Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Columbus Zoo and Aquarium News 2023

Status
Not open for further replies.
Is there a publicly released, formal plan for the new North America area, or are they still playing close to the vest?
 
JVM said:
Is there a publicly released, formal plan for the new North America area, or are they still playing close to the vest?
Click to expand...

The Zoo has released the plans for the first phase due to open in Summer 2025. I imagine they would like phase two to open in 2027 for their centennial celebration (just my speculation). Below are links to a summary (pg 5) from their latest newsletter and an image of the current plan.

Beastly Banner & Wilds Connection Fall 2023/Winter 2024

https://www.zoochat.com/community/media/north-america-renovation-plan.653067/
 
The Zoo released more details regarding the North America Trek project in a press release.

Columbus Zoo Embarks on a Groundbreaking Journey to Transform the North America Region | Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Details released about the specific phases:

Phase 1: Celebrating Native Species
The first phase of North America Trek will focus on the creation of new habitats for some of North America's most iconic species including Mexican wolves, trumpeter swans, song birds, bald eagle, black bear, and North America river otters in new and improved habitats. The North America region is a haven for animals that are non-releasable, orphaned, or in rehabilitation.

Phase 2: Expanding the Tapestry of Life
The second phase of the project promises to be equally enthralling as it introduces enhancements to the wolverine, Canada lynx, Sandhill crane, reindeer, moose areas, and more. This phase will add layers of wonder to the North America Trek, ensuring a rich and varied experience for visitors.
 
Thank you for clarifying. Ph2 sounds more interesting but I can appreciate Ph1 better with knowledge of the later stages of the project.

Will it only be two phases?
 
Male gorillas, 10 year old “Kamoli” and 7 year old “JJ”, will be temporarily transferred to another AZA facility soon. The zoo plans on bringing the boys back once the construction around the area is completed.

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium on Instagram: "Two beloved male gorillas at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, JJ (7) and Kamoli (10), are embarking on a new adventure! They will be temporarily relocating to another zoo accredited by The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (@zoos_aquariums). They’re now of the age to form a bachelor troop, which is the next natural step to becoming a silverback leading a troop of their own. While it is in the Columbus Zoo’s plans to support a bachelor gorilla troop, construction is currently underway on the neighboring state-of-the-art indoor bonobo habitat. During this process, the bonobos are exploring a different area in one of our behind-the-scenes gorilla buildings. Once construction is complete and the gorilla habitat space is available again, our plan is to bring JJ and Kamoli back home to Columbus to begin their journey as bachelor troop members. We will continue to share updates about JJ and Kamoli as we receive them. Come visit for a chance to see them this week, and get ready to welcome them back in the future!"
Click to expand...
 
Frankie_number_1_fan said:
Since Ive seen it mentioned a few times on this thread, what exactly is wrong with the adventure cove region of the zoo?
Click to expand...
There are a couple of things. Many people dislike having carnival type rides at a zoo, I don't really mind that aspect because it is completely separate from the rest of the zoo and animal areas. However, the animal parts are sub-par, especially when compared to the rest of the zoo with is a top 5 USA zoo, IMO. The sealion enclosure is fine, nothing spectacular but it is nice enough. The farm/house design is just strange, in particular because of the build quality and the animals that are in the enclosures, it just does not fit a zoo of this caliber. A "city" or "farm" design could be done well, but this is not it.
 
I can see that! Honestly I typically skip that region when I visit because of the sheer amount of small children that flock there lol.
I feel it definitely hasn't aged well in comparison with the rest of the zoo which is a shame given that its not even five years old. The animal encounters village was in dire need of a facelift and it was only a little over a decade old when it was revamped. While the design was a sure miss its definitely better than having the animals living in small wire cages behind the scenes. The sea lions shouldve been the main focus instead of the EEV for sure and its the weakest region of the zoo design wise but its not horrible imo. I don't feel very strongly on it so I guess thats why I was surprised people hate it so much, but I definitely can understand!
 
Eastern Rosella is gone from the Australian aviary. Southern masked weaver has taken its place.

The laughing kookaburra are also gone. The Indian crested porcupine has been moved into that exhibit, with the sign being turned off for the nocturnal exhibit it was previously in.

The cheetah brothers that were living in the old tiger exhibit in Asia have both passed away. That exhibit is now empty.

One of the cheetahs has a cut on his shoulder that isn't healing, so he's wearing a shirt over it to help protect it.

There's two new manatee calves that arrived last month, Mr Dobak and Nighthawk. Cincinnati also received three baby manatees last month, there's so many babies to see :)

No more echidna in the Ambassador building. Current indoor line-up is domestic duck, Virginia opossum, large hairy armadillo, southern three-banded armadillo, sand cats, striped skunks, and Garnett's galago. The sand cats now have access to their usual exhibit and the one to the right of it.
 
The zoo just announced the birth of a male Bonobo!

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium on Instagram: "It's a boy! Faith, an 18-year-old bonobo at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, recently welcomed a new addition, surrounded by her companions Susie, Donnie, Kibibi, and Bertie. Faith’s care team continues to provide her with the choice about who’s in her group as she cares for her newborn, and Faith is doing a great job welcoming the curiosity of her fellow group members while also setting boundaries. The care team reports that baby is doing well and appears to be strong. Conserving the endangered bonobo population is a globally-managed effort. The Columbus Zoo is dedicated to helping to save this species and is one of only eight facilities in the United States that currently house bonobos. The arrival of this newborn is very significant, especially as the baby is the first bonobo born in the United States in three years and the first bonobo born at the Columbus Zoo since 2016. Throughout Faith's pregnancy, our Animal Care and Animal Health teams have worked around the clock to ensure her health and wellbeing, and we want to recognize them for their hard work and dedication. While the bonobos at the Columbus Zoo remain behind the scenes as their new, state-of-the-art indoor habitat is being constructed, we will continue to provide updates on social media to keep you engaged and informed. Please help us welcome the newest bundle of joy at the Columbus Zoo!"
 
Frankie_number_1_fan said:
The zoo just announced the birth of a male Bonobo!

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium on Instagram: "It's a boy! Faith, an 18-year-old bonobo at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, recently welcomed a new addition, surrounded by her companions Susie, Donnie, Kibibi, and Bertie. Faith’s care team continues to provide her with the choice about who’s in her group as she cares for her newborn, and Faith is doing a great job welcoming the curiosity of her fellow group members while also setting boundaries. The care team reports that baby is doing well and appears to be strong. Conserving the endangered bonobo population is a globally-managed effort. The Columbus Zoo is dedicated to helping to save this species and is one of only eight facilities in the United States that currently house bonobos. The arrival of this newborn is very significant, especially as the baby is the first bonobo born in the United States in three years and the first bonobo born at the Columbus Zoo since 2016. Throughout Faith's pregnancy, our Animal Care and Animal Health teams have worked around the clock to ensure her health and wellbeing, and we want to recognize them for their hard work and dedication. While the bonobos at the Columbus Zoo remain behind the scenes as their new, state-of-the-art indoor habitat is being constructed, we will continue to provide updates on social media to keep you engaged and informed. Please help us welcome the newest bundle of joy at the Columbus Zoo!"
Click to expand...

Absolutely fantastic news. We haven't had a baby here in a long time!

Congratulations to the entire time.
 
arastis21 said:
The Zoo released more details regarding the North America Trek project in a press release.

Columbus Zoo Embarks on a Groundbreaking Journey to Transform the North America Region | Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Click to expand...

I'm very curious on how exactly phase two is going to end up. The space will be incredibly empty since the black bears, otters, eagles and songbird aviary will be moving to the first half of North America.

Judging by the description of phase two, none of the exhibits will be moved, just revamped, which hopefully means making them much bigger given the space. Genuinely I wouldve liked to see more of a ravamp on that side too, it was a lot more aged than what is in the first phase. I feel they HAVE to be adding something since they're now apparently cramming the aviary right behind the swans' area which just feels needless in my opinion and I can't really wrap my head around the spacing lol.

Fingers crossed that they bring the beavers back and maybe make a wetlands area where the old eagle exhibit and aviary are. Cleveland's comes to mind and it would be really neat for them to do something similar!

I also heard from some volunteers that they plan on adding a restaurant to the region, and I SWEAR I saw a post on this thread discussing it and that it would be overlooking the Otter exhibit (another thing crammed into the first phase...) but it must've been deleted.
 
TinoPup said:
No idea. There's a big sign saying the exhibit is closed, so it seems it's not being used any time soon. I'm not sure why they don't put other cheetahs in there, even occasionally.
Click to expand...
I was at the zoo yesterday and while the exhibit is still closed, there is new Amur Tiger signage back in front of the exhibit. While I doubt this means new animals, its nice that it will at least likely be used as a rotational yard for Mara and Natasha!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top