The zoo gained international fame under Director Emeritus Jack Hanna, who served as the public face of the institution for decades.
It is home to the first-ever gorilla born in a zoo, 'Colo,' who lived to be 60 years old.
The zoo operates its own conservation center, The Wilds, which spans nearly 10,000 acres in Southeast Ohio.
It is one of the few zoos in the country to feature a dedicated manatee rescue and rehabilitation center.
The Heart of Africa exhibit covers 43 acres and features a predator-prey layout where lions and giraffes occupy the same visual field.
The zoo maintains a significant collection of rare animals, including the clouded leopard and the endangered bonobo.
It was the first zoo in the world to successfully artificially inseminate a western lowland gorilla.
The campus includes a historic carousel that was originally built in 1914.
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is one of the largest zoos in the United States, spanning over 580 acres. It houses more than 10,000 animals representing over 600 species. The facility is divided into distinct geographic regions, including North America, Heart of Africa, Asia Quest, and Congo Expedition. It operates a dedicated marine park, Zoombezi Bay, located adjacent to the main animal exhibits. The zoo is a leader in conservation, participating in dozens of Species Survival Plan programs. It features extensive interactive habitats that allow for close-range viewing of polar bears, manatees, and bonobos. Educational programming is integrated throughout the grounds with regular zookeeper talks and demonstrations. The campus includes a private 18-hole golf course and an extensive botanical collection.
The elevated boardwalk in the Heart of Africa provides an expansive, unobstructed view of the savanna exhibit.
Wear comfortable walking shoes, as the park covers significant ground and includes hilly terrain in the Asia Quest region.
Download the zoo's digital map before arrival to track daily feeding schedules and live keeper presentations.
Bring a refillable water bottle to use at the multiple hydration stations located near major exhibit hubs.
Trying to see every exhibit in a single trip; the zoo is too large to fully appreciate without rushing.
Open year-round, though some outdoor animal access is restricted during extreme winter weather; evening light displays occur annually during the winter season.
Maintain quiet voices near animal habitats, do not tap on glass enclosures, and avoid flash photography which can agitate nocturnal species.
