One of the things we were really excited to share with our guests last year was the much-anticipated opening of Polar Frontier. This innovative and cutting-edge new area allowed the Zoo to bring polar bears back to Central Ohio for the first time since 1994. We were able to create a more expanded and enriching habitat space for our brown bears, Brutus and Buckeye, while giving us the opportunity to connect our guests to the fragile and beautiful Arctic Circle. Not to mention, it’s just cool to be able to create a space in Ohio where our guests can have the completely unique and thrilling experience of watching polar bears swim overhead.

Of course, I can’t mention Polar Frontier without extending a deep and heartfelt thank you for the generosity of Franklin County residents and voters who support the Zoo with a tax levy. In fact, it’s due to the dedication and support of our community— members, donors, businesses, partners—that we were able to create one of the best polar bear homes in any zoo in the country. When I look at Polar Frontier—and at the plans for the Zoo’s future—I’m always overwhelmed by the generosity of our supporters who make it all possible.

It’s the generosity of our community toward the Zoo that inspires us to give back to Central Ohio, too. We’re deeply committed to our community and strive to be a good community partner and leader. To pay forward the generosity we receive, we provide and participate in many partnerships and programs that help to strengthen the community. We provide special admissions programs, community and special event support, education programming at the Zoo and in the community, local conservation initiatives, and more. From giving free admission to Zoo visitors who donate canned goods to the Mid-Ohio Foodbank to providing no cost Zoo programs to underserved urban schools, we work hard to give back to the community we’re proud to call home. For more information on what the Zoo does throughout Central Ohio, you can check out our website.

A review of 2010 wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the adorable bouncing babies we welcomed into the world throughout the year, either. We were thrilled with the birth of a Western lowland gorilla – the 30th gorilla born at the Zoo; she and her mother are thriving and it’s absolutely heartwarming to watch her learn her way around and play with her family. We also welcome two (yes — two!) baby bonobos into our Zoo family, which are important births to the future of these rare endangered apes. And, with no offense meant to other babies, we celebrated the birth of probably the cutest babies by anyone’s standards—three North American river otters. And, if all of those bundles of joy weren’t enough, we also celebrated the births of four American flamingos, three markhor, two silver-leaf langur monkeys, and one tufted deer.

What means even more to me, though, is that these births are a crucial step in our Zoo’s conservation mission, ensuring a future for some of the world’s most endangered animals. But we don’t just work on conservation here on grounds – in 2010, we were proud to support more than 70 wildlife conservation projects in 30 countries. The Zoo and Partners in Conservation together awarded more than $1 million in privately raised funds to support our conservation partners; in fact, over the last five years, we’ve distributed more than $4.3 million in conservation grants. We’ve seen amazing accomplishments from these grants, too— such as the successful release of rescued chimpanzees and bonobos back into the wild from sanctuaries in their home countries. You can read more about the conservation work we support in the conservation section of the annual report and on our website.

Coming back closer to home, though, I want to again thank and emphasize the generosity of our donors, partners, members, visitors and neighbors that make all that we do possible. Thanks to them and you we have been able to continue our efforts to “Touch the Heart to Teach the Mind”.

Sincerely,

Dale Schmidt President/CEO of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Eastern Plains Garter Snakes Animal Care Eleven state endangered eastern plains garter snakes were released Significant Births and Hatches in 2010 bringing the total number of releases to 194 since the • 4 American flamingoes program was initiated in 1999. This is the first state program for a • 2 bonobos reptile species. • 3 markhor • 3 North American river otters Neotropical Migratory Birds • 2 silver-leaf langur monkeys Eighteen non-releasable songbirds were received from wildlife • 1 western lowland gorilla (representing the 30th gorilla rehabilitators and placed in the Zoo’s neotropical migratory born at the Columbus Zoo) songbird aviary. Since 1998 more than 200 non-releasable • 1 tufted deer songbirds have come home to roost at the Columbus Zoo and • Eleven Komodo dragons as a result of the Columbus Zoo Aquarium. sending a male Komodo dragon to the Los Angeles Zoo for breeding which resulted in 22 hatchlings. The 11 Komodo hatchlings were sent to six other zoos.This hatching was one of only two in the United States in 2010. The Animal Programs conducted a second season of Animals on Safari PROGRAMS summer and holiday shows. Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Four young manatees, all estimated to be about one and a half years of age, were transported to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in April. Three of the four were rescued in Florida after falling victim to the harsh winter resulting in a condition called manatee SECORE (SExual COral REproduction) cold-stress syndrome and one was hit by a boat. After recovery and SECORE is a unique initiative of public aquaria, zoos and marine rehabilitation at the Columbus Zoo two of the youngsters, along scientists that encourages and facilitates the open exchange of with a 15-year-old female, were released back to Florida waters knowledge and practical skills in coral husbandry and research, in the fall and another manatee calf was brought to the Columbus wild conservation, and particularly focuses on the sexual Zoo on the return flight. The Columbus Zoo was the first U.S. Fish reproduction of coral as the best method to preserve genetic and Wildlife Service Manatee and Rehabilitation Program partner diversity. SECORE also provides tools and information for coral outside of the state of Florida and is one of only two facilities livestock management for zoos and aquaria. In 2010 a marine lab outside of Florida to care for manatees. was constructed in Curacao in conjunction with the Curacao Sea Gorilla Surrogacy Aquarium and operates as a flow through and/or closed system to An infant gorilla, “Misha”, arrived in May after suffering serious rear coral recruits for subsequent outplanting into the wild. injury including the loss of her leg as the result of a skirmish Hellbenders within her family group at another zoo. She was relocated to the The eastern hellbender is widely regarded as a species in decline Columbus Zoo and Aquarium to be paired with an adult female and is listed as an endangered species in Ohio as well as a Species gorilla that would serve as a surrogate mother. The program in Greatest Need of Conservation in every state in which it occurs. included providing 24/7 care by the Columbus Zoo’s hand The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium collaborates with both the rearing team and raising the infant next to other gorillas until she West Virginia and Ohio Departments of Natural Resources, was introduced to her surrogate gorilla mom and other members the , several other zoos and aquaria, and field of the age and sex diversified “family” group. (Misha experienced Wilds researchers to re-establish Ohio other medical complications and died in March 2011.) The populations of eastern Columbus Zoo has been a forerunner in gorilla surrogacy and hellbenders. Efforts since 1983 has surrogate reared 13 gorillas including six from have focused on in- other zoos.

Bonobo Baby

Markhor Kids

Caribbean Flamingo Chick situ population and health surveys, establishing zoological based breeding programs, implementing community based Animal Health hellbender habitat conservation programs at key locations within • The C. Joseph Cross Animal Health Center received a generous the state, and developing the foundation for future experimental donation from the estate of Dr. Cliff Monahan to purchase a new reintroductions. ultrasound machine providing the capacity to perform comprehensive echocardiograms, among other diagnostic Freshwater Mussel Conservation and Research capabilities. Mussels are propagated and studied at the Columbus Zoo and • Two courses in zoological medicine at The Ohio State University Aquarium’s off-site Freshwater Mussel Conservation and Research College of Veterinary Medicine are given by the staff along with Center in partnership with the Wilds, U.S. Fish and Wildlife the veterinary staff at . Service, Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of the Wilds Wildlife and scientists at The Ohio State University. In 2010 • Monthly pathology rounds are ongoing at The Ohio State almost 1,500 northern riffleshell mussels were released in the University College of Veterinary Medicine to review cases and Big Darby Creek and 200 fanshell mussels were placed into discuss disease processes occurring at the Zoo. the Muskingum River. Each mussel was tagged with a passive • Collaborated with Columbus State Community College integrated transponder (PIT) to track their survival and movement. providing internships for veterinary technician students. These federally endangered species are considered premier bio- • Continued to receive expertise and assistance from medical indicators of good water quality and ecosystem health. specialists (both veterinary and human) from various disciplines Additional Research Projects (radiology, surgery, urology, oncology, internal medicine, etc.) The variety of research projects approved by the Zoo in 2010 • The Animal Health department participates with many reflected the diverse animal population. Columbus Zoo and research projects by providing tissue, blood samples or Aquarium staff led or participated in 26 research projects measurements taken during routine procedures. including collecting biological samples, conducting behavioral • For the third year, Columbus Zoo Veterinary staff provided observations, assessing reproductive variables, and evaluating surgical support for the USFWS radio-tracking research of nutritional data and husbandry techniques. spectacled eiders in Alaska to learn more about the sea- Inventory of Species Housed at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium going ducks migration habits.

Specimens Species/ SSP* Species • Began a project of in-house clinical trials of new sedation Subspecies techniques in birds. Mammals 500 123 37 • More than 4,300 medical entries in 2010 included over 900 Birds 380 136 13 blood samples, 1,300 fecal parasite exams and 300 radiology Reptiles 316 89 7 studies. Fish 4,582 166 1 Amphibians 66 11 1 Invertebrates 3,601 73 0 Animal Programs Coral/Anenomes 78 0 • Provided husbandry and enrichment to more than 150 animals. TOTAL 9,445 676 59 • Conducted 1,143 promotional programs. *Species Survival Plan • Assisted Jack Hanna with over 75 speaking engagements and public appearances. • Presented 321 outreach programs reaching 31,207 students. • Assisted in the coordination of the Jack Hanna’s Home for the Holidays television special produced by WBNS 10TV.

Komodo Dragon Baby

North American River Otter Pup

Silver-Leaf Langur Baby • Appeared on local and national television over 118 times. and funds for the rehabilitation and release of native Ohio • Operated the Animal Encounters Village for a second season. wildlife. The Zoo’s gift shop sold Ohio-themed merchandise generating $4,500 for OWC. • Collaborating with Grange Insurance Audubon Center, the Conservation Zoo co-hosted a lecture and book signing by award-winning • The Conservation Committee reviewed 90 individual proposals author and naturalist Sy Montgomery drawing 300 bird and awarded 70 grants to projects based in 30 countries. Over enthusiasts. the past five years, the Zoo has provided more than $4.4 million • The Zoo’s Conservation Committee created the Turtle in grant money to protect wildlife and wild places. Conservation Fund in recognition of 2011 Year of the Turtle. • The Zoo provides annual support to Amphibian Ark, The Zoo will work with long-term partners at the Turtle Conservation Breeding Specialist Group (CBSG), Human- Survival Alliance (TSA) to identify and fund priority Wildlife Conflict Collaboration (HWCC); International projects for freshwater turtles and tortoises around the Elephant Foundation (IEF), International Iguana world. Foundation (IIF), International Rhino Foundation (IRF), International Rhino Keeper Association (IRKA), Manatee Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP), Ohio Wildlife Center The Zoo continued support for Project (OWC), Pan African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA), Snow SECORE, an international collaboration Leopard Trust (SLT), Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA). to protect endangered coral reefs, and the work of Zoo staff members with Emergency conservation funds were granted to... threatened elkhorn coral in Curacao, • Provide critical care and infrastructure support in response Dutch Antilles. to two seizures of African gray parrots in Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo. • Relocate endangered yellow-headed temple turtles to Partners in Conservation (PIC) continued to provide grants assurance colonies in the U.S. and Europe after hundreds to conservation and humanitarian projects in Rwanda and the of turtles were confiscated in Hong Kong. Democratic Republic of Congo that included the following • Purchase food and medicine for a West African manatee results: calf that was separated from his mother during a storm. • Paid annual salaries for both a Rwandan and Congolese The calf was cared for in Gabon until he fully recovered veterinarian that provided field care for the endangered and old enough to live on his own. mountain gorillas. • The Zoo became a founding Platinum Level sponsor of the • Funded annual salaries for gorilla trackers and members AZA Ape TAG (Taxon Advisory Group) Conservation of anti-poaching teams. Initiative. The project creates a collective fund for ape conservation to benefit gorillas, bonobos and chimpanzees • Planted 81,871 trees as part of a reforestation project in in Africa, and orangutans and gibbons in Southeast Asia. DRC at the cost of 17 cents per tree. • The second annual Wine for Wildlife auction generated • Provided 2,500 Rwandan families with energy efficient more than $100,000 for the Zoo’s Conservation Endowment stoves which cost $3 per unit to produce. Fund and selected field projects including snow leopards in • Funded a livestock program for 235 men that gave them Mongolia, sea turtles in the Caribbean, and polar bears in an economic alternative to poaching. Canada and the U.S. • Provided annual • 2010 was designated Year of Biodiversity and the Zoo joined operating expenses with the Ohio Wildlife Center (OWC) to raise awareness for the

Sea Turtle

Sy Montgomery: Speaker for the 2010 Lecture Series

Rwandan Mountain Gorilla Ubumwe Community Center that enables physically and • Offered programs for more than 54,000 people. mentally challenged children to reach their full potential. • From Memorial Day through Labor Day, our 12-person • The annual Rwandan Fete raised a record breaking interpretive staff had over 200,000 guest interactions, $242,000. averaging about 16,500 contacts per interpreter. A complete list of field conservation projects supported by the • Scholarships valued at nearly $6,000 were awarded to 49 Zoo and more information about Partners in Conservation children in July and August programs. can be found on the Zoo’s website. • There were 326 teens in the ZooAide program who volunteered for over 82,000 hours. • Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration (CILC) announced the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium received the CILC Pinnacle Award Honorable Mention for outstanding educational Celebration of Giving Donor programming through videoconferencing. Of the nearly 200 Plaza and Fountain was completed in 2010. cultural organizations they support, only 25 achieved the Pinnacle Award and 22 an honorable mention. This award is based on teacher evaluation scores. • Zoo Day was held for participants in the Habitat Hollow After School Program conducted at various Columbus City Schools. Over 500 students and their family members visited the Zoo. Education • The 34 Adult Volunteers donated 130 hours of service to the New in the Education Department in 2010: Zoo. • Holiday break camps • Led two trips to Costa Rica; a teacher trip in conjunction with • Birthday parties Ashland University and a teen sea turtle conservation trip. • Learning is Wild scholarship • Twilight and Wildlights tours • Participated in Give a Day, Get a Disney Day. Each of the 485 • Chase Classroom Safari volunteers worked six hours for a total of 2,910 volunteer hours. • Guided walking tours • Worked with The Ohio State University to lead a Certified • De-lighters volunteer program Interpretive Guide workshop. Students who participated were • Keeper for a Day certified through the National Association for Interpretation. • ZooGooders • Coordinated a Why Zoos and Aquariums Matter workshop for • Smart Board technology in the auditorium all the Ohio zoos. Approximately 120 staff from the six Ohio • Newest Battelle Zoo Science Quest game, “Race Against zoos participated and about 50 zoo education staff members also Time” participated in a workshop the next day. The Columbus Zoo led • MYZOO stroller programs (now known as Zoo Tots) this collaboration of the Ohio zoos and the Institute for Learning • Moved the Zoo School classroom and the library to the Innovation. Battelle Ice Bear Outpost lower level • The Zoo Biology course, a partnership between the Zoo and The Ohio State University, occurred during January and February. There were 25 students in the School of Environment and Natural Resources who participated and 19 Zoo employees from a variety of departments taught the class. • We continued our partnership with Chase and Habitat Hollow After School was reorganized and became Chase Classroom

Chase Classroom Safari OSU Solar Decathlon House

Madagascar Tree Boa Safari. Under the previous grant, 230 students were reached per • Received the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission’s month. Under the new grant, approximately 650 students will be “Sustainable Growth” award, in recognition of the Zoo’s work reached per month. on incorporating effective strategies and projects to reduce our carbon footprint, save water, minimize our impact on the Planning and Design environment and promote such actions with our guests. • OSU Solar Decathlon House opened and was available to Zoo Polar Frontier was completed and visitors for summer weekend guided open houses. opened for guests on May 6, 2010. A new • Animals on Safari décor, theming and propping were added pathway was created to link the North to enhance the stage entrance, the lynx habitat, and to America region to Polar Frontier; the timber wolf yard was removed and a bull accommodate some additional animal “events” in the stage show moose/reindeer habitat added. In doing for the upcoming season. so, the existing moose barn was added to • Tunnel improvements included renovation, security gate and a and a façade was created to ‘dress-up’ the existing structure. new mural to improve the aesthetics of this space. • The planning firm, PGAV of St Louis, MO was selected for the Zoo Master Plan and Africa concept project. • In conjunction with the opening of Polar Frontier, the Zoo continued its commitment to sharing the story of polar bears in • Planning began for a new double-slide complex to be added to the wild through multiple means. We hosted world-renowned Zoombezi Bay in 2011. bear researcher and expert, Dr. Tom Smith, participated in • The design development phase was completed for the “Acres for the Atmosphere”, a tree planting campaign, and permanent security checkpoint at the crest of the hill on Jerry supported teams of local teenagers who participated in Borin Trace. energy-reduction awareness contest. • Work began for west perimeter fence project in response to • The Zoo is participating in a nine-zoo consortium to investigate roadway changes being made by the Ohio Department of climate literacy among zoo visitors. Transportation. • Provided interviews for filming of video segments for the Solar • Upgraded diver mask sound system at Discovery Reef. Energy Institute of America, focusing on the OSU Solar • A new aerial photo and survey were flown in spring of 2010 and Decathlon House and how saving energy helps polar bears. an electronically-accessible records management system is • Tested a street theater program during KidzFest and conducted subsequently being created. This is a multi-phased project that audience research to gauge our guests’ reaction to the will take a number of years to complete. presentation. • A traffic study for the Zoo’s south entrance drive was completed. • Over 4,000 signs were designed and created for use at the Zoo. • Converted headsets and electronic equipment to comply with • Design/decoration for Santa’s Wildlights Holiday Home. new FCC regulations. • Design/fabrication of golf cart covers for character ambassador • Developed a geothermal system that uses the heat energy within parades. the groundwater to heat and cool three buildings and all of the • Upgrading and content changes on habitat technology water pools in the Polar Frontier bear habitats. throughout Zoo grounds. • Upgraded Zoo warehouse lighting by combining energy efficient • Themed artificial habitat components, animal enrichment items overhead lights with Ciralight skylights; reducing energy costs, and themed region props. providing longer life lamps, reducing maintenance and reducing cooling loads in addition to providing intangible benefits that • Miscellaneous site and include the health benefits of natural lighting and improved landscape designs/ productivity. installations.

Battelle Ice Bear Outpost -Polar Frontier

Arctic Fox

Alaskan Brown Bear • Added surveillance cameras for animal birth watches. for our Zoo animals. • Colo Club and Wilds Society members enjoyed a sneak peek of Polar Frontier prior to opening to the general public, as well as, Philanthropy a private “Spotlight on the Cheetah” champagne brunch held at • Received a $202,500 two-year grant from JPMorgan Chase to the Wilds Mid-Sized Carnivore Conservation Center. establish the Chase Classroom Safari, a monthly school-day • The 2nd Annual Wine for Wildlife wine tasting and auction science program for underserved students at 11 different event hosted 300 people and raised $102,300 for the Zoo’s locations, including Columbus City and charter schools, conservation projects around the world. the Homeless Families Foundation, and St. Stephen’s Community Center. • Conceptualized and instituted the Experience Partner Program, and secured Nationwide Insurance and Pepsi as the first of six major partners. • Developed a comprehensive partnership with Nationwide The Community Relations department provided mapping, Insurance that makes Nationwide the “Official Insurance content and images for the new Partner” of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, the presenting websites for the Zoo, Zoombezi Bay, partner of Jack Hanna’s Into the Wild television show, and Safari Golf Club and Jack Hanna’s Into brings to the Zoo a new guest service program and provides the Wild. exclusive discounts to Zoo members. • Secured Pepsi as the “Official Beverage Partner” of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. • Received a $50,000 grant from Cardinal Health for ongoing support of the Amazing Adaptations, Totally Tropical Rainforest, and Ohio’s Wild Treasures assembly and classroom Community Relations outreach programs. Membership and season pass sales increased again. The Zoo • Received a $35,000 grant from the Green Foundation for and Zoombezi Bay combined ended the year with more than SECORE’s coral restoration project in Curaçao. 74,000 household members representing over 400,000 • Received a $10,000 grant from the Harry C. Moores individuals. A number of initiatives were implemented in Foundation to fund the pilot Learning is Wild field trip 2010: scholarship program. • Adding more payment stations at the membership/ • Created the inaugural issue of the Zoo’s Giving Catalogue, an season pass processing center. innovative tool for generating charitable gifts. • Going paperless by eliminating the need for the on- • The Zoo Fund raised $1.38 million from 1,287 donors in site guests to complete a membership/season pass support of the Zoo’s capital programs. form. • 777 donor members contributed a total of $488,737 directly • Aligning the Wilds membership categories with the impacting animal care, conservation, and education programs. Zoo’s and offering the ability to add the Zoo or Wilds to an existing membership for $75. •1,790 adoptions were made through our Adopt Program raising $104,227 to provide the best food, care and enrichment • Setting up membership/season pass up-sells and cross-sells to the website online store. • Utilizing social media to promote special offers including a three-day Christmas in July promotion that resulted in the sale of almost 500 Zoombezi Bay season passes.

TOUCH THE HEART TO TEACH THE MIND

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Giving Catalogue 2010 – 2011 2010 Giving Catalogue 2010 Wine for Wildlife Panamanian Golden Frog • Conducting another successful spring direct mail campaign. Human Resources • Unique wellness opportunities for team members such as yoga • Increasing the social media presence of the Zoo and at Discovery Reef and on-site Weight Watchers meetings establishing a presence for the Wilds was a major focus. kicked off a new focus on healthy living. Regular Facebook posts and Twitter tweets resulted in the Zoo ending the year with over 57,000 Facebook “likes” and • Partnered with community organizations to provide employment 6,000 Twitter followers. More than 2,600 people “liked” the opportunities and career presentations for inner-city youth, Wilds on Facebook and 600 people followed on Twitter. people with disabilities and special populations. Several engaging and informative videos were produced for YouTube and were also utilized in areas of the Zoo. • The Zoo was in the news in 2010 and 76 press releases were ZooGooders, our team member volunteer group, served our community distributed (all properties). by volunteering hundreds of hours at the Ronald McDonald House, Habitat for Humanity, the Ohio Wildlife Center, Marketing United Way and the Homeless Families • Started a new KidZfest event which drew more than Foundation. 22,000 attendees. • Added new elements to Wildlights including an opportunity to have your photo taken with reindeer, “Rodney and Wally’s Not • The Staff Advisory Committee created a new welcome crew to So Silent Night Holiday Show” and a sledding hill, to help set greet newly hired team members with a great first day and start a record attendance for this event at over 305,000 people. to their Zoo career. • Produced another holiday special with WBNS 10TV and • Focused on guest service training of staff and volunteers to increased the show length to a full hour. enhance the delivery of our guest service standards. • Wrote the Zoo’s first diversity and inclusion statement. With the success of Polar Frontier came numerous advertising awards, including: • Addy’s Judge’s choice (top honor) for best TV: Polar Friend Gold Addy: Advertising for the Arts and Sciences: Information Technology • Greatly improved online reservation and registration capabilities Polar Friend TV for our guests by consolidating multiple software systems into • Gold Addy: Elements of Advertising Special Effects one new unified experience across all facilities. Video/Film: Polar Friend TV • Implemented a new integrated entrance, retail, and food and • Gold Addy: Elements of Advertising Music Only: Polar beverage system for the Wilds to replace many legacy systems Friend TV that were creating operational and guest experience issues. • Gold Addy: Elements of Advertising Cinematography: • Redesigned the websites for the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Polar Friend TV Zoombezi Bay, Safari Golf Club, and Jack Hanna’s Into the Wild • Silver Addy: Advertising for the Arts and Sciences: to make them more visitor friendly, aesthetically pleasing and Invisible Radio (Polar Frontier) functional for our online community. • Silver Addy: Advertising for the Arts and Sciences: You • Completed numerous voice and data network look Delicious Airport Wall upgrades to allow for improved The Zoo also won Ohio Travel Association RUBY Awards for: availability and better and more secure • Best Brochure operations • Print Advertising: Polar Frontier

2010 Wildlights

2010 Award-Winning Zoo Brochure

Moose across the facilities. These changes included increased capacity • Expanded the Wildlights program into Polar Frontier. between many locations, larger internet connections for the • Added two additional cabanas in Zoombezi Bay. Central Ohio-based facilities and a new broadband point-to- • Reconfigured and improved the Blue Pelican area at Zoombezi point internet connection for the Wilds. Bay for guest seating. • Implemented a new teleconference solution to allow staff across facilities to more effectively communicate with each other and reduce man hours used to travel between locations. Revenue • Achieved $13 million in overall sales; a third straight year of record sales and the third year of $1 million sales increases over Facilities and Construction the prior year. • Asphalt restoration was completed around Conservation Lake • Developed a three year revenue growth plan to include facility and into the North America region. and equipment improvements, along with guest service • Completed Polar Frontier project including a new entrance from enhancements. the North America region into Polar Frontier • Implemented guest donation opportunities to further support and reconfiguration of the moose Zoo conservation efforts. yard and holding facility. • Increased food donation program to benefit Central Ohio charity organizations. • Implemented the initial phase of adding healthy food options and vegetarian menu selections. Installed three flux drive units in Manatee Coast and Discovery Reef to • Increased availability of non-carbonated beverage options reduce electrical consumption by 40%. throughout the Zoo property. • Replaced carbonated drinks in kids’ meals and added fruit juice options. • Increased merchandise selection of African artwork and handmade products to support humanitarian and conservation • Supervised the construction of the OSU Solar Decathlon House. efforts in Rwanda. • Replaced service gates to the pachyderm building. • Upgraded the Manatee Coast ozone system. • Replaced the HVAC at the C. Joseph Cross Animal Health The Wilds Center. Animal Management • First cheetah cubs were born at , with a total of nine • Replaced the freezer/cooler unit at the animal nutrition center. the Wilds cubs born in three litters. • Retrofitted the lighting in the maintenance area and warehouse • A research project was initiated to study the social behavior of and installed active sky lighting at the warehouse. the Sichuan takin herd at the Wilds. This work is part of a • Installed davit at the Australasia region boat ride. collaborative project with a Smithsonian post-doctoral • Replaced the carpet in Manatee Coast and Discovery Reef. researcher on the behavior and ecology of takin in China. • Worked with our partners from AZA and the Conservation Centers for Species Survival (C2S2) to evaluate conservation breeding program strategies to ensure long-term population sustainability. Anticipate implementing new strategies for the

Persian Onager at the Wilds

Sichuan Takin at the Wilds Cheetah Cubs born at the Wilds management of cheetahs and select ungulate species in 2011. • A national Conservation Innovation Grant was awarded by the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Conservation Education to demonstrate how prairie can be grown as a multi-use crop for • Education programs reached 7,704 students including Day bio-energy and diverse forage for livestock, while also serving to Ventures, Overnights and Youth Safaris. capture carbon in the massive root systems. • WildeCamp engaged 235 campers including 24 high school • Began a sustainable agriculture initiative with construction of a students focusing on conservation careers. new greenhouse to develop an on-site seed source for future • Hosted the southeast Ohio ‘Leave No Child Inside’ Call to restoration projects and grow fresh vegetables for the Wilds Action Rally endorsing legislation to connect children to the Overlook Restaurant. outdoors. • Seven peer-reviewed scientific articles and five abstracts were Conservation Medicine accepted for publication. • Two Persian onagers were the first wild equids of any species Visitor Operations to be born using artificial insemination, a project conducted in • Upgraded software for ‘point of sale’ systems and online collaboration with the Smithsonian Conservation Biology software instituted that allows for immediate live purchasing Institute (SCBI). capabilities for memberships, donations, gift cards and options • Continued collaborations with the Division of Wildlife and for ticketing and reservations online. Muskingum University to monitor bobcat populations on Wilds • Overlook Restaurant utilized approximately 60% locally property and to conduct disease ecology surveys of produced food in the restaurant. toxoplasmosis in bobcats and neosporosis in coyotes. • Purchased new recycling containers for all buildings and visitor • The study of health and stress assessment in translocated areas allowing for a sizable increase in recyclables collected. mussels continues in collaboration with the Division of Wildlife and The Ohio State University. • Major roadwork was completed on internal roads including five miles of chip’n seal work for the most heavily travelled areas. • Ongoing eastern hellbender research continued with a comparison of wild and captive hellbender health. • Visitor fleet was increased with the addition of two new open-air buses and two air-conditioned shuttles. Conservation Science Training • WildSide tours were a great hit in the first full season with three • The Conservation Science Training Center (CSTC) opened. WildSide trucks available for reservations. Poised as an ecological field station, this unique and innovative research and education venue is equipped with classroom, • Nomad Ridge reservations exceeded expectations for the first laboratory, office, and conference space, as well as on-site full year of operation. lodging for local students to world-renowned researchers. • First ‘Jack Hanna Day’ at the Wilds was a big success • Scholar Internship Program was initiated, a ten-week intensive training program designed to mentor the professional growth of undergraduate students. Zoombezi Bay Restoration Ecology • Zoombezi Bay’s third operating season was once again a • A competitive grant was awarded by the Ohio Environmental successful contributor to the Zoo’s bottom line. Zoombezi Bay’s Protection Agency (OEPA) to restore over 40 acres of sensitive EBITDA before activity with the Zoo was $3.7 million. wetland habitat and the surrounding woodlands. • 210 more lounge chairs were added to • Continued habitat enhancements for imperiled native birds increase seating capacity through the removal of invasive species in over 75 acres of by 15%. grasslands. • Two new cabanas

Cyclone at Zoombezi Bay

Slippery Seals, Sea Snakes and Sea Tubes Waterslides at Zoombezi Bay increased capacity by 15%. • Croctail Creek, the adult’s only lazy river, underwent a $100,000 renovation including a new pool bottom, renovated pumps and a new bar sound system. • The 15-minute break period was eliminated by instituting a new life guard rotation policy so guests were able to enjoy the wave pool every minute of operation. • Added another Dive-In Movie night (a total of five) coordinated with promotional activities featuring SpongeBob SquarePants and Rugrats. Safari Golf Club • Celebrated back to back record breaking years with 2010 total revenue in excess of $1.4 million to support the Zoo’s mission and operation. • Opened new outing pavilion.

Celebrated back to back record breaking years with 2010 total revenue in excess of $1.4 million to support the Zoo’s mission and operation.

• Hosted successful Zoo fundraiser, Jack Hanna’s Conservation Cup, for the third consecutive year. • Implemented and opened new food and beverage opportunity at the course mid-point. • Hosted Memorial Day Tournament Junior Golf Clinic with two tour players. • Worked with several middle schools and high schools to provide a home course for their golf teams.

Safari Golf Club