Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Columbus zoo 2010

Time for a 2010 news thread, starting with the birth yesterday (2/2/10) of a bonobo.
This is the eleventh bonobo born at the Columbus Zoo since the Zoo received its first bonobos in 1990.

Rare Bonobo Population Increases by One at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Zoo and Aquarium Visitor News

 

Polar Update - now thought to open late April!!!!!!

Polar bears chill offstage as zoo exhibit awaits completion | The Columbus Dispatch

 

Three baby North American Otters

Three baby otters in rare company | The Columbus Dispatch

 

Here is a video:

 

They're so adorable! I just had to post that video to my blog too.

 

Yesterday was Beco's first birthday. The zoo celebrated with a birthday bash with special enrichment items given to Beco as gifts and other various things for the guests. As well, there was a book signing for the book written about Beco's first year.

 

Polar Frontier opening May 6th: Columbus Zoo and Aquarium » Regions

I'll be up there on the 8th, can't wait!

 

Great news! I can't wait to get up there this summer and check it out. Knowing the Columbus Zoo, I'm sure that it will be wonderful.

 

The zoo also recently acquired 4 manatees for rehab!

 

Awesome news! Wow, four more. They already have two manatees, Holly and Stubby. I can't wait to go up there this summer and see all the new additions.

 

Lion Asali's cubs Mekita, Kitambi and Adia, were introduced to daddy Tomo. Asali's sister, Kazi (born in 2006), had been introduced to the cubs around December.

 

Interesting article about Oliver the male western lowland gorilla, brought into the zoo from gorilla haven, Georgia in September, but since kept on his own as he is deaf.

Zoo's caution keeps new deaf gorilla segregated, off view | The Columbus Dispatch

 

They've known for a long time that Oliver is deaf.

This delay in adding him to a group seems to have more to do with logistics/studbook decisions. I did wonder if it was a good idea to try and breed from him though, in case his deafness could be inherited.

 

For those of us from outside your area, it is helpful if you include in your posts what kind of animal Beco is. Thanks! (I am guessing elephant if it is popular enough to warrant a book, but not sure).

 

For those of you interested in Polar Frontier, the CBS Early Show will be doing a live broadcast from the zoo with Jack Hanna on Thursday morning, May 6th. The station I work for, WBNS, is handling all the production for the spot so I will let you know if I hear any more.

 

Thanks, hopefully I can catch it!

 

Cool new digs | The Columbus Dispatch
Two great photos of the new exhibit in the Columbus Dispatch from this weekend. I knew that the pool was going to be big, but my goodness I wasn't expecting it to be so huge! The yard appears to be very generous as well.

 

I'm glad there is a section where the bears have a chance to actually be on top of the spectators, similar to Detroit's awesome exhibit.

 

Thank you for the link, the exhibit looks great and can't wait to see the photos uploads from our ZooChatters once it opens. It looks like we have 2 major exhibits(in the U.S.) opening this week. The Polar Frontier and Expedition Madagascar(Henry Doorly Zoo)

 

and Great Bear Wilderness (Brookfield)