Africa

Africa

 

Africa will be the largest animal exhibit in Zoo history.  Phases I & II, the first of four phases, were completed in 2010 and include an expanded yard for the Maasai giraffe, a new greater flamingo exhibit, and a new and improved Cheetah Encounter where guests can witness cheetahs doing what they do best – running!

 

Moving Forward - Exciting Stuff!

The Zoo is now focused on phase III, a wider vista that will offer visitors a new opportunity to see African lions & cheetahs. Overlooking Africa will be a new dining concept that will be without rival in the region.  This indoor and outdoor facility will include group rental facilities as well as an African-themed restaurant for visitors. Phase III construction is underway and is expected to completed in early summer of 2013.

Zebra, gazelles and some of Africa’s most spectacular birds, such as ostrich, grey-crowned crane, and marabou stork will be part of  Phase IV.

The final phase will bring hippos, one of the most remarkable and fearsome creatures in all of Africa, and crocodiles .  The hippo area will give visitors a dramatic experience by providing both above- and below-water viewing – a much anticipated and desired exhibit by Zoo visitors.

 

Cheetah Encounter

Witnessing the world's fastest land animal in action is a very rare opportunity – an experience that few people see even on safari in Africa.

In addition to cheetahs, visitors can also expect visits from fishing cats, African servals, Anatolian shepherds, and even a red river hog! Cheetah Encounter is free with regular Zoo admission.

 

Africa - Green Building Standards

As the ‘greenest zoo in America,’ the Zoo wanted to ensure that this project would be built to Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) standards. Africa is on track to achieve a minimum LEED Certified Gold.

The Zoo partnered with the Metropolitan Sewer District to divert all of the rainwater that drains into the site off the storm water grid. Phase I alone replaced more than one acre of pavement with an acre of green space. Upon completion of Africa, nearly eight acres of green space will be added, which will take one-third of the Zoo’s storm water off the grid. Pervious concrete, bio-swales, and a large rainwater re-use tank will be used to pump out the water for irrigation.

About Greenest Zoo >

 

Cincinnati Zoo Connections to Africa

The Zoo partners with the African Conservation Centre in Kenya. The Centre’s primary aim is to bring together the people and skills needed to build East Africa’s capacity to conserve wildlife.

Dung research in Kenya

The Centre is located in the South Rift Valley of Kenya, stretching from the Maasai Mara National Reserve through Amboseli National Park, and is one of the most spectacular wildlife areas on the planet. Each year, the Zoo, in conjunction with Miami University’s Project Dragonfly, leads an Earth Expeditions course titled Kenya: Wildlife & People in Integrated Landscapes. Up to 20 teachers, primarily from the United States, travel to the South Rift Valley to engage in community-based conservation in this dynamic landscape. This effort builds on the decades-long research of Dr. David Western, former head of the Kenya Wildlife Service, and the centuries-long research of the Maasai pastoralists, who have long co-existed with wildlife in an open grassland ecosystem populated by elephants, lions, giraffes, zebra, wildebeests, and a remarkable diversity of other species. With the rise of nontraditional lifestyles, private ranches, and fenced lands that prevent needed wildlife migrations, communities of the South Rift have recognized the need to understand the impact of these changes and to work together for a better future.
The Zoo has a long-standing partnership with the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF). Founded in 1990, the CCF's mission is to be the internationally recognized center of excellence in the conservation of cheetahs and their ecosystems. Each year, the Zoo, in conjunction with Miami University’s Project Dragonfly, leads an Earth Expeditions course titled Namibia: Great Cat Conservation. Up to 20 teachers, primarily from the United States, travel to CCF headquarters in Namibia, which is home to the largest wild population of cheetahs. Loss of habitat and available prey, competition with other predators, conflict with farmers and ranchers, and poaching are taking a heavy toll on wild cheetah populations. Students engage in ongoing research projects at CCF, which include radio tracking, cheetah physiology, ecosystem management, and the design of school and community programs.
From a tall watchtower on the edge of Mbeli Bai, a large swampy clearing in the Congo rainforest, researchers observe how gorillas interact with each other and their environment. The Zoo supports the the Mbeli Bai western lowland gorilla study, located in the Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park. Initiated in 1995, it is the longest-running field study of western lowland gorillas in the wild. Led by Principal Investigator Thomas Breuer, the study provides unique insights into gorilla social organization and dynamics, which are critical to determining the best course of action for gorilla conservation. In addition to scientific study, the researchers also talk to the community about the importance of gorillas. Through Club Ebobo, local children are learning – and helping their parents learn – that over-hunting for bushmeat threatens the survival of gorillas and the health of the forest as a whole. The Zoo’s Primate Center Team Leader, Ron Evans, has traveled to the Congo to assist with the Mbeli Bai study and its educational outreach efforts.