Latest news with #ColumbusZoo
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Two Columbus Zoo elephants are expecting in the coming months
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – It's an exciting time at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium where not one, but two elephants are currently expecting. Experienced mama Phoebe and first-time mom Sunny are due in the coming months, which has the animal care team on baby watch. 'We've never had this opportunity to even have the ability to have two baby elephants at the same time. We are all-in with sustainability and conservation of Asian elephants and I cannot wait,' said Adam Felts, Senior Curator for the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. With any pregnancy, it's a delicate balance of excitement, anticipation and specialized care, which these elephants are receiving around the clock. 'Fortunately, they are months apart, or at least four months apart,' said Dr. Randy Junge, Columbus Zoo's Vice President of Animal Health. 'If the babies have complications or the moms have complications, they can be really intensive cases. If you had two at the same time with complications, it could be really very difficult, but we're not anticipating any problems again both females are healthy.' Nationwide Arena announces $400 million renovation project Keeping them healthy and limber is a top priority for the elephant care team members like Laura Garcia, who, on this day, was leading Pheobe in her morning stretches. 'We do call it elephant yoga, and we want to keep our elephants in shape, especially our pregnant and elephants,' said Garcia. The team also does regular blood draws and ultrasounds to monitor mom and baby's health. 'At this stage, the baby isn't changing much, we just want to monitor and make sure there aren't any changes,' said Dr. Junge. As the moms-to-be enter their birth windows this summer, the excitement is mounting for everyone. 'It's very exciting that people get excited about this with us because it is such a special experience,' said Garcia. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Columbus Zoo's Lantern Festival to feature mythical creatures and more
POWELL, Ohio (WCMH) — The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is getting ready to light up the night with a spectacular display for evening visitors. The organization has announced that it is bringing back its Lantern Festival, which celebrates Asian culture. In a news release, the zoo said this year's event will be updated and expanded. 'We are excited to once again collaborate with Hanart to provide an exceptional experience that celebrates the wonder of wildlife, the richness of Asian culture, and our continued dedication to offering new and exciting opportunities for our community to connect with the Columbus Zoo,' President and CEO Tom Schmid said. 'This year, we are especially excited to feature the lanterns throughout our new North America Trek region, offering guests even more ways to engage in this remarkable new region.' Two Columbus Zoo elephants are expecting in the coming months From July 31 to Oct. 5, the event will be held on select Thursdays through Sundays from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. The family-friendly event will include lanterns that reflect species found within North America, as well as mythical creatures, for an imaginative twist to the displays. Some of the fanciful creature lanterns making an appearance will be a western green dragon, a burning phoenix, a griffin, Quetzalcoatl, unicorns, and Pegasus. New features incorporate various interactive lanterns. Stomp pads, light swings, shower clouds, and more will entertain attendees throughout the night. Guests will also be able to take the Columbus Zoo Train, included in the Lantern Festival admission, with lanterns dotting its path around North America Trek for a special trip. The zoo shared that artisans from Zigong, China, will be installing and maintaining the handcrafted lantern displays during the event. 'This centuries-old craftsmanship takes nearly 30,000 hours to design, shape, and bring each lantern to life, and every lantern guests see at the Columbus Zoo is handcrafted by masters from Zigong, China,' said George Zhao, president of Hanart Culture, the producer of the event. 'Through these stunning displays and cultural performances, the Columbus Zoo Lantern Festival celebrates the rich tapestry of Asian cultures, inviting the Central Ohio community to immerse themselves in a world of light, color, and tradition.' Historic Dublin restaurant listed for lease after closing in 2024 The zoo highlighted several details people can expect: Custom, jaw-dropping performances curated specifically for this event Complimentary parking Select rides such as Mission Macaw, Tidal Twist, Flying Clipper, Havoc Harbor in Adventure Cove, the Columbus Zoo Train, and the Zoo's historic Grand Carousel Interactive features and playful photo opportunities throughout the Zoo Themed food and beverages available for purchase Zoo Character Ambassador meet-and-greets and rolling celebration trains Visitors should note that the Lantern Festival is a special ticketed event and is not included with zoo admission or zoo memberships. Rates for nonmembers are $26.99 for adults and $23.99 for children. Members receive a discounted admission rate of $19.99 for adults and $16.99 for children. A Roar and Return Pass allows guests to visit the Zoo during the day and return for the Lantern Festival on a separate date of their choosing. There are also Lantern Specialty Tours and VIP cart tours available. The zoo stressed that the lanterns 'are the true stars of the event' during the 10-week celebration, with the zoo animals resting during the evening hours. However, some animal viewing opportunities will be available at select times during the festival. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
The Independent
4 days ago
- General
- The Independent
Ohio zoo cited after door separating two groups of lions broke, leading to death of a lioness
A zoo in Ohio has been cited by the U.S. Department of Agriculture after the agency investigated the death of a female lion at the park. According to the USDA report, the Columbus Zoo self-reported an April 17 incident in which a sliding door meant to separate two groups of lions failed. The barrier was supposed to keep a male lion, named Roary, away from an adult female lion named Asali. The animals were separated after zoo officials deemed them incompatible, according to WBNS. All of the lions ended up in the same space, which ultimately led to both Roary and Asali suffering injuries from fights inside their enclosures. Veterinarians at the zoo treated the lions immediately after they were injured, but Asali's bite wounds were too severe and she had to be euthanized. Roary sustained minor injuries and recovered after the incident. Two younger lionesses were also living in the habitat, and neither were hurt. Columbus Zoo staff believe that the sliding panel that separated the groups of animals was actually broken by one of the animals. The USDA cited the zoo and asked it to fix the issue by June 20. The agency has also asked the zoo to make sure that its replacement is made of more durable material. The window in the paneling was, according to zoo officials, the weak point that allowed the door to break. 'Our lion shift doors are constructed with thick HDPE material, commonly used for this purpose. These doors were constructed to include a window that could be opened or closed - a tool commonly used in doors across accredited zoological organizations to safely facilitate animal introductions,' the zoo said in a statement. 'All doors and locks are checked daily by keepers, however during the night, this door gave way. We determined that the window that was manufactured into the door likely created a structural weak point.' Zoo officials conducted an internal investigation into the malfunction, and in doing so checked other, similar paneling throughout the park. A zoo spokesperson told WBNS that the organization is trying to make the best of a bad situation by learning from the incident and sharing that knowledge with other zoos and wildlife parks. 'Since the incident occurred, in addition to conducting a full internal review the Zoo has also taken steps to turn this tragedy into a learning opportunity—for us and for our peers. As part of our commitment to animal wellbeing and continuous improvement, we have shared details of the incident with other accredited zoos," the spokesperson told WBNS. 'Our goal is simple: if our experience can prevent even one similar incident elsewhere, then we have a responsibility to speak up." The spokesperson said the Columbus Zoo knows "the importance of not just holding ourselves accountable but helping elevate standards across the profession." 'The safety and wellbeing of our animals is—and always will be—our top priority," the spokesperson said. "We continue to grieve the loss of Asali and are committed to doing everything in our power to prevent an incident like this from ever happening again.'
Forbes
15-06-2025
- Science
- Forbes
Ohio Aquarium Celebrates Father's Day With Four Pregnant Male Dragons
Weedy seadragons (Phyllopteryx taeniolatus) are part of the order Syngnathiformes, an evolutionary ... More branch that also contains all living seahorse species. Celebrated for well over a century in the United States, Father's Day seeks to honor the countless sacrifices and unwavering devotion seen from parents all across the country—and this year, it's not just humans that are joining in on the celebration. In Ohio's largest city, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium has extra cause to celebrate thanks to four male weedy seadragons, each one bearing a huge bundle of eggs tucked along their tails. Though perhaps not the most conventional Father's Day participants, these fascinating fish mark a milestone in marine wildlife conservation, with no other public aquarium on the planet hosting four egg-bearing male dragons at the same time until now. In spite of their fearsome name, the weedy seadragon measures in at just about 18 inches, and it also comes equipped with colorful, streamer-like growths along the body to mimic seaweed as a form of camouflage—but perhaps the most fascinating aspect of these pint-sized fish is their method of reproduction. After a mating session, female weedy sea dragons deposit fertilized eggs onto a specialized patch on the side of the male's tail, leaving their mate with the responsibility of caring for their brood until they hatch roughly six to eight weeks later. While male seahorses use a brood pouch to store their eggs, male seadragons instead use a brood ... More patch. While the egg-bearing dragons are certainly a sight to behold, this occasion also doubles as a breakthrough for ocean conservation. Weedy seadragons have a reputation for being particularly difficult to breed in captivity—and while esteemed institutions like the New England Aquarium and SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium have had success in the past, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is the first to record four egg-carrying males all at the same time. So far, the program has been a resounding success, with many of the early hatchlings moved to a separate facility for the next year until they reach maturity. Over the next few months, the fry will gorge themselves on thousands of tiny crustaceans each week, while the institution's Animal Care team will be hard at work to ensure that as many as possible can reach full maturity. Father's Day visitors can marvel at these eye-catching syngnathids to their hearts' content, but of course, there's far more to see at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium than just dragons. During a visit to the Congo Expedition exhibit, patrons can spot tropical rainforest-dwelling creatures like the okapi and western lowland gorilla, while the Asia Quest zone draws crowds in droves thanks to residents like the Asian elephant, Amur tiger and Pallas' cat. And while charismatic megafauna can be encountered in abundance across zoo limits, the institution also works closely with less-recognized animals like the hellbender, black-and-white ruffed lemur and leatherback sea turtle, each one subject to ambitious conservation programs that seek to ensure the future survival of each species. The weedy seadragon is endemic to the waters of southern Australia. While Father's Day tends to focus on the human side of society, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is highlighting the tenacity of the entire animal kingdom this year, with four expectant fathers flourishing within the institution. Though often considered difficult to breed in captivity, this collection of four egg-bearing males acts as a beacon of hope for the future of marine wildlife conservation, ultimately highlighting the need for exemplary zoos and aquariums to support the battle for preserving global biodiversity.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Weedy seadragons in the running for nature's best dads
Four weedy seadragon (Phyllopteryx taeniolatus) males are carrying eggs for the first time in a public aquarium. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Ohio announced the achievement just in time for Father's Day–and some have already hatched. Weedy seadragons are bony seahorse relatives native to Australia's coasts with small heads, long tails, and leaf-like limbs. They can reach 18 inches long, and blend in marvelously with seaweed, which has made it difficult for researchers to study them in the wild. Their unique reproductive process is also infamously difficult to nurture in captive breeding programs, so the sea creatures have remained enigmatic. Like their other seahorse cousins, weedy seadragon males carry fertilized eggs instead of the females. 'In the world of aquatic animal care, this is a remarkably rare and meaningful milestone,' Megan Brown, director of Population Management Strategy for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, said in a Columbus Zoo and Aquarium statement. 'Weedy seadragons are among the most challenging marine species to breed, and observing multiple males brooding eggs within the same timeframe offers exciting new insight into their complex reproductive biology—something few facilities have accomplished.' Part of the complexity comes from the weedy seadragons' intricate mating ritual. It essentially involves a snout-to-snout dance in which a male and female mirror each other's movements as they travel up and down a water column. The female transfers her eggs onto the male's tail, where he fertilizes and carries them until they hatch six to eight weeks later. As of Monday June 9, 20 eggs have hatched at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. The organization's animal care team is keeping a close eye on the inch-long hatchlings. A baby seahorse at this stage is called a fry and this crew is reportedly scarfing down around 9,000 baby mysis shrimp and 18,000 copepods (planktonic crustaceans) per week with a 'voracious appetite.' The team will actively raise them for at least a year. [ Related: 8 animal fathers that take care of their eggs. ] In 2024, the aquarium also had reason to celebrate when a single weedy seadragon hatched over 20 babies, the first ever weedy seadragons to hatch in their tanks. According to the organization, only a few North American institutions have achieved this. Weedy seadragons are not the only species with highly engaged fathers. Male seahorses, emperor penguins, silverback gorillas, and arctic wolves are just some of the dads that deserve an extra special Father's Day celebration.
