Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Columbus Zoo News 2022

Kifaru Bwana said:
I think them losing accredition is pretty pathetic ...., it almost seems somewhat politically or ego motivated rather than any valid concerns for the success and wellbeing of the Columbus Zoo and parks The Wilds ....

I see there is a trend that more conventional zoos are actually taking out ZAA membership as well.
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If the largest zoos are not held to the same standards as other zoo in the AZA then the glue that holds the organization together may come apart. Maybe they wanted to make an example of Columbus, but the zoo in many way forced there hand. As well multiple other zoos lost accreditation this cycle (mostly smaller, but for valid reasons in my opinion), so AZA does appear to be putting its foot down.

Meanwhile ZAA has basically no enforceable standards and includes some absolutely horrid institutions. Some big zoos have taken on this accreditation as well but none of this zoos seem to want to leave the AZA.
 
nczoofan said:
If the largest zoos are not held to the same standards as other zoo in the AZA then the glue that holds the organization together may come apart. Maybe they wanted to make an example of Columbus, but the zoo in many way forced there hand. As well multiple other zoos lost accreditation this cycle (mostly smaller, but for valid reasons in my opinion), so AZA does appear to be putting its foot down.

Meanwhile ZAA has basically no enforceable standards and includes some absolutely horrid institutions. Some big zoos have taken on this accreditation as well but none of this zoos seem to want to leave the AZA.
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Columbus doesn't want to leave the AZA, either, I imagine. They want the accreditation back as soon as possible. I imagine they are going for ZAA accreditation mainly so it doesn't look so bad that they lost the AZA accreditation.
 
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birdsandbats said:
Columbus doesn't to leave the AZA, either, I imagine. They want the accreditation back as soon as possible. I imagine they are going for ZAA accreditation mainly so it doesn't look so bad that they lost the AZA accreditation.
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100% agreed. They’ll be back soon I imagine.
 
I believe the soonest they can reapply is this autumn, but I would not be surprised to see them wait if there are any outstanding potential issues - the repeated denial of applications is really bad press for them and only serves to continue to shine light on their issues.
 
Kifaru Bwana said:
I think them losing accredition is pretty pathetic ...., it almost seems somewhat politically or ego motivated rather than any valid concerns for the success and wellbeing of the Columbus Zoo and parks The Wilds ....

I see there is a trend that more conventional zoos are actually taking out ZAA membership as well.
Click to expand...

They were extremely valid concerns about how the place was being run. And as Elena said, The Wilds is still AZA, they are separate institutions.
 
I've worked for both AZA and ZAA institutions, albeit for much longer in the former than the later. I occasionally hear people say that they think ZAA is the future, everyone is going to flock to it, it's so much better than AZA, etc... To be honest, I've always thought of ZAA as kind of a non-entity. In the four years I worked at a ZAA facility, I literally never thought of them. They don't have the branding AZA has, the shared programs, the the sense of community. I'm constantly thinking about what I'm doing at work and how relates to AZA accreditation standards. When I have questions, I have a network to rely on. AZA was always vocal on behalf of zoos and aquariums. ZAA was just so... forgettable. I don't see them being "the future" without them really stepping up their programs and their involvement.
 
Having done reaccreditions for both entities at facilities for over a decade and a half I have one thing to say....it's all malarkey. I have hated how this has become a thing for ANIMAL facilities. Both have their flaws and benefits. Columbus is a great ANIMAL facility. Agree that funds were misappropriated and that's wrong, but doesn't mean kaka about a facility that has been a proven leader in animal conservation and reproduction both in-situ and ex-situ. The tie-in about Tangyika (who both entities can thank for clouded and Amur leopards being so prevalent now) is non-sense. Three little letters don't define your facility it's what your doing for the species you represent. Bonobo, Gorilla, Asian elephant, manatee, Amur tiger, rhino are just a few of the animal programs Columbus have progressed or provided a conservation program for. Not to mention they stepped up and procured the Wilds when the three other Ohio institutions involved were supposed too support and almost let it go extinct. ZAA or AZA? They will get both (back). A few bad apples are to blame not the facility.
 
Made a qtuick trip to the zoo this weekend. All birds in outdoor exhibits were off-exhibit due to avian flu, with all the aviaries closed. For the poster who was interested, the Reeves' muntjac are still visible in the Asia Quest pheasant aviary, but you can't get in to the aviary (I got a good view of the three under a shelter where they seemed to almost be posing for a picture).

As I was visiting with friends with their unable-to-be-vaccinated three year old, we did not venture in to any of the indoor exhibits, so I'm not sure what birds (if any) remain on exhibit behind glass. I'm probably going back in the next week or so and will try to provide a fuller report.
 
Three Pallas’ Cat kittens were born on April 7th to mom, Tiina, and dad, Moose. Tiina just arrived from Dakota Zoo in early 2022 so it seems like the pair hit it off really quickly! The kittens, who are not yet sexed, are healthy and are nursing from mom. They will remain in their bts habitat for a few more months till they are old enough to be introduced to the outdoor habitat.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CctFvGjt7Vd/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
 
Recent births including colobus, feathertail gliders and stingrays:

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium seeing springtime baby boom

The first birth of the year happened behind the scenes on January 15 with the arrival of a male guereza colobus monkey, who was named Jif by his care team.

On warmer days, Jif and his experienced mother, Jabari, and father, Sekani, can be found in the Zoo’s Congo Expedition region with the troop that includes two other females.

The Columbus Zoo is one of just two breeding institutions in North America caring for the feathertail glider, the world's smallest marsupial.

The zoo's colony is 27 strong and grew by two this year with the arrival of two joeys for one mother in January.

The zoo welcomed two male cownose stingray pups born on February 7 and 18.
 
Humboldt Penguin Death

0.1 Cecilia, the Humboldt Penguin chick that was hatched on March 20 has sadly passed away.

On the morning of Thursday, May 12, 2022, the penguin chick demonstrated acute respiratory distress. Our Animal Care team immediately called our Animal Health team, who was able to get the chick intubated to help her breathe. While she initially began to improve, she was still unable to breathe on her own when the tube was removed, and she was re-intubated and kept on oxygen. Unfortunately, over the next several hours, the penguin chick's condition gradually declined, and she was showing signs consistent with central nervous system damage, likely secondary to hypoxia. The very difficult decision was made to humanely euthanize her. Our Animal Health team reports that there weren't any clear answers on her necropsy, and tissues will be sent to an outside lab for additional findings.

Humboldt penguin chick Cecilia at Columbus Zoo dies | 10tv.com
 
Mai Thai said:
Humboldt Penguin Death

0.1 Cecilia, the Humboldt Penguin chick that was hatched on March 20 has sadly passed away.

On the morning of Thursday, May 12, 2022, the penguin chick demonstrated acute respiratory distress. Our Animal Care team immediately called our Animal Health team, who was able to get the chick intubated to help her breathe. While she initially began to improve, she was still unable to breathe on her own when the tube was removed, and she was re-intubated and kept on oxygen. Unfortunately, over the next several hours, the penguin chick's condition gradually declined, and she was showing signs consistent with central nervous system damage, likely secondary to hypoxia. The very difficult decision was made to humanely euthanize her. Our Animal Health team reports that there weren't any clear answers on her necropsy, and tissues will be sent to an outside lab for additional findings.

Humboldt penguin chick Cecilia at Columbus Zoo dies | 10tv.com
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That is such sad news! Especially considering she was a baby, it is very sad to lose a baby animal.
 
IndianRhino said:
Three Pallas’ Cat kittens were born on April 7th to mom, Tiina, and dad, Moose. Tiina just arrived from Dakota Zoo in early 2022 so it seems like the pair hit it off really quickly! The kittens, who are not yet sexed, are healthy and are nursing from mom. They will remain in their bts habitat for a few more months till they are old enough to be introduced to the outdoor habitat.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CctFvGjt7Vd/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
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The kittens are doing well and recently had their first checkup. They were vaccinated, had their blood collected, and were sexed (1.2). Tiina and the kittens also have access to their public-facing habitat and can be seen at different times during the day.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CeYfBRgtmWU/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
 
Other 2022 News:

On January 6th, the zoo announced they have acquired a (0.1) Fly river turtle named Lucy from the Bronx Zoo in December 2021.

Also on January 6th, the zoo announced that their (1.0) cheetah ambassador domestic dog named Coby has passed away on December 30th, 2021 due to a significant decline in health from chronic arthritis.

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium - Meet Fly River Turtle, Lucy! | Facebook | By Columbus Zoo and Aquarium | Meet Shores & Aquariums' newest resident--Fly River turtle, Lucy! 50-year-old Lucy arrived from the Bronx Zoo in December 2021. Lucy and 20-year-old...
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On January 12th, the zoo announced they have acquired a (0.0.1) sidewinder rattlesnake, a (0.0.1) banded rock rattlesnake, and a (1.0) Florida cottonmouth, which the latter has replaced the (0.0.1) western cottonmouth (who is living bts). All three of the new snakes can now be found in the Reptile Building.

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On February 11th, the zoo announced that their (1.0) Humbolt penguin named Chirriante Bellfontaine (aka Chirriante, Chi-Chi, or Old Man Chi) passed away due to an age-related illness on February 4th. He was 29 years old at the time of passing.

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On February 26th, the zoo announced that their (1.0) mountain lion named Captain Cal has returned to his exhibit in the North American area after he had surgery a couple weeks ago to partially amputate part of the toe tips that were damaged from the Californian wildfires.

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On March 16th, the zoo announced that a (0.1) mini Dexter cow named Ginny passed away on March 9th due to her gastrointestinal tract being twisted. She was 6 years old.

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On March 18th, the zoo announced that a (1.0) striped skunk named Fabreeze passed away due to a significant decline in health.

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On March 30th, the zoo announced that a (0.1) reindeer named Snowflake passed away on March 28th due to a worsening chronic systemic infection. She was 8 years old.

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On April 13th, the zoo announced that a (1.0) red panda named Rinzen passed away on April 7th supposedly due to heart disease, though not confirmed. She was 11 years old.

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On June 3rd, the zoo announced that their flamingos have returned to the outdoor exhibit in the Shores and Aquarium area.

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