This site is operated by The Columbus Zoological Park Association dba Columbus Zoo and Aquarium (the “Zoo”) that operates www.columbuszoo.org, www.safarigc.com, www.zoombezibay.com and www.thewilds.org.

Our postal address is: P.O. Box 400, Powell, Ohio 43065
We can be reached via e-mail at: info@columbuszoo.org

Our telephone number is: 614-645-3400


Purpose

The Zoo is committed to safeguarding the privacy of all our web site visitors.

This Privacy Policy describes the Zoo’s policies and procedures with respect to the collection, use and disclosure of your information when you use the Zoo’s web site. This Privacy Policy has a limited scope and applies only to the web sites of the Zoo and its affiliates. We use your personal information to improve the web site. By using the web site, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

At the Zoo, we value your privacy and take steps to protect the information of our users. This includes online data that is collected through the Zoo website, our secure e-commerce system, in any related e-newsletter registration, and offline, both on computers and on paper. We will never ask for your social security number, sex, race, national origin, or disability. We will never sell or share your information with other organizations.

Type of Information Actively Collected

Except where permission is knowingly and expressly given via acceptance of specific terms and conditions of use in the course of conducting normal business, we do not collect personally identifying information about online visitors to our websites. At various times, the Zoo may collect personal information from its website users to transact business with you. Such information may include your name, address, telephone number, and email address. Furthermore, for a purchase made through the Zoo’s secure e-commerce site, a user may be required to provide additional information such as your credit card number, expiration date, and billing information.
 

Information Automatically Collected In The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and Zoombezi Bay - Official Mobile App

When you use the App, we automatically collect specific data that are required for the use of the App. This data includes:
•    Location, accuracy and date/time periodically throughout the day (only while at the attraction)
•    Each visit to the resort including date/time first seen and last seen
•    Operating system
•    Operating system version
•    Device name
•    Battery level
•    Battery status (charging or not)
•    Bluetooth status (on or off)
•    Mobile network carrier name
•    Currently connected Wi-Fi SSID
•    Location permission status (on or off)
•    IP address
•    User's preferred locale
•    Current time zone
•    App version and build number
•    App interactions (captured as events fed to Firebase Analytics and Keen IO)
•    Date/time entered/exited geofence region (if you enter an offered geofence region)

This data is automatically sent to us, (1) so that we can make the service and the associated functions available to you; (2) to improve the functions and features of the App and (3) to prevent misuse and to rectify malfunctions and (4) to offer you a personalized guest experience. This data processing is justified on the basis that (1) the processing is required in order to fulfil the requirements of the contract between you as the data subject and us in accordance with Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR for the use of the App, or (2) we have a legitimate interest in guaranteeing the functionality and fault-free operation of the App and being able to offer a service that is in line with the requirements of the market and with the interests of the users and prevails over your rights and interests in the protection of your personal data in accordance with Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR
 

Type of Information Passively Collected

In addition to the personal identifying information which users actively provide to the Zoo noted above, the Zoo also collects information about how users interact with the Zoo web site. We collect passive information for purposes such as (1) testing and improving user experience with the Zoo web site, (2) the compilation of demographic data and related usage information for internal purposes, and (3) disclosure in aggregate form to third parties, such as advertisers and business partners.

The types of passive information the Zoo collects include, without limitation, certain standard information sent by your Internet browser, such as your Internet Protocol (IP) address, your device ID, your browser type, capabilities and language, your operating system, the date and time you access the Zoo web site, and the referring web site from which you linked to the Zoo web site. We also collect information related to pages viewed, links clicked, and other actions taken within the Zoo’s web site. We may also utilize special links, electronic images, or other objects embedded within the Zoo web site—sometimes referred to as web beacons or tracking pixels—to collect information that helps determine and analyze how you and other visitors use the Zoo web site.

If you have provided us with personal information through voluntary means, we may connect your personal information with passive information collected through the Zoo web site and use the combined information to help determine your potential interests in certain products, services, or the information and for other purposes described in this Privacy Policy.
 

Children’s Privacy

The Zoo web site is intended for a general audience, and it is not intended for children under the age of 13. If you are between 13 and 18 years of age, you must obtain verified permission from a parent or legal guardian before using the Zoo web site. If you are under the age of 13, do not attempt to provide personal information or otherwise use the web site. If we are notified that we have collected personal information from anyone under age 13 without verification of parental consent, we will delete that information as quickly as is reasonably possible.

The Zoo abides by federal law and the guidelines of the Federal Trade Commission regarding youth privacy and the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). Although the Zoo web site may contain information that may be of interest to children, the Zoo web site is not directed at children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect or solicit personal information from such children.

To report use by a child under age 13 and to request deletion of any information relative to such child, please contact us at the e-mail address listed above, and include the following information:

  • Name of the child ;
  • The username or alias the child is using;
  • E-mail address used by the child;
  • The actual age of the child;
  • Your relationship to the child; and
  • Your basis for making the report.
     

Internet Hyperlinks

This Privacy Policy applies solely to the information collected by us online through the Zoo web site and does not apply to any web site, application, or service other than the Zoo web site. The Zoo web site contains hyperlinks to other web sites, applications, and services provided by third parties that we do not own or control. The Columbus Zoo cannot be responsible for the privacy policies and practices of those third-party web sites, applications, and services. Similarly, we cannot be responsible for the privacy policies and practices of any other web sites, applications, and services from which you linked to the Zoo web site. We encourage you to be aware when you leave or stop using the Zoo web site and to read the privacy policies of each third party that may be providing web sites, applications, services or information linked to the Zoo web site.
 

Web Forms

We use forms on our web site for many purposes, including but not limited to registration forms, event inquiries, membership donations, employment or internship applications, or even to give you an opportunity to ask us general questions. When you submit information through a form, it is stored in a database on our web server that can only be accessed by designated and trained Zoo staff. Depending on which form, a copy of the form may also be sent to the email address of the staff member collecting the information.
 

Web Analytics

In order to make our web site the best it can be, we analyze information from site users to help us learn how people are using the site if they are using a mobile device or a desktop computer or visiting from a certain part of the world. We use Google Analytics, the industry-standard tool for web analysis. This information helps us constantly improve our site and better serve our guests. Google Analytics uses HTTP cookies, a small piece of data stored in your web browser, to “remember” what a user has done on previous pages/interactions with the web site. Usage of a cookie is in not linked to any personally identifiable information about the user. Cookies may be disabled through the web user’s specific browser. Doing so may cause some sites, or functions of sites, to not function as expected.
 

Other Provisions

Your use of the Zoo web site indicates an acceptance of the terms of this Privacy Policy and the site’s Terms of Use. We reserve the right to update or amend this Privacy Policy at any time. We will post any revised version of this Privacy Policy on our web site, and we encourage you to refer to it on a regular basis. The changes contained in any such revised version of this Privacy Policy will be effective from the time such revised version is posted unless otherwise specifically stated therein.

This Privacy Policy does not create or confer upon any individual any rights or impose upon the Zoo any rights or obligations outside of, or in addition to, any rights or obligations imposed by the privacy laws of such individual’s jurisdiction, as applicable. Privacy legislation and an individual’s right to privacy may differ from one jurisdiction to another. The rights and obligations described in this Privacy Policy may not apply to all individuals or in all jurisdictions. Should there be, in a specific case, any inconsistency between this Privacy Policy and the applicable privacy laws of such individual’s jurisdiction, this Privacy Policy shall be interpreted, in respect of that case, to give effect to, and comply with, such privacy laws.

Please be aware that, by accessing the Zoo web site, you acknowledge that the various communications may necessarily result in the transfer of information across state and international boundaries. By accessing the Zoo web site and communicating electronically with us, you consent to the processing and transfer of your personal information as set out in this Privacy Policy. By choosing to access the Zoo web site, you consent to any such transfer, storage, or processing of personal data outside of your state or country.

This Privacy Policy applies only to the web sites of the Zoo’s affiliated parks: www.columbuszoo.org, www.safarigc.com, www.zoombezibay.com and www.thewilds.org, and it is not applicable to any partner or sponsor sites to which we may link. It may be changed at any time by posting a Privacy Policy with new terms, and any information previously collected will be subject to the new Privacy Policy.

Donor Privacy Policy

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium respects your privacy and your choice not to have your personal information shared with other people. The Zoo collects only personal contact information (such as names, addresses, e-mail addresses and phone numbers) when Website users submit it voluntarily. To make our Website more useful to you, our server automatically collects information when you visit our site, such as, but not limited to, your IP address, date and time of your visit, pages viewed and click streams. We will not collect or track information that may identify you personally. Further, we will not sell or exchange your mailing or e-mail addresses.

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium's Donor Bill of Rights

Philanthropy is based on voluntary action for the common good. It is a tradition of giving and sharing that is primary to the quality of life. To ensure that philanthropy merits the respect and trust of the general public, and that donors and prospective donors can have full confidence in the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and causes they are asked to support, we declare that all donors have these rights:

  • To be informed of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium’s mission, of the way the Zoo intends to use donated resources, and of the Zoo’s capacity to use donations effectively for their intended purposes
  • To be informed of the identity of those serving on the Zoo’s governing board, and to expect the board to exercise prudent judgment in its stewardship responsibilities
  • To have access to the Zoo’s most recent financial statements
  • To be assured their gifts will be used for the purposes for which they were given
  • To receive appropriate acknowledgement and recognition
  • To be assured that information about their donation is handled with respect and with confidentiality to the extent provided by law
  • To expect that all relationships with individuals representing organizations of interest to the donor will be professional in nature
  • To be informed of whether those seeking donations are volunteers, employees of the organization or hired solicitors
  • To have the opportunity for their names to be deleted from mailing lists that an organization may intend to share
  • To feel free to ask questions when making a donation and to receive prompt, truthful and forthright answers

Questions about the Zoo’s development policies may be directed to our Philanthropy Office at (614) 724-3421 or give@columbuszoo.org.

Effective date: March 6, 2023