Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Central plaza and Celebration of Giving Fountain
40°09′23″N 83°07′06″W / 40.156266°N 83.118403°W / 40.156266; -83.118403
Date opened	1927; 97 years ago (1927)
Location	Powell, Ohio, United States
Land area	234 ha (580 acres)[1]
No. of animals	More than 10,000[2]
No. of species	Over 800[1]
Annual visitors	2+ million[4]
Memberships	WAZA,[5] ZAA
Major exhibits	North America, Heart of Africa, Asia Quest, Shores & Aquarium, Polar Frontier, Australia and the Islands, Adventure Cove and Congo Expedition[3]
Public transit access	Zoo Bus
Website	www.columbuszoo.org

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is a non-profit zoo located near Powell in Liberty Township, Delaware County, Ohio, United States, north of the city of Columbus. The land lies along the eastern banks of the O'Shaughnessy Reservoir on the Scioto River, at the intersection of Riverside Drive and Powell Road. It has a worldwide reputation, largely attributable to the efforts and promotion of director emeritus Jack Hanna. In 2009, it was named by the USA Travel Guide as the number one zoo in the United States.^[6] It was also ranked number one best zoo in 2012 by Besties Readers Choice.^[7]

The Columbus Zoo is home to more than 7,000 animals^[2] representing over 800 species and sees over 2 million visitors annually. The animal exhibits are divided into regions of the world, with the zoo currently operating eight such regions. In addition the zoo owns an 18-hole golf course, known as the Safari Golf Club which encompasses 56.656 hectares (140 acres). The zoo also owns Zoombezi Bay which encompasses 9.187 hectares (22.70 acres). In total, the zoo owns 234 hectares (580 acres) of land, with 164.424 hectares (406.30 acres) dedicated to the zoo itself.^{[needs update]}

The zoo operates its own conservation program, donating money to outside programs as well as participating in their own conservation efforts. Over the past five years the zoo has contributed over $3.3 million to more than 70 projects in 30 countries.^[8] The zoo also has a close working relationship with the Wilds, a 9,154-acre (37.04 km²) animal conservation center located in southeast Ohio and featured on the Columbus Zoo's website.^[9]

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, and by extension The Wilds, are prominently featured in the Nat Geo Wild series Secrets of the Zoo, a series focusing on various activities done with the animals in the zoo.