Facts and Figures
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FACTS AND FIGURES OVERVIEW The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is home to more than 11,000 animals representing nearly 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 operates 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 $2 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. The newest region, Heart of Africa, 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. The Zoo experienced a record-breaking attendance in 2014 with 2.47 million visitors (not including the attendance for Zoombezi Bay, Safari Golf or the Wilds). 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 (effective April 1, 2015): Children under 3 years old: Free Youth (ages 3-9 years): $12.99 ($9.99 for Franklin County residents) Adults (ages 10-59 years): $17.99 ($14.99 for Franklin County residents) Seniors (ages 60+ years): $12.99 ($9.99 for Franklin County residents) Parking is $8 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 are admitted at half price every Tuesday. Military (active and non-active) 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 $2 per person. Admission for school groups outside of Franklin County is $4 per person. Free in-school educational programs are available for all Franklin County schools. Membership: In 2014, a total of 87,210 households – representing 457,971 individuals – participated in the Zoo’s membership program. The Zoo offers six types of standard membership packages, with prices ranging from $49 for an Individual membership (admits one adult) to $149 for a Family Plus membership (admits two adults, their dependent children or non-adult grandchildren, and two guests). Franklin County residents receive a $20 discount on Family and Family Plus 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 as well as admission to Zoombezi Bay when in operation. *Excludes camel rides. Complete pricing details and perks are available on the Zoo’s “Visit” page (www.columbuszoo.org/visit/membership-rates). HOURS OF OPERATION The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is open 363 days of the year, 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 23) June: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on June 20 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. 1-7) 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. It has a 125-member Association Board that meets quarterly. The 22-member Board of Directors meets monthly to oversee the operations of the Zoo. The tax levy receipts received by the Zoo are administered by a public Appointed Board that consists of 18 members; six members are designated by the City of Columbus, six by the Franklin County Commissioners and six by the Columbus Zoological Park Association. CONSERVATION In 2014, the Columbus Zoo’s Conservation Grants Program and Partners in Conservation awarded more than $2 million of privately raised funds to program support for 70 conservation projects in 30 countries. This money is raised from restricted donations, conservation fundraisers and coins donated by Zoo visitors. The Zoo participates in a number of conservation programs. One of these programs is the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership, through which the Zoo has cared for more than 20 manatees. The program offers an exciting second chance for manatees found struggling in the wild to grow strong under human care and be released back into Florida waters. The Zoo also participates in Species Survival Plans (SSP) for various species, one of which is for the western lowland gorilla. Through the SSP, the Zoo strives to maintain a sustainable population of these endangered great apes in North America. After famously raising the world’s first gorilla to be born in human care, Colo, the Zoo has become internationally recognized for caring for gorillas in social groups. The Zoo has also become a leader in the gorilla surrogacy program, successfully finding families for young gorillas that were abandoned by their birth mothers. EDUCATION AND OUTREACH The Columbus Zoo Education Department offers fun and engaging programs for all ages. In 2014, the Zoo’s education team offered more than 2,000 programs to more than 300,000 participants. Such programs include preschool classes, field trips, summer camps, overnight outings, scout and 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. by people who donate directly to the Zoo’s Education Department, as well as the Mel Dodge Fund, which is dedicated specifically to children who are otherwise unable to attend the classes. STAFF The Zoo’s staff is comprised of about 260 full-time and 20 year-round part-time team members. The entire park (including Zoombezi Bay) employs about 2,070 seasonal team members. VOLUNTEERS Various volunteer groups work together to promote the Zoo’s education, recreation and conservation missions. Docents, who must be at least 21 years old and who are required to complete a nine-week training program, educate visitors and conduct scheduled tours of the Zoo. Adult volunteers, ages 18 years and older, assist in the Zoo’s animal contact areas, including the Kangaroo Walkabout, Touch Pool, Reptile Keeper Lab, My Barn at Habitat Hollow, and the lorikeet and Asia Quest aviaries. The teen volunteer program, ZooAides, focuses on customer service by assisting in the animal contact areas and with educational programs. ANIMAL POPULATION The animal care experts at the Zoo care for more than 11,000 animals representing nearly 600 species. Of these species, about 30 are endangered and about a dozen are threatened. RIDES, SHOWS AND OTHER ATTRACTIONS Some attractions require a small additional fee not included in Zoo admission. Zoo-It-All wristbands, which provide unlimited daily access to all but the camel rides, are available for purchase. Rides and shows are seasonal and available weather permitting. Pirate Island Making its debut in 2015, Pirate Island puts a new spin on the popular seasonal boat tour through the Australia and the Islands region. At Pirate Island, the animals are the treasures – and they are in danger of being exploited by a menacing band of “Purple Pillagers.” Fortunately, the green “Pirates of the Planet” have come to the rescue. The experience takes guests through an epic battle involving dozens of realistic animatronic pirates, expertly crafted by The ScareFactory, a Columbus company. Unlike the Dinosaur Island boat ride attraction, the Pirate Island characters are owned by the Zoo and will serve purposes beyond the boat ride attraction. Pirate Island is open from 9 a.m. until the Zoo closes, from mid-May to Labor Day and on weekends through October.