History
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 W. Beechwold Blvd. where it is used as a barn. The zoo's original brick entrance can also be seen on North High Street at Beechwold Road.
The present Columbus Zoo opened in 1927 as the Columbus Zoological Gardens. The city of Columbus took over management of the Zoo in 1951, but later gave up ownership to the Zoological Park Association, Inc., a non-profit organization, in 1970. The city continued providing funds from the city's General Fund, however, until 1986.
On December 22, 1956, Colo, a Western lowland gorilla, became the world's first captive-born gorilla at the Columbus Zoo. At the age of nearly 55 she is the oldest gorilla in human care worldwide. Colo's family is now very extended, with 1 child, 10 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, and 2 great great grandchildren still living in zoos throughout the country. The Columbus Zoo currently houses 15 gorillas, 6 of which are related to Colo. Thanks in large part to the efforts with Colo, The Columbus Zoo has become a leader in breeding gorillas with 30 gorillas born at the zoo since 1956.
Jack Hanna became the director of the Columbus Zoo in 1978 and remained director until 1993. The zoo benefited greatly from his oversight, rising to national recognition during his tenure. Prior to his arrival, the zoo saw an average annual attendance of about 360,000. In addition, the animal facilities were in need of renovation. Hanna put an extensive amount of effort into turning the Columbus Zoo into a model facility, including personally picking up trash after hours. Cage enclosures were also removed during his time and replaced with more natural looking habitats. His enthusiasm, along with his national television recognition, helped attract more visitors to the zoo, with over 1.4 million visitors annually by 1992. Hanna was named director emeritus of the zoo in 1993, and continues to be the public face for the zoo in its marketing campaigns.
In 2004 voters passed a measure that would raise an estimated $180 million to expand the zoo over the next 10 years. The 120 acres (0.5 km2) expansion includes additional parking, Polar Frontier, an exhibit including polar bears and Arctic Foxes, as well as an African savanna. To make room for these new exhibits, bordering Powell Road has been relocated around the eastern and southern border of the zoo. A new entrance was constructed along the new roadway, which opened in early 2008. Long term plans include the possibility of a resort-style hotel to attract tourists along with its outdoor water/amusement park, Zoombezi Bay.
On June 28, 2009 Jeff Swanagan, the executive director of the zoo, died suddenly at the age of 51. Dale Schmidt, the zoo's Chief Operating Officer, was named executive director on November 20, 2009.
On October 18, 2011, Jack Hanna and 5 other zoo staff members traveled to Zanesville, Ohio when the man who owned Muskingum County Animal Farm set his animals free before committing suicide. While the Muskingum County Sheriff's office was ordered to shoot to kill, based on public safety, the zoo officials were using tranquilizer guns and were able to rescue six animals. One grizzly bear, three leopards, and two monkeys were rescued and transported to the zoo.
Read more about this topic: Columbus Zoo And Aquarium
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