Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Did you know that the Columbus Zoo supports the only organization in the world that provides life-saving veterinary care to eastern gorillas living in their native range? That organization is called Gorilla Doctors. Approximately one-third of the world’s remaining 1,063 mountain gorillas live in Virunga National Park, and the life-saving work of Gorilla Doctors is essential to their long-term conservation. In collaboration with Gorilla Doctors, the Columbus Zoo is setting up a state-of-the-art field office and lab in the Democratic Republic of Congo near Virunga National Park, which will help with expediting diagnostics and contribute to Gorilla Doctors’ work treating ‘one gorilla at a time' in their natural forest home. For more information on Gorilla Doctors, visit https://lnkd.in/gxQGnGQ3.

Looking for a fun, meaningful way to support conservation efforts right here in Ohio? Join us on November 8 for one of the Zoo’s premier events of the year—Wine for Wildlife! This unforgettable evening begins with a champagne welcome and up-close animal encounters in Adventure Cove (hello, seals and sea lions!), followed by tastings of world-class wine and bourbon. Then, get a sneak peek at Wildlights and enjoy a delicious catered dinner with conservation programming featuring Greg Lipps, the Zoo’s Conservation Biologist. Don't miss the live and silent auction, where you can bid on one-of-a-kind Zoo experiences and special trips! Grab your tickets at https://lnkd.in/gMrV6MZ8 and raise a glass to wildlife! Don’t forget to read our latest blog about this amazing event: https://lnkd.in/etRbcKzC

Last week, our Corporate Partnerships team had the exciting opportunity to attend the 2024 Sponsorship Mastery Summit, where our very own Director of Corporate Partnerships, Caitlin Garling, served as a panelist discussing sustainability in sponsorships. This annual summit brought together around 300 professionals from a diverse range of industries, including zoos and aquariums, sports teams, state fairs, museums, marketing agencies, and nationally recognized brands like Toyota and Rolling Stone. Throughout the summit, our team immersed themselves in discussions about the fundamentals of marketing and the importance of delivering exceptional guest experiences—essential components to building successful and meaningful partnerships. Caitlin’s panel focused on sustainability in corporate partnerships, where she highlighted our innovative Trim to Treat program with AEP Ohio, as well as our partnership initiatives in the Columbus market. As active members of the Sponsorship Marketing Association, this summit was not just a learning experience, but also an incredible networking opportunity. Our corporate partnerships team connected with dozens of sponsorship and marketing professionals across multiple industries, each bringing fresh perspectives and valuable insights. One of the key takeaways for our team was the tangible resources and tools that we can implement to improve our partner relations and drive even more meaningful collaborations. Strengthening our teams’ professional development is a key part of our mission, “Empowering People. Saving Wildlife.” We look forward to applying lessons learned as we continue strengthening our partnerships and supporting the Zoo’s mission and conservation efforts.

It’s Fire Prevention Week, what better time to talk about how fire hose is repurposed and used at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium! From puzzle feeders to beds, fire hose provides a sturdy material that can be used in a variety of ways. And, thanks to our partnerships with local fire departments like Liberty Township Fire Department and Radnor Township Fire Department, the animals in our care receive additional ways to develop and express species-typical relationships, behaviors, and cognitive abilities. Read more about fire hose at the Zoo in our blog: https://lnkd.in/gXqVsWmV

As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at the Columbus Zoo, we continue to spark deeper understanding of Hispanic culture through conversation. For week three of celebrating, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium hosted a virtual, interactive session for team members titled “Facts vs Fictions.” In “Facts vs Fiction,” internal speakers posed questions about Hispanic culture and gave attendees the chance to check their understanding. It was a great opportunity to gain some knowledge, dispel some myths and recognize there are some spaces where it depends on who you speak with. Some things we heard from this event were: ▪️ Gratitude for hearing experiences and stories about some of the facts/fiction from our facilitators who affinitze with the culture. The personal experiences created community and connection. ▪️ How we can take what was learned to inform how new programs and opportunities are created. Furthermore, how we can adjust current programs based on this information learned. ▪️ Words matter. Remember that they should not be considered interchangeable. Shoutout to Gabi Criado and Felix Garcia for their leadership in bringing this event to life for our Columbus Zoo team members.

We’re thrilled to share some incredible progress in the health and wellbeing of our bonobos! Recently, the Columbus Zoo’s Conservation Medicine team completed comprehensive cardiac evaluations for all the bonobos in our care, using advanced techniques like echocardiograms and CT scans. Thanks to our aggressive heart health program, we’ve not only managed cardiac disease, but have actually reversed structural heart changes in FIVE bonobos! Dr. Priya Bapodra-Villaverde shared just how humbling it’s been to witness the positive changes in this special group of animals – some who have had cardiac issues for years: “We’ve been able to utilize the same tools that are available for human healthcare, and, thanks to the incredible training the Animal Care teams have done with all of the bonobos, including finger blood pressure measurements, ECG readings, awake heart scans and blood collections to monitor overall health while on medications, we’re seeing success. The voluntary participation of the bonobos has allowed us to obtain frequent cardiovascular data in these animals, allowing us to make real time accurate decisions with regards to medication and dose choice. In addition, four bonobos have been implanted with insertable cardiac monitors, thanks to a generous grant involving Medtronic and the Great Ape Heart Project, which allows us continually record heart rate and changes in heart rhythm.” These efforts are part of the ongoing contributions to the health of our animals and to the Great Ape Heart Project – a vital initiative and collaborative effort based at Detroit Zoological Society focused on improving heart health in great apes, which you can read more about here: https://lnkd.in/gySmvF6T Thank you to our passionate supporters, conservation champions, Great Ape Heart Project advisors, and Columbus Zoo guests who make this work possible! Together, we’re giving bonobos a healthier future.

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