat, their roles in the ecosystem, and how they evolved into the fascinating creatures we know them as today; some of the species were even grouped with these educational sections to match the theme! I was quite intrigued and impressed by the level of detail presented. This isn’t even getting into the exhibits themselves; while most are fairly basic in presentation and size, they are all nicely furnished. Some of these are quite large for their occupants, making them almost blend in with their surroundings. The strongest and most unique of these would have to be the ant displays. Both species (Texas bullet ants, but they were off-exhibit due to renovations, and leafcutter ants) each have large exhibits connected by clear tubes. The latter species was particularly amazing to watch, as they marched down their anthills, up and over guests’ heads, and into the next area – all while carrying bits and pieces of leaves. It’s just about one of the greatest insect displays I’ve ever come across. Just a sample of the species on display: naked-mole rat, leafcutter ant, Texas bullet ant, water scorpions, chuckwalla, blue death feigning beetle, gray bird grasshopper, emerald beetle, giant walking stick, sunburst diving beetle, white-eyed assassin bug, and various cockroaches, tarantulas, and butterflies (the separate walk-through area was closed by the time I arrived).
Night Hunters – There was a time when Cincinnati had one of, if not the, most extensive collection of cats in the nation. Most of them were housed in this structure, once known as the “Cat House.” Back in 2011, the building saw a renovation that also combined features from the former nocturnal house, becoming the complex seen today. For the most part, these enclosures share the same design, being fairly basic glass-fronted areas with varying amounts of rockwork, branches, and substrate, and being on the small side for their occupants. There are a few exceptions to this rule; for example, the clouded leopard and binturong have perhaps the largest exhibits in the building, and even a temple-theme in the case of the leopards. Also, the genets have a decent amount of height to encourage climbing. Lastly, the Pallas cat are the one and only species with access to the elements, with a small grassy and rocky cage that was unoccupied during my visit. In all, while a bit basic in presentation, it was a little stronger than I anticipated. Species list: tawny frogmouth, Pallas cat, aardwolf (another first), sand cat, black-footed cat, ringtail, clouded leopard, binturong, aardvark, vampire bat, potto (didn’t see), fishing cat, three-banded armadillo (didn’t see), fruit bat, large-spotted genet (another first), and bat-eared fox.
Cat Canyon – A series of larger feline enclosures that mostly opened in 2012. Up first is a cougar exhibit (2011) that is slightly small, but nicely designed with a rocky waterfall area accompanying a grassy section. Down the path is a pair of Malayan tiger grottoes that are lush, but awkward to look into because of the viewing angles available. One has very deep viewing from up high, so it was a bit hard to properly see at times, and the other is via window looking down a hill. The tiger exhibits themselves are okay, but the viewing made it difficult to properly see into them, let alone trying to find a striped cat. After passing a Eurasian eagle owl aviary, the last habitat is for snow leopards. This is the best enclosure in my opinion, as it utilizes the “canyon” aspect to its advantage; the mesh-enclosed habitat consists of a rocky gorge, a stream flowing into a pool, and an artificial tree. On a side note, my visit here was slightly tainted by the fact that apart from the owl, no animals were seen.
Gorilla World – Despite primarily opening in the late 1970’s, this great ape exhibit surprisingly holds up pretty well! After viewing a couple tall mesh-enclosed colobus monkey exhibits, one will come across the main attraction. Two troops of lowland gorillas (a family and a newly arrived bachelor group from Detroit) occupy two different habitats. The first is an outdoor habitat that interestingly is reminiscent to a modern-day bear grotto. Viewing is entirely across a wide (and quite deep) water moat aside from a close-up cave, the rocky walls in the background are a dominant force, and it’s slightly above-average in terms of size. However, it is packed with lush foliage, whether it is green grass, the plentiful shrubs, a large log to clamber over, or even a few small trees. It’s similar to those I’ve seen in San Diego Safari Park, Memphis, and Albuquerque, but I’d say Cincinnati is the strongest of these. This is also thanks to the second exhibit; in an adjacent covered area, there’s an enormous indoor space that debuted in 2017. Expansive windows look into a room that is packed with natural substrate and several artificial branches. What surprised me the most were the skylights; so much natural light is allowed in here due to their size – it was amazing to see! These attributes help make this one of the more impressive indoor gorilla exhibits I’ve come across.
Roo Valley – Perhaps what makes this complex most notable is not exactly the exhibit itself, but rather what it replaced. Before this Aussie section, the area was known as “Wildlife Canyon,” home to mostly rarer species of hoofstock such as Bactrian camels, Przewalski’s wild horse, and takin. These pale in comparison though to what were the Zoo’s most well-known animals before the hippos: the Sumatran rhinos, which ultimately left for their native Indonesia in 2015. I’ll admit, it’s hard to imagine Cincinnati and not think of those hairy pachyderms, especially since I hadn’t visited the Zoo before and thus never saw them. Moving forward from that, the complex begins by passing some Australian-themed signage as one winds their way down the hill. Before long, the gateway to the outback comes into view, opening into a long, grassy paddock dotted with trees and the occasional rockwork. Red and grey kangaroos share this nice habitat, and they were dozing in the shade at the time of my visit. So far this sounds like a typical walkthrough kangaroo exhibit that’s become a common sight these days, but there is one trick up this 2020 complex’s sleeve. At the opposite end of the roo habitat, one will come across the best little blue penguin habitat I’ve seen. The world’s smallest penguin species have a very spacious coastline, with about 1/3 being a sandy shore, and the rest being a long, refreshing pool that seemed of average depth. In addition, a trio of ducks (New Zealand scaup, freckled duck, and spotted whistle duck – all of which I don’t recall seeing before) live alongside the penguins, making for a neat mix of birds. In total, while this section may not match seeing some sacred rare species, I won’t deny that it is a fun addition that adds its own spice to differentiate itself from others of its kind.
Reptile House – To be honest, I only quickly went through this building as it was just before the Zoo closed, and as I was passing by, it was “now or never.” From what I recall, there was a series of fairly typical terrariums that were arranged on the outer walls (the only species I recall are a juvenile Komodo dragon, gila monster, a couple snakes, and hellbender), and in the center of it all was a tiny Chinese alligator pool. I will say though that it was cool to be in what is the oldest zoo building in the nation still standing (1875). There are also outdoor habitats for Galapagos giant tortoise (missed this one) and bald eagle (this was a good size with nice amount of plantings).
Other Exhibits – There are some bird enclosures scattered around the Zoo that aren’t part of any specific complex. Near Elephant Reserve, there is a pretty lagoon shared by red crowned cranes and red-breasted goose. Before entering Wolf Woods, one will encounter “African Penguin Point,” a rocky pool that once housed sea lions, but has been modified into a nice home for African penguins, yellow-billed duck, ruddy shelduck, and white-breasted cormorant (another first). There are two more exhibits near Wings of the World: a roomy free flight aviary with species like kookaburra, red-legged seriema, Lady Ross’ turaco, and more; and a smaller exhibit with cockatoo and cape barren geese. Finally, across from Roo Valley is a pair of fantastic bird of prey aviaries. These are for Andean condor (didn’t see) and Steller’s sea eagle, and they are very spacious for the birds to spread their wings, packed with plants and rocks, and can be seen either from below or a deck near the top of the aviaries.
NOTE – Because of time constraints, I was unable to see: Birds of the World, Spaulding Children’s Zoo, and a few separate enclosures for gibbons and red pandas.
Visitor Experiences
The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden definitely fits the practice of making the most of one’s space! Until around the 2010’s, the Zoo was one whole property, with the parking lot and entrance in the area that Africa stands today. Nowadays, one must go in one of two parking lots across the street, and cross a bridge in order to reach “Vine Street Village,” the Zoo’s entrance plaza. The lead up is pretty nice with a beautiful garden in between the parking lot and road, an imposing brick wall set in the cliff proudly displays the Zoo’s name from the road, there’s a brief view into the Asian elephant exhibit on the way to the ticket booth, and the plaza itself is spacious with all the amenities needed to start the day. Navigating the Zoo is for the most part easy, following a primary loop with most of the animal complexes shooting off onto their own trails. Once in a while one will find themselves backtracking with areas like Discovery Forest, Roo Valley, or especially Africa, but fortunately it’s not often. The Zoo grounds consist of a lush forest that is pretty and a bit hilly to stroll through, with the only steeper parts being on the way down to “Giraffe Ridge” and Jungle Trails. The only exception to this is near the entrance by Swan Lake; with the crane exhibit in the foreground, the large fountain splashing in the background, and the occasional train clickety-clacking along the shore, it’s a stunning scene. And of course, this having “Botanical Garden” in the establishment’s name, there are a number of small gardens scattered around the property that are bright, colorful, and add a lovely charm to the landscape. Special mention also goes to the few historical buildings at the facility; I already talked about the elephant and reptile structures, but I would like to highlight the one of great conservation significance: the “Passenger Pigeon Memorial.” Nestled in a forest clearing, there is a small oriental-looking building with a pigeon statue in front, and a tiny cage on one of the outer walls. This was the location where Martha, the last passenger pigeon alive, lived and sadly passed away in 1914. I didn’t venture into the building, but it was astonishing to imagine that just over a century ago, the last of a once populous bird species went extinct in the very structure right in front of me.
In addition to viewing captive wildlife, the Zoo offers plenty of other attractions. A train circles Swan Lake and a few animal exhibits in the center of the facility, a carousel that is also situated along the scenic lake, the Wings of Wonder bird show found next to Rhino Reserve, and a ropes course adjacent to Roo Valley called “Kanga Klimb.” In terms of guest amenities, the primary eateries are spaced out evenly through the grounds: “Hops” is located close to the entrance, “Base Camp Café” offers some great views of the savanna in Africa, and the Rhino Reserve area has a wide variety on either side with a pizzeria, “Mai Thai’s Market” (named after one of the Zoo’s elephants), and “The Grove” with its many food trucks. Additional smaller food and drink stands are scattered around the Zoo too. Other notable amenities worth mentioning are the Zoo’s two gift shops (one at the entrance and another in “Mai Thai’s Market”), the “Clubhouse” that acts as a central guest hub, “Treetops,” the Zoo’s private event center, and a picnic area situated near Dragons!
HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY: It only figures that Cincy’s most famous animal would slide into this section. The hippo pod was the most active I’ve seen in my zoo visits, highlighted by the fact I heard a hippo vocalize for the first time! Initially, Tucker, Bibi, and Fritz were floating lazily to one side of the enclosure when I came up to the exhibit. However, Fiona soon swam over behind her little brother and Tucker. The latter caused a tremendous splash and even honked to ward off Fiona. The little diva hippo didn’t seem to mind, as she soon proceeded to swim laps around the pool, doing barrel rolls, and propelling herself up and down the viewing windows, soaking up all the attention of onlookers. Seeing one of the zoo world’s “celebrity animals” was a delight, and I can see why she’s so popular with her antics.
OVERALL: Of the trio of Ohio zoos I’ve had the privilege to tour, I’d put Cincinnati in the middle of the pack. It shares some similarities to Toledo with its extensive animal collection and historical preservation, however I find Cincy to be more successful in terms of exhibitry and visitor elements. On the other hand, it is hard to beat Columbus’ more organized layout and overall exemplary level of naturalistic habitats. Regardless of these comparisons and the facts stated at the beginning, one cannot hide that this Zoo is still a great day out. I had a wonderful time taking in the rarities, pleasant blend of old and new enclosures and buildings, and admiring some of the features that put this place on the map. It’s a splendid and popular zoological establishment that caters to all, whether that is a zoo/animal nerd or a casual visitor. Because of all this, I definitely say check it out.
The Zoo is in the midst of its latest capital campaign, “More Room to Roam.” Roo Valley was the first of these projects, and there are two projects presently under construction: Elephant Trek, a huge, brand-new complex for the Zoo’s Asian elephant herd (including a quartet of pachyderms coming from Dublin later this year), and the old bear grottoes are being redeveloped into a small North American section with American black bears, sea otters, and other native species – both of which will open next year. On deck is a modification to Rhino Reserve, and the current elephant area will be renovated to move the Zoo’s herd of Masai giraffes.
I could’ve sworn I read about the sea lion birth at some point, but yes you’re indeed right about the giraffe. The website did say they were the first to breed them in the Western Hemisphere. Thanks for the corrections.