Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

11/27/2024

BIG NEWS: The Columbus Zoo returns to streaming services and television!

Our beloved manatee Stubby, and the team of our Shores and Aquarium region, will join Peter Gros on an episode of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting The Wild this weekend! Here’s how to watch:

🔸 Watch the episode on Saturday, November 30. Check your local NBC listings here to find out what time it airs in your area: https://www.mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/how-to-watch-mutual-of-omahas-wild-kingdom-protecting-the-wild
🔸 After this weekend, you can stream the episode at https://www.nbc.com/mutual-of-omahas-wild-kingdom-protecting-the-wild

Help us inspire the next generation of conservationists, and don’t forget to “like” Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom on Facebook!

11/26/2024

Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo, efficiently powered by AEP Ohio, is here! Get ready for twinkling lights, festive sights, and holiday magic galore. Check out this sneak peek video to feel the joy and plan your next visit! https://www.columbuszoo.org/wildlights

11/26/2024

Hey, families! Get ready to boogie under the lights at Jingle Jam, the coolest Wildlights party at the Columbus Zoo! Usually a playground the rest of the year, this area transforms for Wildlights into a magical winter wonderland filled with twinkling lights that dance along to all your favorite holiday songs!

After you bust a move, don’t forget to visit the Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Center, just a few steps away! Meet our gentle manatee friends who are getting the care they need—and don’t forget to say hi to the other awesome animals along the way!

Jingle Jam is proudly presented by Nationwide. https://www.columbuszoo.org/wildlights

11/26/2024

It’s a question we receive all the time - what Zoo animals can you see during Wildlights?

While guests are encouraged to arrive before 4 p.m. to view some animals like the gorillas and orangutans, who like to go to sleep earlier, other animals may be able to be seen outdoors (like reindeer and tigers!), and more can be found in their indoor habitats, including:

• Sea lions and harbor seals in Adventure Cove
• Jack Hanna’s Animal Encounters Village residents
• Naomi Coyle Dempsey Quest for Enlightenment Interpretive Center residents, like bats, langur monkeys, and sloth bears.
• Asian elephants (including Sunny and Phoebe, who are both pregnant!)
• Discovery Reef fish and sharks
• Manatees, including our beloved resident manatee, Stubby
• Reptile Building residents like snakes, turtles, and hellbenders!

While the animals are a special bonus, Wildlights is all about creating magical holiday memories. To join us this holiday season, get your tickets at https://www.columbuszoo.org/wildlights

11/25/2024

Have you heard about the hellbender? These fascinating creatures, often called “snot otters” (yep, that’s a real nickname), are making waves across our parks—literally and figuratively!

Fast facts:
➡️ Hellbenders are North America’s largest aquatic salamanders, growing up to 30 inches long and weighing as much as 4 pounds.
➡️ They’ve been around for 65 million years, earning the nickname “living fossils.”
➡️ Found in clean, fast-moving streams, they’re vital to the health of our ecosystems.

Sadly, these ancient amphibians are now endangered. That’s why the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, The Wilds, and Zoombezi Bay are stepping up to help protect them—and YOU can, too!

Every membership, visit, or donation supports our conservation efforts and helps ensure these “snot otters” stick around for generations to come.

Want to learn more about Hellbender RV Park or a world's first attraction coming to Zoombezi Bay this summer? Head to https://www.columbuszoo.org/blog/what-heck-hellbender

11/25/2024

Our favorite little cutie, Clementine is turning 1! 🍊

As the first Bornean orangutan born at the Columbus Zoo in 60 years, Clementine is extra special to our Zoo family, and it’s been so much fun to watch her grow over the last year. Just in the last few weeks, she’s amazed us with her growing independence, taking her first "long-distance" trek away from mom Khali to grab a snack from a zookeeper on her own, practicing nest-building, and mimicking Khali’s head-covering skills with woodwool and a sheet.

She’s also started formal training, which includes working on moving away from mom and getting comfortable with a syringe, a standard practice to help with long-term medical care. At 9.5 lbs, Clementine loves solo play on the firehose, bonding with Auntie Dumplin, and is slowly warming up to her dad, Sulango.

With her birthday falling on Thanksgiving this year, we're extra thankful for her! Help us celebrate by wishing her a very happy (early) birthday in the comments! 🧡

11/24/2024

Fun Fact about the Jack Hanna’s Animal Encounters Village (AEV) at the Columbus Zoo: It was designed with the goal of rotating animals between the guest-viewable habitats and behind-the-scenes habitats to increase variability in the animals’ lives! Animals in AEV may spend a day in an indoor habitat, the next day sunning in a yard, and the following day, getting extra attention from keepers behind-the-scenes.

Take Petrie, a crow-raven mix, for example. Petrie is trained to select which habitat he wants to be in for the day by selecting a corresponding color and shape with his beak from a selection of choices presented to him! How cool!

Petrie’s choice behavior helps maintain his wellbeing by allowing him to play an active role in choosing an aspect of his daily care. In return, it is easier for the AEV teams to share Petrie’s amazing adaptations with guests! You can meet the animals that call Animal Encounters Village home by visiting the Zoo’s Adventure Cove region. https://www.columbuszoo.org/adventure-cove

11/24/2024

Attention, polar bears, tigers, and people who hit snooze 12 times: now through January 5, the Columbus Zoo is now opening at noon daily! You're welcome. ☺️💤

11/22/2024

The holiday season is almost here, and we’re excited to welcome you to the Columbus Zoo during this magical time of year! ❄️

Now through January 5, our hours will be slightly adjusted to help you enjoy all the seasonal fun. Our updated Zoo hours are:
• Sunday–Thursday: 12 p.m.–9 p.m.
• Friday & Saturday: 12 p.m.–10 p.m.

For a full schedule through the end of the year, check out https://bit.ly/40GMzbu. See you soon!

11/22/2024

Every visit to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium creates a ripple of positive change for wildlife and communities worldwide! In 2023, your support helped fund over $1 million in conservation projects, from rescuing gorillas in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to protecting Ohio’s threatened species.

Whether you’re enjoying a day at the Zoo or renewing your membership, you’re empowering change—like providing safe calving grounds for mountain caribou and helping lemurs thrive.

See how you are part of this amazing journey in our Conservation and Science Report: https://online.flippingbook.com/view/959833023/

11/22/2024

Wildlights...is...HERE! It’s FINALLY here and opens TONIGHT ❄️✨🎄

Join us for the first night of awe-inspiring illuminations that will sleigh your socks off! From twinkling trails of three million+ LED lights to festive treats that will melt your heart faster than a snowman in July, Wildlights has everything you need to make your spirits bright!

Whether you’re looking to get a little jingle in your step with friends, share magical moments with family, or just feel the joy and wonder of the season, Wildlights is the purr-fect way to get into the holiday “ooh” and “aah” spirit. Come one, come all — let’s make this opening night paws-itively enchanting!

PLUS for tonight and tonight only, catch the Grinch from Broadway in Columbus’ “Dr. Suess’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical.” The Grinch will be at the Zoo from 6:30-9 p.m.

Wildlights, efficiently powered by AEP Ohio, runs from November 22 to January 5!
https://www.columbuszoo.org/wildlights

11/21/2024

When you ADOPT through the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, YOU make a real difference in the lives of our animals. Roary, our African lion, is just one of the incredible species your support helps care for. From special holiday treats to enrichment activities, your adoption ensures that animals like Roary thrive in their home here at the Columbus Zoo.

This year, we’re celebrating the 50th Anniversary of our ADOPT program with six exclusive 8” plush options, including a lion plush like Roary, for a $50 donation! PLUS with a $75 donation, you'll also receive a holiday gift crafted by Partners in Conservation artisans, supporting global conservation efforts and local communities.

This holiday season, give a gift that roars with meaning! 🦁 Visit https://www.columbuszoo.org/adopt-special to choose your adoption package today and spread some holiday cheer!

11/21/2024

Columbus Zoo members get Wildlights all to themselves tonight!

Efficiently powered by AEP Ohio, Wildlights lights up the night sky with holiday magic from November 22 through January 5. But tonight, members get the first peek at Central Ohio’s ultimate holiday experience. It’s our way of saying THANK YOU for supporting wildlife conservation and Zoo fun all year long.

Interested in becoming a Columbus Zoo and Aquarium member or buying a membership as a gift for someone? Head to https://bit.ly/3AO2BbO for this and many other gift ideas.

11/20/2024

Our slender-horned gazelle herd just got bigger with two new additions!

We’re thrilled to announce the births of two slender-horned gazelle calves at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium! CeCe welcomed her calf on October 16, 2024, and Reagan followed with her calf on November 1, 2024. Both moms and their babies are doing wonderfully and are currently bonding in our hoofstock barn under the watchful care of our Animal Care team.

These adorable calves share the same proud dad, Slenderman. This pairing was recommended through The Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan (SSP), which helps maintain genetic diversity and ensures a healthy future for endangered species like the slender-horned gazelle. While the SSP program has since transitioned to a "monitored program," these births are a significant step forward in conservation. The Columbus Zoo is one of just 10 institutions participating in this breeding effort, making these two little ones vital to the future of their species.

Though the calves don’t have names yet, we’ll decide in the coming weeks and share the exciting updates with you. Guests can look forward to seeing these little ones out on the savanna next year! 💚

11/20/2024

Attention Wildlights guests!

If you’re planning on attending Wildlights this week or next week, please plan ahead and be aware of the road closure on State Route 750 (Powell Road) at Depot Street due to construction. For more information on this closure and for future updates, please refer to the City of Powell Local Government’s social media page.

We look forward to seeing you all soon!

🚧 Road Closure Alert 🚧

Beginning Monday, November 18, State Route 750 (Powell Road) will be closed at the railroad crossing near Depot Street for a full railroad crossing replacement. This work is expected to be completed in seven days, dependent on weather.

Detour:
Eastbound: Sawmill Parkway; I-270; State Route 315
Westbound: State Route 315; I-270; Sawmill Road

*During the closure, left turns at the four corners will be permitted.

Thank you for your patience while CSX makes this much-needed improvement to the railroad crossing on State Route 750.

11/19/2024

Big news from our neighbors at Zoombezi Bay! 💥🌊🐝

Zoombezi Bay is debuting a thrilling new guest attraction called Conservation Tower, opening for the 2025 season! This monumental attraction will house not one, not two, but THREE unique, adrenaline-pumping rides—each one a groundbreaking experience. You won’t find these waterslides together anywhere else on Earth! 🌍

Inspired by our conservation efforts here at the Columbus Zoo, Conservation Tower combines three unique slides, The Hive, Mussel Mayhem, and Captina Falls, which are all tributes to the vital work being done to protect Ohio’s native species, including pollinators, freshwater mussels, and hellbenders. The Hive is the first-in-the-world of its kind and Mussel Mayhem is the first of its kind in the Midwest, bringing the ultimate, thrilling ride to you right here in Columbus!

We’re proud to collaborate with Zoombezi Bay on initiatives that combine adventure, education, and impact. Follow Zoombezi Bay for updates and learn more about Conservation Tower by visiting https://www.zoombezibay.com/conservation-tower

11/19/2024

Did You Know: Animals at the Columbus Zoo are gradually introduced to the new sights and sounds of Wildlights! Lights near animal habitats are set on timers, helping maintain a steady routine, and all holiday music is turned off by 10:30 p.m. to provide peaceful, quiet nights. This gradual transition mirrors natural seasonal changes, giving the animals a chance to comfortably adjust — and in some cases, even enjoy the new sights and sounds as part of their environment!

Read more about how we keep animal wellbeing at the forefront of Wildlights planning: https://www.columbuszoo.org/blog/wildlights-columbus-zoo-celebrating-season-animal-wellbeing-mind

11/17/2024

Wildlights season starts THIS WEEK! ✨

We know Wildlights is incredibly popular and a busy time at the Columbus Zoo, so we are putting in extra precautions and safety measures to make sure that you have an excellent experience and stay safe, not only while visiting, but while entering and exiting the Zoo as well. A huge part of making Wildlights as safe and smooth as possible is your cooperation with staff and the directional signage to help with traffic flow.

Furthermore, what we ask of you as guests is:
❄️ Do not park or stop on the roads that lead to the Zoo.
❄️ Once in the Zoo parking lot, follow signs and entrance routes to a designated parking spot. Do not park in the aisleways, wheelchair-offloading space, or blocking other vehicles.
❄️ Bring snacks, water, medication, your phone charger, and anything you may need for the drive to your destination once you leave the Zoo.
❄️ The Columbus Zoo is a weapon-free zone and has a security system in place at the entrance. Please secure weapons in your vehicle.
❄️ Local first responders and dispatchers will be very busy during Wildlights. Please do not call 911 for parking lot or traffic complaints unless there is an emergency.

For more information on what to know before you go, please visit https://www.columbuszoo.org/wildlights-traffic-and-guest-experience. See you this week! 🎄🌟❄️

Wildlights is efficiently powered by AEP Ohio.