Our Stories

Aug 17 2026

International Colobine Day: Meet the Monkeys Leaping Into the Conservation Spotlight

They can leap 20 to 25 feet through the forest canopy. Their hands work almost like hooks. Their…

Aug 06 2026

World Elephant Day: Every Elephant Has a Story Worth Protecting

Every year on August 12, World Elephant Day shines a spotlight on one of Earth's most remarkable…

Jun 25 2026

The Columbus Zoo is Building a Sustainable Aquarium

Jun 15 2026

Go W.I.L.D. This July and Turn Small Actions Into Big Impact

May 14 2026

What the Heck is a Hellbender?

Ohio is teeming with fascinating wildlife, but one of its most unique residents is struggling to…

Apr 23 2026

Beneath the Surface: Freshwater Mussels are Nature’s Filters at Work

Do you enjoy fishing, swimming, or canoeing? If so, you have freshwater mussels to thank for…

Apr 21 2026

Your Old Phone Could Help Save Gorillas. Really.

Let’s start with something sitting in your drawer right now.An old phone. Maybe two. Maybe five.It…

Mar 26 2026

Small Actions, Big Impact: Earth Day Recycling Drives at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium!

Jan 29 2026

New Year, Same Planet: Why Conservation is a Year-Round Commitment at the Columbus Zoo

A new year often brings a chance to reset – fresh calendars, new goals, and renewed motivation.…

Dec 16 2025

A Year of Hope, Growth, and Impact

As 2025 comes to a close, we’re reflecting on the incredible strides we’ve made together in…

Nov 21 2025

Every Rattle Tells a Story: Conserving Ohio’s Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake

The unmistakable warning of the eastern massasauga rattlesnake, that signature rattle, is often…

Nov 19 2025

Herds and Heroes Spotlight: A Love Story with the Columbus Zoo

Some people visit the Zoo. Others become part of its heartbeat. Kathy and Steve Ragsdale are the…

Oct 23 2025

It’s a Boy! Second Baby Elephant is Born at the Columbus Zoo

The indoor section of the Asian elephant habitat at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium was quiet and…

Oct 23 2025

Hellbenders and Mudpuppies: They’re Not the Same Species!

If you’ve seen the exciting national headlines about the recent release of endangered hellbenders…

Sep 08 2025

Going Green This Halloween: Columbus Zoo Eco-Friendly Tips for a Spooktacular Season!

Ghosts, vampires, and witches aren’t the only things making Halloween spooky these days. The…

Sep 03 2025

Bearing Hope: Polar Bear Denning at the Columbus Zoo

This fall, guests to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium’s Polar Frontier region may notice that Lee and…

Aug 27 2025

Hellbenders and Hope

Slick, sly, and elusive – the eastern hellbender is a unique and endangered amphibian native to…

Jul 30 2025

W.I.L.D. Zero-Waste Challenge: The 2025 Impact

Throughout the month of July, the Columbus Zoo community came together to take action for a cleaner…

Jul 25 2025

Across Oceans and Generations: How the Columbus Zoo is Shaping the Future of Asian Elephants

A few years ago, conservation leaders from around the world gathered to kick off a conversation…

Jul 21 2025

A Homecoming in the Treetops: The Journey of a Young Red-Shouldered Hawk

It’s not every day that a red-shouldered hawk makes a dramatic return to the treetops above an…

Jun 24 2025

Go W.I.L.D. This July: The 2025 Zero-Waste Challenge is HERE!

Walk Intentionally. Live Differently.This summer, we’re not just kicking plastic to the curb—we’re…

Jun 09 2025

A World First at the Columbus Zoo: Weedy Seadragons Are Hatching!

Update to this Blog: The Shores & Aquarium team has confirmed there are FIVE male weedy…

May 26 2025

In the Heart of Africa: How Rwanda Redefined My View of Conservation

This past March, I had the incredible opportunity to travel to Rwanda on a donor trip to visit our…

May 17 2025

Protecting Ohio’s Wildlife – A Look Inside the Ohio Center for Wildlife Conservation

For many people, the idea of conservation brings to mind far-flung places, unknown landscapes, and…

Apr 24 2025

Tracking the Secret Life of Columbus’ Largest Snake

How do ratsnakes navigate the Columbus Zoo? Where do they go when no one is looking? And what…

Apr 11 2025

Ready to Rethink Your Trash? Here's How to Join the Columbus Zoo’s Recycling Efforts at Home

Every April, communities around the globe come together to celebrate Earth Month—a time dedicated…

Feb 17 2025

Columbus Zoo Alumni Manatees: Where Are They Now?

If you’ve visited the Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Center at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium,…

Dec 16 2024

Sustainability in Action: How the Columbus Zoo is Leading the Green Revolution

For nearly a century, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium has been a cornerstone of our community,…

Jul 26 2024

5 Ways You Can Go Plastic-Free at Home

Every year in July, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium leads an initiative to leave the world a better…

Jul 16 2024

"Rumble in the Jungle": Dumplin's Version

Let’s celebrate one of the Columbus Zoo’s beloved resident orangutans, Dumplin, as she turns 50…

Jun 14 2024

The Columbus Zoo Plastic Free Ecochallenge Kicks Off in July

Are you ready to make a significant impact on our environment while supporting the Columbus Zoo and…

Apr 16 2024

Cultivating Year-Round Delights: The Secret Behind the Columbus Zoo's Browse

As supporters of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, it's essential to understand the dedication and…

Apr 16 2024

Exploring Greenhouses at the Columbus Zoo: A Haven of Biodiversity

In the heart of Columbus Zoo and Aquarium lies a hidden gem that many visitors may not even realize…

Apr 16 2024

Growing Greener: Reflecting on Columbus Zoo's Sustainability Efforts

With the recent completion of the Columbus Zoo's Sustainability Plan, which outlines efforts and…

Feb 06 2024

Through the Lens: A Columbus Zoo Photographer's Journey to Rwanda

Jan 18 2024

The Columbus Zoo Senior Curator's Global Travels in the Name of Asian Elephant Conservation

Asian elephants hold a special place in my heart, being one of the most revered and beloved…

Jan 18 2024

From Trunk to Tail: Repurposing Trees at the Columbus Zoo to Enrich Animal Habitats

As construction for the North America Project continues to make great progress, guests visiting the…

Dec 04 2023

Tales in Lemur Conservation: The Columbus Zoo Goes to Madagascar

Nov 28 2023

Raising Hellbenders: A Conservation Odyssey in Ohio's Waters

Nov 21 2023

Give the Gift of Sustainability This Holiday Season

‘Tis the season for joy, celebration and giving, with a pile of consumer waste sprinkled on top!…

Nov 20 2023

Championing Climate Action: Columbus Zoo Team Explores Churchill's Climate Alliance Summit for a Polar Bear Perspective

Recently, two dedicated members of the Columbus Zoo team embarked on an impactful journey to the…

Oct 25 2023

The Watters Aquatic Conservation Center Marks the Beginning of an Exciting New Chapter in Freshwater Mussel Conservation

 Local biodiversity conservation is of utmost importance, and the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium…

Sep 29 2023

Columbus Zoo Fall Planting Tips for your Home Pollinator Garden

While visiting the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Zoombezi Bay, or Safari Golf Club, you may have…

Jun 08 2023

Pollinator Gardens: Sustainability and Conservation In-Bloom

By Harvey Castner, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Volunteer and Pollinator Enthusiastand Stoyan Iordanov…

Jun 07 2023

How the Zoo and You Can Protect Our Oceans

Even here in Central Ohio, the ocean plays a huge role in our everyday lives. The ocean is critical…

Jun 01 2023

The Redevelopment of a Historic Region of the Zoo, and How You Can Help

Nikki Smith spends part of her shift walking the historic North America region at the Columbus Zoo…

Apr 10 2023

How Your Old Cell Phone Can Protect Gorillas

Even though every day is Earth Day at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, we are making this time of…

Mar 29 2023

Columbus Zoo Awards Three-Year Operations Grant to Lola ya Bonobo

As the world’s only bonobo sanctuary and rewilding program, Lola ya Bonobo has made a significant…

Aug 15 2022

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Contributes to Turtle and Tortoise Study Challenging Evolutionary Theories of Aging

Pop quiz: Who is the oldest animal at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium? If you guessed Bubba, the…

Jul 15 2022

Polar Bears, Anana and Aurora, Contributing to Science to Help Save Species Through Artificial Insemination

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium’s two female polar bears are contributing to innovative scientific…

Jun 06 2022

Zoo Love For Our Ocean

Every year, World Ocean Day is celebrated on June 8, dedicated to helping spread awareness about…

Apr 22 2022

The Columbus Zoo Tackles Climate Change

Today 24 members of the Aquarium Conservation Partnership (ACP) announced their first…

Feb 06 2022

Connecting People and Wildlife at the Columbus Zoo

In 2017, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium initiated the largest and most significant fundraising goal…

Jan 16 2022

Partnering to Help Manatees

Did You Know...SeaWorld, DHL Express, and the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium joined forces to help four…

Dec 10 2021

All-Things Rhino Conservation

If you put aside how many people love to visit the rhinos at both the Columbus Zoo and The Wilds,…

Oct 21 2021

Trimming Trees Makes Tasty Treats

AEP Ohio’s forestry program is critical to keeping the power on — making sure that its lines and…