Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

The Wilds goes international! ??

Did you know the rockwork in our new North America Trek region was hand-painted by local artists? Or that the new otter habitat will have adjustable water flow to reflect a river after a rainstorm? Or that the new region entrance arch was inspired by our own national parks? We've compiled some incredible facts about the making of North America Trek, from the eyes of our construction, design, and horticulture teams. Get inspired here: https://lnkd.in/gxYrGfyw

As we continue to lean into learning for Women’s History Month and National Development Disabilities Awareness Month, we had the opportunity to have an open, honest virtual conversation with the founder, board members and staff from Zoos and Aquariums for a Neurodiverse Ecosystem- ZANE. ZANE is an organization working to foster genuine inclusion and belonging for all zoo and aquarium professionals, no matter their neuro-identity. ZANE strives to advocate for embracing the unique perspectives of neurodiversity to advance the conservation mission and community impact of zoos and aquariums. ? Grayson Ponti, Tiffany James, Taylor Gilley, and JJ McCleod masterfully spoke about neuro-identities and how those identities may show up differently in women. This session resulted in many “ah-ha” moments. A few takeaways: ? Ask the question versus assuming – and, when you make a mistake, apologize and move on. ? Neuro-identities can occur and be diagnosed at any point in someone’s life – what was considered “normal” for someone today may look like a new “normal” tomorrow. ? Your neuro-identity is no less than anyone else’s – each person should be seen, heard, and accommodated. ? Normalize the conversation – build/create trust and safety by taking about this. ? Much appreciation to panelists from ZANE – our team members are grateful for your advocacy and impact!

Yesterday, we had the pleasure of hearing Fanny Minesi's insight and story for Women's History Month! Fanny grew up in the Democratic Republic of the Congo where she now directs Friends of Bonobos of Congo (ABC), a 30-year-old non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the endangered bonobo and their rainforest home. She manages over 150 staff members between Lola ya Bonobo, the world’s only bonobo sanctuary and environmental education center, and Ekolo ya Bonobo, a 120,000-acre community reserve in the heart of the rainforest. Ms. Minesi is a passionate leader of community-based conservation, women's empowerment, and environmental justice in Congo. In fact, she received the 2023 "Tusk Award for Conservation" in Africa! Amongst the many “gems’ she shared with our team, the connection to our mission, "Empowering People. Saving Wildlife.", was very clear. When asked the question, “What can WE do?”, she said that shared goals and values inevitably lead to making an impact. These shared goals, values and impact can be achieved when we: ? Listen – when we listen to people, we learn a lot ? Have patience – taking time will lead to the right things happening ? Respect ourselves and each other We were so fortunate that she chose to spend some time with us and know that our collective support of each other as people will results in supporting the global conservation mission!

In case you missed our announcement last August… we have elephant-size updates on the horizon! The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is eagerly preparing for not just one, but TWO baby Asian elephants to arrive this year—one this summer and another later in the fall. This marks the first time in our history that two elephant moms are expecting at the same time, and we couldn’t be more excited! This moment is exactly why we expanded the elephant habitat this past year—creating more space for multigenerational herds to thrive. These two calves will learn from each other, just like they would in their native range, gaining critical social skills from each other and the rest of the herd. And when you visit, you’ll get to witness these special bonds forming firsthand! More than just a Zoo milestone, these births represent a significant step for Asian elephant conservation. With wild populations facing habitat loss and other challenges, every birth in an accredited conservation program, like ours, helps secure a future for this endangered species. In fact, the Columbus Zoo is proud to be a leader in the IUCN SSC: Asian Elephant Specialist Group, working alongside global experts to protect elephants in their native ranges. By visiting the Zoo, you’re directly supporting this work. Your visit helps fund conservation programs, ensures top-quality care for our elephants, and gives you a chance to connect with these incredible animals up close. Stay tuned for weekly updates leading up to the first birth—this is a journey you won’t want to miss! ?? ??

"Imagine a place where your passion for wildlife, conservation, and community comes to life every single day. That’s what our incredible team creates at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, The Wilds, Zoombezi Bay, and Safari Golf Club. Today, on Employee Appreciation Day, I want to take a moment to personally thank each and every one of you—our year-round staff, our seasonal team members, and everyone who makes this place extraordinary. The care you put into every guest interaction, every habitat, every conservation effort, and every task that supports our team members and daily operations doesn’t go unnoticed. You are the heartbeat of this organization and bring smiles to families, inspire future conservationists, and provide world-class care to the animals who call this place home. Because of you, these are places where memories are made, curiosity is sparked, and real change for wildlife happens every day. If you’ve ever thought about joining a team where your work truly makes an impact, this is your sign. We’re always looking for passionate individuals to be part of something bigger. To our team—thank you, from the bottom of our hearts. We celebrate you today and every day!" ~ Tom Schmid, President and CEO

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium + SSA Group = A great time at the Columbus Metropolitan Library's recent job fair! Thanks for inviting us to connect with local high school and college students. Both Zoo and SSA jobs can be found on our website: https://lnkd.in/geJntzd5

Please join us in congratulating Nikki Smith, Curator of the North America region, on not one but two incredible professional achievements! Nikki has been appointed as a Chair of the Bear Taxon Advisory Group (TAG), an important group within the Association of Zoos and Aquariums dedicated to supporting bear conservation worldwide. Bear TAG works to develop sustainable population management programs, create educational curriculum, support research, pioneer wellbeing standards, and advocate for bear conservation. In addition to this remarkable achievement, Nikki has also joined the Board of Trustees of the Ohio Wildlife Center. In her role on the Board, Nikki will provide strategic direction and organizational oversight, furthering the Center's mission to protect and rehabilitate local wildlife. These well-deserved recognitions speak to Nikki’s dedication to wildlife conservation on both national and local levels, as well as her commitment to professional growth. By collaborating with leaders from other organizations across Ohio and the nation, Nikki will bring valuable insights back to our team, helping us to further our mission, “Empowering People. Saving Wildlife.” We are proud of Nikki for representing our organization and for her continued contributions to protecting wildlife. Congratulations, Nikki!

Ever wonder how the staff at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium helps maintain the dental health of our animals? Just like people, animals need dental care too! ?? At the Columbus Zoo, we ensure our animals’ teeth remain healthy through a variety of methods tailored to each species. These methods include: ?? Natural diets: We create diets that not only ensure optimal nutrition and overall health but also promote dental health! For example, gorillas and giraffes receive plenty of browse and vegetation to help clean their teeth, while rodents get high-fiber diets to naturally wear down their continuously growing teeth. Additionally, carnivores receive bones to help keep their teeth healthy and strong. ?? Open mouth training: Many Zoo animals are trained to voluntarily open their mouths when requested, allowing the Animal Care and Veterinary teams to perform detailed dental examinations and catch issues early. Brushing and rinsing: Some animals allow us to brush their teeth with special brushes. Gorillas even rinse their mouths with an oral rinse, just like you do at home! ?? Tusk Care: Elephant tusks are modified incisors that grow continuously and are made of dentin, the same material inside human teeth. To care for their tusks, our elephants, like Frankie, are trained for voluntary tusk radiographs and trims. ?? Medical procedures: When necessary, dental procedures are performed under anesthesia. This can include anything from routine cleanings to more complex treatments like root canals, often with the help of veterinary dental specialists. On this National Dentist Day, we celebrate the dedication of our amazing Zoo staff and veterinary dental specialists who keep our animals' smiles bright and healthy!

Congratulations to The Wilds! Their much-anticipated camping experience just opened up for guest registration.