It’s a Cincinnati institution, of course, that is enjoyed by generations of Tristaters year-round. From Festival Lights to watching Fiona splash about, there’s always something fun to do and see at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden. Here are eight fun facts about the zoo:
1. It’s the 4th Oldest Zoo in America
The Zoo was founded in 1875 by Andrew Erkenbrecher, a German immigrant who found great success as an industrialist in Cincinnati, and the Society for the Acclimatization of Birds, of which he was a member. It was preceded only by the Central Park Zoo (1864), Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo (1868), The Roger William Park Zoo in Providence, RI (1872), and the Philadelphia Zoo (1874).
2. It’s also a botanical garden- it’s right in the name!
It was originally called the Cincinnati Zoological Gardens and was designed to mimic similar facilities back in Erkenbrecher’s native Germany. In 1985, it became accredited as a botanical garden, and the name was officially changed. Today, the zoo not only helps in the conservation efforts for endangered animals but plants as well.
3. The home of Martha, the last passenger pigeon
Even folks who didn’t grow up in the area know the story of Martha. She was the last living passenger pigeon. In the late 19th century, passenger pigeons filled the skies, making them tempting targets for hunters. Named for the first First Lady, Martha Washington, Martha the pigeon died at the zoo in 1914.
The zoo was also home to Incas, the last living Carolina parakeet. The Carolina parakeet suffered the same fate as the passenger pigeon. Incas passed away in 1918. The species was declared extinct in 1939.
4. It’s the sexiest zoo in America
For many years now, the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden has been on the leading edge in the breeding of endangered species. It was the first zoo to use artificial insemination and was the first to breed a gorilla from a test tube. It was Newsweek that dubbed it “the sexiest zoo in America” based on its highly successful breeding programs. Those breeding efforts continue to this day, of course.
5. America’s LEED-ing zoo
The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden is also known as the greenest zoo in America. It all started when the zoo hired civil engineer Mark Fisher in 2006. Mr. Fisher soon insisted the zoo adopt a more environmentally friendly way of doing things. This approach was not only good for the planet it turned out but saved the zoo a lot of money.
The zoo was among the first to use LED lights for its holiday light display and to construct all new buildings to meet LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards for sustainability.
6. Get schooled at the zoo
The zoo offers overnight adventures and camps to elementary school students, as you may know, but were you aware that you can go to high school at the zoo via the zoo academy? A college doctorate program is also offered through Miami University in Oxford.
7. Record-setting animals
Apart from Fiona, and her amazing story, the zoo has been home to several other animals of note. Tojo was an American alligator acquired by the zoo in 1923. He lived to be 70, the oldest alligator in captivity. The zoo is also home to the fastest cheetah and the largest Komodo dragon, as well as the only aye-aye (a type of lemur) in captivity.
8. The former home of the Cincinnati Opera
From 1920 to 1973, the Cincinnati Opera’s home was the Cincinnati Zoo. The company, as well as guest singers from around the world, performed on a stage and bandshell located where the gibbon island is today. The Opera left after one of its patrons, Patricia Corbett, funded an air conditioning system for Music Hall.
Hear more about the zoo on The Cincy Shirts Podcast with episodes featuring Thane Maynard, zoo keepers, and cheetah ambassadors.
Photo: Ltshears via Wiki Commons
166 comments
Laura Hobson
I was really stressed by Acid reflux issues with my newborn and had consulted Chief Dr Lucky. He gave us a thorough consultation and the medicines were equally effective. In a couple of weeks there was big improvement in my son and we are very pleased with the progress. We cannot thank Chief Dr Lucky enough. Highly recommended.
Email chiefdrlucky@gmail.com
WhatsApp +2348132777335
Facebook page http://facebook.com/chiefdrlucky
Aira
I’ve been absent for a while, but now I remember why I used to love this website. Thank you, I will try and check back more often. How frequently you update your site?
사설 카지노 제이나인
제이나인 소셜 카지노
카지노 게임 종류 제이나인
제이나인 카지노 먹튀 검증
호텔 카지노 제이나인
https://www.j9korea.com/
Albert Walker
Good day to all viewer online, my name is Albert Walker I am so overwhelmed sharing this great testimony on how i was checking for solution in the internet while miraculously i came across Dr Kachi who brought my ex Girlfriend back to me, This is the reason why i have taken it upon myself to thank this great spell caster called Dr Kachi, because through his help my life became more filled with love and i am happy to say that my ex Girlfriend who has been separated from me for the past 2years came back to me pleading for me to accept her back, This was a shocking to me my partner is very stable, faithful and closer to me than before, because before i contacted Dr Kachi i was the one begging my ex Girlfriend to come back to me but through the assistance of Dr Kachi, I now have my relationship restored. You can also have a better relationship only if you Contact Dr Kachi Website, https://drkachispellcast.wixsite.com/my-site OR Email: drkachispellcast@gmail.com, You can reach him Call and Text Number:+1 (209) 893-8075
Thomas Gibson
I want to use this opportunity to tell the whole world on how I become rich and famous. I’m 93 years old. I was passing through difficulty in business and there was no hope of me coming out of my debt. I borrow money in my bank to do my business and I run at lost on the business I got frustrated and decided to be playing lottery to see if I can win and make my business grow and I have played for years now nothing good is coming my way on till I meet someone online talking about Dr Ayoola on the internet. He was taking about how this Dr Ayoola help him to win mega million lottery game. I said to myself if this is true and decide to contact him and told him to help me as well I later read more about this man and see how he has been helping people all over the world. I have faith in him and choose to work with him. After working with him he told me what I need to do for the number to be given to me which I did after he finish working he said I will have a dream and the number will be review to me in the dream. That night has I was sleeping I dream a number immediately he call me and gave me the same number I dream of and ask me to go and play the number. Today I’m here testifying of the good work he did for me I played the number and I won the sum of 1, 000,000 million dollars in a lotto max. You can contact Dr Ayoola for help if you want to win big in lottery game he has the gift of giving right number contact him today and thank me email him today Via email: drayoolasolutionhome@gmail. com or https://www.facebook.com/Dr-Ayoola-105640401516053/ text or call +14809032128
Jason Bennett
Omg I Finally Got Helped !! I’m so excited right now, I just have to share my testimony on this Forum.. The feeling of being loved takes away so much burden from our shoulders. I had all this but I made a big mistake when I cheated on my wife with another woman and my wife left me for over 4 months after she found out.. I was lonely, sad and devastated. Luckily I was directed to a very powerful spell caster Dr Emu who helped me cast a spell of reconciliation on our Relationship and he brought back my wife and now she loves me far more than ever.. I’m so happy with life now. Thank you so much Dr Emu, kindly Contact Dr Emu Today and get any kind of help you want.. Via Email emutemple@gmail.com or Call/WhatsApp cell number +2347012841542
Https://web.facebook.com/Emu-Temple-104891335203341
Leave a comment
This site is protected by hCaptcha and the hCaptcha Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.