Powell, OH— Due to the recent rise of COVID-19, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium announced the following precautions, effective immediately.
First and foremost, the Zoo will remain open and follow regularly scheduled hours.
For the remainder of Wildlights (Thursday, Dec. 30 – Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022), all indoor animal habitat viewing will be closed daily at 4 p.m. This includes:
- Jack Hanna’s Animal Encounters Village Building
- Stingray Bay
- Adventure Cove Tunnel
- My Barn
- Polar Frontier Building
- Polar bear underwater viewing
- Asia Quest Building
- Pachyderm Building
- Discovery Reef
- Reptile Building
- Manatee Coast
- Nocturnal Building
The Congo Expedition region will close at 4 p.m. instead of 5 p.m., so buildings in this area will also be closed.
Guests will still able to view animals that have access to outdoor habitats, weather depending. Wearing a mask that covers your nose, mouth, and chin is also strongly encouraged while indoors.
All buildings that offer visitor amenities will remain open, such as nursing stations, EMS building, and the Congo River Market food court will operate with reduced guest capacity. There will be signage outside of the restroom to encourage social distancing. Rides and attractions, including the outdoor train and carousel, will remain open. The 4-D Theater will operate at reduced capacity.
In addition, beginning Monday, January 3, Zoo leadership anticipates that indoor habitats will follow their normal operating schedule. If there are any changes, these will be communicated through the Zoo’s social media channels and website.
SPECIALTY TOURS
Beginning January 3, all specialty tours at the Zoo are paused through January 31. Guests who have an upcoming tour will receive a refund. Tours at The Wilds will continue, as the team will be able to socially distance family groups.
We appreciate our community for your support as we continue to navigate these unprecedented times.
For additional updates about the Columbus Zoo, be sure to follow the Zoo’s social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and visit us at ColumbusZoo.org.
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About the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Home to more than 10,000 animals representing over 600 species worldwide, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium leads and inspires by connecting people and wildlife. The Zoo complex is a recreational and education destination that includes the 22-acre Zoombezi Bay water park and 18-hole Safari Golf Club. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium also manages The Wilds, a 10,000-acre conservation center and safari park located in southeastern Ohio. The Zoo is a regional attraction with global impact, annually contributing privately raised funds to support conservation projects worldwide. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Columbus Zoo has earned Charity Navigator’s prestigious 4-star rating.
