Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden
Infobox zoo
zoo_name=Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden
location=Cincinnati,
date_opened=1875
num_species=510
members=AZA
website=http://www.cincyzoo.org
The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, is the second-oldest
The Cincinnati Zoo, which has been rated (on numerous occasions) as one of the top zoos in the country, resides in the Cincinnati neighborhood of Avondale. It was founded on 65 acres (260,000 m²) in the middle of the city, and since then it has acquired some of the surrounding blocks and several reserves in Cincinnati's outer suburbs. Cincinnati Zoo's urban setting differentiates it from other American zoos which are in suburban areas. Nicknamed "The Sexiest Zoo in America" it is world renowned for its breeding programs, especially for
Vision & Mission
The mission and vision of the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is dedicated to creating adventure, conveying knowledge, conserving nature, and serving the community.
With the addition of our fourth pillar to our Mission Statement, Serving Community, we recognize the responsibility to partner with diverse and economically challenged communities in our daily work.
Vision: Inspiring Passion for Nature and Saving Wildlife for Future Generations
History
The Zoological Society of Cincinnati was founded in 1873 and officially opened its doors in 1875, making the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden the second oldest Zoo in the United States. Founded by Jonathan Schoonover of Cincinnati and designed by the landscape engineer The Zoo was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1987 due to its significant architecture featured in the Elephant House, the Reptile House, and the Passenger Pigeon Memorial. The Zoo’s Reptile House is the oldest existing Zoo building in the country, dating from 1875. Part of the public school system in Cincinnati since 1975, the Zoo hosts a four-year college preparatory program – Zoo Academy. The Cincinnati Zoo is proud to serve as the leading non-formal science educator in Southwest Ohio. Over 300,000 students participate in the Zoo’s educational programs annually. The Zoo has long been successful at captive breeding, starting with trumpeter swans and sea lions back in the 1880s. The Lindner Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife (CREW) was founded in 1986 to strengthen the tradition. The research conducted here has made the Cincinnati Zoo an international leader in the protection and propagation of endangered animals and plants around the world. Rated by peer zoological parks as one of the best zoos in the nation, the Cincinnati Zoo continues to set the standard for conservation, education and preservation of wild animals and wild spaces. Over 1.2 million people visit the Zoo annually. The Zoo features more than 500 animal and 3,000 plant species, making it one of the largest Zoo collections in the country. Today The Zoo is noted for its educational work; its education director The Major Exhibits Cat House - See (and smell) Gibbon Islands - Giraffe Ridge - Feed snacks to a herd of Gorilla World - Explore the world of the Jungle Trails - Journey through the forest to peer at primates, including Kroger Lords of the Arctic - Come face to face with a Lemur Lookout - Watch ring-tailed Marge Schott-Unnewehr Elephant Reserve - Marvel at the Monkey Island - Join the party with a lively bunch of Nocturnal House - Navigate by creatures of the night such as the Otto M. Budig Family Foundation Manatee Springs - Celebrate Florida wildlife, including the Passenger Pigeon Memorial - Pay tribute to Martha, the last known Penguin Walkabout - Walk about with little P&G Discovery Forest - It’s a green world after all, where the two-toed sloth, blue and gold macaw, boa constrictor, and toucan live. Reptile House - Stroll by the Rhino Reserve - Watch black and Indian rhinos wallow in the mud. Siegfried & Roy’s White Lions of Timbavati - Catch a glimpse of the rare Spaulding Children’s Zoo - Feed goats, touch live animals, climb on a spider web, and howl with the wolves. Spaulding Lorikeet Landing - Feed Tiger Canyon - Descend into the canyon to view Wetland Trails & Swan Lake - Observe Wildlife Canyon & Sumatran Rhino - See the only Wings of the World - Peek into the lives of Wolf Woods - Hike through the woods where World of the Insect - Stop to appreciate six-legged species like the Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife (CREW) Founded in 1981 the mission of CREW is to use science and technology to understand, preserve and propagate endangered flora and fauna and facilitate the conservation of global biodiversity. Principal Research Programs: Animal division: Research primarily focuses on reproductive physiology and the development of assisted reproduction for a variety of taxon including primates, felids, rhinos, amphibians and birds.; Plant division: Research focuses on "in vitro" collection, propagation and cryopreservation of endangered plants across the U.S.; For both research divisions, the Frozen Zoo plays a major role. In it are stored over 2,500 specimens representing approximately 60 animal and 65 plant species. Endangered Species The Zoo helps save endangered species through research, education, and habitat protection. Many of our efforts are coordinated by the Zoo’s Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife (CREW), which is dedicated to saving species with science. We also participate in Species Survival Plans (SSP) formany species we work to protect. Managed by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, an SSP helps to ensure the survival of a selected species through managed captive breeding, research, education, and conservation in the wild. Take this tour to meet some of the animals weare conserving. River Otter With otter populations in crisis worldwide, it is important to maintain a captive population as a research resource and genetic reserve. To facilitate captive breedingof river otters, CREW scientists are researching their reproductive biology. Mexican WolfAs a participant in the Mexican wolf SSP, the Zoo is working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Mexican Wolf Recovery Program to reintroduce wolves in Arizona andNew Mexico. Blue and Gold MacawThe Zoo is spearheading the reintroduction of blue and gold macaws to Trinidad, where they had been wiped out due to habitat loss and the pet trade. Community involvement and education are key components of the program’s success. Indian RhinoNatural breeding of Indian rhinos in captivity has proved difficult. As part of the Indian rhino SSP, CREW scientists are developing an artificial insemination procedure toassist breeding. Florida ManateeAs a partner with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Manatee Rescue, Rehabilitation, and Release program, the Zoo provides rehabilitation for manatees that require long-term care due to an injury or illness. CheetahThe Zoo is helping the cheetah win the race for survival. Raising awareness through the Cat Ambassador Program, partnering with the Cheetah Conservation Fund toconserve cheetahs in the wild, and participating in the Cheetah SSP as a regional breeding center are just a few ways the Zoo works to protect cheetahs. Brazilian OcelotSupporting the Brazilian ocelot SSP, the Zoo is a member of the Brazilian Ocelot Consortium (BOC). The aim of the BOC is to establish a captive population in U.S. zoos as well as to educate the public and restore habitat in Brazil. To this purpose, CREW scientists have made great strides in developing assisted reproductivetechniques such as in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. Pallas’ CatCREW research has determined that Pallas’ cats have a seasonal breeding cycle based on light exposure and are susceptible to the Toxoplasma parasite as kittens. Thisknowledge has improved reproductive success for the Pallas’ cat SSP. Western Lowland GorillaAs part of the gorilla SSP, the Zoo is one of the top breeders of the western lowland gorilla in the world with more than 45 births. The Zoo also supports the Mbeli Bai Study, which investigates western lowland gorilla ecology in the Republic of Congo. Sumatran RhinoAs part of the Sumatran rhino SSP, the Zoo is leading efforts to save the rhino. Breakthrough research at theCREW resulted in the first Sumatran rhino calf bred and born in captivity in over a century, and two more calveshave been born since. The Zoo also supports Rhino Protection Units that patrol the forests in Malaysia to combat poaching. Zoo Academy The Cincinnati Zoo Academy has been a part of the public school system in Cincinnati since 1975. In 1995, the program underwent a substantial change from a strictly vocational program with an emphasis on natural resources and wildlife management to a four year college preparatory program where the students earn vocational degrees by working with zoo keepers for two hours a day. Students spend their ninth and tenth grade years in the Cincinnati Academy of Mathematics and Science (CAMAS) at Hughes Center. Their eleventh and twelfth grade years are spent at the Zoo Academy. Gardens & Plant Exhibits The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is one of the finest horticultural display gardens in the country. The plant collections are a unique blend of gardens and exhibits that demonstrate the diversity of plants and their relationship to humans and animals. Over 3,000 kinds of plants provide informative and educational resources for all plant enthusiasts. Exploring the Garden each season provides a new and changing look in the landscape. Bright vivid spring flowers, including 80,000 tulips and thousands of flowering trees and shrubs transition to a lush and vibrant summer landscape. Autumn is adorned with brilliant colors giving way to winter's brightly colored fruits and berries and a clear view of the impressive architecture of regal trees throughout the Garden. A visit to the Zoo is a global adventure where exhibits simulate natural habitats for animals and plants. Exploring the Garden is a walk through tropical rainforests, an African savanna, Florida swamps, the Arctic tundra and the native eastern American woodlands to name a few. While exploring the world be sure to visit some of our specialty plant display gardens. Butterfly Garden- located next to the World of Insects, this display garden features plants used throughout the life cycle of butterflies. Colorful interpretive signs highlight the complete cycle from catepillar to pupae to butterfly and what plants are used in each stage. Annual and perennial plants provide nectar to attract butterflies and a colorful garden spot throughout the summer season. Food Garden - located in front of the Rhino Cafe, this seasonal display garden highlights delicious treats we enjoy eating and drinking including coffee, bananas and chocolate trees. African Violet Display - located in Jungle Trails, the Cincinnati African Violet Society provides a seasonal display showcasing African violets in a naturalistic setting. Discover the many varieties of colors and sizes of this endangered plant species. Botanical Center - looking for The Zoo's Best Brochures or an answer to a garden question? Stop by the Botanical Center for more garden information and hands on plant activities for the family. CREW Endangered Species Garden - at the entrance of CREW features a number of plant species of conservation concern in our region, patterned after four local habitats; woodland, prairie, wetland, and rocky outcrop. Native Plant Garden - explore the landscape next to the Passenger Pigeon Memorial, home to many native plants, trees, and shrubs. The Rain Garden - positioned in front of the Harold C. Schott education building is a beautiful example of how to reduce urban stormwater pollution and improve local water quality. Rain gardens absorb water 30%-40% more efficiently than a standard lawn. See also * References External links * http://www.cincyzoo.org
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* [http://www.CincyNorth.com Northern Cincinnati Convention & Visitors Bureau]
* [http://www.pbase.com/cincyimages/cincinnati_zoo Cincinnati Zoo Photographs]