The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium + The Wilds will undergo $50+ million in project enhancements and renovations. Here are the planned transformations:
⛺ RV campground
The Wilds — the Zoo’s wildlife conservation center — will receive $7 million for a 59-acre RV campground site, which is expected to open in early 2024. The campground will feature the following:
- 46 RV spots
- 27 camping spots
- Fishing and swimming
- A playground
- Biking trails
- Hiking
- A dog park
Pro tip: Scroll through this Instagram post from the Zoo for the RV campground map.
🦅 North America region redevelopment
A total of $32.5 million will go towards transforming habitats of the following animals:
- Mexican wolf
- Bald eagle
- Black bear
- North American river otter
- Trumpeter swan
Crews will break ground this fall on what is currently the oldest Zoo region .
🦍 Bonobos’ winter habitat
The Zoo will spend $4 million on updating the indoor space for the bonobos , which are endangered great apes. The monkeys live in family groups, and the updates will allow more spaces for them to play and grow together. Construction will start this spring.
💻 General updates
The remaining $8 million of the project will go towards general enhancements, such as bettering the animal well-being through habitat upgrades, improving Zoo security, and accessing new technology.