POWELL, OH – Hop on over to the Columbus and Aquarium to enjoy fun for the whole family at the popular springtime event, Eggs, Paws and Claws, presented by Kroger. This two-day annual Easter tradition will take place on Friday, April 7 and Saturday, April 8, 2023 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The event is free with Zoo admission or Zoo membership. Egg-citing festivities include:
Egg-Splore-N-Find (while supplies last)
Don’t miss this special activity, presented by your favorite Columbus Zoo Character Ambassadors! In this fun twist on our traditional Seek-n-Find activity, guests will located the eight hidden eggs around the Zoo and collect the corresponding sticker for each egg found. Once all the eggs are located, stop by the event information tent in Entry Village to receive your prizes!
Egg Ambassador Meet and Greets
A visit to Eggs, Paws and Claws isn't complete without saying "Hi" to the happy hosts of this event. Located at the front of the Zoo’s Lakeside Pavilion, Eggbert, Shelley, Yolko, and Oh-No will leave guests feeling sunny-side up! (In the event of inclement weather, this attraction will be moved inside Lakeside Pavilion.) Times: 9 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m., and 3:30 p.m.
Character Ambassador Meet and Greets
The Zoo’s Character Ambassadors will be out and about to celebrate spring. Be sure to stop by and say hello, and take some memorable photos with your pals. (In the event of inclement weather, this attraction will be moved inside Lakeside Pavilion.) Times: 9 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m., and 3:30 p.m.
Eggbert & Shelley’s Rolling Shell-ebration (weather dependent): This musical adventure follows Eggbert, Shelley, Yolko, and Oh-No as they roll their way through the Zoo on the Character Express train! The Rolling Shell-ebration will take place daily at 10 a.m., 11:30 p.m., 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 4:15 p.m.
Photos with the Bunny
The Easter Bunny has arrived at the Zoo’s Character Cottage at Habitat Hollow in the North America region! Take part in a unique photo experience with the Bunny himself. While online advanced reservations are currently full, guests still have the opportunity to enter a standby line. Purchases are not required for this activity. Photos taken on personal device(s) are permitted.
Keeper Talks, presented by Germain Cars
Learn about some of the Zoo’s animals from the people who know them best—our Animal Care staff!
Schedule for both days (subject to change):
9:45 a.m. – Lions (Heart of Africa)
10:30 a.m. –Bears (Polar Frontier)
11:15 a.m. – Tigers (Asia Quest)
1 p.m. – Koalas (Australia and the Islands)
1:45 p.m. – Orangutans (Australia and the Islands)
2:30 p.m. – Penguins (Shores and Aquarium)
Egg Hunt Animal Enrichment, presented by Nationwide
Travel around the Zoo and watch some of your favorite animals eat and play with eggs (or something equally as tasty)!
Schedule for Friday, April 7, 2023 (subject to change):
10:15 a.m. – Congo Expedition (African Leopards)
11 a.m. – Jack Hanna’s Animal Encounters Village (Opossum)
12:30 p.m. – Asia Quest (Sloth Bear)
1:15 p.m. – Heart of Africa (Watering Hole Animals)
3:15 p.m. – North America (Brown Bears)
4 p.m. – Adventure Cove (Seals and Sea Lions)
Schedule for Saturday, April 8, 2023 (subject to change):
10 a.m. – Australia and the Islands (Tasmanian Devil)
10:45 a.m. – Shores and Aquarium (Manatees)
11 a.m. – Jack Hanna’s Animal Encounters Village (Sand Cats)
1:15 p.m. – Heart of Africa (Watering Hole Animals)
2 p.m. – Heart of Africa (Vervet Monkeys)
3:15 p.m. – North America (Brown Bears)
4:15 p.m. – Adventure Cove (Seals and Sea Lions
For additional updates about the Columbus Zoo, events, and more, be sure to follow the Zoo’s social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok, 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 by making a positive impact on people, wildlife and wild places. 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 wildlife conservation organization with regional, national and global impact, annually supporting conservation and research projects locally and worldwide. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Columbus Zoo has earned Charity Navigator’s prestigious 4-star rating.