Media Kit 2019
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MEDIA KIT 2019 OVERVIEW The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is home to nearly 10,000 animals representing over 600 species from around the globe. The Zoo complex is a recreational and education destination that includes the 22-acre Zoombezi Bay water park and the 18-hole Safari Golf Club. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium also manages The Wilds, a 10,000-acre conservation center and safari park located in southeastern Ohio. The Zoo is a regional attraction with global impact, annually contributing more than $4 million of privately raised funds to support conservation projects worldwide. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Columbus Zoo has earned Charity Navigator’s prestigious 4-star rating. MISSION Lead and inspire by connecting people and wildlife. VISION The sustainable co-existence of all living things. SIZE The Zoo complex spans 588 acres, more than 200 of which have been developed as animal habitats and public spaces. The Zoo habitats are organized into six geographic regions: Asia Quest, Australia and the Islands, Congo Expedition, Heart of Africa, North America and Polar Frontier, and Shores. Heart of Africa, which debuted in 2014, is designed as a mixed species savanna spanning 23 acres. ATTENDANCE The Zoo serves as one of Central Ohio’s most popular family attractions and hosts more than two million visitors annually. Over the last five years, the Columbus Zoo has welcomed over 12 million visitors. ADMISSION AND MEMBERSHIP RATES In consideration of the Franklin County taxpayers who provide support for the Zoo, a non-profit organization, the Zoo offers these residents special admission prices and membership rates, weekly promotions, and educational programs for free or a reduced price. (Recipients must show proof of their Franklin County residence.) General admission: Children under 3 years old: Free Youth (ages 3-9 years): $16.99 ($11.99 for Franklin County residents) General (ages 10-59 years): $21.99 ($16.99 for Franklin County residents) Seniors (ages 60+ years): $16.99 ($11.99 for Franklin County residents) Parking is $10 per vehicle. Admission and parking is free for Columbus Zoo members. Prices are subject to change. Year-round promotions: Franklin County residents are admitted at half price every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Senior citizens (ages 60+) are admitted at half price every Tuesday. Military (active and veteran) personnel receive a $2 discount on admission for up to six tickets every day of the week. Recipients must show proof of military service. Educational group pricing: Admission for Franklin County school field trips is $3 per person. Admission for school groups outside of Franklin County is $5 per person. Free in-school educational programs are available for Franklin County schools with at least 30% of their students enrolled in free or reduced lunch. Membership: In 2018, a total of 83,427 households—representing 443,778 individuals—participated in the Zoo’s membership program. The Zoo offers five types of standard membership packages, with prices ranging from $59 for an Individual membership (admits one adult) to $169 for a Family Plus membership (admits two adults, their dependent children or non-adult grandchildren, and two guests). Franklin County residents receive a discount on Zoo memberships. Members get free admission to the Columbus Zoo, as well as free or reduced admission to more than 100 AZA-accredited zoos in Ohio and across the country; free parking; free subscription to the Zoo member magazine and e-newsletter; exclusive invitations to members-only events; priority registration for educational programs; and a 10-percent discount at the Zoo gift shops. Members also get discounts on Zoombezi Bay tickets and on membership packages to The Wilds. In addition to these perks, Gold members enjoy free rides in the Zoo and at Jungle Jack’s Landing, free animal feedings, camel rides and free admission to the 4-D Theater,* as well as admission to Zoombezi Bay when in operation. *Valid while operating and while supplies last. Some restrictions may apply. Complete pricing details and perks are available on the Zoo’s “Visit” page (https://columbuszoo.org/home/visit/get-your-membership/zoo-membership HOURS OF OPERATION The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is open year round, closed only on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. The hours are as follows: January: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. February: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. May: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (9 a.m. to 7 p.m. beginning May 25) June: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on June 15 for Zoofari) July: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. August: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. September: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 1-2) October: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Extended hours during Boo at the Zoo) November: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Wildlights Hours: 5-9 p.m. Sun-Thurs; 5-10 p.m. Fri. and Sat.) December: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Wildlights Hours: 5-9 p.m. Sun-Thurs; 5-10 p.m. Fri. and Sat.) *Hours are subject to change. GOVERNANCE The Columbus Zoological Park Association is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation. The 23-member Board of Directors meets bi-monthly to oversee the operations of the Zoo. A public Appointed Board that consists of 18 members administers the tax levy receipts received by the Zoo; six members are designated by the City of Columbus, six by the Franklin County Commissioners and six by the Columbus Zoological Park Association. It has a 125-member Association, and those members participate on the various Board committees. CONSERVATION The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium (Zoo) is a leader among professionally-managed zoological parks for wildlife conservation. As the Zoo strives toward the sustainable coexistence of all living things, the Zoo works with many partners to move the needle for conservation worldwide. Conservation is so fundamental to the Zoo that a portion of every admission ticket goes toward field conservation efforts. Funds are also raised from restricted donations, conservation fundraisers, and coins donated by Zoo visitors The Zoo awarded more than $973,000.00 as grants to support global wildlife conservation. In 2018, the Columbus Zoo supported 81 active projects in 42 countries. These projects will help more than 69 species around the world. While the Zoo continues to financially support a large number of conservation projects around the world, now more than ever, staff members are leading or participating in field conservation, breeding and reintroducing threatened species, inspiring and educating others, and making our facilities even greener through sustainable environmental practices. We are restoring wild animal populations such as lemurs in Madagascar, giraffes in Uganda, North American migratory songbirds, and corals in the reefs of the Atlantic. We are rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing manatees in Florida and reintroducing scimitar- horned oryx born at The Wilds to a protected area in Chad. Closer to home we are breeding, releasing, and studying important rare species like Plains gartersnakes, burying beetles, hellbenders, and freshwater mussels. For over 25 years, our Partners In Conservation Program has protected gorillas and other species in Rwanda and surrounding countries by working with local people to improve their lives so that they and wildlife can thrive. Even the Safari Golf Club is an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary! When visitors come to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, The Wilds, Safari Golf Club, or Zoombezi Bay, they are supporting these programs that make the world a better place for all of us. EDUCATION The Columbus Zoo’s Conservation Education and Engagement Department offers fun and engaging programs for all ages. In 2018, the Zoo’s education team offered over 1,500 programs to more than 500,000 participants. Such programs include preschool classes, field trips, summer camps, overnight outings, teen programs, adult and teacher workshops and more. Because accessibility plays an important role in the Zoo’s mission to inspire, the Zoo offers scholarships for many of the education programs. These scholarships are made possible through donations submitted directly to the Education Department. STAFF The Zoo’s staff is comprised of about 275 full-time and 25 part-time, year-round team members. The entire park (including Zoombezi Bay) employs about 2,000 seasonal team members. VOLUNTEERS Various volunteer groups work together to promote the Zoo’s education, recreation and conservation missions. The teen volunteer program, ZooAides, is for students entering eighth through twelfth grades. Their volunteer duties focus on customer service by assisting in the animal contact areas and with educational programs. Adult volunteers, ages 18 years and older, assist in the Zoo’s animal contact areas, including the Kangaroo Walkabout, Touch Pool, Reptile Lab, My Barn at Habitat Hollow, The Lorikeet Garden and the Asia Quest Aviary. Docents, who must be at least 21 years old, assist in the same areas. After completing an additional 64 hours of training, docents volunteer in regions around the Zoo to educate visitors on conservation, habitats and animals. Volunteer divers help maintain the cleanliness of Manatee Coast and Discovery Reef, as well as participate in public dives to teach visitors about aquatic diets. In 2018, we had 276 teen volunteers and 474 volunteers, who are adults (adult volunteers, docents and divers). ANIMAL POPULATION The animal care experts at the Zoo care for more than 9,500 animals representing over 620 species. Of these species, more than 34 are endangered and 11 are threatened, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services. RIDES, SHOWS AND OTHER ATTRACTIONS Some attractions require a small additional fee not included in Zoo admission.