Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Columbus Zoo News - 2012

A note from the head Pachyderm keeper regarding the recent changes and partial separation of Beco from Phoebe and Connie:

Beco has started to get a little amourous with Mom, so we can only have them together when we can be there to monitor. Because of his size, he could very well be mature enough to successfully breed her, despite his young age. That also indicates he is old enough to be more independent, and males are considerably less social than females. It also allows us to put Phoebe and Connie with Hank.
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This is really no surprise considering that Bodhi also matured at a very young age. I've seen some recent photographs of him on Facebook, and he is quite large for his age and has already grown in short tusks. I have a feeling this isn't such a "new" thing as is suggested, as Phoebe and Connie, minus Beco, have been kept out in the yard with Hank quite a bit over the past several months. Connie and Hank have really taken to each other, and they are nearly inseparable. Connie didn't have such a relationship with Coco, so the elephant keepers are hopeful that this relationship will lead to a calf for Connie.
 
Zoo to break ground on Safari Africa tomorrow, September 20th. (Portion of media advisory below, media-specific sections deleted. Event is private)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 19, 2012

SAFARI AFRICA GROUNDBREAKING AT THE COLUMBUS ZOO

WHAT: A groundbreaking ceremony will be held at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium for its newest region, Safari Africa.

WHY: Safari Africa at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium will transform guests into world travelers on an adventure to southern and eastern Africa. Here guests will find a colorful and active village outside the gates of a national park and experience the sights and sounds of a vast savannah, home to a population of fascinating African animals including the return of giraffe and zebra.

At the Columbus Zoo, guests will have an up-close, experiential safari adventure. Africa's enduring energy, through immersive Zoo experiences, will depict the soul of its land, the spirit of its people and the thrill of its animals.
 
Rhinos now won't be a part of Safari Africa, at least not initially.

The 43-acre area will include raised platforms that will allow visitors to hand-feed those giraffes and a watering hole that will attract animals for close viewing at various times of the day.

But Safari Africa will evoke Africa specifically, Stalf said. The exhibit will look like a savanna. You’ll hear beating drums as you enter and be able to eat at a theme restaurant and shop in a village. Visitors will have the opportunity to ride camels.

The idea, Stalf said, is that a visitor won’t be able to tell the difference between a photo taken at Safari Africa and one taken in a Kenyan grassland.

Officials have made at least one change between the plans announced in June and the ones now in place: The exhibit won’t have rhinoceroses. They’re big-ticket items that don’t fit in the current budget, said Patty Peters, a zoo spokeswoman.

There’s plenty of room for expansion, she said.
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Zoo to lead visitors on African safari | The Columbus Dispatch
 
I can't say that I'm surprised that rhinoceroses have been axed from this initial plan based on the way the whole final plan came about. It is intriguing, however, to see the article mentioning warthogs. It will be interesting to see where exactly they fit into the plans, as in whether they will have their own enclosure, be mixed with the meerkats or monkeys, or be mixed on the savanna.
 
Zoo Spokeswomen Patti Peters is quoted as saying "There is plenty of room for expansion".Hopefully this also means Hippos could be a possible addition down the line.

Team Tapir
 
I love the concept art for the monkey exhibit! It will be interesting to see how the camel ride and zip line are integrated into the new region as well.
 
The zoo's two Amur tiger cubs will be making an appearance on David Letterman tonight followed by an appearance on Good Morning America tomorrow morning.
 
They have been off exhibit recently including our visit this past thursday perhaps these public appearances are why.

Team Tapir
 
hey just wondering if anyone can assist me in my queries, i am looking to take my family on a photo safari sometime early next year, we have recently moved to the united states and are not really sure where we can look for prices, destinations etc the best place we have seen so far for wildlife photo safaris are those guys, but any other assistance would be greatly recieved
 
I was at the zoo Friday and in the original otter exhibit they had 2 beavers that just came from the buttonwood park zoo. The beavers will eventually move where the otters are at currently in the old black bear exhibit and the zoo is supost to get 2 more beavers for that exhibit. I was hoping they beavers wouldve gone in the moose exhibit lol
 
The zoo had a post about the beavers, Zucchini and Acorn, on their Facebook page today. It is interesting to hear, however, that they are planned to move to the old American black bear enclosure. I can't say that it's exactly suited for beavers as it stands. It will need some work. I would have never expected to see the beavers move to the moose enclosure. Though the pond in the moose enclosure would be an ideal beaver pond, the fencing would have to be completely changed and there would have to be new holding built for the beavers. Not to mention that the beavers could be easily injured by the moose, specially considering that there are several young, rambunctious calves in the herd.
 
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