Party for the Planet with giant endangered species sand sculptures, eco-friendly tips and trivia daily along with special keeper talks, conservation lectures, activity tables and children's entertainmen on the weekends.  This fun and educational event will focus on conservation needs and solutions throughout the world.

Party for the Planet with giant endangered species sand sculptures, eco-friendly tips and trivia daily along with special keeper talks, conservation lectures, activity tables and children's entertainmen on the weekends.  This fun and educational event will focus on conservation needs and solutions throughout the world.

Visit us often during Party for the Planet! Each time you bring a cell phone or plastic six pack rings to be recycled at Habitat Hollow you will receive $3 off your admission.

Giant Endangered Species Sand Sculptures – Every Wednesday and Thursday watch as each 6-ton display is sculpted into some of the world’s most endangered species. Learn about the animals and their biggest threats to survival along with tips on ways you can be more eco-friendly at home. Visit every week to see the new sand sculpture!  After the event the Zoo will reuse all 40 tons of sand!

• April 16 & 17 – Elephants and Tigers
• April 23 & 24 – Gorillas and Orangutans
• April 30 & May 1 – Polar Bears
• May 7 & 8 – Mexican Wolves
• May 14 & 15 – Manatees
• May 21 & 22 – Panamanian Golden Frogs

Activity Fair - Each weekend, visit a different region of the Zoo and take part in some “wild” activities! 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• April 19/20 at Asia Quest (Elephants and Tigers)
• April 26/27 at African Forest and The Islands of Southeast Asia (Gorillas, Bonobos, Orangutans and Gibbons)
• May 3/4, The Columbus Parent Expo at the Water’s Edge Events Park
• May 10/11 at North America (Bears and Birds)
• May 17/18 at Shores (Manatees)
• May 24/25/26 at the Conservation Education Building (Year of the Frog!)

Keeper Talks – Visit the following exhibits each weekend at the times listed below to learn about the animals from their keepers.  Plus don't miss each weekend's Featured Talk on the dates listed in parantheses.

·        11 a.m. My Barn (May 10, 11)

·        12 p.m. Pachyderms (April 19, 20)

·        1 p.m.   Discovery Reef (May 24, 25)

·        1 p.m.   North America Bears (May 10, 11)

·        2 p.m.   Gorillas (April 26, 27)

·        3 p.m.   Penguins (May 17, 18)

·        4 p.m.   Asian Otters (May 3, 4)

 

Conservation Conversations - Visit the Outdoor Pavilion at 2 p.m. every Sunday to meet experts in the field of conservation.  Learn about their daily efforts to preserve our planet and what you can do to help!

• April 20 – Ron Tilson, Director of Conservation, Minnesota Zoo, "Tigers of the World: The Science, Politics and Conservation of Panthera tigris"
• April 27 – Charlene Jendry, Partners in Conservation, “Gorillas, Gorillas and More”
• May 4 – Robert Buchanan, PBI, “Polar Bears in our World”
• May 11 – Suzy Pragny, ODNR, “Buckeye Bruins: Status of Black Bears in Ohio”
• May 18 – Nicole Aidemy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, "The Manatee Rescue, Rehabilitation and Release Program contribution towards recovery of an endangered species."
• May 25 – Greg Lipps, Herpetologist/Conservation Biologist, "Ensuring an Ohio Spring is never Silent." 

Interactive Animal Programs

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. - My Barn contact area (open until 5 p.m. on the weekends)

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. - Investigate the interesting animals that live in a tide pool at the Tide Pool Touch Tank 

     in Discovery Reef and inspect some reptiles up close at the Reptile Keeper Lab. 

     (Weekends only through May 3, Daily starting May 4)

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Lorikeet Feedings (Weekends only through April 26, Daily starting April 27)

1 p.m. and 3 p.m. – Wings of Flight Shows at the Outdoor Pavilion (Weekends Only)

1 p.m. - Discovery Reef Diver (Weekends Only)

 

My House at Habitat Hollow

Be sure and include a stop to My House at Habitat Hollow in your adventures. Inside My House you will experience an interactive storybook world focused on conservation. Daily programming at My House focuses on a broad range of topics including recycling, litter and composting. 

 

Rides

Carousel: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Train: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (weather permitting)

Pony Rides: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (weather permitting)

 

Additional Weekend Events!

• April 19 - Bodhi's Earth Day Celebration!
• April 26 – 10TV Food Parade with the Mid Ohio Food Bank (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.) – Show a can of food at the parking booth this day and receive free parking. Turn in a minimum of 6 cans of food at the entrance to receive free admission on this day and support the Mid Ohio Food Bank!
• May 3 & 4 – Columbus Parent Magazine Expo – In its fourth year and back by popular demand, the Columbus Parent Magazine EXPO will host thousands of young families at central Ohio's most family-friendly and fun outdoor facility. With more than 100 exhibits in one convenient area of the zoo, this premier parenting event will make it easy for parents to discover hundreds of family-oriented resources in just one day.  From educational advice to live entertainment, the Columbus Parent Magazine EXPO is a fun, free and convenient way for families to experience all the products and services needed for their children, from newborns to teens. It's one of central Ohio's largest showcases for family products, services and information!  Free admission passes will be available at greater Columbus Donatos locations. $5 parking fee applies.
• May 10 - Special appearances by Diego at the National City Wings of Flight Shows - See Diego at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. as he learns about Zoo animals at the National City Wings of Flight Shows. 
• May 11 - Mother's Day - Free admission for Mom with a paid child's admission!
• May 17 & 18 - Year of the Frog free activities begin - Watch for more special frog activities all summer long.  Hop on in to the Conservation Education building for a great time!
• May 26 – Zoombezi Bay Opening Day – Visit your local Kroger store, starting April 28, to purchase discounted day passes as well as season passes to Zoombezi Bay and memberships to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.

Supporting Sponsor:

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The River 104.9 FM