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79-649: The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo (CMZ) was founded in 1882. It is one of the most popular year-round attractions in Northeast Ohio with an attendance of 1.32 million in 2023. The Zoo, originally named the Cleveland Zoological Park, first opened in 1882 at Wade Park where the Cleveland Museum of Art now stands. During its early years, the Zoo only held animals of local origin. In 1907, the city of Cleveland moved

158-412: A female sloth bear named Shive gave birth to a female cub named Shala. Shala was the first sloth bear cub born at the zoo in 30 years. Wolf Wilderness gives visitors a comprehensive look into the environment and wildlife of a northern temperate forest. Wolf Lodge, which anchors the exhibit, serves as an education and viewing center for gray wolves, beavers, and a variety of wetland species. Wolf Wilderness

237-471: A fence along the tracks to prevent future injuries from happening. The artificial, 55 foot tall Baobab known as the Yagga Tree is the star of Australian Adventure. It once contained exhibits for small animals, as well as another animatronic, this time a crocodile named Wooly Bill. The Wilderness Trek area is home to cold climate animals such as Siberian tigers , grizzly bears , Tufted deer , Reindeer ,

316-587: A graduate of the Cornell University and The Ohio State University veterinary colleges returned to Ohio to assume the role as director of the Cleveland Zoo, he continued to conduct research in zoological medicine and related animal science disciplines. Goss was a president of the board of directors of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (previously the "American Zoo and Aquarium Association", and originally

395-459: A kapok tree ( Malvaceae family), and the annual-blooming titan arum (corpse flower). The central "Tropical Rain Storm" exhibit is a life-like recreation of a rainforest "island", with a large tree in the center, surrounded almost entirely by a moat stocked with tinfoil barb and pangasius catfish . The island itself is inhabited by several Cape porcupine . Several times daily (seasonally-dependent),

474-622: A labor force of almost 2.2 million. The GDP (nominal) of Northeast Ohio is over $ 195 billion, which makes it comparable to that of New Zealand or the Republic of Ireland . Most of Northeast Ohio is part of the Cleveland–Akron–Canton Combined Statistical Area , which ranked as the 17th-largest Combined Statistical Area (CSA) in the United States as of the 2020 Census with a population of 3,769,834. It includes

553-732: A large public swimming pool sat on the grounds from 1930 until the 1960s. Construction began on the Primate & Cat Building in 1975 (the Aquatics section would be added in 1985), later followed by the RainForest in 1992, Wolf Wilderness in 1997, Australian Adventure in 2000, and the Sarah Allison Steffee Center for Zoological Medicine in 2004. Newer exhibits include the Asian highlands and Tiger Passage opened in 2017 and 2018, and The Rhino Reserve

632-1224: A list of other notable North American zoo and aquarium professionals. Other recipients include William G. Conway , Hon. PhD (Director General/President Emeritus, Bronx Zoo -based Wildlife Conservation Society ), Lester Fisher, DVM (Veterinarian/Director Emeritus, Lincoln Park Zoo ), Murray Fowler, DVM (Veterinarian/Professor, University of California ), Jack Hanna , Hon. PhD (Director Emeritus, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium ), Charles H. Hoessle, Hon. PhD (Director Emeritus, Saint Louis Zoo ), Marvin Jones (Registrar Emeritus, San Diego Zoo ), Peter Karsten (Director Emeritus, Calgary Zoo ), Edward Maruska, (Director Emeritus, Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden ), Dennis Meritt, Jr., Ph.D. (Professor–Assistant Director Emeritus, Depaul University – Lincoln Park Zoo ), George B. Rabb , PhD (President/Director Emeritus, Brookfield Zoo ), Alan H. Shoemaker, MS (Curator Emeritus, Riverbanks Zoo ), Kurt Benirschke , MD (Board of Trustees, San Diego Zoo ), Gary K. Clarke (Director Emeritus, Topeka Zoo ), Roger Conant , Hon ScD (Curator Emeritus, Toledo Zoo ) and Ted A. Beattie (President/Director Emeritus, Shedd Aquarium ). Dan Moreno joined

711-594: A newsletter, Taylor described the CMZ to be poorly managed and "undistinguished" when he assumed the position as its 9th director. He credits himself for improving the conditions for both animals and staff over his 24-year career in Cleveland. The National Zoo Association awarded Cleveland Metroparks' Zoo staff with Honorary Memberships. Retired CMZ administrators and career zoo and aquarium professionals Daniel Moreno and Donald Kuenzer were recognized as Honorary Membership Winners by

790-412: A simulated tropical thunderstorm occurs; darkened ambience, flashing "lightning" and rumbling thunder sound effects signal the several-minutes-long event's commencement. Above the moat and encircling the island, a vertical "wall" of water provides visitors a glimpse of a tropical downpour, with water streaming down into the river below. After the "storm" passes, a sense of tranquility is created as fog fills

869-511: A total cost of $ 25 million, the state of the art habitat quadrupled the elephants' living space, allowing the zoo to increase its number of African elephants from three, to a herd of eight to ten. The exhibit features two large ranges—the Savanna and the Mopani—spread out over several acres. The ranges include deep ponds so that the elephants can swim, as well as expanded sleeping quarters. Areas of

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948-667: A variety of African birds , and eastern black rhinos . the African elephant crossing contains elephants and meerkats . On February 7, 2018, a baby rhino, named Lulu, was born to parents Forrest and Kibbibi. On August 20 of the same year, another baby rhino, named Nia, was born to parents Forrest and Inge. As part of CMZ's focus on conservation, the Zoo constructed the Steffee Center for Zoological Medicine in September 2004. The center hosts medical, laboratory and surgical suites, in addition to

1027-475: A variety of themed areas around the park that are molded after specific regions on the globe. Enrichment activities are commonly used in zoos today. They are characterized as changes in the ordinary that are meant to encourage animals' natural behaviors. Some of the natural behaviors encouraged from enrichment are foraging for food and hiding in nature's provisions. Zookeepers occasionally introduce various scents around an animal's exhibit that are unfamiliar to

1106-534: A ward and quarantine area. Its veterinary hospital is equipped with the first CT scanner for use in a zoo hospital. Located in a nearby pavilion is the Reinberger Learning Lab, where Zoo patrons can learn about veterinary care at every stage of an animal's life. The Learning Lab offers interactive, hands-on educational displays as well as views into surgical suites where visitors may observe treatment procedures in progress. Consisting of several large yards,

1185-641: A wetland pond looks like beneath the water's surface. The pond contains numerous fish indigenous to the North American wetlands. Opened June 3, 2016, this exhibit features "four separate, interconnected habitat areas for the [zoo's] Amur tigers to roam", and includes "two overhead elevated pathways". Asian Highlands opened June 12, 2018. This exhibit features expanded habitats for snow leopards , Amur leopards , and red pandas , and also includes Sichuan takins . on April 22, 2018, three snow leopard cubs were born. Opening on August 23, 2023. This exhibit features

1264-524: Is active internationally and it was formed as a result of the staff's efforts in working with conservationists in Venezuela and other accredited institutions within the zoo community. The Foundation focuses on the conservation of the Andean river systems and is researching the illusive torrent duck. The Butterfly Conservation Initiative is a partnership of Akron Zoo partnered and the other Ohio zoos, The Wilds, and

1343-568: Is an 8-acre (3.2 ha) exhibit designed to resemble the Australian outback . It is home to wallaroos , kangaroos , emus and wallabies that roam freely throughout Wallaby Walkabout. Dingoes are also housed in this area along with two aviaries. During the summer, one contains a kea, and the other has cockatoo and kookaburras . Zoo patrons can learn how sheep are sheared at Kookaburra Station, and experience up-close encounters with Southdown sheep , goats , Alpacas and other farm animals in

1422-553: Is home to over 1,000 animals representing over 100 different species and it has around 400,000 visitors annually. The zoo is the most visited attraction in Summit County . The Akron Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) since 1989. As an AZA member, Akron Zoo participates in breeding programs to save endangered species. The zoo is also a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums and of

1501-498: Is one of the principal North American habitats at the CMZ. The exhibit opened in 1997 and consists of the Wolf Lodge, a large woodland enclosure for the wolves, a 65,000-gallon pond, and panoramic viewing rooms. Visitors access the exhibit through the Wolf Lodge, a 3,000-square-foot (280 m) building that is modeled after a 19th-century fur trading post. Upon entering, visitors arrive in the welcome center, which offers information on

1580-488: Is themed for the particular region of the world they represent, although the older areas (such as the Primate, Cat & Aquatics Building) are less thematic than those that were constructed more recently. Upon entering, visitors arrive in the Welcome Plaza which features administrative buildings, an amphitheater, food court, and the Zoo's largest souvenir shop. Numerous smaller concession/souvenir stands are located throughout

1659-589: The Akron Zoo as both a professional consultant and member of its board of trustees. He also served on the board of directors of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Prior to moving to Ohio, Taylor was the director of the 5-hectare Sacramento Zoo . Taylor resigned as director of the 5-hectare (12-acre) zoo in Sacramento to accept the directorship of the 70-hectare (170-acre) zoo in Cleveland. In his memoirs, published in

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1738-619: The American Public Gardens Association . In 1900, the 79 acres (32 ha) that is now Perkins Woods Park was donated to Akron by George and Ann Perkins, for "the sole purpose of devoting the same to the uses of a public park, especially as a place for recreation for children." To this end, the Akron Museum of Natural History was incorporated in 1950, and the Akron Children's Zoo was opened in 1953 in association with

1817-819: The Horizon League . Six schools compete at the NCAA Division II level: the Lake Erie Storm , Ursuline Arrows , Malone Pioneers , Ashland Eagles , Notre Dame Falcons , and Walsh Cavaliers . There are nine schools at the Division III level: Mount Union Purple Raiders , Hiram Terriers , John Carroll Blue Streaks , Baldwin Wallace Yellow Jackets , Case Western Reserve Spartans , Kenyon Lords , Oberlin Yeomen , Wooster Scots , and Franciscan Barons . One school,

1896-721: The Mount Vernon Nazarene Cougars , competes in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The Cleveland Metroparks are a system of nature preserves that encircle the city, and the Cuyahoga Valley National Park encompasses the Cuyahoga River valley between Cleveland and Akron. The region is home to Mentor Headlands Beach , the longest natural beach on the Great Lakes . In

1975-801: The National Football League (NFL) are based at Cleveland Browns Stadium , and the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association (NBA) play at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse . Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse is also home to one additional professional franchise, the Cleveland Monsters of the American Hockey League . The Monsters are the top minor league affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets of

2054-927: The National Hockey League (NHL). There are a number of other professional sports teams in the region that play in various minor leagues. The Guardians have three minor league affiliates in the area: the AA Akron RubberDucks of the Eastern League who play at Canal Park in Akron, the Single-A Lake County Captains of the Midwest League who play at Classic Park in Eastlake , and the Single-A Mahoning Valley Scrappers of

2133-887: The New York–Penn League , who play at Eastwood Field in Niles . Additionally, there is an independent baseball team, the Lake Erie Crushers of the Frontier League , who play at Sprenger Stadium in Avon . The region also boasts of a lower league professional soccer team in Cleveland SC that plays at Don Shula Stadium . The Youngstown Phantoms are a junior ice hockey team in the United States Hockey League that has home games at Covelli Centre . Motorsports venues in

2212-687: The giant anteater , a group of capybara , scarlet ibis , the prehensile-tailed Brazilian porcupine , white-faced whistling ducks , green aracari , Prevost's squirrel , leafcutter ants , ocelot , clouded leopard , Luzon bleeding-heart pigeons, roseate spoonbill , yellow-spotted river turtles , Asian small-clawed otter , François' langur , and fishing cats . Additionally, visitors will encounter numerous smaller, "discovery"-type exhibits featuring tropical invertebrates, Australian rainbowfish , upside-down catfish , jewel cichlids , red-bellied piranha , small mammals, and many reptiles and amphibians. In 2024, CMZ announced that it will permanently close

2291-556: The "American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums"). Michael "Mike" Vitantonio was hired as the eighth director of the Cleveland Zoo in its 130 plus year history. Inspired by the TV show Zoorama , zoo director-emeritus Steve H. Taylor, B.S. began his zoo career in 1972 as an animal keeper at the Los Angeles Zoo . According to his website, he is now a "Zoo Consultant and Entertaining Speaker". Taylor continues to advise zoos, including

2370-585: The 1950s, AT&T assigned most of Northeast Ohio area code 216 . The western half of the region, including Ashland and Richland counties, and parts of Huron , Wayne and Erie counties, was assigned area code 419 . In 1996, area code 216 was reduced in size to cover the northern half of its prior area, centering on Cleveland. Area code 330 was introduced for the southern half of Northeast Ohio, including Summit , Portage , Medina , Stark , Columbiana and Mahoning counties, and much of Wayne , Trumbull and Tuscarawas counties. In 1997, area code 216

2449-592: The African Savanna features a variety of mammals and birds. The exhibit houses animals such as Masai giraffes , Hartmann's mountain zebras , bonteboks , ostriches , white-backed vultures as well as several species of African storks and geese . In 2015, the Ben Gogolick Giraffe Encounter was completed, and visitors are now able to purchase leaves to feed the giraffes. In 2011, the Zoo opened its new elephant exhibit, African Elephant Crossing. At

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2528-560: The Association of Zoos and Aquariums to help create a butterfly habitat at The Wilds. 10 acres (4.0 ha) of open grassland and meadow habitat were planted, creating a suitable site to support a variety of resident and migrant butterfly species. The Akron Zoo has participated in the Audubon Christmas Bird Census , which is coordinated by the National Audubon Society to document wintering bird populations across

2607-564: The Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Recipients of Honorary Membership are recognized as the most esteemed and distinguished zoo professionals in North America. According to the AZA website, Honorary Membership is conferred by the AZA Board of Directors upon those AZA members who have made "significant contributions to the zoological profession during their careers." Moreno and Kuenzer are included in

2686-461: The CMZ after serving three decades at the helm of the Cleveland Aquarium as both its director and curator under the auspices of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History . The Cleveland Aquarium's animal collection was "absorbed" by the CMZ in 1986 after structural elements of the aquarium building forced its closing. Until his retirement in 1997, Moreno managed the aquatic animal collections at

2765-583: The Cleveland Zoo under General Curator Don Kuenzer. He supervised animal husbandry programs for the Rainforest and Aquatics exhibits. Moreno was a charter member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (originally the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums) and served on its board of directors from 1971 to 1976. In 2012, the Greater Cleveland Aquarium opened to the public as

2844-502: The Gorillas is a nocturnal section containing Aye-ayes , Mohol bushbabies , and Pygmy slow lorises . Non primate species in the primate section include Fossas and Northern treeshrews . However, the building does not display the zoo's entire primate collection with some primates featured in the Rainforest and African Savanna. In 1985, the Cleveland Aquarium permanently closed and donated its collection of exotic fishes and invertebrates to

2923-478: The Metroparks Zoo. A section of the Primate & Cat building was renovated to accommodate the new Aquatics section, which currently features 35 salt- and freshwater exhibits include Australian lungfishes , a giant Pacific octopus , electric eels , and hundreds of living coral . Northeast Ohio Northeast Ohio is a geographic and cultural region that comprises the northeastern counties of

3002-698: The Museum. The children's zoo illustrated Mother Goose rhymes with live animal exhibits. Ten new exhibits were opened in 1954, and one more, the Merry Miller, in 1955. With the sponsorship of the Yusef-Khan Grotto, admission was free to all mentally challenged, handicapped, and underprivileged children. In 1979, the zoo changed its name to the Akron Zoological Park, and the City of Akron turned over governance of

3081-472: The RainForest on September 9, 2024. The area will be remodeled and expanded to create a new, 140,000 square foot "Primate Forest" that will serve as a multi-story habitat for gorillas and orangutans. The new Primate Forest, which zoo officials described as a "world-class indoor destination," is scheduled to open in 2026. The African Savanna area is located near the park entrance. Visitors can observe African lions , flamingos , giraffes , zebras , bontebok ,

3160-402: The RainForest. The exhibits contained on the ground floor are collectively known as the "Lower Forest", and those on the second floor are known as the "Upper Forest". Upon entering the RainForest, visitors are immediately greeted by a cascading, 25-foot (7.6 m) waterfall and a rush of hot, humid air, as the entire complex is heated year-round to an ambient 80 °F (27 °C). All around

3239-530: The U.S. state of Ohio . Definitions of the region consist of 16 to 23 counties between the southern shore of Lake Erie and the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains , home to over 4.5 million people. It is anchored by the metropolitan area of Cleveland , the most populous city in the region with over 372,000 residents in 2020. Other metropolitan centers include Akron , Canton , Mansfield , Sandusky , and Youngstown . Northeast Ohio includes most of

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3318-650: The United States. In 2003, participants from the Akron Zoo donated 18.5 hours for the census. The volunteers observed a total of 28 species and counted 2,568 individual birds. The zoo works with various partners locally, regionally, and globally. These partners include Conservación Internacional Perú, Fauna & Flora International , the Red Panda Network, the Red Wolf Coalition, and Save and Protect Ohio Turtle Diversity (SPOTD). The zoo participates in research in

3397-561: The Wild. This area features 16 animal exhibits, over 20 animal species, and over 400 total animals, including snow leopards, jaguars, lemurs, bats, and many more. On October 1, 2005, the Akron Zoo unveiled Komodo Kingdom Education Center, featuring Komodo dragons, Galapagos tortoises, and Chinese alligators. Certification by Leaders in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) was achieved. The zoo utilized current green technology for heating and cooling and

3476-648: The Youngstown/Warren region. It is the 19th largest in the United States as of 2023, according to Nielsen Media Research . Northeast Ohio and the Cleveland CSA are also part of the larger Great Lakes Megalopolis . Northeast Ohio is home to a number of higher education institutions, including: Northeast Ohio is home to a number of professional sports teams, including three from the major North American sports leagues. The Cleveland Guardians of Major League Baseball play at Progressive Field , Cleveland Browns of

3555-441: The Zoo bolstered the zoo's annual attendance with 1988 drawing 133,000 guests breaking the 1957 attendance record of 128,344 visitors. As the decade closed, the Akron Zoological Park was accredited by the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums, recognizing the Akron Zoo's professional stature among accredited zoos and aquariums nationwide. In May 2005, the zoo opened their largest expansion in their history, Legends of

3634-447: The Zoo to its current location in Old Brooklyn , and the Zoo acquired its first elephant. The park was informally known (and referred to) as Brookside Zoo for many years. Beginning in 1910, the Zoo constructed Monkey Island, sea lion pools, and a moated bear exhibit. By 1940, the Zoo was home to three elephants and its first (permanent) elephant resident since 1924. That same year, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History assumed control of

3713-474: The Zoo. Between 1955 and the transfer of management to the Cleveland Metroparks in 1975, the Zoo experienced rapid expansion despite setbacks due to flooding: the Zoo's reptile collection and several other buildings were lost when Big Creek overflowed in January 1959. Although the Zoo had recovered by 1962, it would not have another permanent reptile collection until the opening of the RainForest thirty years later. Ostrich races proved popular in 1965 and 1966 and

3792-476: The adjoining Contact Yard. The Australian Adventure is also home to a 55-foot (17 m) Yagga Tree, which contains animal exhibits and a snake slide for younger visitors. Due to Northeast Ohio's inclement winters, Australian Adventure is weather dependent in the colder months. Located in Koala Junction, Gum Leaf Hideout is home to the zoo's collection of koalas and Matschie's tree-kangaroos . The exhibit also features interactive displays that teach visitors about

3871-412: The animal. Plants and trees are sometimes added or removed to allow for animal to create new hiding places or have more open space. Animals often receive new toys and puzzle feeders in their areas. The Akron Zoo has had a tremendous amount of funding and help through their adult volunteer program. These volunteers, known as Edzoocators, frequently help out with special events, and their biggest event for

3950-470: The aquatic tentacled snake , tiger ratsnakes , tomato frogs and Yemeni veiled chameleons . The RainForest is housed in a large glass and granite building, just outside the main entrance to the Zoo. The structure is divided into an outer ring—featuring an assortment of tropical plants, exhibits containing small mammals, a cafeteria, and a gift shop—and an inner area that contains the principal animal exhibits. Animal habitats are located on both floors of

4029-446: The area known historically as the Connecticut Western Reserve . Different sources define the region as having various boundaries. In its most expansive usage, it contains six metropolitan statistical areas : Cleveland–Elyria , Akron , Canton–Massillon , Youngstown–Warren , Mansfield , and Weirton–Steubenville along with eight micropolitan statistical areas . There are 23 counties in the region, with over 4.5 million residents and

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4108-497: The building was built using many earth-friendly materials. In 2010 the zoo opened a carousel named "Conservation Carousel" featuring rare and endangered animals. The zoo had record attendance in 2017 with 416,942 visitors. The zoo announced in July of 2024 that they plan to build a new $ 11.95 million veterinary hospital behind Landon and Cynthia Knight Pride of Africa. Construction on the 11,949 square-foot building will begin in 2025. The new facility will open in 2026. The zoo has

4187-473: The devastating effects of deforestation on Australian ecosystems. Modeled after a traditional 19th-century sheep station, the Reinberger Homestead offers Zoo visitors a look into Australian home life. The area contains animatronics of a koala and kookaburra, who speak about the culture. Designed to replicate the Australian outback, Wallaby Walkabout features winding paths that visitors share with kangaroos , Red-necked wallabies , and Common wallaroos during

4266-457: The director position in Cleveland, he was the fourth chief veterinarian at the New York Zoological Society's Bronx Zoo as well as assistant director of the Bronx Zoo. Goss was President of the AZA and twice vice-president. At the Bronx Zoo, which is the headquarters for the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Goss conducted clinical, epidemiological and pathological research in collaboration with eminent field zoologist George Schaller . Schaller

4345-401: The enclosure are linked to monitors in the viewing room, allowing visitors to see the wolves even when they are out of direct view. The viewing room leads into the second exhibit area—the wetlands and wolf display room. Here, visitors can observe both the wolves and several other North American animals through floor-to-ceiling windows, similar to the viewing room. Although visitors can also view

4424-435: The entire exhibit. The core animals of The Rainforest are the Bornean orangutans , of which the zoo has five: males Tiram and Zaki, and females Kera Wak, Kayla, and Merah. Zaki is the most recent orangutan baby at the zoo, born in 2021 to Tiram and Kera Wak. Animals contained in the RainForest include the binturong , red-rumped agouti , a large group of free-flying straw-coloured fruit bats and Rodrigues flying foxes ,

4503-422: The indigenous animals of North America's deciduous forests and wetlands; this room leads into the two main exhibit areas. The first exhibit room is dedicated to the six Mexican gray wolves contained in a vast, wooded area directly behind the Wolf Lodge. Zoo patrons are able to observe the wolves through a large viewing room with floor-to-ceiling windows, which look out into the habitat. Surveillance cameras within

4582-509: The introduction of area code 234, assignments of new telephone numbers in the area did not continue at an accelerated pace, and new phone numbers for area code 234 were not assigned until 2003. Akron Zoo The Akron Zoo , officially known as the Akron Zoological Park, is a non-profit zoo located just west of downtown in Akron, Ohio , United States . The zoo sits on 77-acre (31 ha) of which 35-acre (14 ha) are occupied with by habitats, amenities, and support. The Akron Zoo

4661-824: The largest indoor tropical environments in the world. The RainForest boasts more than 10,000 plants, and over 600 animals, from the tropical regions of Australasia, Africa, and the Americas. The opening of the RainForest also introduced the Metroparks Zoo's first permanent reptile collection since the flooding in 1959. The RainForest's herpetile collection includes Amazon milk frogs and tree boas , Baron's green racers , Burmese pythons , climbing toads , dwarf crocodiles , Fiji banded iguanas , green-and-black , blue-and-black and 'Mint Terribilis' poison dart frogs, green tree monitors and pythons , harlequin frogs , Indian gharial , Indochinese box turtles , Madagascar leaf-tailed geckos , magnificent tree frogs , spider tortoise , Panamanian golden frogs , prehensile-tailed skinks ,

4740-429: The mid and late 1990s General Curator Hugh Quinn hired Patricia McDaniels as the first of three successive curators for the CMZ's Science and Conservation section. The unit now has a veterinary epidemiologist on staff. Sharon Deem, DVM, PhD Dipl. ACZM (now with the Saint Louis Zoo ), was the first formally trained epidemiologist on staff and was both a researcher and experienced clinician from the National Zoo. When Goss,

4819-411: The months of April through October. The landscape includes vegetation intended to be consumed by the animals. Families can also take a train ride through the exhibit. In July 2007, the Zoo fell under scrutiny from PETA after a one-year-old kangaroo was struck and killed by the exhibit's "Boomerang Railway" train. In response, the Zoo quickly dismissed the employee who was operating the train and installed

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4898-449: The near threatened American Bison , and Red-crowned cranes which remain active outdoors year-round. The California sea lion / harbor seal exhibits feature large pools for visitors to observe the animals at play. The Metroparks Zoo also contains one of the largest collections of bear species in North America, including grizzly bears , Andean bears , Malayan sun bears , North American black bears , and sloth bears . On January 14, 2019,

4977-435: The only free standing aquarium in the state of Ohio. Don Kuenzer retired after a 40-year career serving in multiple capacities, including senior curator, general curator and acting director. In 1961, Kuenzer began his career at the Cleveland Zoo's Petting Farm as an attendant animal care technician. After serving as an animal keeper, he was promoted to Assistant General Curator in 1975 by zoo director Dr. Leonard Goss. Kuenzer

5056-402: The park. Aside from walking, Zoo patrons may opt to ride the "ZooTram" line which shuttles visitors between the Welcome Plaza (near African Elephant Crossing) and the Primate, Cat & Aquatics Building. The RainForest, opened in 1992, is one of the most popular exhibits at the CMZ. It is contained in a large, two-story building with over 2 acres (8,100 m) of floor space, making it one of

5135-465: The ranges are also heated to maximize the elephants' habitat during the winter months. Periodically throughout the day, the elephants are shepherded across the pathway between the ranges, allowing visitors an up-close view of the animals. In addition to expanding the number of African elephants, the African Elephant Crossing exhibit introduced Meerkats , naked mole rats , an African rock python , and several species of birds. The Australian Adventure area

5214-473: The region include Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington and Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk , a major NHRA venue. The region is home to a number of NCAA athletic programs, including four in Division I: the Akron Zips , Cleveland State Vikings , Kent State Golden Flashes , and Youngstown State Penguins . Both Akron and Kent State are members of the Cleveland-based Mid-American Conference , while Cleveland State and Youngstown State are members of

5293-505: The six counties that make up Greater Cleveland (Cuyahoga, Lake, Geauga, Lorain, Medina, and Ashtabula), the Akron metropolitan area (Portage and Summit counties), the Canton–Massillon metropolitan area (Stark and Carroll counties), and the Sandusky metropolitan areas, in addition to the Norwalk , New Philadelphia–Dover , Wooster , Fremont , and Coshocton micropolitan areas. The Cleveland–Akron–Canton media market covers much of this area, including all of Northeast Ohio except for

5372-518: The water feature, exhibited creatively within the walls are a series of (geographically appropriate) diminutive New World monkeys, including the pied tamarin , Geoffroy's tamarin , white-headed marmoset and the endangered golden lion tamarin . The outer ring of The RainForest is home to a wide variety of tropical plants including lancepods , ficus , dracaena , philodendron , prayer plants , clusia (or balsam apple), Indian-almond , bixa/achiote (or lipstick trees), numerous varieties of orchids,

5451-415: The waterfall is a lush, tropical garden of epiphyte and lithophyte plants, growing vertically, rooted to the different trees and rock wall; botanical species here include various types of bromeliads , aroids , and orchids . The entire garden display grows steadily towards the sun, soaring upwards of two stories. The walls behind the waterfall resemble Ancient Mayan temple ruins; as visitors walk around

5530-487: The wolves from this room, the principal exhibits are the Canadian beaver habitat, the 65,000-US-gallon (250,000 L; 54,000 imp gal) freshwater pond, and the Zoo's collection of bald eagles . The Canadian beaver habitat features an artificial beaver dam with cross-sectional windows that grant visitors a chance to view the beavers' nest within. The freshwater pond is adjacent to the viewing windows, thereby creating an aquarium effect that allows visitors to see what

5609-459: The zoo is Boo at the Akron Zoo, which had its 20-year anniversary in 2009. A new addition to the zoo is that of the Jr. Interpreter Teen Program. Started in 2008, the Jr. Interpreters are teen volunteers who spend up to 40 hours each week during the summer to help out around the zoo. The Akron Zoo is involved in various conservation projects that focus in the areas of restoration, preservation, and reintroduction. The Venezuelan Waterfowl Foundation

5688-456: The zoo to the Board of Trustees. The City of Akron retained ownership of the land, and non-profit Akron Zoo now owned all of the zoo's contents. The zoo adopted a new theme of "North and South American Animals" to provide a stable base for education and conservation goals. The Akron Zoo made nearly $ 500,000 in capital improvements between 1985 and 1988. Special events such as Holiday Lights and Boo at

5767-662: The zoo's pair of sloth bears and spectacled bear . The exhibit replaced outdated enclosures built in the 60s with modern habitats for the zoo's tropical bears. Opened originally as the Primate & Cat Building in 1975, the Primate, Cat & Aquatics Building houses one of the largest collections of primate species in North America, including western lowland gorillas , Müller's gibbons , Allen's swamp monkeys , Golden-bellied mangabeys (one of only twelve zoos currently displaying them), Black howler , White-faced sakis , Bolivian gray titis , Ring-tailed lemurs , Red ruffed lemur , Mongoose lemurs and Crowned lemurs . Also next to

5846-424: Was announced that by the third quarter of 2024, area code 440 would be exhausted. Area code 436 was assigned to overlap the existing area code 440. Any new phone number in the geographical area formerly covered by area code 440 could be assigned a phone number in either the 436 or 440 are codes. In 2000, it was anticipated that the available phone numbers in area code 330 would be exhausted, and an overlay area code

5925-516: Was completed in 2020. The Zoo's official website states that it currently has 3,000 animal residents representing more than 600 different species. The following is a timeline of the creation of selected buildings, structures, exhibits and attractions: Dr. Leonard Goss, DVM, PhD (1913–1999) was a veterinary pathologist and retired from the Cleveland Zoo (later renamed the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo) as its director in 1979. Prior to assuming

6004-407: Was credited with designing The Rainforest, a state-of-the art indoor naturalistic living exhibit dedicated to the display of tropical and subtropical species from multiple continents. He served on the Board of Regents for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo (CMZ) is divided into several bio-thematic areas that house animals from different regions of the world. Each area

6083-667: Was further split as the need for additional phone numbers grew. Area code 216 was again reduced in geographical area to cover the city of Cleveland and its inner ring suburbs . Area code 440 was introduced to cover the remainder of was what previously area code 216, including all of Lake , Lorain , Ashtabula and Geauga counties, and parts of Trumbull, Huron, Erie and Cuyahoga counties. Some communities, such as Parma and Parma Heights , were divided into multiple area codes. In 1999, Congressman Dennis Kucinich introduced federal legislation to protect small and medium-sized cities from being split into two or more area codes. In 2023, it

6162-413: Was introduced. Area code 234 was assigned to overlap existing area code 330. With the creation of area code 234, any new phone number in the geographical area formerly covered by area code 330 could be assigned a phone number in either the 234 or 330 area codes, with no change in local or long distance toll status. This made necessary the use of ten-digit dialing within the 330/234 area code region. After

6241-623: Was the Director of the Bronx Zoo's Animal Research and Conservation Center, which is now referred to as the Wildlife Conservation Society's Global Conservation Program. The Cleveland Zoo has since made efforts to replicate this type of collaborative research relationship as demonstrated by Drs. Goss and Schaller in the 1970s and more recently by Atlanta, Chicago (Lincoln Park & Brookfield), National, San Diego, and Saint Louis zoos. In

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