tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32363107576928758422026-07-07T13:43:03.413-07:00Welcome to Zoo Tails! The internet resource for zoos around the world including pictures, video, reviews, news, construction updates, and more. If you're an animal lover then you've come to the right place! Unofficial guide to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15585454339530843458noreply@blogger.comBlogger223125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3236310757692875842.post-32778261736523843092025-03-13T19:50:00.000-07:002025-03-13T19:51:31.626-07:00

Design Your Own Zoo is a fun and interactive drawing journal for kids and creative minds who love to draw animals, design habitats, and imagine their own amazing zoo.Encourages Creativity – Inspires kids and adults to dream up unique zoo designs, habitats, and attractions.Fun for All Ages – Perfect for kids, teens, and even adults who love to draw, plan, and imagine.No Wrong Answers – Whether

Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15585454339530843458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3236310757692875842.post-10703762906852462132018-03-06T18:25:00.003-08:002018-03-06T18:25:42.709-08:00

Looks like the new seal world exhibit at the Columbus Zoo is now part of an area called Adventure Cove and we finally have our first overhead rendering. Below are some construction pictures from February 2018. Here's an overhead view from Google maps before the construction began: Overlay of the plans:

Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15585454339530843458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3236310757692875842.post-88062718575211033772017-10-27T18:51:00.000-07:002017-10-27T18:51:11.854-07:00

Construction for the new sea lion and Wild World area set to open in 2019 at the Columbus Zoo has officially broken ground. The paths to get to Jungle Jack's Landing have been walled off. The former Funnel Cake building and the Animal Encounters Village looked to have been leveled. The construction is already having an effect on some of the events at the zoo. Last year, there

Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15585454339530843458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3236310757692875842.post-82738684803400027232017-06-18T06:44:00.002-07:002017-06-18T06:44:33.328-07:00

Back in 2014, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium released some amazing looking long term plans that would see almost every region of the zoo transformed and improved. After the levy failed to pass, it seemed like all of these plans was put on hold indefinitely. That is until the past week when it was announced that sea lions would be coming to Columbus in 2019. But first, let's review some of those

Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15585454339530843458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3236310757692875842.post-74743640317997859332017-05-30T18:38:00.001-07:002017-05-30T18:38:12.102-07:00

Noticed a little construction outside of the Columbus Zoo the other day. Anyone have any idea what this is for? For sure not related to any animal exhibits. Probably some new admin building, tent or shade structure. Maybe even lockers outside of the park.

Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15585454339530843458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3236310757692875842.post-21894788489033757142016-11-21T18:30:00.001-08:002016-11-21T18:30:53.578-08:00

The Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo are back and better than ever! I took the video below during the member preview night. Wait until you see the sloth bear...

Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15585454339530843458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3236310757692875842.post-60044208323916001442016-05-16T18:52:00.000-07:002016-05-16T18:52:15.763-07:00

Experience the African Safari Wildlife Park in Port Clinton, Ohio where random animals (mostly from North America, not Africa) stick their heads into your car looking for food. Car wash not included. On one hand, I feel bad about paying for a ticket because I don't know how well the animals are cared for. And they’re not wild animals anymore, they don’t act or behave like wild animals. But

Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15585454339530843458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3236310757692875842.post-9363764888760591542016-03-26T20:27:00.000-07:002016-03-26T20:27:14.418-07:00

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is adding a new 4D theater attraction as well as an interactive playground. The area will be known as the Shores Park. See renderings of the plans and construction pictures below.

Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15585454339530843458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3236310757692875842.post-36048328509569708502016-02-22T20:50:00.001-08:002016-02-22T20:50:10.077-08:00

Hawaiian goose have been added to the flamingo exhibit at the Columbus Zoo. Pictured below is the new sign. I've also heard the sun bears are going to be phased out. Can anyone confirm?

Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15585454339530843458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3236310757692875842.post-982756047137932262015-11-22T05:23:00.000-08:002015-11-22T05:23:35.589-08:00

A few weeks ago we visited Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies, our second visit since the first in 2013. My thoughts from last time remain pretty much unchanged as the only difference at the aquarium was swapping out the dinosaur exhibit for "Swarm". It was fun taking our son and seeing his reactions. Check out the Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies 2015 map below:

Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15585454339530843458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3236310757692875842.post-90271832839442212482015-11-21T19:47:00.001-08:002015-11-21T19:47:50.711-08:00

This Thursday was the start of Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo. New this year is three different light dancing light shows: two alternating shows around the central lake and a new one in the Shores region. Check out some highlights by watching the Wildlights 2015 video below:

Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15585454339530843458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3236310757692875842.post-83307595538848463172015-07-20T16:42:00.004-07:002015-07-20T16:42:50.920-07:00

A couple videos from the Columbus Zoo this summer, including the Pirate Island Boat Ride:

Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15585454339530843458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3236310757692875842.post-34753646867134429762015-05-17T19:37:00.002-07:002015-05-17T19:37:55.868-07:00

Pictured below is the 2015 Columbus Zoo map. Heart of Africa is open for the season but meerkats have not been added like previously rumored. Robot dinosaurs have been replaced by robot pirates around the boat ride in Voyage to the Islands area. The pony rides have been moved to the top of Bison Hill and a cow has taken up residence in the old pony ride area.

Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15585454339530843458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3236310757692875842.post-46178080047971956602014-06-02T08:00:00.000-07:002014-06-02T08:00:01.528-07:00

Are Columbus Zoo: Heart of Africa series continues with a look at the vervet monkeys. These monkeys have taken over Jack Hanna's base camp. There are 27 vervet monkeys kept in three different groups. The zoo keepers can use different setups to keep the exhibit fresh and interesting for visitors and monkeys alike. Watch the vervet monkeys wreck havoc on Jack's camp below: We'll have a

Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15585454339530843458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3236310757692875842.post-66879019089183435442014-05-28T11:30:00.000-07:002014-05-28T11:30:00.650-07:00

In the next several posts I’ll be taking a look at several of the highlights of the Heart of Africa in the Columbus Zoo. The main cheetah exhibit is a bit of a letdown after the fantastic lion exhibit. It looks a bit small and viewing is only through glass or a net.  However, several times a day the cheetahs are let loose in the neighboring watering hole enclosure and this is where the

Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15585454339530843458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3236310757692875842.post-42413250893792514562014-05-26T13:00:00.000-07:002014-05-26T13:00:00.038-07:00

In the next several posts I’ll be taking a look at several of the highlights of the Heart of Africa in the Columbus Zoo.The giraffes have finally made their return to the Columbus Zoo and there are now eleven of them that call the savanna home. It appears as though they have been split up into two groups: one occupies the enclosure where the feeding platform is while the other group roams free

Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15585454339530843458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3236310757692875842.post-15170861453590921492014-05-22T18:10:00.001-07:002014-05-22T18:10:28.795-07:00

In the next several posts I’ll be taking a look at several of the highlights of the Heart of Africa in the Columbus Zoo. The stars of the new region are by far the African Lions. Their new exhibit is far superior to their old, netted one next to Riverside Drive. There are multiple viewing areas to see the three majestic cats: from inside the new restaurant, open air across the moat, and through

Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15585454339530843458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3236310757692875842.post-44189151776448164652014-05-13T05:00:00.000-07:002014-05-13T05:00:01.803-07:00

In anticipation of the opening of the Columbus Zoo’s new region, Heart of Africa, on May 22nd I thought I would take a moment to look back on the past plans for the exhibit. An African savanna has been part of the zoo’s masterplan for more than a decade. The name, species, and scale of the region have all evolved over the years. I’ll wait until I visit to judge the final product but it seems as

Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15585454339530843458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3236310757692875842.post-3990202406504065232014-05-09T19:05:00.000-07:002014-05-09T19:05:01.360-07:00

It’s Heart of Africa month here at Zoo Tails! We’re excited for the biggest expansion to the Columbus Zoo in years. To celebrate the opening in a few weeks we’re going to do a few posts before and after the new region opens. Today, we’re going to look back at some old pictures from the Columbus Zoo. Giraffes, zebras, and cheetahs will be making a return to the zoo after a long absence. What

Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15585454339530843458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3236310757692875842.post-31026577924525709282014-04-06T13:46:00.001-07:002014-04-06T13:46:58.594-07:00

While there's been no official word from the Columbus Zoo, DublinLife magazine announced the Heart of Africa opening date as Thursday, May 1st, 2014. I myself was anticipating a Memorial Day weekend opening and after visiting today it looks like there is still a lot of work to do. We've heard the African lions will be moving into their new digs within two weeks. It's been rumored the old lion

Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15585454339530843458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3236310757692875842.post-698899993641777012014-02-22T17:01:00.000-08:002014-02-22T17:01:22.201-08:00

The temperature was over fifty degrees today so I visited the zoo for the first time since October. The biggest surprise was they moved the reindeer again (at least the third time)! The move wasn't far, just across the path. The moose have taken over the old reindeer enclosure which makes perfect sense. There is a new path (not open yet) going around the new reindeer exhibit back towards the

Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15585454339530843458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3236310757692875842.post-71149335552190183812014-02-03T20:01:00.000-08:002014-02-03T20:01:29.971-08:00

Pardon me for a little shameless self-promotion here. For fun I created a short children’s story about adopting a dog. It’s a picture book and stars our dog, Conan. Scroll down to see a few pictures. The first review I received gives it a five star rating and had this to say: This book is an utter delight. Wonderful to read aloud to little ones, and an excellent introduction to animal

Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15585454339530843458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3236310757692875842.post-77337564298116376282014-01-11T15:36:00.001-08:002014-01-11T15:36:27.455-08:00

An article in the Columbus Dispatch revealed some of the Columbus Zoo's ideas for future plans. Over the next twenty-five years, the zoo could see the following additions: Bringing sea lions to the zoo with an exhibit at the main entrance that eventually could include entertainment. Creating an interactive exhibit honoring the legacy of former zoo director Jack Hanna. Tripling the size of

Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15585454339530843458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3236310757692875842.post-41952828962517310362013-11-25T08:00:00.000-08:002013-11-25T08:00:00.631-08:00

It’s that time of year again! The holiday gift giving season is upon us so it’s time to head to the store to purchase something unique for your fellow zoo enthusiast or animal lover. I’ve created a list of gift ideas besides the typical season passes to your local zoo or aquarium. Many of these items I personally use myself each and every day and others are items I have on MY holiday wish list.

Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15585454339530843458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3236310757692875842.post-17292740945900590062013-09-05T18:37:00.000-07:002013-09-05T18:37:14.707-07:00

While I reserve final judgement until the attraction is actually open, from what I’ve seen on paper the plan for Safari Africa is drastically different (read: smaller) than the initial rumors posted years ago. Initial plans called for a new boat and train rides.Now it will be interesting to see if it even opens with the zip line and camels rides. While we're eagerly awaiting what the expansion

Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15585454339530843458noreply@blogger.com0