From the 11/10/06 PD:

 

 

Cleveland zoo announces increase in admission fee

Friday, November 10, 2006

John C. Kuehner

Plain Dealer Reporter

 

It's going to cost you $1 more to get into the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.

 

Admission fees for children and adults will be increased, starting April 1, to help cover the rising operating costs.

 

It's the first increase since 2003...

 

 

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:

[email protected], 216-999-5325

 

http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/116315147181240.xml&coll=2

---

Zoo admission

Friday, November 10, 2006

 

Starting April 1, zoo admission will increase by $1.

 

Adult ticket will increase from $9 to $10.

 

Tickets for children 2 to 11 will increase from $4 to $5.

 

Children under 2 will continue to be admitted free.

 

The zoo offers reduced winter prices for adults, which will increase from $6 to $7. Children will pay $5.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/116315187481240.xml&coll=2

 

It seems like a nice enough zoo, from what I have seen from on-line pics (not a resident of Cleveland metro or OH, yet :-))  I don't think the pricing is too bad.

 

Off-topic question, why does a bridge go through the middle of the zoo? I think Fulton Ave. or Rd.

The zoo expanded west under Fulton Road.

I think the increase is justified and for the quality of exhibits, the zoo is still a bargain.

From the 12/14/06 PD:

 

 

Zoo construction to displace elephants

Thursday, December 14, 2006

John C. Kuehner

Plain Dealer Reporter

 

This may be the last Cleveland winter for Martika, Moshi and Jo, the three African elephants at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.

 

The popular pachyderms will be shipped to new homes next year when the zoo prepares for construction of a new elephant exhibit.

 

A model of the pen and yard, called African Elephant Crossing, will be unveiled Friday at the zoo's Exhibit Hall, where it will be displayed through next year...

 

 

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:

[email protected], 216-999-5325

 

http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/1166089104132960.xml&coll=2

 

Wow! That is going to be one cool Elephant house. My kids will miss them the lovely poo smell. I'm glad we gt to see them one last time (during the warm spell a few weeks ago) before they left.

I think one of the polar bears was shipped to Cinci to help make baby bears recently too.

 

The zoo is also getting ready to celebrate its 125 year this year nd would lke some submissions of visitors favorite memories. I miss the old Monkey Island.

 

Zoo Press Release:

 

The Zoo Needs You to Help Commemorate its 125th

 

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo seeks contributions to anniversary exhibit, website

 

Maybe it was the time that orangutan kept sticking her tongue out at your kids. Or maybe it was that priceless picture you took of the baby rhino wallowing in mud.

 

Whatever your favorite memory, old snapshot or classic souvenir from Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, you're invited to share it with the world as the Zoo begins its yearlong 125th anniversary celebration. Those interested can send their submissions to the Zoo for possible inclusion in a special anniversary exhibit or the anniversary section of the Zoo's website.

 

"Cleveland Metroparks Zoo wouldn't be as successful as it is without the support we've gotten from millions of people over the years, so they deserve to be a big part of this milestone," said Sue Allen, Manager of Marketing & Public Relations for the Zoo. "By sharing their memories and mementos, they're helping us to tell the Zoo's story as it turns 125."

 

Starting this month and continuing throughout 2007, the Zoo will present special events, contests and commemorations in conjunction with its 125th birthday, which is September 15.

 

A highlight of the anniversary commemoration will be an exhibit celebrating the Zoo's rich history and bright future and featuring some of the pictures, words and keepsakes shared by recent Zoo visitors and those from long ago. Select essays, notes and photos also will be included in a memory book, to be displayed with the anniversary exhibit and later cataloged in the Zoo's library, and in a quasquicentennial blog at www.clemetzoo.com.

 

Due to the large volume expected, items contributed to the anniversary exhibit will be considered permanent donations to the Zoo. Arrangements may be made in advance for select items only to be loaned to the Zoo and later returned.

 

Essays or notes about favorite Zoo memories should be 500 words or less and include the author's full name, address and phone number for verification purposes. Photos and mementos should be in relatively good condition and, if possible, dated.

 

All submissions can be dropped off at the Zoo or sent to Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Anniversary Coordinator, 3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland, OH 44109. Essays and questions also can be emailed to [email protected] or faxed to (216) 661-3312.

 

For the latest news about the Zoo's 125th, visit www.clemetzoo.com/anniversary/, which also highlights a different fact from the Zoo's past each day. More features will be added soon.

 

In its 125th year, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo attracts more than 1.1 million people annually and, from its humble start with 14 deer in 1882, is now home to more than 3,000 animals representing 600 species. Through March 30, Zoo admission is discounted to $6 for adults ages 12 and older and $4 for children ages 2 to 11. Kids under 2 and Zoo members always receive free admission.

 

The Zoo, located just minutes from downtown Cleveland, is easily accessible from Interstates 71, 90 and 480. The Zoo is open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and parking is always free.

 

What is the annual attendance for Cleveland Metroparks Zoo?

 

I read somewhere it was 1.2 million.

 

What is the area surrounding the zoo like?

 

This zoo really intrigues me. I want to visit so badly.

 

I hope you Clevelanders are proud of this 168 acre treasure.

Monkey Island was awesom.  The zoo is the best zoo, in the world.  I love going there, when home.

What is the annual attendance for Cleveland Metroparks Zoo?

 

I read somewhere it was 3 million.

 

What is the area surrounding the zoo like?

 

This zoo really intrigues me. I want to visit so badly.

 

I hope you Clevelanders are proud of this 168 acre treasure.

 

 

Re: Annual attendance -- see the second-to-last paragraph in the press release above.

 

The area around the zoo is pretty stable. Not a wealthy neighborhood, but not as rough as the areas a little farther north.

 

Yes, we do treasure it. The new African Elephant Safari should be terrific. Wrote an article about it recently with some renderings and a photo of the model.

Do you have a copy of the model handy to post?

Ooh... Fabulous!  Thank you for the pics!

wow!!   :-o   I can't wait until that opens!  Love the Gumby-esq model.  :lol:

Thanks, KJP.

Did you, or anyone else, hear if they are keeping the elephant relief (see below) that is on the outside of the current building?

If not, what will be done with it?

 

More questions:

Will the Zoo bring back the hippos, warthogs, wallabies and tapirs?

If Martika, Moshi and Jo do not come back as part of the new pack of ten elephants, who will be the new artists?

Hey I just work here!  :oops:

I don't blame you.

It's obviously the PD's reporter, John C. Kuehner's fault.

Even I know how to ask a follow up question... usually.

"Did you, or anyone else, hear if they are keeping the elephant relief (see below) that is on the outside of the current building? If not, what will be done with it?"

 

I can almost 99.99999% assure you that the elephant relief will be preserved in one form or another. As you probably know, it was designed by Viktor Schrekengost, one of Cleveland's most well known artists - it likely has some form of protected status.

I figured as much. I was just surprised it did not come up in the story.

I recall hearing talk of employing an anaerobic digester to treat the mass amounts of elephant dung thereby producing a bio-gas which can cleanly burned to produce electricity.  I'd also heard that a local fuel cell company was interested in utilizing the bio-gas in a fuel cell.  Anyone heard anything about this?  There was talk of exporting the fuel cell version of this 'technology' to various parts of the African continent as a sustainable supply of electricity.

I recall hearing something about this as well, but I've got nothing for you.  Exciting possibility, though!

Out of curiosity, since I'm rarely in this thread, does our zoo have penguins? I was there this summer, totally jazzed to see the penguins (yes, yes, uber-geek) and couldn't find them anywhere.

^ If I'm not mistaken, they're with or right next to the sea lions, back by the camels and tigers.

More people are going to the zoo.

 

From WEWS news.

www.newsnet5.com

 

The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo officials said attendance climbed to 1,203,403, an increase of 84,000 from the previous year. This surpassed the previous year by 75,000 visitors, making it the 13th straight year with attendance over a million.

 

The attendance rate also reflects the zoo's highest ever single-day attendance of 23,684 on July 3.

 

Officials believe there are several reasons for the increase in attendance. This includes the debut of the Zoo's TOUCH!

 

Officials said the record-setting single-day attendance of 23,684 on Monday, July 3, 2006, was mainly due to the Zoo's free Monday admission to residents of Cuyahoga County and Hinckley Township and the traditionally busy holiday weekend.

 

They also project that attendance will remain strong in 2007, which will mark the zoo's 125th anniversary.

 

Always good to hear news like this. Bear hugz to all.

 

Jim S.

 

When I visited Cleveland last October, I was driving on 480 by loads of school buses filled with kids going to the zoo (as they were exiting on state road). It really brought back some memories when I was the kid on the bus, on a school field trip. My first time in Cleveland.

http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/1169805359140120.xml&coll=2

 

1.2 million visit the zoo

Friday, January 26, 2007Michael ScottPlain Dealer Reporter

 

Going to the zoo was a cool thing to do again in 2006.

 

Animal news... of course it is. This is the Zoo thread.

 

RELEASE DATE: March 14, 2007

 

Two North American Black Bears Join Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

 

First species of bear returns to Zoo after 40 years

 

For the first time in 40 years, North American black bears (Ursus americanus) are again on exhibit at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Two female bears recently arrived at the Zoo from the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha and are adapting well to their new home.

 

The pair of young adult black bears, weighing 172 and 193 pounds each, can be found in the Zoo's Northern Trek, which features one of the most diverse bear collections in North America.

 

North American black bears, which became the Zoo's first species of bear back in 1894, inhabited Ohio in the early 1800s until unregulated hunting and deforestation eliminated them from our area. In recent years, black bears have been spotted occasionally in Ohio but remain an endangered species in the state. The bears are moving slowly into the area from Pennsylvania, with 106 sightings reported to the Ohio Division of Wildlife in 2006.

 

In 1894, the Zoo's first black bears went on exhibit at Wade Park, which was the Zoo's original site, and were the last species to move to the current site on Wildlife Way in 1914. The return of black bears in 2007 is only appropriate given the Zoo's yearlong celebration of its 125th anniversary. Other species on display at the Zoo include the polar, Malayan sun, Sri Lankan sloth, spectacled and grizzly bear.

http://www.clemetzoo.com/pressroom/index.asp?action=details&pressrelease_id=1220

 

and

 

RELEASE DATE: March 14, 2007

 

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Welcomes Two Koala Joeys

 

Recent births make koala parents among the most prolific in the country

 

Two koala joeys are just starting to explore the world outside their mothers' pouches at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. The furry little marsupials still stay close to their moms, but Zoo guests may catch a glimpse of them playing, napping or nibbling on eucalyptus leaves.

 

The recent births put at 11 the total number of koalas born at the Zoo since 1999. That's more than at any other zoo in the country outside of San Diego Zoo, which brought koalas to North America in 1925 and helped Cleveland start its koala-breeding program eight years ago.

 

"Koala breeding can be very difficult in zoos, but we're doing very well with it because of our compatible animals and the consistency of care we give them every single day," said Scott Wright, koala keeper at the Zoo. "These are animals that really take a lot of attention, and we make them as comfortable as possible so they're comfortable enough to breed here."

 

Indeed, the Zoo's adult male koala, Ouraka, has made himself at home in Cleveland, fathering all 11 joeys born here. Ten-year-old Ouraka came from the San Diego Zoo in 1999 with his female breeding partners Colliet and Midgee, who are 8 now.

 

The three koalas are among the most prolific in the country, living inside the Zoo's GumLeaf Hideout and receiving 200 pounds of eucalyptus leaves to eat each week. Breeding them is a priority to ensure the Zoo and others in North America always will have koalas for people to connect with while learning about them and their threatened Australian habitat.

http://www.clemetzoo.com/pressroom/index.asp?action=details&pressrelease_id=1219

Crain's:

 

Zoo taps into wireless network

By CHUCK SODER

2:38 pm, April 4, 2007

 

 

The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is using wireless Internet technology to make students who participate in the zoo’s videoconferencing program feel as though they’re on a virtual field trip...

 

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20070404/FREE/70404008

 

 

Grey Wolf Dies at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is saddened to announce that one of its grey wolves has died at the age of 12. Known as "Geena," the female grey wolf was found dead in her night quarters by her keepers yesterday morning.

 

Preliminary results of the necropsy (animal autopsy) performed by the Zoo's veterinary care staff indicate that Geena died from asphyxiation caused by an exhibit mate. The necropsy also revealed chronic renal failure and other age-related conditions.

 

Geena arrived at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo in late 1996 from the Wildlife Science Center in Minnesota, where she was born. Geena was one of the first residents of the Zoo's Wolf Wilderness exhibit. Female grey wolves Reba and LP, who arrived at the Zoo with Geena in 1996, remain on exhibit at Wolf Wilderness.

 

In zoos, grey wolves typically live for 13 to 15 years. They are native to wooded areas of North America, northern Europe and Asia.

http://www.clemetzoo.com/pressroom/index.asp?action=details&pressrelease_id=1234

pd:

 

PETA seeks penalties against Cleveland zoo for kangaroo's death

Friday, July 27, 2007

Dan X. McGraw

Plain Dealer Reporter

 

PETA is asking the U.S. Department of Agriculture to levy "harsh penalties" against the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo after a 1-year-old kangaroo was struck by a zoo train Tuesday.

 

The kangaroo, which was born and raised at the zoo, was euthanized after it suffered severe injuries from being hit by the train, a children's ride that goes through the Australian Adventure exhibit...

 

 

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:

 

[email protected], 216-999-4631

http://www.cleveland.com/whateverhappened/plaindealer/index.ssf?/whateverhappened/more/roo2.html

I truly don't understand how f#cking incompetent the train driver could be - either wait until they're out of the way, or shoo them away.

^ Is this the same animal that got its tail run over by the train? 

 

8shades, I didn't see anyone answer your question about the penguins.  They were there around where the Touch exhibit is located.  There used to be a bird building, and the penguins were in front of it.  The building has been demolished, and they've been displaced to some other zoo.

pd:

 

Paintings by zoo animals to be auctioned off

Monday, August 20, 2007

Laura Johnston

Plain Dealer Reporter

 

Huck the sea lion chomps on the paint brush and wiggles his shiny head up and down, side to side, covering the canvas in purple. "Good, good," cheers his keeper, Tiffany Mayo. "Good boy!"

 

Like any other 5-year-old, Huck's a little rambunctious. He slides in and out of his private pool and slithers around his cage, barking and sputtering before taking up a brush with green paint to complete his work of art...

 

 

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:

[email protected], 216-999-4115

 

http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/1187599868294660.xml&coll=2

Tipoff:

 

Metroparks' Dr. Zoolittle needs a new name

Monday, November 19, 2007

Michael K. McIntyre

Plain Dealer Columnist

 

Dr. Doo little can talk to the animals, but not Dr. Zoolittle.

 

At least not in Cleveland.

 

The mighty San Diego Zoo sent a letter re cently demand ing that the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo "cease and desist" using the name "Dr. Zoolittle" for its wildlife education programs.

 

It came as a shock, since "Dr. Zoolittle" has been working the Cleveland zoo for three years...

 

http://www.cleveland.com/tipoff/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1195465019290380.xml&coll=2

I used to go to the zoo several times a month (had a membership and used to live at the top), so I'm not sure what's been going on.  Is the Elephant Crossings exhibit under construction yet?

I think construction on African Elephant Crossing starts when the weather breaks in the spring.

 

Share your creative ideas via the e-mail address or phone number listed below this column. We'll pass them along.

 

First, tell the arrogant f*cks at the San Diego Zoo how to spell. How does "Dr. Doo little" sound like "Dr. Zoolittle"? And did the San Diego Zoo have to pay the rights-holder(s) of the "Dr. Doolittle" movies?

Earlier this year, I saw a couple of concepts by KSU Urban Design Collaborative for modifications to the entryway into the zoo.  The gate was still in place, but vegetative islands and fountains were introduced.  There were also stone wall murals of animals, like the one outside of the pachyderm building done by Victor Schreckengost. 

 

Also, there was a plan for the greenspace near the zoo driveway on the opposite side of the fence of the amphitheater that I believe had pictures of animals on the fence and statutes around a winding path.

 

If I find the designs and they are public, I'll post them here.

The Zoological Society newsletter this month says that the demolition of the pachyderm building is in sights, and unless enough money can be raised for deconstruction, relocation, and installation, Victor Schreckengost's two art installations will be  scrapped as well.  It'd be a huge disappointment to lose them!

 

Some photos that I found on Flickr

 

It's unbelieveble that in this day in age, organizations are willing to demolish such interesting pieces of art.  I mean really, how much money would it cost to carefully move those pieces to a better location.  I've never personally seen these pieces, but what a shame it would be to lose them.

w28, you work in corporate America, think about what you just questioned??

 

example of the possible cost

- appraisal of the piece(s)

- extraction

- moving cost (this will charged twice)

- storage (who knows how much this can cost as the pieces might need special storage to be maintained)

- security

 

Now having listed just the top line items, where do you think the zoo (or metroparks) will get the additional money for this?  Seriously??

 

I too think its a shame, but realistically, this is what it might resort to unless the zoo charges more for admission.  Or comes up with some sort of "assessment" charge per ticket sold to do this.

 

If the zoo was to save these, I can see money being diverted from some other source.

It's unbelieveble that in this day in age, organizations are willing to demolish such interesting pieces of art.  I mean really, how much money would it cost to carefully move those pieces to a better location.  I've never personally seen these pieces, but what a shame it would be to lose them.

 

i agree. What will they be saying in 30-40 years?? "They couldn't carve out a few extra thousand dollars to save a work by a twentieth-century master". Ridiculous. Now that I have a young son, I've rediscovered the zoo over the past few months. When I saw that VS has a signature below these two relief sculptures, i was floored. They are very cool and add a lot of value to the zoo experience. We need the the PD and the Sun (hint hint, KJP) to blow the whistle on this.

That would really stink. The building, in my opinion, is a piece of crap design wise, but the sculptures are beautiful. It would be a shame to lose them.

i agree. What will they be saying in 30-40 years?? "They couldn't carve out a few extra thousand dollars to save a work by a twentieth-century master". Ridiculous. Now that I have a young son, I've rediscovered the zoo over the past few months. When I saw that VS has a signature below these two relief sculptures, i was floored. They are very cool and add a lot of value to the zoo experience. We need the the PD and the Sun (hint hint, KJP) to blow the whistle on this.

 

So where does the zoo get the money?  What do they cut or how much do they raise admission on all ticket ranges? 

The zoo gets is operations money and some of its capital money from zoo tickets and memberships, plus the county-wide property tax that benefits all of the Cleveland Metroparks. Capital funding for the new African Elephant Safari (see pictures on previous page) is coming from the property tax and donations received by the zoo's fundraising arm, the Cleveland Zoological Society (see http://www.clevelandzoosociety.org/).

 

Thanks for the tip about Schreckengost's artwork. I'll check it out.

That would really stink. The building, in my opinion, is a piece of crap design wise, but the sculptures are beautiful. It would be a shame to lose them.

 

You are correct. It does stink. It houses the elephants and the hipos during the winter months. It is the equivelant of a barn.

Is the Cleveland Restoration Society aware of this? 

Is this something that the funds being raised from the County's cigarette tax could go towards?

The art is fantastic. The buildings themselves are generic. The art should be separated from the buildings. While I wouldn't advocate for it, the art could be separated from the structure, sold to an intelligent bidder, and the proceeds would easily pay for a new elephant house.

Here's what the zoo is proposing to do with the elephant and mastodon artwork.

 

 

Wasn't there a Schreckengost piece on the old bird building?  Anyone know where it was relocated?

So it sounds like this fear of losing the artwork isn't warranted?

So it sounds like this fear of losing the artwork isn't warranted?

I hope!

^^ They have to raise $750,000, according to the Zoological Society.  I don't know how much of that, if any, has been included in the capital campaign for the African Elephant Crossings exhibit. 

 

Unfortunately, the newsletter isn't online.