Conservation at the Zoo
Coral Reefs on the Brink
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium staff has been a leader with regard to studying effects of coral growth in closed systems since 1991. During the past 10 years, the Zoo staff worked on methods to produce captive bred corals. The Zoo has been a partner in Project SECORE (SExual COral REproduction) for the past two years.
Mussels in Crisis
North America has the world’s most diverse freshwater mussel fauna with approximately 300 species, but it is one of the most rapidly declining animal groups on the continent. The Nature Conservancy recognizes 55 percent of North America's mussel species as extinct or imperiled compared to only seven percent of the continent's mammal and bird species. In 2002, the Zoo began a lease on a 32-acre riverfront property for the purpose of establishing a facility dedicated to research and propagation of freshwater mussels. Since its start, the program has released thousands of juvenile mussels into Darby and Leading Creek waterways. This past year the facility raised $185,000 in grant money towards these and other efforts involving mussel conservation.
Putting More Snakes in the Grass
In 1999, the Zoo, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife, and students from Westerville North High School in Westerville created a unique partnership to help conserve the Eastern Plains garter snake, Thamnophis radix, a state endangered reptile. Program partners conduct annual spring and summer surveys to evaluate the success of this recovery effort. Since 1999, 175 Eastern Plains garter snakes have been released to the wild.
Manatee Conservation
The Zoo opened Manatee Coast in 1999 as a partner in the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Program. Eight male manatees have been housed at Manatee Coast with four being rehabilitated and sent to Florida for release to the wild over the past five years. The remaining males were returned to Florida in August 2005 as part of the Zoo’s continuing role in the rehabilitation program. In 2006, three manatees, Dundee, Turtle and Gene, were released to the wild.
Following the return of the males to Florida, three females, Holly, Willoughby, and Stubby, arrived from the Homosassa State Park and Sea World in Florida. The move was designed to facilitate multiple research studies examining the significance of a recently discovered non-lethal papilloma virus that is specific to manatees. As a result, the Zoo has entered into an extensive multi-agency, multi-institution research initiative focused on studying various aspects of the virus. Through the new exploratory program, it is hoped that a successful resolution to the papilloma virus in question will allow the Zoo to return to releases, including the release of the females.
Coin Walls
Asia Quest
The Wild Asia Theater coin drop benefits Wild Aid, a non-profit organization dedicated to end the illegal wildlife trade within our lifetimes. All of the donations received by Wild Aid go directly to their field programs. Wild Aid graciously donated the use of their Public Service announcements to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, to be featured in our Wild Asia Theater inside the Naomi Coyle Dempsey Quest for Enlightenment Interpretive Center.
The Tiger coin wall is located in the viewing hut at the tiger exhibit within Asia Quest. By dropping coins in varying heights, guests will hear 3 different sounds made by real tigers! The funds generated by this coin wall are used to support conservation programs in Asia.
Pachyderm Building
Located inside the Pachyderm building, the crate is under the monitors showing elephant videos. The coin drop makes sounds to reward you for your donation! These funds support conservation projects for elephants and rhinos.
North America
Located near My Barn and the outdoor yard for goats and sheep, this coin wall looks like an ATM machine, but there’s a catch! You can put money in but you can’t get it out! A video screen also shows highlights of our North American animal collection. Funds generated support conservation projects for animals found in North America.
Manatee Coast
The coin wall located at Manatee Coast has raised more money than any of the other walls! This coin wall is located in the exit lobby, near the restrooms.
Voyage to Australia and the Islands of Southeast Asia
A coin drop is located inside Bob and Evelyn’s Roadhouse; this “pokey” machine has 3 spinning lines of animal parts – maybe your coin will be lucky enough to match together the 3 parts of a platypus! Funds from this coin drop are used to support conservation projects in Australia and Indonesia.
African Forest
A coin drop is located near the exit of the African Forest walking path. Visitors can choose where to insert their coins or bills to support conservation in central Africa.