columbus zoo after hours tour

Today's Hours: 9am - 5pm

New After-Hours Experience Brings Conservation to Light with Jaw-Dropping Illusions at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

By: nicolle gomez racey, vice president of communications and marketing, feb 15 2024.

NOTE TO MEDIA: Access b-roll, images and logos with photo credits here . Save the Date for a Media Night on Thursday, March 21. More details will be shared in a separate email.  

Powell, OH - The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium proudly unveils a groundbreaking blend of entertainment, art, and education with UNEXTINCT—a first-of-its-kind experience in the Midwest. As guests embark on an immersive nighttime journey of light and sound, they will be introduced to awe-inspiring illusions that shed light on the critical need for wildlife conservation.  The new after-hours event kicks off on March 14, 2024, running on select dates through April 27 from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

UNEXTINCT was created by former Disney Imagineers from Mangolin Creative, harnessing dramatic effects to transport visitors into a digital wonderland of nature. This experience delves into the worlds of endangered and extinct species, delivering a captivating and enlightening narrative. 

“This new experience combines the importance of conservation and awareness, offering hope and a call to action. It is a testament to the power of immersive storytelling to inspire positive change in the world,” said Tom Schmid, President and CEO of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.

“With UNEXTINCT, we leverage theatrical set work to transport guests to a world of vivid illusions and extraordinary wildlife. This experience underscores the notion that every person holds the power to make a positive difference in their own unique way,” said Morgan Richardson, Mangolin Creative Co-Founder and Creative. 

As the Zoo animals settle in for the evening, UNEXTINCT comes alive, promising an evening stroll that will be unforgettable. Guests will experience:

• Fifteen areas to explore illusions of over 70 extinct and threated species  
• LED Bar serving up cocktails, S’mores Experience, and shopping
• Exciting interactive activities 
• Various entertainment in the entry plaza of the Zoo
• The 1914 Mangels/Ilions Carousel and the 4D Theater will be open 
• And much more!

Please note that an additional fee applies to some activities, and the availability of activities is subject to change. The UNEXTINCT calendar can be found at ColumbusZoo.org/unextinct

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

• Regular Zoo hours are 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily during March, and 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. in April and May. UNEXTINCT begins March 14 and runs on select dates through April 27 from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
• Zoo animals are not a part of this experience. Animal areas such as Adventure Cove, Asia Quest, and Discovery Reef Aquarium will be accessible throughout the event, but animal viewing in any region is not guaranteed. 
• UNEXTINCT is a separate ticketed event and not included with Zoo admission. 
• Zoo members get $4 off UNEXTINCT tickets. 

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the Columbus Zoo’s website . For additional updates about the Columbus Zoo, events, and more, be sure to follow the Zoo’s social media accounts on Facebook , Instagram , X , and TikTok . 

### About UNEXTINCT UNEXTINCT is an all new and original nighttime experience where the spirits of animals long extinct, or on the edge of extinction, still roam. Imagined by the teams at Mangolin Creative and SSA Group, UNEXTINCT uses state-of-the-art theatrical effects to transport Guests to hidden realms. Mangolin Creative specializes in immersive experiential design, theme parks, zoos, location based entertainment, and live events. SSA Group provides integrated food, retail, and ticketing solutions to cultural attractions across the nation. For more information visit mangolincreative.com or thessagroup.com . Book your experience at UNEXTINCTLIVE.com .

  About the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium  Home to more than 10,000 animals representing over 600 species worldwide, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium leads by making a positive impact on people, wildlife, and wild places. The Zoo complex is a recreational and educational destination that includes the 22-acre Zoombezi Bay water park and 18-hole Safari Golf Club. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium also manages The Wilds, a 10,000-acre conservation center and safari park located in southeastern Ohio. The Zoo is a wildlife conservation organization with regional, national and global impact, annually supporting conservation and research projects locally and worldwide. For more information, please visit ColumbusZoo.org .   

Partners in Conservation

Learn about the Zoo’s financial commitment to holistic conservation efforts in Central Africa.

Donate to the Wildlife Conservation Fund!

At the Zoo, the Manatee Coast is not your average exhibit:  It’s a rescue and rehabilitation facility.

Everyday Actions

Learn about actions YOU can take to protect endangered species like the manatees.

Summer Zoo Camps

Summer day camps for Zoo enthusiasts ages 3 all the way to 7th grade! 

Teen Eco Summit

Register your team and make a difference at your school!

Become a Zoo member!

Volunteer at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium!

Empowering People. Saving Wildlife.

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New after-hours experience at the Columbus Zoo: UNEXTINCT

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is unveiling a brand-new, exciting after-hours event with UNEXTINCT . 

Embark on an immersive nighttime journey of light and sound amongst awe-inspiring illusions that shed light on the critical need for wildlife conservation.  

Grahm S. Jones, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Columbus Zoo: UNEXTINCT

This experience is open on select dates from March 14 – April 27, 2024 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Crafted by former Disney Imagineers from Mangolin Creative, it takes attendees on an immersive journey using illusions to transport them into a digital world of natural wonders. This unique experience immerses participants in the worlds of endangered and extinct species, creating a captivating and informative narrative.

As the Zoo animals settle in for the evening, UNEXTINCT comes alive, promising an evening stroll that will be unforgettable. Guests will experience:

• Fifteen areas to explore illusions of over 70 extinct and threated species 
• LED Bar serving up cocktails, S’mores Experience, and shopping
• Exciting interactive activities
• Various entertainment in the entry plaza of the Zoo
• The 1914 Mangels/Ilions Carousel and the 4D Theater will be open 

Zoo animals are not a part of this experience. Animal areas such as Adventure Cove, Asia Quest, and Discovery Reef Aquarium will be accessible throughout the event, but animal viewing in any region is not guaranteed.

photo: Columbus on the Cheap

Admission details

UNEXTINCT is a separate ticketed event and not included with Zoo admission . Zoo members get $4 off UNEXTINCT tickets. Please note that an additional fee applies to some activities, and the availability of activities is subject to change. Buy tickets and find out more here ! 

General Admission for Adults (ages 10+): $28.99 General Admission for Children : $25.99 Zoo Members receive admission discounts!

Special Nights

Premium VIP Experience: April 6 & 20 Get the most out of your UNEXTINCT experience when upgrading to our exclusive lounge VIP package, including your UNEXTINCT ticket, exclusive seating access to our Lakeside VIP lounge, two complimentary drink tokens at our private bar, a commemorative souvenir cup, and so much more.

Adults Only Night: April 12 Call the babysitter and arrange your ride – it’s Adults Only Night at Columbus Zoo! Leave the kids at home and take in all the sights, sounds and more of UNEXTINCT!

Regular Zoo hours are 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily during March, and 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. in April and May. UNEXTINCT begins March 14 and runs on select dates through April 27 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium 4850 W. Powell Rd. Powell, Ohio 43065 (614) 645-3400

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Columbus Zoo launches Unextinct after-hours experience designed by former Imagineers

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Ohio, is introducing Unextinct, a groundbreaking after-hours experience created by former Disney Imagineers that combines entertainment, art, and education.

The new first-of-its-kind immersive after-hours event takes place from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., beginning March 14, 2024, and continuing on select dates through April 27, 2024.

Created by former Disney Imagineers from Mangolin Creative, Unextinct uses state-of-the-art theatrical effects to transport visitors into digital worlds of endangered and extinct species, delivering a captivating and enlightening narrative highlighting the critical need for wildlife conservation.

“With Unextinct, we leverage theatrical set work to transport guests to a world of vivid illusions and extraordinary wildlife,” said Morgan Richardson, Mangolin Creative Co-Founder (and former Walt Disney Imagineer). “This experience underscores the notion that every person holds the power to make a positive difference in their own unique way.”

View this post on Instagram A post shared by MORGAN LEE RICHARDSON (@morganleerichardson)

Unextinct guests will experience the following:

• Entertainment in the Zoo’s entry plaza
• Exciting interactive activities and shopping
• Fifteen areas featuring illusions of over 70 extinct and threatened species
• An LED Bar serving cocktails
• A S’mores Experience
• The Zoo’s 1914 Mangels/Ilions Carousel and 4D Theater

An additional fee applies to some activities, and the availability of activities is subject to change.

“This new experience combines the importance of conservation and awareness, offering hope and a call to action,” said Columbus Zoo and Aquarium’s President and CEO Tom Schmid. “It is a testament to the power of immersive storytelling to inspire positive change in the world.”

Know Before You Go

Unextinct is a separately ticketed event and is not included with Zoo admission.

Regular Zoo hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily during March and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in April and May. Zoo animals are not a part of this experience. Animal areas such as Adventure Cove, Asia Quest, and Discovery Reef Aquarium will be accessible throughout the event, but animal viewing in any region is not guaranteed.

Tickets for Unextinct are $38.99 for Premium Admission (includes souvenir cup and interactive glow bracelet), $28.99 for General Admission, and $25.99 for children ages 3-12. Parking is available for $10. Zoo members get $4 off.

Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium recently participated in the release of five rehabilitated manatees in Florida.

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Columbus Zoo and Aquarium's Tours and Experiences Make For Unforgettable Memories

One of Columbus’ top attractions offers you the chance to create memories together that will last a lifetime.

Founded in 1927, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is a community cornerstone that welcomes over two million people per year to the Columbus area. With 10,000 animals representing over 600 species, there are so many incredible creatures to get to know, but the best and most immersive way to experience Central Ohio’s animal kingdom is the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium's Tours and Experiences presented by Nationwide.

We recently spent an amazing day taking in the Reindeer Experience and Jack Hanna’s Animal Encounters Village Experience, and we’ve put together your full guide to taking part in the incredible tours and experiences at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Tours and Experiences create the opportunity for immersive interactions.

14 different tours and experiences across all seasons

From elephant bathing, to giraffe feeding and everything in between, tours and experiences truly allow you to unlock the full magic of a zoo visit.

Jack Hanna’s Animal Encounters Village Experience is an absolute hidden gem that provides the opportunity to meet a variety of the zoo’s ambassador animals in a fun, safe setting inside the Jack Hanna’s Animal Encounters Village. In this interactive environment, we spent time with two different species of porcupines, a bat-eared fox, toucan, macaw, tortoise and sloth. Bruce the bat-eared fox posed for photos, Barbie the African-crested porcupine accepted lettuce and pets, and we were even able to feed sweet potato snacks to Wilson the sloth.

This experience is kid-friendly and is one the zoo’s best immersive experiences for the entire family. You’ll enjoy 45 minutes of animal interaction in this beautiful indoor space that opened to the public in 2020, and tickets are available to purchase throughout the year. You can also access the building itself for no cost with admission to the zoo where you’ll see a variety of species welcoming you upon entry.

The Reindeer Experience is available year-round and makes for the perfect holiday gift.

Give the gift of a Reindeer Experience for the holidays

Do you know the most famous reindeer of all? Well if you ask us, they live at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and they’re ready to meet you and your family.

We visited the home of Abby, who is one of the more popular animals at the zoo during the holiday season. The Zoo’s incredible Animal Care Team accompanied us on this experience where we were able to pet and interact with the reindeer while they enjoyed tasty treats and snacks. Interacting with the animals in their own habitat while also speaking to the staff who care for them on a daily basis creates memories to be treasured, and the reindeer are ready to welcome you throughout the year.

Jack Hanna's Animal Encounters Village opened in 2020 and provides the perfect backdrop to unforgettable memories.

Memories await you at the Columbus Zoo

Each tour and experience truly provides something new to cherish. Tickets to a Columbus Zoo and Aquarium tour make the perfect last minute holiday gift for you and your loved ones, and there’s availability for several tours through the rest of 2023 and in 2024.

Book a tour & experience and learn more about everything they have to offer by visiting the zoo’s website, and be sure to share all of your animal adventures when you visit by using #LiveForwardCbus on social media.

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Insights on What to See and Do in Columbus, Plus a Seasonal Calendar of Events

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Columbus Zoo hosting 'Quiet After Hours' for guests with sensory needs

by Diana Asta

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium announced they will be hosting a ''Quiet After Hours" event Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The following amenities and attractions will be available during the after-hours event.

• Visiting select areas of the Zoo, including North America, Polar Frontier, Asia Quest, Jack Hanna’s Animal Encounters Village, and the Shores & Aquarium region.
• Meet and greets with the Zoo’s Character Ambassadors.
• Limited food and beverage options at Village Coffee Shop, Lakeside Market, and Prairie Outpost.
• The Columbus Zoo Marketplace and Jr. Zookeeper gift shops will be open.
• North America Train and 1914 Mangels-Illions Grand Carousel. (Please note these experiences require an additional fee. Safety announcements will be in place, and rides are subject to weather and mechanical conditions.)

The quiet hours allow guests to enjoy the zoo in a calm and relaxed atmosphere, without added background sounds.

Visit the Columbus Zoo and Aquariums' accessibility page for more information and a downloadable map to help plan your trip.

Tickets for this event must be pre-purchased before the event and cost $10 for general guests and complimentary for members. Both members and non-members must pre-register.

For more information on the event, click here .

At the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Explore and Discover

An Immersive Nighttime Experience at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

The experience: Join us on a journey through an incredible world of colorful illusions and extraordinary wildlife. Where creatures long extinct and those on the edge of extinction still roam. UNEXTINCT is the first of its kind – bringing over 70 extinct and threatened species back to life for an immersive digital nighttime experience like none other.

15 Scenes: the number of different experiences within UNEXTINCT

90-120 minutes: is the amount of time it takes to walk through the experience.

March 14 – April 27 | Friday & Saturday: 7:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. Tickets from $28.99 (General) and $25.99 (Child)

Additional UNEXTINCT Information.

Columbus Member Advantage

Enjoy the benefits of your columbus member advantage and save $3 on general admission to unextinct, special theme weekends.

Premium VIP Experience

Presented by Dr Pepper

April 6 & 20

Adults Only Night

Press Message Us

Copyright UNEXTINCT 2023. All Rights Reserved.

Columbus Zoo And Aquarium Ohio [Hours, Tickets, Attractions, FAQs]

• Post last modified: January 1, 2024
• Post author: Katie Seemann

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The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is one of the best zoos in the United States and one of the most popular attractions in Central Ohio .  I’m not just saying that because I live in Columbus .  It is consistently voted among the best zoos in America on practically any “best zoos” list you can find.

Here’s everything you need to know to enjoy a great day at the Columbus Ohio Zoo and Aquarium,   including hours, tickets, parking, attractions, nearby hotels, and FAQs.

Legal Stuff: This post may contain affiliate links and/or credit card referral links.  We participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Columbus Zoo Hours

November 16, 2023 through January 7, 2024:

• Sunday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Columbus Zoo Tickets

Columbus Zoo tickets for Franklin County residents:

• Ages 3 to 9 : $16.99
• Ages 10 to 59 : $19.99
• Ages 60+: $18.99

Columbus Zoo tickets for anyone residing outside of Franklin County:

• Ages 3 to 9 : $25.99
• Ages 10 to 59 : $29.99
• Ages 60+: $27.99

Kids under 3 are always free at the Columbus Zoo.

Columbus Zoo Discount Tickets

There are a few ways to get discounted tickets for the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.

• Seniors 60 and older and kids 9 and under are eligible for discount tickets.
• AAA members can save $1 off zoo admission at the gate with a valid membership card.
• Zoo Bus riders can enter the zoo for only $3.
• A Zoo Culture Pass with free zoo entry is available at select Columbus library locations.
• Ohio residents participating in eligible programs, including Medicaid and the Ohio Direction EBT card, can get a Family Access Membership for discount tickets.
• Groups of 25 or more guests are eligible for discounted tickets.
• Military (both active and non-active) can get a $2 discount on up to 6 tickets at the front gate.

Parking at the Columbus Zoo

Parking is $10 per car. Free parking is available with a Columbus Zoo membership.

Hotels Near Columbus Zoo

• AC Hotel by Marriott Columbus Dublin – Excellent location in downtown Dublin, Ohio
• Embassy Suites by Hilton Columbus Dublin
• Holiday Inn Columbus Dublin
• Home2Suites by Hilton Columbus Dublin
• Nationwide Hotel and Conference Center

Columbus Zoo Map

You’ll find an up-to-date Columbus Zoo map here .

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is located in Powell, a suburb just northwest of Columbus.

Location: 4850 Powell Road, Powell, Ohio 43065

Columbus Zoo Attractions

Rides: The Grand Carousel, North America Train, Island Boat Ride, Camel and Pony rides, Sea Dragon, Flying Clipper, Havoc Harbor, Safari Stampede, Swingin Gibbons, Dust Devil, Golden Frog Hopper, Jack’s Tea Party, Tiny Tusks, Tiny Town Train, Redwood Falls, Sugar Glider, Falcon Fall, Mission Macaw (*Rides cost extra)

Exhibits: Asia Quest, Australia and the Islands, Congo Expedition, Heart of Africa, North America, Shores and Aquarium

Playgrounds: Polar Playground, Strings, Wings n’ Things Playground, Shores Play Park

Shows and Presentations: Shores 4-D Theater, Surfin’ Safari, Discovery Reef Diver, Cheetah Run

Special Activities: Giraffe feeding, Animal Encounters Village, Habitat Hollow, Kangaroo Walkabout, Petting Zoo, Stingray Bay, Tide Pool Touch

Driving Distance from Nearby Cities:

• Cleveland, Ohio: 2 hours 10 minutes
• Toledo, Ohio: 2 hours 5 minutes
• Cincinnati, Ohio: 2 hours
• Dayton, Ohio: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Indianapolis, Indiana: 2 hours 55 minutes
• Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: 3 hours 10 minutes
• Detroit, Michigan: 3 hours

If you love the Columbus Zoo, you should check out The Wilds — a 9,000+ acre non-profit wildlife park and conservation center located about 1.5 hours outside of Columbus. It makes a great day trip or overnight getaway .

5 Reasons to Visit The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

There are so many reasons why you should visit the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. Here are the top 5.

1. Conservation — Manatee Coast Exhibit

At first glance, the Manatee Coast Exhibit looks like a regular zoo exhibit. But it’s not. It’s actually a Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation facility. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium participates in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Program .

The exhibit opened in 1999 and has housed 21 manatees during that time. The ultimate goal of the program is to release the animals back into the wild. Once released, the manatees are tagged, tracked, and monitored as part of the program.

2. Family-Friendly Fun at The Barn

Bob Evans Farms My Barn allows the whole family to interact with domesticated animals like goats, sheep, chickens, and cows. You’ll get up close and personal with these animals and have the opportunity to brush or feed them (or give them a scratch between the toes)!

3. Keep The Kids Entertained — Rides and Playgrounds

The kids will not run out of things to do at the Columbus, Ohio Zoo . There are 3 separate playgrounds, a boat ride, train ride, carousel, and pony and camel rides. The 4-D Theater shows 8 to 12 minute movies in 4-D, and Stingray Bay allows you to get up close with beautiful rays.

Read More: 53 Fun Things to do in Columbus, Ohio

4. Heart of Africa — Transport Yourself To An African Savanna

This exhibit is just plain awesome! The main area of the exhibit really makes you feel like you are on an African savanna.  This large exhibit spans 43 acres and features giraffes, lions, zebras, gazelle, ostrich, wildebeest, vervet monkeys, and cheetahs.

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is involved in the Ewaso Lions project to promote conservation in Africa.  This project focuses on Kenya’s lions and other large carnivores by promoting peaceful coexistence between animals and people. While enjoying Heart of Africa, try taking a camel ride, feeding a giraffe (designated times), or have lunch with a view at the Mapori restaurant.

This exhibit is seasonal and is closed throughout the winter months. But you should definitely check it out if you’re visiting Columbus in the summer .

5. Jack Hanna — America’s Favorite Zookeeper

Jack Hanna was hired as the director of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in 1978.  Since then he has helped transform the zoo into a world-class education, conservation, and recreation facility.

He first appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman in 1985 and has been educating viewers and zoo guests about these amazing animals ever since. He is still involved in the zoo and his presence is undeniable as you explore.

Read More About Jack Hanna And The Columbus Zoo : Jungle Jack: My Wild Life | Jack Hanna’s Wild But True |  Colo’s Story: The Life of One Grand Gorilla

Best Time To Visit The Columbus Zoo

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is located in Powell, Ohio , a suburb of Columbus. It is open 363 days a year, closing only for Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.  The hours vary by season, so check the zoo’s website prior to your visit for specifics.

If you will be in town for a few days, consider visiting Zoombezi Bay too.  This water park is located next door to the zoo.

As with any very popular attraction, the crowds can be large at times, especially in the summer. If you have the chance to visit during a weekday while school is in session but the weather is still nice, you won’t be disappointed. Central Ohio schools are back in session by mid-August and usually go until mid-May.

Boo at the Zoo

If you’re visiting the Columbus Zoo in the fall, be sure to check out Boo at the Zoo on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in October.

Boo at the Zoo : Weekends in October

Read More: Fall Activities and Festivals in Columbus, Ohio

Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo

If you find yourself in Columbus at Christmastime , check out Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo, which starts every night at 5 p.m. This spectacular display lights up the whole park. Bundle up and grab a hot chocolate for a fun winter night at the zoo.

Columbus Zoo Wildlights: Starting in November 2024

Read More: Winter Activities and Events in Columbus Ohio

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium FAQs

Is the columbus zoo open to the public.

Yes, the Columbus Zoo is currently open to the public daily.

What is the Columbus Zoo address?

The Columbus Zoo is located at 4850 Powell Road, Powell, Ohio 43065.

How long does it take to go through the Columbus Zoo?

The Columbus Zoo is large, so it can easily take a whole day if you want to see everything. However, if you’ve got young children who can’t handle an all-day activity, you’ll be able to see plenty in a few hours.

Can you take food into the Columbus Zoo?

Yes, you can bring your own food into The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. However, straws, glass containers, and alcohol are not permitted. You can purchase alcohol once inside the zoo.

What’s the Columbus Zoo bag policy?

Bags up to 22″ x 10″ x 12″ and coolers up to 14″ x 14″ are permitted inside the zoo. Wheeled bags and coolers are not allowed in the zoo.

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I like the detailed information you shared for this fun visit.

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Loved this post! So much has changed at the Columbus Zoo since I worked there long ago. Would love to revisit it someday!

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Winter experiences and tours at the Columbus Zoo

See the wildlights, bathe an elephant, and feed a giraffe among other interactive tours at experiences at the columbus zoo and aquarium this winter..

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The Columbus Zoo is closed on Thanksgiving Day, but the animals will enjoy a feast of their own. | Photo by @columbuszoo

Fun offerings at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium ramp up as the weather cools down. Here are some of the current tours and experiences available to book during the winter months:

🦒 Winter Giraffe Feeding Experience | Monday, Nov. 7-Sunday, Feb. 26 | 1 p.m. | $99 | Head inside the giraffe barn and feed the zoo’s tallest animals their favorite foods. Must be 10 years old to participate.

🦌 Reindeer Experience | Saturday, Nov. 5-Friday, May 25 | Times vary | $99 | Visit the reindeer in their habitat and learn about their care and conservation from the animal care team at the zoo. Must be five years old to participate.

🎄 Wildlights Tour | Sunday, Nov. 20-Sunday, Jan. 1 | 8:30-10:30 p.m. | Prices vary by group size | Bring a blanket and enjoy a guided drive through the holiday lights while visiting pre-selected areas of the zoo. Hot chocolate is provided .

How did Columbus zoo animals react to eclipse? Researchers observed chirps, trumpets, naps

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium hosted more than 7,000 guests Monday for its "Solar-Bration."

But while guests, and humans across Ohio, were looking up at the sky Monday, some researchers at the Columbus Zoo were looking at the animals and watching how they reacted to the solar eclipse — if they reacted at all.

As the eclipse neared totality and the sky grew dark, many of the animals in the study thought it was nighttime and simply went to sleep, observers told The Dispatch. Some elephants chirped, and the red-crowned cranes went unusually quiet.

It was a unique opportunity to study the zoo’s animals during an eclipse, which only happens every hundred years, Tom Schmid, president and CEO of Columbus Zoo and Aquarium said.

“This is actually pretty big for us because, to our knowledge, there’s not a lot of research and not a lot known out there," said Shannon Borders, curator of the Heart of Africa at the Columbus Zoo. “The knowledge we gain here can only help animals at other zoos and other institutions.”

The Ohio State University School of Environment and Natural Resources teamed up with the Columbus Zoo’s observation interns to document the behavior of animals selected for the study every afternoon for two weeks and will do so for two more weeks. This way, they can compare their behaviors.

How did the animals react during the eclipse?

A hush did not fall over the crowd at the Columbus Zoo Monday as the solar eclipse reached totality. Children jumped, danced, clapped and cheered as the world went as dark as night and the hot day turned cool. Researchers said it could be difficult to parse in some cases if animals were reacting to the eclipse or to people making noise.

How did the animals behave around and during the solar eclipse?

The sloth bear, red pandas, tufted deer, reindeer and ostriches all took naps.

"It was very cute because the girls (the ostriches) literally stopped what they were doing and headed to the back as if they were going to bed," Borders said. "About seven minutes afterward, it started to lighten back up a little bit, and they all stood up, and they started grooming as though they were preparing for the day."

Ashlyn Halseth, who was observing the cougar, said the large cat slept through most of the eclipse, but during totality, when it got very dark, the cougar became alert and looked toward the sun.

The most exciting reaction perhaps came from some of the zoo's elephants who let out chirping sounds and a trumpet. One started thumping her trunk during the darkness.

"Sonny and Rudy are sisters, and when they get excited, they like to be close to each other, and they like to touch each other," said Adam Felts, director of animal wellbeing at the Columbus Zoo. "One of the cutest things was they were surrounding Sabu (the herd's male elephant), and their tails were still in contact with each other, just making sure they were both OK. It was pretty cute to watch."

While the elephants were making more noise than usual, the red-crowned cranes went completely silent and began running around.

"Which is unusual for them because they were vocalizing all day long. I'd been there since about 12 (noon), and they had been nonstop chirping," Emma Blanton said.

The official research won't be released for weeks or months; it will take a while to collect more data on the animals and then to make comparisons.

Other animals that were part of the study include polar bears, brown bears, manatees and kangaroos.

How the research was conducted

“I think one of the coolest things about it is trying to get in the head of the animals,” said Courtney Anderson, a doctoral student in the School of Environment and Natural Resources at Ohio State University. “When we were making our species list and trying to decide which animals we were going to focus on, we kind of had to think about it from their perspective and how a bear might perceive an eclipse and why that might be important versus an ostrich.”

Anderson said they picked a mix of animals to study from different regions around the world. 

During observation periods, particularly during the eclipse, observers write down every 15 seconds what the animal is doing, like eating, walking, sniffing, sleeping, etc.

Anderson told The Dispatch early Monday she and the other researchers would not totally miss out on the eclipse as long as they peeked during 14-second windows. 

“We’re going to make 14-second intervals. As long as we take a data point every 15 seconds, we have time in between that we can (look up),” Anderson said.

Check out: The Dispatch's live coverage of the solar eclipse in Ohio

[email protected]

@LairdWrites

• Krasnopresnenskaya • 6 min walk
• Barrikadnaya • 6 min walk

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Moscow Zoo - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• Krasnopresnenskaya • 6 min walk
• Barrikadnaya • 6 min walk

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

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In Transit: Notes from the Underground

Jun 06 2018.

Spend some time in one of Moscow’s finest museums.

Subterranean commuting might not be anyone’s idea of a good time, but even in a city packing the war-games treasures and priceless bejeweled eggs of the Kremlin Armoury and the colossal Soviet pavilions of the VDNKh , the Metro holds up as one of Moscow’s finest museums. Just avoid rush hour.

The Metro is stunning and provides an unrivaled insight into the city’s psyche, past and present, but it also happens to be the best way to get around. Moscow has Uber, and the Russian version called Yandex Taxi , but also some nasty traffic. Metro trains come around every 90 seconds or so, at a more than 99 percent on-time rate. It’s also reasonably priced, with a single ride at 55 cents (and cheaper in bulk). From history to tickets to rules — official and not — here’s what you need to know to get started.

A Brief Introduction Buying Tickets Know Before You Go (Down) Rules An Easy Tour

A Brief Introduction

Moscow’s Metro was a long time coming. Plans for rapid transit to relieve the city’s beleaguered tram system date back to the Imperial era, but a couple of wars and a revolution held up its development. Stalin revived it as part of his grand plan to modernize the Soviet Union in the 1920s and 30s. The first lines and tunnels were constructed with help from engineers from the London Underground, although Stalin’s secret police decided that they had learned too much about Moscow’s layout and had them arrested on espionage charges and deported.

The beauty of its stations (if not its trains) is well-documented, and certainly no accident. In its illustrious first phases and particularly after the Second World War, the greatest architects of Soviet era were recruited to create gleaming temples celebrating the Revolution, the USSR, and the war triumph. No two stations are exactly alike, and each of the classic showpieces has a theme. There are world-famous shrines to Futurist architecture, a celebration of electricity, tributes to individuals and regions of the former Soviet Union. Each marble slab, mosaic tile, or light fixture was placed with intent, all in service to a station’s aesthetic; each element, f rom the smallest brass ear of corn to a large blood-spattered sword on a World War II mural, is an essential part of the whole.

The Metro is a monument to the Soviet propaganda project it was intended to be when it opened in 1935 with the slogan “Building a Palace for the People”. It brought the grand interiors of Imperial Russia to ordinary Muscovites, celebrated the Soviet Union’s past achievements while promising its citizens a bright Soviet future, and of course, it was a show-piece for the world to witness the might and sophistication of life in the Soviet Union.

It may be a museum, but it’s no relic. U p to nine million people use it daily, more than the London Underground and New York Subway combined. (Along with, at one time, about 20 stray dogs that learned to commute on the Metro.)

In its 80+ year history, the Metro has expanded in phases and fits and starts, in step with the fortunes of Moscow and Russia. Now, partly in preparation for the World Cup 2018, it’s also modernizing. New trains allow passengers to walk the entire length of the train without having to change carriages. The system is becoming more visitor-friendly. (There are helpful stickers on the floor marking out the best selfie spots .) But there’s a price to modernity: it’s phasing out one of its beloved institutions, the escalator attendants. Often they are middle-aged or elderly women—“ escalator grandmas ” in news accounts—who have held the post for decades, sitting in their tiny kiosks, scolding commuters for bad escalator etiquette or even bad posture, or telling jokes . They are slated to be replaced, when at all, by members of the escalator maintenance staff.

For all its achievements, the Metro lags behind Moscow’s above-ground growth, as Russia’s capital sprawls ever outwards, generating some of the world’s worst traffic jams . But since 2011, the Metro has been in the middle of an ambitious and long-overdue enlargement; 60 new stations are opening by 2020. If all goes to plan, the 2011-2020 period will have brought 125 miles of new tracks and over 100 new stations — a 40 percent increase — the fastest and largest expansion phase in any period in the Metro’s history.

Facts: 14 lines Opening hours: 5 a.m-1 a.m. Rush hour(s): 8-10 a.m, 4-8 p.m. Single ride: 55₽ (about 85 cents) Wi-Fi network-wide

Buying Tickets

• Ticket machines have a button to switch to English.
• You can buy specific numbers of rides: 1, 2, 5, 11, 20, or 60. Hold up fingers to show how many rides you want to buy.
• There is also a 90-minute ticket , which gets you 1 trip on the metro plus an unlimited number of transfers on other transport (bus, tram, etc) within 90 minutes.
• Or, you can buy day tickets with unlimited rides: one day (218₽/ US$4), three days (415₽/US$7) or seven days (830₽/US$15). Check the rates here to stay up-to-date.
• If you’re going to be using the Metro regularly over a few days, it’s worth getting a Troika card , a contactless, refillable card you can use on all public transport. Using the Metro is cheaper with one of these: a single ride is 36₽, not 55₽. Buy them and refill them in the Metro stations, and they’re valid for 5 years, so you can keep it for next time. Or, if you have a lot of cash left on it when you leave, you can get it refunded at the Metro Service Centers at Ulitsa 1905 Goda, 25 or at Staraya Basmannaya 20, Building 1.
• You can also buy silicone bracelets and keychains with built-in transport chips that you can use as a Troika card. (A Moscow Metro Fitbit!) So far, you can only get these at the Pushkinskaya metro station Live Helpdesk and souvenir shops in the Mayakovskaya and Trubnaya metro stations. The fare is the same as for the Troika card.
• You can also use Apple Pay and Samsung Pay.

Rules, spoken and unspoken

No smoking, no drinking, no filming, no littering. Photography is allowed, although it used to be banned.

Stand to the right on the escalator. Break this rule and you risk the wrath of the legendary escalator attendants. (No shenanigans on the escalators in general.)

Get out of the way. Find an empty corner to hide in when you get off a train and need to stare at your phone. Watch out getting out of the train in general; when your train doors open, people tend to appear from nowhere or from behind ornate marble columns, walking full-speed.

Always offer your seat to elderly ladies (what are you, a monster?).

An Easy Tour

This is no Metro Marathon ( 199 stations in 20 hours ). It’s an easy tour, taking in most—though not all—of the notable stations, the bulk of it going clockwise along the Circle line, with a couple of short detours. These stations are within minutes of one another, and the whole tour should take about 1-2 hours.

Start at Mayakovskaya Metro station , at the corner of Tverskaya and Garden Ring,  Triumfalnaya Square, Moskva, Russia, 125047.

1. Mayakovskaya.  Named for Russian Futurist Movement poet Vladimir Mayakovsky and an attempt to bring to life the future he imagined in his poems. (The Futurist Movement, natch, was all about a rejecting the past and celebrating all things speed, industry, modern machines, youth, modernity.) The result: an Art Deco masterpiece that won the National Grand Prix for architecture at the New York World’s Fair in 1939. It’s all smooth, rounded shine and light, and gentle arches supported by columns of dark pink marble and stainless aircraft steel. Each of its 34 ceiling niches has a mosaic. During World War II, the station was used as an air-raid shelter and, at one point, a bunker for Stalin. He gave a subdued but rousing speech here in Nov. 6, 1941 as the Nazis bombed the city above.

Take the 3/Green line one station to:

2. Belorusskaya. Opened in 1952, named after the connected Belarussky Rail Terminal, which runs trains between Moscow and Belarus. This is a light marble affair with a white, cake-like ceiling, lined with Belorussian patterns and 12 Florentine ceiling mosaics depicting life in Belarussia when it was built.

Transfer onto the 1/Brown line. Then, one stop (clockwise) t o:

3. Novoslobodskaya.  This station was designed around the stained-glass panels, which were made in Latvia, because Alexey Dushkin, the Soviet starchitect who dreamed it up (and also designed Mayakovskaya station) couldn’t find the glass and craft locally. The stained glass is the same used for Riga’s Cathedral, and the panels feature plants, flowers, members of the Soviet intelligentsia (musician, artist, architect) and geometric shapes.

Go two stops east on the 1/Circle line to:

4. Komsomolskaya. Named after the Komsomol, or the Young Communist League, this might just be peak Stalin Metro style. Underneath the hub for three regional railways, it was intended to be a grand gateway to Moscow and is today its busiest station. It has chandeliers; a yellow ceiling with Baroque embellishments; and in the main hall, a colossal red star overlaid on golden, shimmering tiles. Designer Alexey Shchusev designed it as an homage to the speech Stalin gave at Red Square on Nov. 7, 1941, in which he invoked Russia’s illustrious military leaders as a pep talk to Soviet soldiers through the first catastrophic year of the war.   The station’s eight large mosaics are of the leaders referenced in the speech, such as Alexander Nevsky, a 13th-century prince and military commander who bested German and Swedish invading armies.

One more stop clockwise to Kurskaya station,  and change onto the 3/Blue  line, and go one stop to:

5. Baumanskaya.   Opened in 1944. Named for the Bolshevik Revolutionary Nikolai Bauman , whose monument and namesake district are aboveground here. Though he seemed like a nasty piece of work (he apparently once publicly mocked a woman he had impregnated, who later hung herself), he became a Revolutionary martyr when he was killed in 1905 in a skirmish with a monarchist, who hit him on the head with part of a steel pipe. The station is in Art Deco style with atmospherically dim lighting, and a series of bronze sculptures of soldiers and homefront heroes during the War. At one end, there is a large mosaic portrait of Lenin.

Stay on that train direction one more east to:

6. Elektrozavodskaya. As you may have guessed from the name, this station is the Metro’s tribute to all thing electrical, built in 1944 and named after a nearby lightbulb factory. It has marble bas-relief sculptures of important figures in electrical engineering, and others illustrating the Soviet Union’s war-time struggles at home. The ceiling’s recurring rows of circular lamps give the station’s main tunnel a comforting glow, and a pleasing visual effect.

Double back two stops to Kurskaya station , and change back to the 1/Circle line. Sit tight for six stations to:

7. Kiyevskaya. This was the last station on the Circle line to be built, in 1954, completed under Nikita Khrushchev’ s guidance, as a tribute to his homeland, Ukraine. Its three large station halls feature images celebrating Ukraine’s contributions to the Soviet Union and Russo-Ukrainian unity, depicting musicians, textile-working, soldiers, farmers. (One hall has frescoes, one mosaics, and the third murals.) Shortly after it was completed, Khrushchev condemned the architectural excesses and unnecessary luxury of the Stalin era, which ushered in an epoch of more austere Metro stations. According to the legend at least, he timed the policy in part to ensure no Metro station built after could outshine Kiyevskaya.

Change to the 3/Blue line and go one stop west.

8. Park Pobedy. This is the deepest station on the Metro, with one of the world’s longest escalators, at 413 feet. If you stand still, the escalator ride to the surface takes about three minutes .) Opened in 2003 at Victory Park, the station celebrates two of Russia’s great military victories. Each end has a mural by Georgian artist Zurab Tsereteli, who also designed the “ Good Defeats Evil ” statue at the UN headquarters in New York. One mural depicts the Russian generals’ victory over the French in 1812 and the other, the German surrender of 1945. The latter is particularly striking; equal parts dramatic, triumphant, and gruesome. To the side, Red Army soldiers trample Nazi flags, and if you look closely there’s some blood spatter among the detail. Still, the biggest impressions here are the marble shine of the chessboard floor pattern and the pleasingly geometric effect if you view from one end to the other.

Keep going one more stop west to:

9. Slavyansky Bulvar.  One of the Metro’s youngest stations, it opened in 2008. With far higher ceilings than many other stations—which tend to have covered central tunnels on the platforms—it has an “open-air” feel (or as close to it as you can get, one hundred feet under). It’s an homage to French architect Hector Guimard, he of the Art Nouveau entrances for the Paris M é tro, and that’s precisely what this looks like: A Moscow homage to the Paris M é tro, with an additional forest theme. A Cyrillic twist on Guimard’s Metro-style lettering over the benches, furnished with t rees and branch motifs, including creeping vines as towering lamp-posts.

Stay on the 3/Blue line and double back four stations to:

10. Arbatskaya. Its first iteration, Arbatskaya-Smolenskaya station, was damaged by German bombs in 1941. It was rebuilt in 1953, and designed to double as a bomb shelter in the event of nuclear war, although unusually for stations built in the post-war phase, this one doesn’t have a war theme. It may also be one of the system’s most elegant: Baroque, but toned down a little, with red marble floors and white ceilings with gilded bronze c handeliers.

Jump back on the 3/Blue line  in the same direction and take it one more stop:

11. Ploshchad Revolyutsii (Revolution Square). Opened in 1938, and serving Red Square and the Kremlin . Its renowned central hall has marble columns flanked by 76 bronze statues of Soviet heroes: soldiers, students, farmers, athletes, writers, parents. Some of these statues’ appendages have a yellow sheen from decades of Moscow’s commuters rubbing them for good luck. Among the most popular for a superstitious walk-by rub: the snout of a frontier guard’s dog, a soldier’s gun (where the touch of millions of human hands have tapered the gun barrel into a fine, pointy blade), a baby’s foot, and a woman’s knee. (A brass rooster also sports the telltale gold sheen, though I am told that rubbing the rooster is thought to bring bad luck. )

Now take the escalator up, and get some fresh air.

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