Columbian Park Zoo Columbian Park Zoo News

[Smaggledagle]

Columbian Park Zoo is a small, seasonal zoo located in Lafayette, Indiana. It exhibits a variety of small species including emus, New Guinea singing dogs, Galapagos tortoises, North American river otters, bald eagles, black-tailed prairie dogs, gibbons, spider monkeys, wallabies, llamas, etc.. There will also be exhibits in the future for African black-footed penguins, big cats, a walkthrough rainforest exhibit, and a nocturnal section of the Animal House. Here is the news from 2020 and beyond:

On June 12th, 2020, the zoo opened to the public for the 2020 season. Restrictions include reducing the number of people in the zoo to 50% capacity, the front entrance is now at the Gift Shop, the petting farm is viewable only, exhibits such as the wallaby walkabout and butterfly exhibits will reopen, but only to a certain capacity of people at a time, and the arrival of the penguins to be delayed. River otter feeding shows will still happen if there are staff members available.

Coronavirus: Columbian Park Zoo to reopen June 12 with capacity limits, viewing only

On August 3rd, it was reported that Columbian Park will be hosting the annual Zoo's Run Run 5K virtually.

The annual Columbian Park Zoo Run Run is going virtual

 

[Smaggledagle]

On January 5th, 2021, it was reported that the zoo honored the passing of a former volunteer by placing an armadillo medallion onto the zoo's entry wall.

Columbian Park Zoo uses gift to honor former volunteer

On February 26th, it was reported that the zoo's train engine and 3 railway cars were to receive a fresh coat of paint after 52 years of non-stop operations.

Columbian Park Zoo train engine and cars to be restored

 

[Smaggledagle]

On April 4th, WIBI got a behind-the-scenes tour of the zoo, which contained information about the delays of the African penguins as well as the new carousel. The zoo also released its opening date, that being April 17th.

Columbian Park provides updates with behind-the-scenes tour

 

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On May 11th, it was announced that (0.2) baby Nigerian drawf goats were born at the zoo.

Columbian Park Zoo

 

[Smaggledagle]

On May 18th, the zoo announced the birth of a [1.0] Nigerian drawf goat.

Columbian Park Zoo

 

[Smaggledagle]

On July 22nd, the zoo announced that their African black-footed penguins have arrived and their exhibit will be open to the public on July 23rd.

Columbian Park Zoo

 

[snowleopard]

Penguin Cove is now open and here is the updated zoo map:

Zoo Map | Lafayette, IN - Official Website

I toured this small zoo in 2018 and it was a nice experience, although an individual can see everything in under 30 minutes. However, I can easily see a family spending a half-day with young children.

Here is an article about Penguin Cove. There are 7 African Penguins and the link contains exactly 20 photos of the exhibit and animals from a variety of angles (scroll down to see them all). It looks like a small yet adequate addition to this family-friendly zoo.

Lafayette's Columbian Park Zoo debuts new African penguins, exhibit

 

[Smaggledagle]

Penguin Cove is now open and here is the updated zoo map:

Zoo Map | Lafayette, IN - Official Website

I toured this small zoo in 2018 and it was a nice experience, although an individual can see everything in under 30 minutes. However, I can easily see a family spending a half-day with young children.

Here is an article about Penguin Cove. There are 7 African Penguins and the link contains exactly 20 photos of the exhibit and animals from a variety of angles (scroll down to see them all). It looks like a small yet adequate addition to this family-friendly zoo.

Lafayette's Columbian Park Zoo debuts new African penguins, exhibit

Small revision, the zoo actually has 9 penguins. 7 of them came from Six Flags Discovery Kingdom. I'm unsure where the other 2 penguins are and if they have arrived at the zoo yet.

 

[Smaggledagle]

On September 16th, the zoo announced the passing of their (0.1) turkey vulture named Ralph. She had been at the zoo since 2008, and the exhibit will now house only the barn owl.

Columbian Park Zoo

 

[Smaggledagle]

Small revision, the zoo actually has 9 penguins. 7 of them came from Six Flags Discovery Kingdom. I'm unsure where the other 2 penguins are and if they have arrived at the zoo yet.

On September 22nd, the zoo officially revealed that on September 16th, (1.0.1) African penguins named Flash and Fozzie joined the 7 other penguins at their exhibit. They say the 2 penguins had to stay back in California so I am unsure if they were at Six Flags or not.

Columbian Park Zoo

 

[zoologicus]

On September 22nd, the zoo officially revealed that on September 16th, (1.0.1) African penguins named Flash and Fozzie joined the 7 other penguins at their exhibit. They say the 2 penguins had to stay back in California so I am unsure if they were at Six Flags or not.

Columbian Park Zoo

All of the penguins are from Six Flags -- they have six males and three females total now

 

[Smaggledagle]

On October 29th, the zoo announced they have acquired (0.0.2) lesser Madagascar hedgehog tenrecs named Agrave and Aloe from the Mesker Park Zoo in Indiana.

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On November 30th, the zoo announced that (0.0.6) of the 9 African penguins have passed away due to a severe case of avian malaria. 3 African penguins are left, albeit in critical condition.

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On December 30th, the zoo announced that the (0.0.3) African penguins who were in critical condition from avian malaria are now in stable condition.

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On January 5th, 2022, the zoo announced they have acquired (0.0.2) Flemish giant rabbits named Flower and Spring as part of their Animal Ambassador program.

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[TinoPup]

On January 5th, 2022, the zoo announced they have acquired (0.0.2) Flemish giant rabbits named Flower and Spring as part of their Animal Ambassador program.

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Looks like they're actual flemmies for once. So many zoos say they have them when they're generic mixed breeds.

 

[Smaggledagle]

On January 20th, the zoo announced it has acquired a (1.0) blue-tongued skink named Azul from an unspecified facility. He is an ambassador animal, set to make his public debut on February 5th.

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[Smaggledagle]

On April 12th, the zoo announced they have acquired a (1.0) New Guinea singing dog named Arthur.

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[Smaggledagle]

On April 16th, the zoo announced that due to avian influenza, the penguins will be kept in their indoor enclosure until their outdoor exhibit can be modified. They also announced they are working with a designer to add more viewing options to the exhibit, as well as a plan to keep mosquitos and other bugs out of the exhibit.

https://www.lafayette.in.gov/Docume...-to-open-for-2022-season-on-Saturday-April-16

 

[Smaggledagle]

On April 28th, it was reported that the zoo is working on creating a cover for the exterior of the penguin exhibit, as well as stating when modifications were complete, the facility is looking to acquire more African penguins.

Changes are coming to the penguin exhibit at the Columbian Park Zoo