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.