Charlie the Adopt Bear

Hi! I'm Charlie, the Adopt Bear at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium!

Thanks for scanning my QR code! I hope you're enjoying to visit to the Zoo.

Did you know that a team of animal nutrition experts feed over 10,000 animals every day?

The Zoo's Animal Nutrition team maintains an inventory of 620 foods and supplements to meet the nutritional requirements of over 800 species.
Zoo Horticulturists help all animals that receive plants as part of their diet to ensure they receive non-toxic plants.

large orange plastic bear at the Columbus Zoo

Zoo Nutrition by the Numbers

Each animal’s daily diet is customized for their individual need and can change based on age, activity level, enrichment, season, medical conditions, and other reasons. Diets can vary dramatically depending on each animal’s situation.

One ton equals 2,000 pounds, and every year at the Zoo, the animals in our care are fed:

21 tons of USDA-grade meat
119 tons of grain
232 tons of hay and straw
13 tons of carrots
25 tons of apples

You help with those costs when you symbolically adopt one of our animals...100% of your donation goes to the enrichment and food for that particular animal, and you can be proud knowing that you have contributed significantly to our animals' health and wellbeing!

Symbolically Adopt an Animal

Check often to see new information about our Spotlight Animals and Adopt specials throughout the year!