Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
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Zoo entrance
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| Date opened | 1927 |
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| Location | Powell, Ohio, United States |
| Coordinates | 40°09′23″N 83°07′06″W / 40.156266°N 83.118403°WCoordinates: 40°09′23″N 83°07′06″W / 40.156266°N 83.118403°W |
| Land area | 234 ha (580 acres) |
| No. of animals | more than 7,000 |
| No. of species | over 800 |
| Memberships | AZA,WAZA |
| Major exhibits | North America, Heart of Africa, Asia Quest, Shores & Aquarium, Polar Frontier, Australia and the Islands, and Congo Expedition |
| Website | www |
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is a non-profit zoo located near Powell in Liberty Township, Delaware County, Ohio, United States, north of the city of Columbus. The land lies along the eastern banks of the O'Shaughnessy Reservoir on the Scioto River, at the intersection of Riverside Drive and Powell Road. It has a worldwide reputation, largely attributable to the efforts and promotion of director emeritus Jack Hanna. In 2009, it was named by the USA Travel Guide as the number one zoo in the United States. It was also ranked number one best zoo in 2012 by Besties Readers Choice.
The Columbus Zoo is home to more than 7,000 animals representing over 800 species and sees over 2.3 million visitors annually. The animal exhibits are divided into regions of the world, with the zoo currently operating eight such regions. In addition the zoo owns an 18-hole golf course, known as the Safari Golf Club which encompasses 56.656 hectares (140 acres). The zoo also owns Zoombezi Bay which encompasses 9.187 hectares (22.70 acres) and Jungle Jack's Landing which encompasses 4.452 hectares (11 acres). In total, the zoo owns 234 hectares (580 acres) of land, with 164.424 hectares (406.30 acres) dedicated to the zoo itself.
The zoo operates its own conservation program, donating money to outside programs as well as participating in their own conservation efforts. Over the past five years the zoo has contributed over $3.3 million to more than 70 projects in 30 countries. The zoo also has a close working relationship with the Wilds, a 9,154-acre (37.04 km2) animal conservation center located in southeast Ohio and is featured on the Columbus Zoo's website.
The first zoo in Columbus, the Columbus Zoological Company (not affiliated with today's Columbus Zoo), was located in the north Riverview neighborhood of Beechwold in Clintonville. The zoo opened in May 1905 but closed for unknown reasons only five months later in October 1905. The former monkey house can still be seen on the property of 150 West Beechwold Boulevard where it is used as a barn. The zoo's original brick entrance can also be seen on North High Street at Beechwold Road.
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Wikipedia