Posted August 2, 200420 yr This is very big news, and spotlights the Cincinnati Zoo's continuing excellence in its captive breeding program. The article appeared in the 7/31/04 Cincinnati Enquirer: Zoo's Emi gives birth to a daughter Rare Sumatran rhino makes history By Dan Klepal Enquirer staff writer After just 47 minutes of labor Friday afternoon, the most endangered mammal on the planet numbers one more. Emi, the Cincinnati Zoo's Sumatran rhino, gave birth at 12:51 p.m. inside her indoor stall at the zoo. Mother and daughter are doing fine, zoo officials said. The birth is historic: There are fewer than 300 Sumatran rhinos in the world, and it's the first time a female has given birth twice in captivity, thanks to methods pioneered by scientists at the zoo's Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife. The Cincinnati Enquirer reports on the full story.
May 10, 200520 yr This hasn't been in the news and it's not even on the zoo's website. But it looks like they have applied for a permit to build a $22 million animal hospital at/around 3400 Vine St.
June 5, 200520 yr The New Zoo Cincinnati landmark plans $40 million expansion By Dan Klepal Enquirer staff writer The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, a 130-year-old city landmark and the nation's second-oldest zoo, is set to begin raising money for its most expensive and ambitious expansion in history. And perhaps its most important. Zoo officials have crafted a $40 million plan that is meant to shape the park's personality and future for decades. They'll begin raising the money this fall to pay for a new entrance way into the park, a new one-of-a-kind cheetah exhibit, and expansions of four displays that demonstrate the scientific work at the zoo to save animals from extinction. The improvements, zoo officials say, will further establish the zoo as a leader in conservation of endangered animals and a top-shelf educational center. Read full article here: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050605/NEWS01/506050396
June 6, 200520 yr I used to live in an apartment that is going to be razed for all this -- I think this plan is fallout too from whenever that levy failed back in the 90's when they planned a parking garage on Dury Ave. and/or tore down some houses. Even after the zoo claims its current parking lot for exhibit space it still has a lot more potential space because all those houses right along Vine back directly into the zoo's exhibits. I remember walking past there and you could frequently smell the rhino crap from the Vine sidewalk. Also, exactly one time a roommate's girlfriend heard one of the elephants sound its trumpet but otherwise living next to the zoo was pretty uneventful.
June 6, 200520 yr I think this is awesome. I just moved back to Cincinnati and got a family pass. We've taken the kids every weekend. While the zoo is great, it does lack some indoor exhibits that Columbus and Louisville have, such as the indoor Gorilla Sanctuary at Gorilla Forest in Louisville. Overall the zoo is one of the best in the country and I would love to support making it even better.
August 2, 200519 yr The new zoo By Mark Hansel Post staff reporter A man in a steel cage looks on eagerly as gorillas emerge from the trees and begin to mill around him. Like sharks in the ocean, the hulking primates move toward the cage and then veer off, occasionally rocking it with their massive bodies as they pass. The man observes the actions of the great beasts and relays information to his partner waiting at a nearby observation post. The scene is not from an African wildlife film. It is a new approach to entertaining and educating zoo visitors. While specific plans for the gorilla "shark cage" are still being worked out, the Cincinnati Zoo hopes to unveil it soon. "This is another step in the evolution of zoos," said John Dinon, director of animal conservation programs for the zoo. Read full article here: http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050801/NEWS01/508010360
January 12, 200619 yr Here are some renderings by glaserworks of the $8.2 million education center, which is mentioned in the story link in the first post "More room for them...." This is supposed to open some time in the second half of 2006. The photos appear to be from some time in October, maybe, or possibly early November. I think they were posted November 28. Plan: Renderings of north and south elevations: East elevation: East elevation: East elevation - conservatory: North elevation: South elevation: http://www.glaserworks.com/www2/Current/index.cgi?mode=album&album=Zoo%20Education
January 12, 200619 yr A lipstick? "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
March 28, 200619 yr New at the Zoo Bigger hospital means better care for animals; education center means study opportunities for you BY JIM KNIPPENBERG | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden is approaching the home stretch of the first phase of an unprecedented building boom that will forever change the face of the 130-year-old institution. It's a boom that will mean better animal care, more extensive research and a major boost of community involvement in zoo projects and conservation efforts. "This year is seeing the most capital improvements at any one time in the zoo's history," said zoo president Gregg Hudson. He's referring to more than $12 million in projects, including a $4 million hospital to open early May, and an $8.4 million education center that will be ready in September. Both projects began last fall and are on schedule. Read full article here: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060327/LIFE/603270309/1025/
March 28, 200619 yr I havent been to the zoo in awhile. However, I have been trying to make time to make my return to one of the greatest zoos in the US. I love the plans for improvement/expansion. Combine this with the rest of the renaisance occuring Uptown and you will see a truly great product.
July 18, 200618 yr Zoo goes green on inside, too Education center sports flora, fauna, energy efficiency Cincinnati Business Courier - July 14, 2006 by Laura Baverman Staff Reporter When the Cincinnati Zoo's Harold C. Schott Education Center opens this fall, children will roam the 55-foot tall greenhouse, gaze at toucans flying wild and learn about the features that make the building environmentally friendly. A display along the building's Erkenbrecher Avenue interior describes the energy efficiency created by its solar panels and reflective roof, the re-use of the zoo's old white oak tree for wood trim and benches and the cost savings of installing waterless urinals. Read full article here: http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2006/07/17/focus1.html
July 19, 200618 yr "And despite the zoo's water being provided free by the city of Cincinnati, it installed waterless urinals and used low-flow plumbing fixtures to send the message of conservation to the public." Bravo :clap: :clap:
July 19, 200618 yr Conservation message? Probably more like lack of funds for something more intricate.
July 19, 200618 yr ^ but its actually more expensive to install the things that the zoo installed In an effort to be more conservative with natural resources.
August 24, 200618 yr School's a zoo Cincinnati Public Schools' Zoo Academy is different kind of animal BY JIM KNIPPENBERG | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER Come 8 a.m. Wednesday, "back to school" for most students means a quick stint in homeroom, then a sprint to English or algebra class. But for students at the Zoo Academy, it means a sprint to give an elephant a bath. Or assist with a sonogram on a pregnant rhino. Or clean up a mound of dung. The Zoo Academy is a fully accredited Cincinnati Public School in the zoo's new $8.4 million Harold C. Schott Education Center. At the southern edge of zoo grounds near the corner of Vine Street and Erkenbrecher Avenue, the state-of-the-art facility is the zoo's most expensive building project. Home of the Academy and several public attractions, it has its "soft opening" this week for students and for the public on Sept. 5, followed by a dedication and grand opening Oct. 5. Read full article here: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060822/LIFE/608220317/1086
November 27, 200717 yr Zoo wants new $38 million levy; panel advises asking $36.3M BY JESSICA BROWN | November 27, 2007 The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden got the green light Monday from the county panel that reviews tax levies to put a five-year, $36.3 million levy on the March ballot. The zoo, however, is hoping to get more than that. It is requesting $38 million. "We run a tight ship," said Thane Maynard, the zoo's executive director. "But expenses go up." Discussions are continuing and Hamilton County commissioners are expected to vote on a levy amount Dec. 5 or Dec. 10. Maynard and zoo board Chairman Otto Budig Jr. said the zoo has made significant changes over the past year to cut costs and increase revenue. The zoo is more efficient than it has been in years, but still needs those tax dollars to fund operations, they said. Read full article here: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071127/NEWS01/711270348/1056/COL02
November 27, 200717 yr the zoo's economic impact per year is something like $122,000,000 so I think 0.42 mils is a pretty reasonable
December 11, 200717 yr Commissioners set to approve zoo levy December 10, 2007 | CINCINNATI BUSINESS COURIER A five-year levy proposal that will raise $36.3 million for the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden is headed for formal approval by the Hamilton County Commissioners. Commissioner David Pepper said Monday that all three commissioners voiced their approval for the levy, which was given the go-ahead in late November by the Hamilton County tax levy review committee. Read full article here: http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2007/12/10/daily11.html
December 14, 200717 yr I love the Cincinnati Zoo and it's always a big hit with my out of town guest, esp. the younger ones. I'm all for the levy.
January 19, 200817 yr Going green with 'zoo poop' BY JIM KNIPPENBERG | January 18, 2008 The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden has launched a project that will turn one of its most abundant natural resources into energy. Poop. There are no specific numbers on how much it will save the zoo in energy costs, but the team working on the project says it will be tens of thousands of dollars annually at the outset and more as the program progresses. In about two years, when the plan is fully implemented, the elephant and giraffe houses will be heated, cooled and lit by animal waste converted to energy. At least two other zoos – Denver and Dallas – are in the beginning stages of similar projects. Poo Power, as the senior staff is calling it, is one phase of Go Green, a multi-tiered initiative that informally began in 2005 with a water-saving project and construction of the Harold C. Schott Education Center aimed at making Cincinnati one of the country’s greenest zoos, said Mark Fisher, senior director of facilities and planning. Read full article here: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080118/NEWS01/301180088
April 1, 200817 yr Now a Gold Zoo member, which means I get free parking, but live about .5 mi from the zoo so I don't really need it, It was a nice gift though
June 24, 200816 yr Also Giraffes are back at the Zoo with their new/improved area where you can actually feed them yourself.
July 23, 200816 yr Zoo gets funds for cat-breeding center http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080723/NEWS01/307230040/1055/NEWS
October 3, 200816 yr Cincinnati Zoo wins federal research grant The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden’s Lindner Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife (CREW) has won a National Leadership Grant to research breeding programs for rhinoceroses and small cats. The $835,000 grant, from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services, will allow CREW to continue with its efforts to incorporate genome resource banks and assisted reproduction into the breeding and management of the endangered species. Read full article here: http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2008/09/29/daily50.html
October 4, 200816 yr It's like they're re-digging the Panama Canal over there. It's a complete mess...I wonder what the need was?
October 10, 200816 yr I stopped by the zoo last Friday and have some interesting tidbits: 1) The full plan for the new entrance is posted by the Elephant House. I hadn't seen this before. It has new membership, admission and shop buildings. Which I'd imagine means those buildings at the current main entrance will be demoed for new exhibits (more on this later). It doesn't look like they're going to do much with the massive retaining wall... bummer. 2) The Iams Animal Wellness Village in front of CREW is almost complete. Hopefully this means higher visibility for all the amazing conservation work happening at the zoo. 3) The new rain gardens look pretty good, they're in the parking lot in front of the new Education Center. One is mostly local species, the other has a mix of local and exotic species. They hope to have more info (pamphlets, classes, etc.) on them soon. 4) While I was checking out the rain gardens I bumped into a couple girls from the Cat Ambassador program. I asked about plans for the current main parking lot once the entrance is shifted and they tell me it's going to be turned into an African Savannah. Which I think sounds awesome. The cheetahs will have an expanded area for running and hanging out (since the current run is more of an afterthought than an exhibit) and it should help the giraffe exhibit, since right now its basically part of the parking lot.
October 30, 200816 yr I went to the Zoo for the first time a couple weeks ago, and to be perfectly honest, I was very disappointed given all the praise that people have given it. In particular, does anyone know what happened to their cat house? It must have flooded, because it was filled with an extraordinary stench from moldy carpet. The smell was so oppressive that people instantly turned around to exit. Also, all the indoor plants - including a large tree - had died, and the facility looked like it hadn't been cleaned or updated since the 1980s. If it weren't for the animals on display, you would honestly assume that the building had been abandoned. The worst part of all was that there wasn't any staff, or even a simple sign, explaining why their exhibit was in such unacceptable condition. I got the horrible feeling that it's been like this for awhile and they just don't care. I'll give the zoo another chance once they finish the new entrance and convert the parking lot into a Savannah exhibit. Until then, I'm certainly going to suggest that people avoid it.
October 30, 200816 yr The cat house has always had an odor to it, since I was a kid. That is kind of a given in my opinion. It is also why I hate cats.
October 30, 200816 yr The Cincy Zoo has some very nice exhibits and does some very good conservation work. But, the overall facility is starting to have some not so kind aging. I do like that the zoo still has an urban location. On a side note: The Columbus Zoo is top notch.
October 30, 200816 yr The cat house has to be one of my least favorite exhibits, and certainly hasn't aged well. (HAHA I just noticed this from the cincy zoo website "Cat House - See (and smell) leopards, ocelots, Pallas’ cats, and more.") A new small cat exhibit is being built at Cat Canyon (http://cincinnatizoo.org/pdfs/CatCanyonSCARCE.pdf). I haven't heard how this will effect the current cat house, but with the zoo so strapped for space I'd imagine it might be leaving soon. While looking for that article I also noticed that the Fraternal Order of Eagles is sponsoring a new eagle exhibit: http://cincinnatizoo.org/pdfs/FOEPartnership.pdf And here is a rendering: http://www.local12.com/guides/petcare/story.aspx?content_id=c9f3e3f5-228f-4478-91df-400bdb2e8795 I don't get how this is better than the cages by the reptile house where they used to be, but I guess they weren't there last time I visited anyway.
October 30, 200816 yr I remember when they still gave tortoise rides, the chimps were in cages, and you could feed the elephants part of your packed lunch.
October 31, 200816 yr I remember when they still gave tortoise rides, the chimps were in cages, and you could feed the elephants part of your packed lunch. Almost sounds like having your parents tell you they walked up hill both ways to school in 10 feet of snow.
October 31, 200816 yr I concur with others that the cat house is the worst exhibit and has always stunk. I have fond memories of feeding the elephants, so I was very happy that at the new giraffe exhibit you are encouraged to feed them peanuts, which was not allowed last year. The manatee, insect house, nocturnal house, jungle trails, polar bears, kids petting zoo are the best parts. This is a good time of years to go because it is not so crowded and hot.
October 31, 200816 yr And I thought my cat pooped a lot. She was sh!tting buckets of poop daily. I swear, I'd feed her a little bit in the day and during the night, and she'd poop more than me. It was an intense competition. I'd eat a lot just to beat her. I had to clean the damn litter box out every few hours because it smelled. I can imagine what'd it be like for these cats. Must need a backhoe for this sh!t.
November 13, 200816 yr The grottoes you're talking about is called Cat Canyon now, and will still house large cats, with a new indoor exhibit built for the small cats. From the release: "Cat Canyon will feature a dramatic outdoor exhibit of large predators such as Malayan tigers, snow leopards and Amur leopards living in expanded, naturalistic habitats. A new indoor facility will show small cat species in larger exhibits featuring more complex, multi-dimensional natural environments." I totally share all of those memories too! You're right on with your updates about where old buildings were in relationship to new ones (except I'm not sure about the Panda exhibit). The Ape House now houses a 3-D theater with revolving shows (Polar Express this winter I think). The Walrus exhibit now houses harbor seals I think, after they got 3 baby walruses from the wild and all died (something about rubbing the caulking off the glass?) :( but there was a sea lion that swam around monkey island, his name was Toby, oh and the big male walrus they had before the babies was named Brutus. What I need to figure out is what is in the old education center, it's called Tree Tops, but that means nothing. My family has had a membership since I was a kid, and we still have one now, if anyone is interested in a visit.
November 14, 200816 yr In second grade...meaning circa 1995/6, my school did an overnight at the Zoo and I remember after the zoo had closed, our zoo keeper leader took us with him and let us watch as he fed that sea lion that swam around in the monkey island, so I definitely remember that too! I love the zoo, and it's great to hear about the new cat house, and other improvements being made.
March 7, 200916 yr Zoo isn't taking no for an answer: 4 projects ready Zoos aren't eligible for federal stimulus funds, but that hasn't stopped the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden from seeking more than $1.9 million for four projects, all with an environmental slant. "It does look pretty black and white," Mark Fisher, the zoo's director of facilities, said of the section of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that says stimulus money will not be available to casinos, aquariums, zoos, golf courses or swimming pools. "At the same time, I would say that nothing that comes out of Washington is black and white." So the zoo last month submitted four proposals that are decidedly green and would benefit the community at large, Fisher said. "We've done preliminary engineering. If we had the money, we could make the calls to the subcontractors tomorrow and get the ball rolling." Read full article here: http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20090307/NEWS0108/903070350/1055/NEWS
March 7, 200916 yr The Zoo is a really important player in Cincinnati that often gets overlooked. I love how they have embraced the green movement and are really dedicated to their goal of conservation. Now all they need to do is renovate the cat house...
March 17, 200916 yr Cincinnati Zoo reaches out to Avondale neighbors, presents plans http://www.soapboxmedia.com/devnews/zooplans0317.aspx In an effort to reach out to its Avondale neighbors, the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden held its first-ever community meeting to open a dialogue about its master plan. "The common theme to all this stuff, when I talk to folks is, 'We just want to know what's going on,'" said Mark Fisher, senior director of facilities and planning. "'We want to feel like we're part of the process.'" The largest and most publicly-visible project is Historic Vine Street Village, the creation of a pedestrian walkway over Vine Street and a new gateway entrance to the Zoo, scheduled for completion on May 16. "The way it is now, there's no sense of arrival," Fisher said. "With the new entrance, you'll come in and see new major restroom facilities, a gift shop, tons of pavers, a lot of stone walls. We're trying to play off of our historic status. Basically, we're the second oldest zoo in the world." Fisher also spoke about the Africa Savannah project proposed for the Zoo's main parking lot, which has already been partially removed for the new Giraffe Ridge exhibit. "The Africa Savannah project entails basically taking this asphalt, ripping it up, and turning into basically an open belt of giraffes, zebras, gazelles, ostriches, and all kinds of cool stuff," he said. "So that will end up turning into arguably the best exhibit we have, in terms of size, number of species, and things like that. Funding is an issue, so that's going to be a couple of years down the road." Other smaller projects in the pipeline include an expansion of the Dury Avenue parking lot, rehabilitation of the City Barn, a final fix for the "Forest Avenue Hill Heave", and the incorporation of green space onto some of the Zoo's neighborhood real estate holdings. Fisher added that through better storm water management, new mechanicals, and LEED certification for all of its new buildings, the Zoo has been able to lessen its annual water usage by 40 percent and its annual energy bills by 15 percent. The zoo is also exploring using its plentiful supply of biomass to produce electricity, he said.
April 2, 200916 yr Zoo Ranked Among 10 Best For Kids Zoo Gets High Marks From Parents Magazine The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden announced Thursday that it's been ranked seventh on Parents Magazine’s first-ever 10 Best Zoos for Kids Survey. In a news release, Parents said it focused on honoring zoos that offer a range of interactive, family-friendly activities, while also fostering appreciation, knowledge and excitement about nature. "Introducing children to nature at an early age is so important. It sparks their imagination, inspires appreciation of a world beyond their own back yard and helps teach conservation," said Dana Points, editor-in-chief of Parents Magazine, in a news release. "All of the zoos on our list are dedicated to affordable family fun while ensuring that a day trip feels like a globetrotting adventure." Read full article here: http://www.wlwt.com/family/19074779/detail.html]http://www.wlwt.com/family/19074779/detail.html
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