From Akron Zoo's Facebook: Thanks to everyone who visited yesterday on our free Presidents' Day event. The zoo never did get to capacity, however due to the traffic around the zoo, the decision was made to close for a while to alleviate the traffic backup and avoid potential safety issues. We ended up having 7,332 people visit, which is our 2nd largest crowd in our history. We are glad so many were able to come and enjoy the zoo with their family and friends and learn about wildlife and conservation. We do apologize we could not accommodate everyone and we appreciate your understanding. Thanks so much for supporting your Akron Zoo.
Columbus set a new single-day attendance record yesterday with just under 64,000 guests taking advantage of free admission on Presidents Day.
I know. It was a good zoo day in Ohio. Cleveland also had decent crowds. Cuyahoga County residents are free Mondays. Toledo and Cincinnati probably benefited from the weather too. The warm weather animals liked it to because they can actually go outside.
From what I understand, the zoo wasn't closed for attendance, it was closed due to the extreme traffic back ups and safety concerns from APD. Guests could still enter on foot.
That news came out after I previously posted. Even with the attendance they had. It would have been crowded. Scruffy the sun bear is now out, but not all day yet.
New Curious Creatures list: Naked mole rat Leafcutter ants Chain catfish Mata mata turtle Venus flytrap Mantis Shrimp Sea robin Cuttle fish Electric eel Chameleon Octopus Jellies Flashlight fish Tree frogs Garden eels Akron Zoo
The zoo does not have a complete species list for Curious Creatures as they are still working with other zoos for the availability of specific species. The definite species so far are as follows: Flamboyant Cuttlefish Metasepia pfefferi Matamata Turtle Chelus fimbriata Electric Eel Electrophorus electricus Panther Chameleon Furcifer pardalis Giant Pacific Octopus Enteroctopus dolfeini South American Sea Nettle Chrysaora plocamia Chain Dogfish Scyliorhinus rotifer flashlight fish(es) Anomalops katoptron Naked Mole Rats Heterocephalus glaber Leaf-Cutter Ants Atta cephalotes big belly seahorses Hippocampus abdominalis There are several other types of animals, but the specific species have not been determined yet.
Tiger Valley renovations start at Akron either late 2017 or early 2018. Expanded red panda exhibit confirmed in article. Akron Zoo welcomes new additions, hopeful for a penguin match
Curious Creatures will feature a chambered nautilus. It was previously unannounced. It will live with the pot-bellied seahorses.
The zoo just told me chambered nautilus will be in the exhibit, bit not on opening day. When the newsletter was done, that was true. Now the nautilus is arriving late. It will not be on exhibit opening weekend. Late is better than no nautilus at all.
Curious Creatures current species: Splitfin Flashlight Fish Flamboyant Cuttlefish Mantis Shrimp Matamata Turtle Panther Chameleon Giant Pacific Octopus South American Sea Nettle Chain Dogfish Naked Mole Rats Leaf-Cutter Ants Red-Eyed Tree Frog Yellow Garden eel Shrimpfish/razorfish Polka-dot Batfish Sea robins Yellow stingray Moon Jellies Note: Chambered nautilus will debut later. Carnivorous plants not included in list the zoo provided me.
Akron Ohio News - Zoos new exhibit features Curious Creatures Curious Creatures are the Akron Zoo's latest stars (photos, video)
