NOTE TO MEDIA: Images can be accessed through this Dropbox link. Photo credits are contained in the file names (example: Amanda Carberry, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium).
Powell, OH — Experience something new this summer at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium! From welcoming adorable new faces to enjoying memorable wildlife adventures, there are many options available that make the Columbus Zoo a fun and impactful destination.
NEW ANIMALS
The Columbus Zoo has celebrated several significant births this year! Guests can look forward to seeing some of these new faces throughout the Zoo this season.
- Desert grassland whiptail lizard hatchlings. Three whiptail lizards hatched on January 20, which also earned them the distinction of being the first hatchings at the Zoo in 2024! Whiptail lizards, known for their elongated bodies and whip-like tails, are found mainly in the Americas. Their unique reproductive behavior allows them to reproduce by parthenogenesis (meaning their eggs develop into embryos without fertilization from a mate), which is why this all-female species is commonly nicknamed the “lesbian lizard.” Guests can view the whiptail lizards in the Zoo’s Reptile Building.
- Green basilisk hatchlings. In an exciting first for the Columbus Zoo, three green basilisks hatched in February. The green basilisk lizard, also known as the plumed basilisk, is famed for its ability to run on water, earning it the nickname the "Jesus Christ lizard." This remarkable adaptation allows the basilisk to escape predators by sprinting across the surface of ponds and streams. Found primarily in the rainforests of Central America, the green basilisk plays a crucial role as both predator and prey, contributing to a healthy ecosystem. The hatchlings are currently being cared for behind the scenes in the Reptile Building, and guests can look forward to seeing them in their habitat later this summer.
- Humboldt penguin chicks. The Zoo’s Humboldt penguin grew by two male chicks in March! The chicks are being fostered and are doing well after a challenging start. Both chicks were malpositioned within their eggs, but, with the help of the Zoo’s Animal Care and Animal Health teams who assisted with the hatch, the babies have been reunited with their foster parents, Ava and Gunter, and Tressel and Watson. While their parents care for them, the chicks will remain behind the scenes. They will soon be starting “Penguin Preschool” to learn “all things penguin” before being introduced to the outdoor habitat this summer.
- Slender-horned gazelle calves. Two slender-horned gazelle calves were welcomed into the Columbus Zoo’s herd in February—a male named Sasquatch and a female named Nessie. Slender-horned gazelles are classified as Endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The species’ range is highly fragmented across North Africa, where isolated populations consist of very small numbers in each location. Slender-horned gazelle populations in their native range continue to decline due to poaching and human activity, and the IUCN estimates that only a few hundred remain, making these births particularly significant. Guests have the opportunity to spot the adorable calves exploring the Heart of Africa savanna with the rest of their herd.
- Dama gazelle calf. Just before St. Patrick’s Day, a male dama gazelle was born into the herd. Appropriately named Patrick, the calf is providing hope for the future of his species—the rarest of all gazelles. Dama gazelles are critically endangered, and there are fewer than 300 dama gazelles left in their native range. Patrick is thriving and will soon be in the Heart of Africa savanna, which he will share with mom, Kix, dad, Kabili, and other species, including the slender-horned gazelle family. (He is already good friends with Sasquatch and Nessie!)
- Mandrill baby. Mandrill Malaika gave birth to a healthy baby on May 5! The new male baby joins half-sister Izara and big brother Bernard, who is very curious of his little brother. Dad, Mosi, and “Aunt” Matilda watch them from nearby. Baby mandrills are independent primates that nurse, sleep and — when allowed by their mothers — will begin to move off their mothers for brief periods to explore within days of birth. Mandrills are the largest of all monkeys, and are native to rainforests along the equator in west central Africa. The species is classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN.
ADVENTURE AWAITS
Wild Explorer Virtual Reality – Coming soon! Trek (or dive!) into the all-new Wild Explorer Virtual Reality (VR) experience during your visit to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium! This virtual reality ride features 16 seats that move while you enjoy thrilling worlds through a VR headset. Guests who cannot self-transfer from their mobility device to the ride’s seats can also enjoy the experience through the headset. Guests can select between a Shark Dive or Gorilla Trek Virtual Reality Experience. Wild Explorer is $7 for general admission and $6 for Columbus Zoo members. Rides are free for Columbus Zoo Gold members and are included in the price of a ZooMore ride wristband.
Dinosaur Island – Coming soon! Guest-favorite Dinosaur Island has returned to the Columbus Zoo’s Australia and the Islands region and will be open soon and will run through the end of October. This attraction features more than 20 animatronic dinosaurs (including species never before featured at the Columbus Zoo!), a walking path, and boat ride. A special admission ticket is required for entrance and is not included with Zoo admission. Admission to Dinosaur Island is $4 for general admission, $3 for Columbus Zoo members, and free for Columbus Zoo Gold members, as well as included in the price of a ZooMore Wristband.
Scooter Pals. New for 2024, explore select portions of the Zoo with Scooter Pals! These stylish FUR-wheelers are perfect for up to two riders and can be rented for as long or short as you like. Just scan the QR code at the rental spot, fill out a quick form, and you're off on your adventure! You can cruise around Adventure Cove, Conservation Lake, and the Asia Quest loop. Guests must be 16 or older to rent and drive the Scooter Pals, over 36" tall to ride, and the total weight limit is 440 pounds. Rentals are first come, first serve, and cost $5 to activate plus 35¢ per minute. Hop on a Scooter Pal and roll through the Zoo in style!
UP-CLOSE AND PERSONAL WILDLIFE ENCOUNTERS
Animal Experiences. From touching a stingray to watching exciting training demonstrations and learning more about the animals from the people who know them best, the Columbus Zoo offers guests many opportunities to connect with wildlife through animal experiences. (Availability varies.) Today’s offerings can be accessed on the Zoo’s website.
Tours and Experiences. A visit to the Columbus Zoo can be enhanced with an up-close and personal encounter with various animals through the Zoo’s Tours and Experiences, presented by Nationwide. Choose from learning more about cheetahs (the world’s fastest land mammal!), visiting our state-of the-art Animal Health Center, meeting the inspirational wildlife residents of Jack Hanna’s Animal Encounters Village, bathing an elephant, and more! (Prices and dates vary for these unique experiences.)
EXCITING EVENTS
The Zoo has a full schedule of exciting events in store! Highlights include:
UNEXTINCT. Last chance! Guests have only one more weekend (May 24-May 26) to enjoy this after-hours event that defies imagination. During UNEXTINCT, enter a world where 70 extinct and endangered species come to life using tech-driven theatrical illusions, allowing you to learn about the importance of conservation and the role we all play in species survival. Admission includes rides on the Grand Carousel, Tidal Twist, Havoc Harbor, and Mission Macaw. Members of the Columbus Zoo, Zoombezi Bay, and The Wilds receive a 50% discount on admission.
Blind, Deaf, and DeafBlind Accessibility Day. Join us for the Blind, Deaf, and DeafBlind Accessibility Day on Sunday, June 9, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. This special event, designed in collaboration with the Blind, Deaf, and DeafBlind communities, offers a day full of inclusive and educational experiences. Enjoy hands-on activities, connect with local community partners, and learn from zookeepers during the scheduled Keeper Talks, presented by Fifth Third Bank, with ASL interpreters available. Explore the Zoo and its wildlife while engaging in fun, accessible activities for everyone. Admission is included with a general day pass, and additional accessibility resources are available.
Zoofari, presented by Fifth Third Bank. Don’t miss Central Ohio's premier philanthropic event for animal conservation, Zoofari, on June 22, 2024, at 7 p.m.! Enjoy a night filled with art, comedy, music, unlimited premium beverages, and fantastic cuisine while exploring animal habitats in select regions of the Zoo. Experience wondrous animal encounters around Conservation Lake and—new for 2024—an entertainment experience hosted by Rise Brands, the local company behind Pins Mechanical Co. and 16-Bit+Arcade. This event is exclusively for guests ages 21 and over, and tickets are available now. Ticket purchases directly support the redevelopment of the Zoo’s historic North America region. The new North America Trek is set to open in 2025!
HELPFUL TIPS: PLAN YOUR VISIT
Construction Updates. Other new and exciting guests experiences are on the way! From habitats to guest restrooms, improvements are being made, with the biggest redevelopment taking place in the Zoo’s North America region. Even with all of the great changes underway, the region remains open, and every animal can still be seen (with the exception of the bald eagles). The Mexican wolves can also be viewed in their temporary habitat in Asia Quest, right behind Wild Burger.
Download Our App. With so much to see and do, planning this exciting adventure has never been easier. Guests are encouraged to download the new Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and Zoombezi Bay app on their mobile device by looking for the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium/Zoombezi Bay icon in their app store, available for both Apple and Android.
FOLLOW US
For additional updates about the Columbus Zoo, events, and more, follow the Zoo’s social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, X, 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. For more information, please visit ColumbusZoo.org.
