Toledo Zoo & Aquarium

Last updated
Toledo Zoo & Aquarium
Entrance to the Pedestrian Bridge.jpg
Toledo Zoo & Aquarium
41°37′09″N83°34′51″W / 41.6191°N 83.5807°W / 41.6191; -83.5807
Date opened1900 [1]
Location Toledo, Ohio, United States
Land area51 acres (21 ha) on south side
No. of animals10,000 + [2]
No. of species720
Memberships AZA, [3] WAZA, [4] BFCI [5]
Major exhibitsAfrica!, Aquarium, Arctic Encounter, Aviary, Maned Wolf, Bald Eagles, The Valley, Nature's Neighborhood, ProMedica Museum of Natural History, Primate Forest, Reptile House, Snow Leopards, Flamingo Key, Tiger Terrace, Ziems Conservatory, Tembo Trail, Penguin Beach, Cassowary Crossing, Galapagos Gardens
Public transit access Bus-logo.svg TARTA
Website www.toledozoo.org

The Toledo Zoo & Aquarium, located in Toledo, Ohio is a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), [6] and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). [7] The Toledo Zoo & Aquarium houses over 10,000 individual animals from 720 species and participates in around 80 species survival programs. [8]

Contents

History

1900–1920

Babe the elephant at Walbridge Park, 1916. "Babe", Walbridge Park elephant, Toledo, Ohio - DPLA - 6777c0761ba2881404729e3cc9593207 (page 1).jpg
Babe the elephant at Walbridge Park, 1916.

The Toledo Zoo began in 1900 when a woodchuck was donated by Carl Hillebrand to Peter Mettler and the Walbridge Park. [9] By the end of its first year, the Toledo Zoo had a collection of 39 animals, most of which were donated. [10] The park was unprepared for these donations and was forced to use temporary housing such as ravines and boxes for exhibits. In November 1901, the Toledo Zoo nearly lost its entire collection when the winter housing for the animals caught fire. As a result, in 1907, the Toledo Zoo built its first brick building for housing animals, known as the Lion House. [11] During the early years at the Toledo Zoo, most animals were acquired through donations and circuses, and, due to a lack of proper housing, animal escapes were common. [12] In June 1913, the Toledo Zoological Society (TZS) was founded to spur development with William H. Roemer serving as the first president. [13] By 1916, the Toledo Zoo had grown to a population of 471 animals. [14] In 1922, a change to the organizational structure of the zoo occurred when Percy Jones, the TZS president, created the role of Zoo Director, also known as the Curator of the Toledo Zoo & Aquarium. Frank Skeldon was the first curator for the zoo. Jones and Skeldon pushed the zoo towards national recognition. [15]

1920–1929: Before the Great Depression

The Elephant House - now used as event space Elephant House now used as Event Space at the Toledo Zoo.jpg
The Elephant House - now used as event space
The Original Carnivora House - now used as the Carnivore Cafe Carnivore Cafe - The Original Carnivora House at the Toledo Zoo.jpg
The Original Carnivora House - now used as the Carnivore Cafe

The architectural style used in the first strategic plan for the zoo was inspired by the Spanish architecture of the city's namesake, Toledo, Spain. By 1924, they had completed the first building of their master plan, the Elephant House. [16] To maintain funding for the zoo, Jones had brokered a deal with the City of Toledo so that it could be managed similarly to the Bronx Zoo. The Toledo Zoo became a public/private venture in 1926, allowing financial support from the city while leaving operations in the hands of the TZS. In 1928, they completed their second building, the Herbivora (Giraffe House). [17] On Christmas Day 1927, the Carnivora Building was opened to the public, after groundbreaking was done by Kermit Roosevelt. [18] In 1929, the Toledo Zoo completed its last building before the WPA Era, the Primate House. [19]

1930–1940: The WPA era

The original Museum of Science prior to renovations The Original part of the Museum of Science.jpg
The original Museum of Science prior to renovations
The Toledo Zoo Amphitheater Toledo Zoo Amphitheater.jpg
The Toledo Zoo Amphitheater

During the Great Depression, the Toledo Zoo was able to take advantage of government programs to provide labor. With the remainder of their master plan nearing completion, Skeldon, Jones, and Colonel John S. Shelter brokered a deal with the federal government to use depression-era relief efforts to create jobs. In 1934, construction began on the first Works Progress Administration (WPA) building in the zoo, the Reptile House. Federal funding would only cover labor costs, so the Toledo Zoo had to salvage parts from unused structures. Skeldon created multiple agreements that allowed the Toledo Zoo the right to salvage as long as they cleared the land. In the end, the Toledo Zoo was able to salvage all the stonework, lumber, and radiators needed to begin construction of the Reptilia (Reptile House). The Reptile House was officially opened in September 1934, to house over 485 reptiles and amphibians. [20] The same day, groundbreaking took place for the next two relief effort buildings, the Museum of Science and the attached Amphitheater. In July 1936, the outdoor Amphitheater was completed, followed closely behind by the indoor theater in October 1936, and the Museum of Science in May 1938. [21] The Aves (Aviary) started construction in 1935 and was officially opened to the public in May 1937. Like other WPA buildings, it was also built from salvaged material but was the first building in the nation to use glass blocks for walls. [22] The final WPA project to open was the Aquarium. It was the first public aquarium in the state of Ohio, the largest freshwater aquarium in the world, and the 30,000th completed WPA project in the state. [23] All of these structures remain in use at the Toledo Zoo & Aquarium today, and it may be the largest collection of these Depression Era relief buildings still in place today. [24] Additional WPA projects at the zoo included new entrances, the Anthony Wayne Subway, and a wall dividing the Amphitheater from the zoo. [25]

Carousel horses on the original zoo carousel Original Carousel at the Toledo Zoo.jpg
Carousel horses on the original zoo carousel

1940–1980: Post-war era

Original Carousel located on the South Campus Original Toledo Zoo Carousel.jpg
Original Carousel located on the South Campus

At the end of the WPA era, with the passing of Percy Jones and Frank Skeldon in the 1940s, the Toledo Zoo was ushered into a new post-war era. [25] In 1946, the Toledo Zoo began to invest in amusement with a ridable miniature railway. In honor of the 50th anniversary in 1949–1950, the Toledo Zoo launched its current publication, Safari Magazine. [26] In 1953, the Toledo Zoo housed 3,537 animals. [27] By the end of the 1950s, the Toledo Zoo had created new pens, a gibbon run, and new exhibits along the northern edge of the zoo. [28] A highlight was the indoor trout run, thought to be the only one in America, opened in 1959. [27] In 1963, they continued to expand with the development of interconnecting water pools for waterfowl and a pond for flamingos. [28] The 1960s also sent the Toledo Zoo on safari to South America to help celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Toledo Blade . It was during that safari that the staff of the Toledo Zoo were able to capture 75 new species for display. [29]

The Conservatory/Greenhouse Toledo Zoo Conservatory.jpg
The Conservatory/Greenhouse

1980–2000: Renaissance

The Hippoquarium at the Toledo Zoo The "Hippoquarium".jpg
The Hippoquarium at the Toledo Zoo
The famed hippos from the original entrance of the African Savanna exhibit The Famed Hippos from the original entrance of the African Savanna exhibit.jpg
The famed hippos from the original entrance of the African Savanna exhibit
Pedestrian bridge at the Toledo Zoo Toledo Zoo pedestrian bridge - west Anthony Wayne Trail - fall.JPG
Pedestrian bridge at the Toledo Zoo
Entrance to Arctic Encounter Fountain In the Arctic Encounter.jpg
Entrance to Arctic Encounter

At the beginning of the 1980s the Toledo Zoo faced a potential closure. With an agreement created by Jones, the zoo was financially tied to a city in a financial crisis. Massive layoffs ensued and a staff of 70 was reduced to 24. With the passage of a zoo levy in November 1980, they were still left in the face of probable closure. The levy was for capital improvements only, so the money could not be used on animal care, staff members, or other items needed to run the zoo. As a result, the Museum of Science and the conservatory were closed. To add to the problems, Skeldon was set to retire at the end of the year, and they had not yet found a replacement director. In January 1981, William "Bill" Dennler accepted the position and became the director of the Toledo Zoo. In the early 80s, the WPA buildings were carefully restored, and in 1983 a children's zoo was opened. [30] The Aquarium had two major incidents occur during the 1980s. Because of the success of the Hippoquarium exhibit and a hippo birth caught on tape, the Toledo Zoo was allowed to exhibit two giant pandas on loan from the People's Republic of China. The panda pair arrived in May 1988 and were exhibited through October 1988. The loan was challenged by the World Wildlife Fund, as well as the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, through a lawsuit against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service. Additional lawsuits followed, but the loan of the pandas remained intact and the lawsuits were settled. This outcry of debate dissolved the relationship with the People's Republic of China, and it was not until 1998 that they allowed another loan of pandas to the US, via the San Diego Zoo. [31]

2000–current

Wolf viewing area at the Toledo Zoo Wolf Viewing Area at the Toledo Zoo.jpg
Wolf viewing area at the Toledo Zoo
Subway renovations for 2018 re-opening Subway Entrance at the Toledo Zoo.jpg
Subway renovations for 2018 re-opening

After celebrating the centennial anniversary of the Toledo Zoo, the zoo faced controversy after the death of a female sloth bear by dehydration in 2000. After investigation, the zoo was fined by the FDA and was required to put into effect an animal reporting system to better track any issues on animal concerns. [32] The Toledo Zoo opened the Africa! exhibit in 2001 and a wolf exhibit expected to be finished the following year. [33] By 2003, the Toledo Zoo breeding programs took off, with the births of sloth bears, elephants, tigers, and other animals. The successful birth of the African elephant was historic as there had only been 12 births in the US since 1995. [34] The projects at the zoo have continued with the redesigning of the Museum of Science from 2017 to 2019. Upon breaking ground, ProMedica donated $3.5 million to the project. [35] In 2018, the Toledo Zoo & Aquarium reopened its underground subway crossing during the Lights Before Christmas. [36]

Exhibits

Africa

Statues welcoming visitors to Africa Statues welcoming visitors to Africa!.jpg
Statues welcoming visitors to Africa
A zebra in the Africa! exhibit Zebra in Africa!.jpg
A zebra in the Africa! exhibit

Africa opened on May 1, 2004, and is 12 acres (4.9 ha) large. The main exhibit, the African plains, is 5 acres (2.0 ha) in size. It has artificial termite mounds for the free-roaming African animals, such as the Grant's zebra, greater kudu, helmeted guineafowl, Dama gazelles, Masai giraffe, white-backed vulture, ostrich, watusi cattle, warthogs, and blue wildebeest. There is also a 0.6-acre (2,400 m2) section for cheetahs. The exhibit has an observation deck. The exhibit houses the Safari Railway, which circles Africa! The exhibit also has an African animal carousel. Africa! was built on the site of the original gravel parking lot that existed before the bridge was built. In March 2010, a male baby giraffe named Enzi was born. Enzi's father, Mowgli, is another famous giraffe at the zoo. In 2016, the Houston Zoo needed the African wild dogs for a breeding recommendation so the zoo replaced them with three young, male cheetahs from the Columbus Zoo. In 2017, two female Masai giraffes were born at the zoo named Kipenzi and Binti. In 2017, the Malawi event center was added in between the indoor Giraffe Exhibit and the children's carousel. It is a rentable space seating 900+ people. It also contains a 14,000 US gallon (52,996 L) aquarium housing native African fish, mostly cichlids.

Aquarium

A zebra shark in the Aquarium Shark at the Aquarium of the Toledo Zoo.jpg
A zebra shark in the Aquarium
A great white shark model hanging from the Aquarium ceiling Great White Model at the Toledo Zoo.jpg
A great white shark model hanging from the Aquarium ceiling

The Toledo Zoo & Aquarium has one of the most diverse collections of any zoo-aquarium in the United States. The aquarium closed in October 2012 for renovations and re-opened in March 2015. The updated aquarium contains 3000+ aquatic animals in 178,000 US gal (670,000 L) of water, including the largest tank with 90,000 US gal (340,000 L). The total water volume is nearly four times as much as the previous aquarium. Two new additions are a large touch tank containing various stingrays and small sharks and a smaller touch tank housing invertebrates, such as multiple species of starfish, a wide variety of hermit crabs, horseshoe crabs, and pencil sea urchins. The renovations took two and half years and preserved the exterior of the Works Progress Administration era structure. [37] This area also includes goldfish, zebra sharks, an alligator snapping turtle, blacktip reef sharks, isopods, walleye, clownfish, electric eels, bichir, southern stingrays, channel catfish, epaulette sharks, cownose rays, a giant Pacific octopus, horn sharks, neon tetras, Australian lungfish, flashlight fish, arowanas, Japanese spider crabs, African lungfish, a shoal of red-bellied piranhas, gar, Atlantic stingrays, arapaima, a giant gourami, yellow-spotted rays, common carp, South American lungfish, discus, seahorses, a wolf eel, as well as jellyfish, leopard sharks, garden eels, and a green turtle named Tink.

Arctic Encounter

Arctic Encounter Exhibit.jpg

The Arctic Encounter includes grey wolves, gray and harbor seals, California sea lions, and polar bears. Two waterfalls and seven saltwater streams are featured in this exhibit. [38]

Polar Bear at the Toledo Zoo.jpg

The seals have 4,000 square feet (370 m2) of land and 3,000 square feet (280 m2) of salt water. The polar bear exhibit includes 6,000 square feet (560 m2) of land and 1,600 square feet (150 m2) of water. There is a freshwater stream filled with fish during regular times. A "kids' cave" shows children and adults what it is like to be a polar bear. [38] [39] On January 12, 2015, three more juvenile wolves were added to the zoo after the passing of two of the female wolves. The new male wolves are named Loki, Lobo, and Tundra. [40] On December 1, 2022, it was announced that two cubs were born at the facility for the first time since 2012. [41]

Aviary

Front Entrance to the Aves Building.jpg
Free Roaming In the Aviary of Toledo Zoo.jpg

Located in the first room of the Aviary are the demoiselle crane, blue-throated macaws, Southern pudu, birds from the Amazon Rainforest, and rhinoceros hornbills. There is an Australian walkthrough exhibit where people feed either budgerigars or many of the other bird species in the room. This currently features birds from either Australia, Asia, or Africa, such as Victoria crowned pigeons, Gouldian finches, spur-winged plover, long-tailed finch, red-throated parrotfinch, Raggiana bird-of-paradise, blue-faced parrot finch, kagu, pheasant pigeons, Nicobar pigeon, scarlet-chested parrot, owl finch, star finch, pink-necked fruit dove, thick-billed ground pigeon, Luzon bleeding-heart dove, plum-headed finch, Pekin robin, crested wood partridge, great argus, bearded barbet, violet-backed starling, Madagascar buttonquail, emerald starling, golden-breasted starling, superb starling, and blue-bellied rollers. The children's area includes emperor tamarins, lowland pacas, southern three-banded armadillos, and Linnaeus's two-toed sloths.

The Rescue Roost

Bald Eagle Rescue at the Toledo Zoo.jpg

The bald eagle exhibit and rescue is located in the middle of the north side pedestrian ramp to the bridge. The first inhabitants had an injured wing and a blind eye respectively. [42]

Cassowary Crossing

Cassowary Crossing is located near the south-side ramp for the Anthony Wayne Trail Footbridge. The exhibit features the southern cassowary.

Ziems Conservatory

Ziems Conservatory is available year-round for guests to view and learn about plant life. It is also the winter home to the Galapagos tortoise. [43]

Flamingo Key.jpg

Flamingo Key

An outdoor pond area consisting of flamingos, Dalmatian pelicans, scarlet ibises, roseate spoonbills, white-breasted cormorants, and other local native and exotic waterfowl including a mudhen. [43]

Kingdom of the Apes

Gorilla at the Toledo Zoo.jpg

In 1993, the Kingdom of the Apes exhibit opened. It now holds Bornean orangutans and western lowland gorillas. The gorillas have Gorilla Meadow, which has an area of 0.3 acres (1,200 m2). The orangutan exhibit has a pool in the outdoor space and climbing structures. [44] Two chimpanzees, named Fifi and Harvey, used to be on exhibit at the Toledo Zoo. After the death of the chimpanzees from old age in 2009 and 2011, the zoo chose not to continue the chimpanzee exhibit. [45]

ProMedica Museum of Natural History

Opened in 1938 as the Museum of Science, this museum focuses on natural history. The Museum of Science closed in 2017 for a major renovation and reopened on May 31, 2019, as the ProMedica Museum of Natural History. A two-story tropical rainforest atrium that is surrounded by 30-foot trees, bushes, and orchids was added as part of the renovation.

The main-level exhibits include Ohio: After the Ice, Rivers & Streams, and Wetland & Lakes.

Ohio: After the Ice features dioramas of animals that roamed the land, such as woolly mammoths, saber-tooth cats, stag moose, ground sloths, giant beavers and American lions. Oak Forest lets visitors see life from an ant's perspective and features creatures that are hidden such as an American toad, red-backed salamander, ring-necked snake. Rivers & Streams features salamanders, an Eastern hellbender, and a touch tank containing lake sturgeon. Wetland & Lakes features a rotunda of creatures who live in Lake Erie including the common watersnake, sunfishes, minnows, American bullfrog, and Blanding's turtle.

The upper level focuses on venomous creatures and the exhibits on this floor include Arthodpods, Hall of Venom, Venomous Snakes, and Komodo Dragon.

The Komodo Dragon exhibit features two enclosures for the zoo's Komodo dragons. Arthropods feature tarantulas, velvet ants, black widow, walking sticks, beetles, and coconut crab. Hall of Venom features the Burmese vine snake, Gila monster, false water cobra, Paradise flying snake, ribbed newts, lionfish, stonefish and blue-banded sea krait. Venomous Snakes features such as the king cobra, black-tailed rattlesnake, Western diamondback rattlesnake, Arizona black rattlesnake, Russell's viper, variable bush viper, eastern massasauga, rhinoceros viper and Santa Catalina rattlesnake.

Nature's Neighborhood

Nature's Neighborhood is located next to the Museum of Science. It currently contains African pygmy goats, silkie chickens, honeybees, leafcutter ants, feathertail gliders, a tamandua, guinea pigs, crayfish, corn snakes, cockatiels, rats, macaws, an opossum as well as various cats and rabbits. The structure features are a Play Stream, Contact Yard, and a large playground. The area is designed with child safety in mind, featuring a "one-way in, one-way out" construction.

Penguin Beach

The Penguin Beach was built in 2014 and features African penguins and multiple species of duck including the long-tailed duck, Baer's pochard, spectacled eider, and the harlequin duck. This is an outdoor exhibit with a little overhead bridge and an underwater viewing area. This exhibit has produced multiple offspring since its opening.

Pheasantry

Located from the right of the Historic Carousel and north from the playground, this exhibit was built during the aquarium renovation to house kiwi but has also an outdoor viewing of many birds, especially gamebirds including the Elliot's pheasant, green junglefowl, Berlioz's silver pheasant, Mikado pheasant, Reeves's pheasant, Himalayan monal, Swinhoe's pheasant, and Edwards's pheasant. Non-gamebirds include the North Island brown kiwi, crested pigeon, white-rumped shama, tawny frogmouth, chestnut-breasted malkoha, spectacled owl, blue-faced honeyeater, Chinese hwamei, red-billed blue magpie, crested coua, mandarin duck, lesser bird-of-paradise, snowy owl, fawn-breasted bowerbird, laughing kookaburra, and the Australian magpie.

Primate Forest

Primate Forest Entrance at the Toledo Zoo.jpg

Located in the Main Plaza, this exhibit holds ring-tailed lemurs, mongoose lemurs, black-and-white colobuses, Allen's swamp monkeys, François' langurs, red pandas, and white-cheeked gibbons. Located near the Primate Forest is the aviary breeding center, which is home to cinereous vultures, waldrapp ibises, scaly-sided mergansers, crested guineafowl, kori bustards, white storks, capercaillies, and saddle-billed storks.

Reptile House

Famed Reptile House.jpg
Lizard at the Reptile House.jpg

The Reptile House currently holds 1000 species of snakes, lizards, and a saltwater crocodile. Behind it is a Native Ohio Species Area, featuring natural wetland structures and native turtles such as spiny softshell turtles and spotted turtles. Near it is a raptor barn and at the exit is an exhibit for red-footed tortoises and leopard tortoises. Former species include the Cuban crocodile, Burmese mountain tortoises, Chinese alligators, and tegus.

Tembo Trail

Tembo Trail Entrance.jpg
Art outside of Tembo Trail.jpg

Tembo Trail is located on the south side of the zoo and is one of the largest areas within the zoo. Tembo Trail currently features African elephants, hippos, North American river otters, grizzly bears, Tasmanian devils, meerkats, Bactrian camels, yaks, naked mole rats, and a Kodiak bear named Dodge. In the recent past, Tembo Trail has also featured slender-snouted crocodiles, spotted-necked otters, southern white rhinos, dromedaries, and white lions on loan from Siegfried and Roy. Tembo Trail exhibits an Indian rhino named Aashish who was acquired from The Wilds in early 2018.

One of the most famous exhibits within Tembo Trail is the Hippoquarium. The Hippoquarium houses the zoo's two hippos, which can be viewed underwater. The Toledo Zoo was the first to have such viewing of hippos and was also the first to film the underwater birth of a hippo.

Tiger Terrace

Tiger Statues at the Toledo Zoo.jpg
Worlds Oldest Andean Bear at the Toledo Zoo.jpg

Located near the entrance is an Andean bear named Nieve who, at 29 years old is the oldest recorded female Andean bear on the planet. It also includes Amur tigers, Patagonian maras, and North American cougars. It also holds maned wolves and dingoes that are located near the ramp for the Anthony Wayne Trail Footbridge. Former species have included white-naped cranes and sloth bears.

Snow Leopards

Snow Leopards at the Toledo Zoo.jpg

The exhibit features two connected mesh/chain link enclosures. The zoo's breeding pair have produced multiple cubs. A female cub, named Dariga, was born in October 2017. Another female cub, named Babochka, was born in May 2019.

Events and attractions

Aerial Adventure Course

Guests of the zoo can participate in various above-ground adventures in Africa! The Aerial Adventure course includes zip lining, a sky bridge, a quick jump, a flight line, and a challenge course. [46]

Located in Africa!, this merry-go-round is filled with hand-crafted African animals. [47]

Aquarium at the Toledo Zoo.jpg

Aquarium

Since the reopening and restructuring of the Aquarium, guests can participate in various interactive experiences, including live dive feeding demonstrations, a touch tank, and ocean lab. [48]

Aquarium Adventure Trail

Splash Pad at the Toledo Zoo.jpg

The Aquarium Adventure Trail is a newly installed attraction for kids to cool off during the summer months. It includes a splash pad as well as various other activities for children. [47]

Feast with the Beasts

An evening of dining and animal encounters, the fundraiser also includes an auction and the opportunity to learn more about enrichment and training for the animals. [49] In 2017, this event hosted 137 guests and raised $66,000 for the TZS. [8]

Garden Tours

The Toledo Zoo & Aquarium does tours with their horticulture staff to discuss everything gardening. They even include various workshops throughout the year. [50]

The Lights Before Christmas

Toledo Zoo Lights Before Christmas.jpg

The Lights Before Christmas is an annual event held by the Toledo Zoo & Aquarium which began in 1986, with only 70,000 bulbs and hosted just as many guests to the zoo. [51] Most summer attractions are closed, but all the buildings and trees are decorated with Christmas lights. It features over one million Christmas lights, a winter village including an ice slide and ice bumper cars, the Arctic Blast game, a new light show projected on the carnivore cafe, model trains from the Swanton Area Railroad, and Santa Claus. [52] The "Big Tree", an 85-foot (26 m) Norway spruce tree, contains over 35,000 LED lights and has been honored as being ranked in the top 10 Christmas trees to see. The main show, Dancing Lights, is near Cheetah Valley. It is repeated several times every night. It uses LED wide-angle mini lights that flash along with Christmas music. [53] All this is done using nearly 10 miles (16 km) of extension cords. [54]

Little Boo at the Zoo/Pumpkin Path

This event is held in October yearly for a family friendly Halloween celebration. There is trick or treating, special demonstrations, and the zoo is transformed into a Halloween wonderland. You can also see the animals enjoy the leftover pumpkins as part of their animal enrichment programs. [55]

Luminous Nights

Luminous Nights Display.jpg

Started in 2017, this fall event lights up the zoo with over 500 hand-made Chinese lanterns. It also includes cultural activities led by international students from the local universities. [56]

Medical Mutual Dart Frog Dash

This yearly run helps with fundraising for the Toledo Zoo & Aquarium as well as conservation efforts. It is a 5K race and a 5K fun run/walk, that takes place through zoo grounds and the surrounding areas. [57] The 2017 Dart Frog Dash had 2,100 participants and raised $62,000 for conservation. [8]

Music Under the Stars

Started in 1936, this summer program features various musical stylings performed by the Toledo Symphony Orchestra. It has had performers such as conductor Charles W. Roth, Jules Blair, Fred Seymour, Conductor Samuel P. Szor (who in 2000 celebrated his 48th year of Music Under the Stars), conductor Leopold Stokowski and more. [58]

Nature's Neighborhood

Award Winning Nature's Neighborhood.jpg

Nature's Neighborhood is a hands-on children's exhibit featuring both indoor and outdoor activities. They offer live animal shows, a petting zoo, climbing equipment and various other items to teach conservation and animal care to children. [59]

Once Upon a Vine

This yearly fundraising event is usually held in March at the Toledo Zoo, and includes dinner and a live auction to raise funds for the Toledo Zoo & Aquarium. [60] In 2017, the event had 135 guests and raised $63,000 for the Toledo Zoo & Aquarium. [8]

Safari Railway

Since moving the train from the south campus to the north, the Safari Railway allows guests an informational ride around the plains of Africa! exhibit. [47]

Summer Concert Series

Together with Live Nation, the Toledo Zoo hosts a summer series of concerts where well-known acts take over the historic Amphitheater. In 2017, over 18,000 people attended these concerts. [8]

Tower Ridge

Located in Africa!, Tower Ridge allows guests of the zoo, to hand feed the herd of giraffes. [61]

Wild about Art

This summer event is an annual art show available to all zoo guests featuring local and regional artists. [62] The preview to this event featured 115 guests in 2015 and the fundraiser brought $15,000 for the Toledo Zoo & Aquarium. [8]

Wine Tasting

Held in the spring, the annual wine-tasting event allows guests to enjoy various wine samples along with live music. [63]

Zoo Brew

Zoo Brew is an adults-only event, held in the fall, that highlights samples from local Toledo breweries. [64]

ZootoDo

ZootoDo, is one of the most anticipated events held at the Toledo Zoo & Aquarium. It is a black tie with tennis shoes affair offering live entertainment, house specialties, and more. It is a fundraising event used for conservation during the summer months. [65] In 2017, the event had 1800 guests and raised $240,000 towards animal conservation.

Conservation efforts

Tasmanian Devil Conservation Work.jpg
A Cuban boa gets a microchip from Toledo Zoo biologist. Cuban Boa gets chipped at Guantanamo.jpg
A Cuban boa gets a microchip from Toledo Zoo biologist.

The zoo has several projects around the world working with wildlife and habitats. Zoo employees run the majority of their research abroad, and often participate in expeditions. Some of the most prominent conservation programs are the Aruba island rattlesnake program, West Indian boa conservation, the Kihansi spray toad program (which served to restore a wild population that was declared extinct).

The zoo has a department called Wild Toledo, which focuses on local conservation efforts and scientific research. This conservation department works to re-introduce hellbenders to their native habitat in southeastern Ohio, release thousands of monarch butterflies for fall migration, rear the federally endangered Mitchell's satyr butterfly, restore native prairie habitat in urban Toledo, conduct research on the spatial ecology and population dynamic of several species of threatened turtles, conduct health assessments and vaccinations of local mesopredators, research the movement and presence/absence of native Ohio wildlife with trail cameras, conduct vegetation analysis on ecosystems around the region and work to support and restore native pollinators. Wild Toledo runs three summer field camps aimed at 10-13-year-olds interested in field research and conservation. Wild Toledo also has several partnerships with educational facilities within northwest Ohio where native prairies are installed and interpreted for students.

Animal Enrichment at the Toledo Zoo.jpg

The Toledo Zoo & Aquarium also currently works with the Association of Zoos & Aquariums as part of their Species Survival Plans, in which they breed animals and trade animals with other zoos around the world to reestablish the population of at-risk animals. The purpose of trading and only breeding certain animals is to maintain clean genetics as well as be able to control the population. [66]

Current conservation projects at the zoo include the Species Survival Program, Wild Toledo, as well as working in the Arctic with polar bears and the Steller's eider, working with Wyoming on a Wyoming toad effort, Reintroducing the Mitchell's satyr butterflies to Indiana and Michigan, working with Ohio and Mexico on the monarch butterfly, a Cuban boa project in Cuba, the Aruba Island rattlesnake program in Aruba, assisting Michigan with the piping plover, the Karner blue butterfly program in Michigan and Ohio, multiple projects in Ohio including hellbenders, native prairies, lake sturgeon, turtles, and the Kirtland's snake. Internationally outside of North America, the Toledo Zoo & Aquarium is working on projects involving the Kihansi spray toad in Tanzania, snow leopard in Kyrgyzstan, the scaly-sided merganser in China, the Tasmanian devil in Tasmania, kiwis in New Zealand, and Pacific Island birds. [67]

Accolades and awards

1999

The renovations of the Aviary received an exhibit of the year award from the AZA. [68]

2010–2020

Nature's Neighborhood received an Exhibit of the Year award from the AZA in 2011. [68]

The Knot.com named the catering and sales department in their Best of Weddings as Brides' Choice in 2012 and 2013. [69]

In 2014 the Toledo Zoo was named the Best Zoo in America by USA Today . [70] It was also ranked the #2 zoo in America by Family Fun Magazine , and also the 8th most family-friendly attractions. [69] Other areas of the zoo also received special recognition in 2014. The Knot.com named the catering and sales department in their Best of Weddings as Brides' Choice (3rd consecutive year). [69] In addition, the conservation staff was recognized by Solar Builder magazine, as Project of the Year, as a result of the solar panel array located on the north side of the zoo. [69] The Ohio State House of Representatives also honored the Toledo Zoo as the #1 zoo in the state of Ohio. [69]

2015 was another active year for the Toledo Zoo & Aquarium. Their Lights Before Christmas display was voted #2 best Zoo Lights Display in USA Today, as well as being named in the top 5 Most Beautiful Christmas Trees, for the decoration of their "Big Tree". [71] The conservation team was awarded the Public Agency Native Landscape Award, [72] and was named a standout in Ohio Tourism from Ohiotraveler.com [71] The renovations on the Aquarium also received the 2015 Build Ohio Award [73]

The Lights Before Christmas was named the #1 Zoo Lights Display in America by USA Today in 2016 and 2017. [74]

The zoo received an award from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife with the 2017 Wildlife Diversity Conservation Award. [75]

In 2018 The Toledo Zoo & Aquarium was named 7th on Ravereviews.com for having "weird animals" among 50 zoos in the US. [76] The Aviary and staff were awarded the Avian Scientific Advisory Group Plume Award. [77] The Lights Before Christmas "Big Tree" also was named one of the top ten travel-worthy Christmas trees to see. [78] The Toledo Zoo & Aquarium has also received the highest rating possible from Charity Navigator. [79]

Notes

  1. ↑ Toledo Zoo - Discover Toledo Zoo: "A Tradition Rich in Toledo History"
  2. ↑ "Toledo Zoo & Aquarium 2017 Annual Report" (PDF).
  3. ↑ "Currently Accredited Zoos and Aquariums". aza.org. AZA . Retrieved 21 January 2011.
  4. ↑ "Zoos and Aquariums of the World". waza.org. WAZA . Retrieved 21 January 2011.
  5. ↑ "BFCI Members and Contributors". butterflyrecovery.org. BFCI . Retrieved 21 January 2011.
  6. ↑ WAZA. "Zoos & Aquariums : WAZA : World Association of Zoos and Aquariums". www.waza.org. Retrieved 2018-11-05.
  7. ↑ "Currently Accredited Zoos and Aquariums | AZA". www.aza.org. Retrieved 2018-11-05.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Toledo Zoo & Aquarium 2017 Annual Report" (PDF).
  9. ↑ Ligibel, Ted (1999). The Toledo Zoo's First 100 Years – A Century of Adventure. The Donning Company. pp. 11–12. ISBN   1-57864-094-6.
  10. ↑ Ligibel, Ted (1999). The Toledo Zoo's First 100 Years – A Century of Adventure. The Donning Company. p. 17. ISBN   1-57864-094-6.
  11. ↑ Ligibel, Ted (1999). The Toledo Zoo's First 100 Years – A Century of Adventure. The Donning Company. pp. 22–23. ISBN   1-57864-094-6.
  12. ↑ Ligibel, Ted (1999). The Toledo Zoo's First 100 Years – A Century of Adventure. The Donning Company. pp. 24–28. ISBN   1-57864-094-6.
  13. ↑ Ligibel, Ted (1999). The Toledo Zoo's First 100 Years – A Century of Adventure. The Donning Company. p. 28. ISBN   1-57864-094-6.
  14. ↑ Ligibel, Ted (1999). The Toledo Zoo's First 100 Years – A Century of Adventure. The Donning Company. p. 30. ISBN   1-57864-094-6.
  15. ↑ Ligibel, Ted (1999). The Toledo Zoo's First 100 Years – A Century of Adventure. The Donning Company. p. 31. ISBN   1-57864-094-6.
  16. ↑ Ligibel, Ted (1999). The Toledo Zoo's First 100 Years – A Century of Adventure. The Donning Company. p. 34. ISBN   1-57864-094-6.
  17. ↑ Ligibel, Ted (1999). The Toledo Zoo's First 100 Years – A Century of Adventure. The Donning Company. p. 37. ISBN   1-57864-094-6.
  18. ↑ Ligibel, Ted (1999). The Toledo Zoo's First 100 Years – A Century of Adventure. The Donning Company. p. 39. ISBN   1-57864-094-6.
  19. ↑ Ligibel, Ted (1999). The Toledo Zoo's First 100 Years – A Century of Adventure. The Donning Company. p. 42. ISBN   1-57864-094-6.
  20. ↑ Ligibel, Ted (1999). The Toledo Zoo's First 100 Years – A Century of Adventure. The Donning Company. pp. 47–54. ISBN   1-57864-094-6.
  21. ↑ Ligibel, Ted (1999). The Toledo Zoo's First 100 Years – A Century of Adventure. The Donning Company. pp. 59–60. ISBN   1-57864-094-6.
  22. ↑ Ligibel, Ted (1999). The Toledo Zoo's First 100 Years – A Century of Adventure. The Donning Company. pp. 71–77. ISBN   1-57864-094-6.
  23. ↑ Ligibel, Ted (1999). The Toledo Zoo's First 100 Years – A Century of Adventure. The Donning Company. pp. 79–80. ISBN   1-57864-094-6.
  24. ↑ Ligibel, Ted (1999). The Toledo Zoo's First 100 Years – A Century of Adventure. The Donning Company. p. 82. ISBN   1-57864-094-6.
  25. 1 2 Ligibel, Ted (1999). The Toledo Zoo's First 100 Years – A Century of Adventure. The Donning Company. p. 89. ISBN   1-57864-094-6.
  26. ↑ Ligibel, Ted (1999). The Toledo Zoo's First 100 Years – A Century of Adventure. The Donning Company. p. 94. ISBN   1-57864-094-6.
  27. 1 2 Ligibel, Ted (1999). The Toledo Zoo's First 100 Years – A Century of Adventure. The Donning Company. p. 112. ISBN   1-57864-094-6.
  28. 1 2 Ligibel, Ted (1999). The Toledo Zoo's First 100 Years – A Century of Adventure. The Donning Company. p. 106. ISBN   1-57864-094-6.
  29. ↑ Ligibel, Ted (1999). The Toledo Zoo's First 100 Years – A Century of Adventure. 1-57864-094-6: The Donning Company. pp. 114–115.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  30. ↑ Ligibel, Ted (1999). The Toledo Zoo's First 100 Years – A Century of Adventure. The Donning Company. pp. 131–140. ISBN   1-57864-094-6.
  31. ↑ Ligibel, Ted (1999). The Toledo Zoo's First 100 Years – A Century of Adventure. The Donning Company. pp. 151–153. ISBN   1-57864-094-6.
  32. ↑ "FDA fines zoo, order's reporting". Toledo Blade. April 26, 2001. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  33. ↑ "Zoo eager to begin Africa area". Toledo Blade. October 24, 2001. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  34. ↑ Erb, Robin (May 2, 2003). "Oooh, baby! Elephant's arrival definitely a big achievement". Toledo Blade. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  35. ↑ Mester, Alexandra (March 6, 2018). "ProMedica to donate $3.5M to zoo's museum project". The Toledo Blade. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  36. ↑ WTVG. "Toledo Zoo tunnel opens ahead of holiday season". www.13abc.com. Retrieved 2018-12-05.
  37. ↑ Toledo Zoo - Our Animals and Plants: "Aquarium"
  38. 1 2 Toledo Zoo - Our Animals and Plants: "Arctice Encounter"
  39. ↑ Toledo Zoo - Our Animals and Plants: "Wolf Exhibit"
  40. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-07-01. Retrieved 2015-06-28.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  41. ↑ Sottile, Zoe (2022-12-10). "Toledo Zoo welcomes twin polar bear cubs". CNN. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  42. ↑ Toledo Zoo - Our Animals and Plants: "Bald Eagles"
  43. 1 2 "Visit – The Toledo Zoo & Aquarium" . Retrieved 2018-12-06.
  44. ↑ Toledo Zoo - Our Animals and Plants: "Apes"
  45. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-07-01. Retrieved 2015-06-28.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  46. ↑ "Aerial Adventure Course – The Toledo Zoo & Aquarium" . Retrieved 2018-12-05.
  47. 1 2 3 "Activities – The Toledo Zoo & Aquarium" . Retrieved 2018-12-05.
  48. ↑ "Aquarium – The Toledo Zoo & Aquarium" . Retrieved 2018-12-05.
  49. ↑ "Feast with the Beasts – The Toledo Zoo & Aquarium" . Retrieved 2018-12-06.
  50. ↑ "Gardens – The Toledo Zoo & Aquarium" . Retrieved 2018-12-05.
  51. ↑ Ligibel, Ted (1999). The Toledo Zoo's First 100 Years – A Century of Adventure. The Donning Company. pp. 142–145. ISBN   1-57864-094-6.
  52. ↑ "Lights Before Christmas – The Toledo Zoo & Aquarium" . Retrieved 2018-12-06.
  53. ↑ Toledo Zoo - Zoo Events: "Calendar of Events"
  54. ↑ Toledo Zoo - Zoo Events: "Calendar of Events" (Fun Facts)
  55. ↑ "Pumpkin Path – The Toledo Zoo & Aquarium" . Retrieved 2018-12-05.
  56. ↑ "Luminous Nights – The Toledo Zoo & Aquarium" . Retrieved 2018-12-05.
  57. ↑ "2019 Medical Mutual Dart Frog Dash – The Toledo Zoo & Aquarium" . Retrieved 2018-12-05.
  58. ↑ Ligibel, Ted (1999). The Toledo Zoo's First 100 Years - A Century of Adventure. The Donning Company. pp. 63, 64. ISBN   1-57864-094-6.
  59. ↑ "Nature's Neighborhood – The Toledo Zoo & Aquarium" . Retrieved 2018-12-05.
  60. ↑ "Once Upon A Vine – The Toledo Zoo & Aquarium" . Retrieved 2018-12-05.
  61. ↑ "Tower Ridge Giraffe Experience – The Toledo Zoo & Aquarium" . Retrieved 2018-12-05.
  62. ↑ "Wild About Art – The Toledo Zoo & Aquarium" . Retrieved 2018-12-05.
  63. ↑ "Wine Tastings at the Zoo – The Toledo Zoo & Aquarium" . Retrieved 2018-12-05.
  64. ↑ "Zoo Brew – The Toledo Zoo & Aquarium" . Retrieved 2018-12-05.
  65. ↑ "ZOOtoDO – The Toledo Zoo & Aquarium" . Retrieved 2018-12-05.
  66. ↑ "Species Survival Plan Programs | AZA". www.aza.org. Retrieved 2018-12-06.
  67. ↑ "Conservation Map". www.toledozoo.org. Retrieved 2018-12-06.
  68. 1 2 "Exhibit Award". www.aza.org. Retrieved 2018-12-05.
  69. 1 2 3 4 5 "Toledo Zoo Annual Report 2014" (PDF). www.toledozoo.org. Retrieved 2018-12-05.
  70. ↑ "Best US Zoos: 10Best Readers' Choice Travel Awards". 10Best. 21 May 2014. Retrieved 2018-12-05.
  71. 1 2 "Toledo Zoo breaks attendance record in 2015". Toledo Blade. Retrieved 2018-12-05.
  72. ↑ "Toledo Zoo Annual Report 2015" (PDF). www.toledozoo.org. Retrieved 2018-12-05.
  73. ↑ "Toledo Zoo Aquarium Renovation | Projects". Rudolph Libbe Group. Retrieved 2018-12-05.
  74. ↑ "Best Zoo Lights Winners: 2016 10Best Readers' Choice Travel Awards". 10Best. 9 December 2016. Retrieved 2018-12-05.
  75. ↑ "2017 State of the Zoo" (PDF). www.toledozoo.org. Retrieved 2018-12-05.
  76. ↑ Bratton, Michael (24 September 2018). "Toledo Zoo ranks as one of the best for "weird" animals". www.13abc.com. Retrieved 2018-12-05.
  77. ↑ "The Toledo Zoo". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2018-12-05.
  78. ↑ Seibert, Claudia. "Toledo Zoo's Christmas tree makes USA Today's 10 travel-worthy Christmas trees across the US". www.wtol.com. Retrieved 2018-12-05.
  79. ↑ "Charity Navigator - Rating for The Toledo Zoo". Charity Navigator. Retrieved 2018-12-06.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Houston Zoo</span> Zoo in Houston, Texas, United States

The Houston Zoo is a 55-acre (22 ha) zoological park located within Hermann Park in Houston, Texas, United States. The zoo houses over 6,000 animals from more than 900 species. It receives around 2 million visitors each year and is the second most visited zoo in the United States, surpassed only by the San Diego Zoo. It is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Woodland Park Zoo</span> Zoo in Seattle, Washington, United States

Woodland Park Zoo is a wildlife conservation organization and zoological garden located in the Phinney Ridge neighborhood of Seattle, Washington, United States. The zoo is the recipient of over 65 awards across multiple categories. The zoo has around 900 animals from 250 species and the zoo has over 1 million visitors a year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo</span> Zoo in Bridgeport, Connecticut, United States

Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo, located in Bridgeport, Connecticut, is the only Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)–accredited zoo in the state of Connecticut. The zoo includes one of the few carousels in the state. The zoo has around 500 animals, from over 100 species, and welcomes about 280,000 visitors a year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Association of Zoos and Aquariums</span> North American nonprofit organization

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), originally the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums, is an American 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1924 and dedicated to the advancement of zoos and public aquariums in the areas of conservation, education, science, and recreation. AZA is headquartered in Silver Spring, Maryland, and accredits zoos. There were 238 accredited facilities as of 2019, primarily in the US, and also a handful in eleven other countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium</span> Zoo and aquarium in Omaha, Nebraska, US

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is a zoo in Omaha, Nebraska. It is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums. In August 2014, TripAdvisor rated it the "world's best zoo", ahead of the San Diego Zoo and Loro Parque, based on an algorithmic assimilation of millions of reviews for 275 major zoos worldwide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oakland Zoo</span> Zoo in Oakland, California, United States

The Oakland Zoo is a zoo located in the Grass Valley neighborhood of Oakland, California, United States. Established on June 6, 1922, it is managed by the Conservation Society of California, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of wildlife both locally and globally. The zoo is home to more than 850 native and exotic animals and is a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cheyenne Mountain Zoo</span> Zoological park in Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States

The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is a zoological park located southwest of downtown Colorado Springs, Colorado, on Cheyenne Mountain in the United States. At an elevation of 6,714 feet (2,046 m) above sea level, it is the highest zoo in the country. The zoo covers 140 acres (57 ha), 40 of which are in use. The zoo houses more than 750 animals, representing nearly 170 different species, with more than 30 endangered species. The zoo was ranked the #4 best zoo in North America in 2018 by USA Today. It is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seneca Park Zoo</span> Non-profit organisation in the USA

Seneca Park Zoo is a 20-acre zoo located in the city of Rochester, New York, US. The zoo is home to over 90 species including mammals, reptiles, birds, amphibians, fish, and arachnids. It is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). The zoo is operated by Monroe County, with support from the Seneca Park Zoo Society. The zoo opened in 1894 in Seneca Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cleveland Metroparks Zoo</span> Zoo in Cleveland, Ohio, United States

The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is a 183-acre (74 ha) zoo in Cleveland, Ohio. The Zoo is divided into several areas: Australian Adventure; African Savanna; Northern Wilderness Trek, The Primate, Cat & Aquatics Building, Waterfowl Lake, The RainForest, Asian Highlands, and the newly added Susie's Bear Hollow. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo has one of the largest collections of primates in North America, The Zoo is a part of the Cleveland Metroparks system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ZooTampa at Lowry Park</span> Nonprofit zoo in Tampa, Florida

ZooTampa at Lowry Park is a 63-acre (25 ha) nonprofit zoo located in Tampa, Florida. In 2009, Lowry Park Zoo was voted the #1 Family Friendly Zoo in the US by Parents Magazine, and is recognized by the State of Florida as the center for Florida wildlife conservation and biodiversity. The zoo is operated by the Lowry Park Zoological Society, an independent 501(c)(3) charitable organization. The zoo also exists as a center for conservation of endangered wildlife both locally and around the globe. Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) as well as a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), Conservation Breeding Specialist Group (CBSG), the Florida Association of Zoos and Aquariums (FAZA) and the Florida Attractions Association (FAA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore</span> Zoo in Baltimore, Maryland, US

The Maryland Zoo — also known as The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore and formerly known as The Baltimore City Zoo or the Baltimore Zoo — is a 135-acre park located in historic Druid Hill Park in the northwestern area of the City of Baltimore, Maryland, with the postal address of 1876 Mansion House Drive. Druid Hill was opened in 1876 as the first major park purchase by the City under foreseeing Mayor Thomas Swann (1809-1883), and was later designed by famed nationally-known landscaper Frederick Law Olmsted (1822-1903).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium</span> Zoo and aquarium in Tacoma, Washington, USA

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium (PDZA) is the only combined zoo and aquarium in the Pacific Northwest, located in Tacoma, Washington, US, owned by Metro Parks Tacoma. Situated on 29 acres (12 ha) in Tacoma's Point Defiance Park, the zoo and aquarium are home to over 9,000 specimens representing 367 animal species. The zoo was founded in 1905; the aquarium was founded in 1935 near Commencement Bay and relocated within the zoo in 1963. Both are accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. In Pierce County, Washington, this is said to be one of the most popular tourist destinations, bringing in over more than 600,000 visitors per year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Calgary Zoo</span> Zoo in Alberta, Canada

The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is located in Bridgeland, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, just east of the city's downtown and adjacent to the Inglewood and East Village neighborhoods. It is accessible via Calgary's C-Train light rail system, by car via Memorial Drive, and by bicycle and footpath via the Bow River pathway. A large portion of the zoo is located on St. George's Island in the Bow River.

The Fort Worth Zoo is a zoo in Fort Worth, Texas, United States, and is home to 7,000 native and exotic animals. It has been named as a top zoo in the nation by Family Life magazine, the Los Angeles Times and USA Today, as well as one of the top zoos in the South by Southern Living Reader's Choice Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fresno Chaffee Zoo</span> Zoo in California, United States

The Fresno Chaffee Zoo is a zoo in Roeding Park in Fresno, California covering 39 acres and housing over 190 species. Its attractions include Stingray Bay, Dino Dig, Valley Farm, Sea Lion Cove, African Adventure, and Ross Laird's Winged Wonders Bird Show. The zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and is a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zoo</span> Collection of wild animals

A zoo is a facility in which animals are kept within enclosures for public exhibition and often bred for conservation purposes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Akron Zoo</span> Zoo in Ohio, United States

The Akron Zoo, officially known as the Akron Zoological Park, is a non-profit zoo located just west of downtown in Akron, Ohio, United States. The zoo sits on 77-acre (31 ha) of which 35-acre (14 ha) are occupied with by habitats, amenities, and support.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peoria Zoo</span> Zoo in Peoria, Illinois

The Peoria Zoo is a zoo located in Peoria, Illinois, in the United States. The zoo is owned and operated by the Peoria Park District and is open daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, and New Years Day.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adventure Aquarium</span> Aquarium in New Jersey, U.S.

The Adventure Aquarium, formerly the Thomas H. Kean New Jersey State Aquarium, is a for-profit educational entertainment attraction operated in Camden, New Jersey on the Delaware River Camden Waterfront by Herschend Family Entertainment. Originally opened in 1992, it re-opened in its current form on May 25, 2005 featuring about 8,000 animals living in varied forms of semi-aquatic, freshwater, and marine habitats. The facility has a total tank volume of over 2 million US gallons (7,600,000 L), and public floor space of 200,000 square feet (19,000 m2).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rolling Hills Zoo</span> Zoo in Kansas, USA

The Rolling Hills Zoo is a medium-sized zoo near Salina, Kansas. It is located in rural Saline County, 6.0 miles (9.7 km) west of the I-70 and I-135 interchange, and 2.5 miles (4.0 km) south of I-70 Exit 244 through the unincorporated community of Hedville. It houses over 100 species of animals in a number of exhibits. The zoo also includes a 64,000 square foot wildlife museum.

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.