Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

We continue to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and this past week, we hosted an opportunity for team members to sample some food items that are often considered part of the Hispanic/Latino diaspora. The gathering included information about the food items and the impact of food on the culture. It was also a chance to engage in the importance of understanding one another so that we can understand each other, and our guests, in a more meaningful way. A few things we heard are: - “Thank you for doing this – it was the first time I tried some of these foods. Now I know why this is an important part of the culture!” - “As someone who is part of the community, I appreciate having a space to share what I love with others and have a conversation about its origin.” Stay tuned for more…we have several more activities for our team and look forward to sharing what we see and hear in support of this integral part of our community!

North American river otters were extensively hunted and trapped for their fur in the 19th and 20th centuries and are still hunted in some places. They were wiped out from portions of their native range, but conservation and reintroduction efforts are helping populations recover, including a program that began in 1986 in Ohio. Approximately 123 river otters were relocated from Arkansas and Louisiana to four eastern Ohio watersheds: Grand River, Killbuck Creek, Stillwater Creek, and the Little Muskingum River. However, habitat destruction and water pollution still put these animals at significant risk because they rely so heavily on clean waterways for hunting. Northern river otter populations are still considered vulnerable throughout much of their range in the Midwestern United States and the Appalachian Mountains. How can you help? Support the otters at the Columbus Zoo, who serve as ambassadors for their species! Donating positively affects their wellbeing, and this plush otter is a unique gift for a special occasion or special someone! Get started: https://lnkd.in/g5KMchrE

What an incredible week it has been! The Columbus Zoo and The Wilds were thrilled to host the Zoological Association of America’s conference attendees over the past few days. 🌍🐾 On Thursday, we had the pleasure of welcoming participants to the Zoo for an exciting day of animal experiences, networking, and sharing ideas on wildlife conservation, care, and education. Today took the adventure even further with an unforgettable visit to The Wilds, where attendees experienced our conservation efforts in action. We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who spent the week with us, contributing to the important conversations that will shape the future of responsible wildlife management and animal wellbeing. Your dedication to wildlife is inspiring, and we’re proud to work alongside such passionate individuals and organizations committed to making a difference. We’re honored to be part of ZAA, an organization that brings together diverse facilities—from community zoos to wildlife preserves—all working toward the common goal of elevating animal wellbeing, safety, and conservation efforts.

Exciting Update from the CSS: Asian Elephant team at the Columbus Zoo! We’re proud to share the progress of the Center for Species Survival: Asian Elephant (CSS: AsE) conservation project with a recent milestone achieved through a successful virtual webinar! The event brought together government delegates from across 13 range countries including Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam to address the challenges posed by linear transport infrastructure and its impact on Asian elephants. Key focus: Protecting Asian elephants, humans, and other wildlife from vehicle collisions, habitat disruptions, and maintaining the connectivity of their habitats as roads, railways, and other infrastructures expand across their ranges. Mitigation Efforts: Innovative solutions are being designed, constructed, and shared across the region to reduce habitat fragmentation and promote safer movement for elephants and humans. Through case studies, we are standardizing and sharing effective measures already in place, with a goal to limit the negative impacts of infrastructure development. Topics Covered in the Webinar: • An introduction to the CSS Asian Elephant Transport Working Group • Understanding the impacts of linear infrastructure on elephant populations • Designing and implementing crossing structures, fencing, and site selection • Transboundary cooperation to ensure elephant-friendly infrastructure • Tracking Asian elephants using GPS data to improve roadway safety in Myanmar Key Commitments: Our efforts are geared toward promoting the connectivity of large elephant conservation landscapes, ensuring that new developments like roads and railways are elephant and biodiversity-friendly. We’re also advocating for the creation of national guidelines to build wildlife-friendly infrastructure, based on models developed by the IUCN (tag) SSC Asian Elephant Specialist Group. This collaboration underscores the power of international cooperation in ensuring a future where humans and elephants can thrive side by side! Read more about CSS: AsE at https://lnkd.in/g8cZEqwH Follow IUCN AsESG on LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g3btgURq

In August 2024, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium marked the release of the 1000th hellbender back into their native range! In addition to this accomplishment, the event also marked 2000 hellbenders released through the Ohio Hellbender Partnership, which includes the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, The Wilds, School of Environment and Natural Resources at The Ohio State University, The Toledo Zoo & Aquarium, Ohio Division of Wildlife, Penta Career Center, and other academic and government organizations.   To help preserve the endangered Eastern hellbender, the largest amphibian in North America, young hellbenders: - Have eggs collected in their native range - Are reared in a biosecure facilities unit they are ready for release at 3-years of age - Are tagged for monitoring purposes  - And finally, are re-released into their native ranges   While we’ve hit exciting milestones for hellbenders, our work isn’t done. We’re excited to launch the new Ohio Center for Wildlife Conservation (OCWC), where Zoo guests will be able to learn about our work with hellbenders, as well as plains garter snakes, freshwater mussels, and American burying beetles. You can keep up to date on this endeavor by visiting https://lnkd.in/dw-sA_qk.   The best is surely yet to come! 

We are so lucky to have Aidan as a team member in the Horticultural and Landscaping Department here at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. Aidan’s passion for the Zoo is evident in his work, and we’ve loved watching him grow here. Thank you, Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities, for helping bring Aidan to us! ❤️

Looking for a unique way to bring your team together this holiday season? The Columbus Zoo’s Wildlights VIP Tour offers the perfect opportunity for a festive and memorable team outing in Central Ohio. Here’s what you can expect: 🔹A private, guided tour on a golf cart through the Zoo’s most stunning holiday light displays 🔹A cup of hot chocolate to sip as you enjoy the sights and sounds of Wildlights 🔹An unforgettable experience of over 3 million dazzling lights, making it the perfect backdrop for holiday fun and team bonding This VIP experience is an excellent choice for: 🔹Corporate holiday parties 🔹Team-building outings with a festive twist 🔹Celebrating the season with colleagues in a fun, relaxed setting Spaces fill up fast, so don’t wait! Make your holiday team event one to remember by booking your VIP Wildlights tour today. https://lnkd.in/eeiUVHRF

Since 2009, this our annual Wine for Wildlife event has raised over $2,300,000 for wildlife conservation...and you can help us take it even further! This year, we’ll celebrate Wine for Wildlife on Friday, November 8 from 6:00-9:30p.m., with proceeds supporting local conservation initiatives and making a difference to native endangered species. Event highlights include: 🔸 Mission and Conservation programming 🔸 Animal Encounters 🔸 Wine and Bourbon Tastings 🔸 Catered Meals 🔸 Silent and Live Auctions This event is a great way to show your support for local wildlife conservation, as well as enjoy delicious bites and delectable wines and drinks! To purchase your ticket, visit https://lnkd.in/gMrV6MZ8.

The Columbus Zoo and The Wilds would like to welcome the Zoological Association of America's conference attendees to Central Ohio! ZAA is a non-profit, membership-based, accrediting organization dedicated to its mission of responsible wildlife management, conservation, and education, and upholding the highest level of professional standards in animal welfare, safety, and ethics. The association is unique in that it is comprised of public and private facilities of wildlife educators, rescue facilities, TV and film industry animal experts, wildlife preserves, small community zoos, large zoological facilities, aquariums, and conservation organizations—all working together to elevate the care and welfare for wildlife in professional care. You can learn more about the great work of ZAA at https://lnkd.in/gKZ9vUHs ! 🐾

The Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary was nominated for designation in 2015. After almost a decade of work by engaged Tribes, local communities, conservation organizations, and others, the Biden-Harris administration announced the release of the final Environmental Impact Statement, published on Friday, September 6, 2024. The White House is celebrating this moment as the significant milestone launching the final leg of the journey to official designation, expected in December 2024 or January 2025, and you can read more about it here: https://lnkd.in/gWupTc4R Led by Monterey Bay Aquarium and endorsed by Columbus Zoo and other members of the Aquarium Conservation Partnership (ACP) and other accredited zoos and aquariums, we are supporting a statement thanking the Administration and calling on it to see it through to final designation. NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries Final Preferred Alternative boundary covers 4,543 square miles of coastal and ocean waters offshore Central California stretching out to nearly 60 miles from shore and down to a maximum depth of 11,580 feet. The sanctuary would allow for the protection of nationally significant natural, ecological, historical, and cultural resources along 116 miles of coastline from just south of Diablo Canyon Power Plant in San Luis Obispo County to the Gaviota Coast in Santa Barbara County. For more information, visit https://lnkd.in/gDKXMQCa 📸: NOAA