Metroparks Zoo and RainForest

Metroparks Zoo and RainForest is a 183-acre zoo located in Cleveland, Ohio, United States, and is home to over 650 species of animals, including Amur tigers, African lions, and Asian elephants. The zoo is owned and operated by the Cleveland Metroparks system, which also manages several other parks and nature reserves in the area, such as Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Rocky River Reservation. The zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and is a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), which includes other notable zoos like the San Diego Zoo and the National Zoo in Washington, D.C.. The zoo also participates in the Species Survival Plan (SSP) program, which is administered by the AZA and involves collaboration with other zoos, such as the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and the Toledo Zoo.

● History

The Metroparks Zoo and RainForest was established in 1882, making it one of the oldest zoos in the United States. The zoo has undergone several renovations and expansions over the years, including the addition of the RainForest exhibit in 1992, which was designed by architects from the firm of Theodore Link and features a large tropical ecosystem with plants and animals from around the world, including Madagascar, Borneo, and Costa Rica. The zoo has also been involved in several notable conservation efforts, including the reintroduction of species such as the California condor and the black-footed ferret, which were led by conservationists from organizations like the Wildlife Conservation Society and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The zoo has also hosted several notable events, including the annual ZooLights festival, which features light displays and live music from artists like the Cleveland Orchestra and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

● Exhibits

The Metroparks Zoo and RainForest features a variety of exhibits, including the RainForest exhibit, which is home to animals such as monkeys, sloths, and toucans, as well as plants like orchids and bromeliads. The zoo also features a Australian Walkabout exhibit, which allows visitors to walk among animals like kangaroos and wallabies, and a Giraffe Feeding Platform, where visitors can feed and pet giraffes from Africa. Other notable exhibits include the African Savannah exhibit, which features animals like lions, zebras, and rhinoceroses, and the Asian Elephant exhibit, which is home to a herd of Asian elephants from India and Sri Lanka. The zoo also features a Sea Lion Cove exhibit, which is home to a colony of California sea lions and offers shows and demonstrations by trainers from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Marine Mammal Center.

● Conservation Efforts

The Metroparks Zoo and RainForest is involved in several conservation efforts, both locally and globally, in partnership with organizations like the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The zoo participates in the Species Survival Plan (SSP) program, which is administered by the AZA and involves collaboration with other zoos to breed and manage populations of endangered species, such as the Amur tiger and the Sumatran tiger. The zoo also supports conservation efforts in the wild, such as the reintroduction of species like the black-footed ferret and the California condor, which were led by conservationists from organizations like the Wildlife Conservation Society and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The zoo also offers educational programs and workshops for children and adults, which are taught by experts from institutions like the Cleveland Museum of Natural History and the Ohio State University.

● Animals and Collections

The Metroparks Zoo and RainForest is home to over 650 species of animals, including mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. The zoo's collections include animals like African lions, Asian elephants, and Amur tigers, as well as species like the red panda and the snow leopard, which are native to countries like China and Nepal. The zoo also features a variety of birds, including species like the Andean condor and the Bald eagle, which are native to regions like South America and North America. The zoo's reptile and amphibian collections include species like the American alligator and the African clawed frog, which are found in ecosystems like the Everglades and the Serengeti.

● Visitor Information

The Metroparks Zoo and RainForest is open year-round, except for Christmas Day and Thanksgiving Day, and offers a variety of amenities and services for visitors, including restaurants and gift shops, which are operated by companies like Aramark and Delaware North. The zoo also offers wheelchair and stroller rentals, as well as parking and shuttle services, which are managed by organizations like the Cleveland Metroparks and the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority. Visitors can also take advantage of the zoo's mobile app, which offers maps, schedules, and information about the zoo's exhibits and animals, and is developed by companies like IBM and Apple.

● Special Events

The Metroparks Zoo and RainForest hosts several special events throughout the year, including the annual ZooLights festival, which features light displays and live music from artists like the Cleveland Orchestra and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The zoo also hosts Boo at the Zoo, a Halloween-themed event that features costume contests and trick-or-treating, and is sponsored by companies like Hershey's and Mars, Incorporated. Other notable events include the Zoo's Birthday Party, which celebrates the zoo's anniversary and features games and activities for children, and the World Giraffe Day celebration, which raises awareness about giraffe conservation and is supported by organizations like the Giraffe Conservation Foundation and the Wildlife Conservation Society. The zoo also offers behind-the-scenes tours and animal encounters, which are led by experts from institutions like the Cleveland Museum of Natural History and the Ohio State University.

Category:Zoos in the United States