"Hi-Jacked" at the Zoo!

The Columbus Zoo is not your ordinary zoo. At what other zoo in America can you run into a TV celebrity near the front entrance and holler "Hi Jack" and have him stop for photos, hand shakes and little kid hugs? If you are Jack Hanna, this is just another day at the office (see left, click to enlarge). While no longer the day to day director of the zoo, his celebrity status has him on the run often, he does manage to be visible and friendly when at the zoo. We have come across him at the zoo on several occasions.

Over the past decade, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium has grown from one of nation's great family-oriented zoos to perhaps what could someday be one of the nation's top family tourist stops. After acquiring the neighboring Wyandot Lake several years ago, the zoo engulfed the land and re-designed the amusement park portion to thematically mesh with the zoo. Zoombezi is the name for this area and is the instant eye candy when you pull into the expansive parking lot.

As with other zoos, the Columbus zoo is zoned into habitat areas that match the wildlife. But in each area there kid-friendly activities to thrill just about any age.

North America's habitat features a petting zoo, pony rides (see left, click to enlarge) and a mock-steam engine train that circles the animals in this area. A favorite stop is the prairie dog area where little ones can pop under a cave and look at the under-ground dwelling of the animals. (see right, click to enlarge)

The Asia section is home to the elephants, and one of the most popular places to visit. A baby elephant was born this past Spring and viewing lines were 30-minutes deep. The indoor habitat has video feeds so that all can watch even if you cannot get to the front-row glass. (see left, click to enlarge)




Both indoor and outdoor, you can get amazingly close to the animals. One can also walk through an aviary and get up close to tiger, zebras and giraffes. A great photo op is the large tiger statue that children pose on as if riding on the back of the dangerous animal.

One of the challenges that the zoo has met is how to expand when geography isn't easily accommodated. A large part the zoo is on the other side of a very busy 4-lane road. A tunnel connects to the far side of the zoo that features Primates of Africa, Australia and the aquarium part of the zoo. A touch-tank and 2-story tank where divers feed fish by hand are two of the aquarium features.




But the major focus of the aquarium section is a massive manatee exhibit. Completely housed in side, the exhibit looks and feels like the coast of Florida (see above left, click to enlarge). Six inch (at least) plexiglass allow a great view of the manatees swimming, floating and dining in a tank filled with manta rays, turtles and other fish (see right, click to enlarge). Youngsters pause for quite a while here to watch these massive animals repeatedly surface and sink.

Beyond the aquarium feel free to travel back in time on an authentic carousel. Uniquely housed in a structure with garage-like doors that open or close in relation to the weather, the carousel allows for year round fun. (see left, click to enlarge)

Further up the path from the carousel is a massive "bug" structure playground for little ones and a private party areas used for corporate events. In this section of the park is the food court, where one needs to be mindful of timing or the lunch rush will really slow you down.

The big draw in the African section are the gorillas. The outdoor structure gives plenty of great viewing lines to watch the gorillas play with each other -- and the spectators. Playfully a gorilla will come up to a windowed viewing area and slap the glass, much to the thrill and screeches of little ones. (see left, click to enlarge)

The indoor viewing is just as ample, and while one family is usually outside another gorilla group is inside. There are usually juveniles, both human and primate (see right, click to enlarge), who have more fun than imaginable at the indoor section of this exhibit.

The Australian area has a wallaby walk around, where all that separates human and kangaroo is a simple rope. The animals were trained in such a way to not be frightened by, or to interact with, people as they walk through. Staff is on hand to be sure neither human nor animal violate each other's space. There is also a lorikeet exhibit where the birds land on you and nip a little nectar from a cup you hold. A boat ride takes you around Australia and through parts of the Southeast Asia exhibit and offers a nice break from the walking.

Fun is around every curve, even non-animals get into the act. The zoo is now bringing in performers just like you see at amusement parks. Whether a school-group jump-rope team or a come-to-life child's soldier toy (see right, click to enlarge), there is something to see in just about every nook and cranny on the grounds.

It is nearly impossible to get it all in on one visit, especially if taking in the water and ride attractions at the Zoombezi addition new for 2009. But with all the other attractions in Columbus, it can certainly be the centerpiece of a weekend -- or extended weekend -- getaway.

-J.