Displaying items by tag: akron zoo

On this Banzai Friday edition of The Jasen Sokol Show, Jasen chats with Jenny Eischen of the Akron Zoo (00:21), Michael Beaven from the Akron Beacon Journal stops by to talk high school football(05:13), and Lettermen Row's Austin Ward previews Ohio State football as the Buckeyes prepare to battle the Cincinnati Bearcats (13:23).

The Akron Zoo is mourning the loss, but more celebrating the legacy, of female Humbolt penguin Emmanuelle who was euthanized last week.

At 36-years-old, Emma, as she was known, was the oldest, zoo-born female Humbolt penguin in an accredited zoo. Emma, who's been retired since 2013, far-exceeded her life expectancy of 16 and a half years, according to a press release from the Akron Zoo.

The decision to euthanize was made last week as Emma was no longer responding to treatments she was being given for old age.

Born at the Milwaukee County Zoo in 1983, Emma has called the Akron Zoo home since 2004. 

See more about Emma at the Akron Zoo website. 

On the Friday edition of the Jasen Sokol Show Podcast live from the Akron Zoo:

PR Manager for the zoo Elena Bell joined Jasen on site (16.2 seconds) 

Chris Norman from the zoo talked about sustainability with Jasen on site (10:27) 

Jasen spoke with Caroline Lutz from the zoo about Cinco de Mayo and Brew at the Zoo.(18:50) 

Jasen Sokol presents a $1,500 donation from Rubber City Radio and other Party for the Planet sponsers to the Akron Zoo.(22:42) 

(Akron Zoo) The Akron Zoo is sad to announce the passing of their male river otter, Porthos. Porthos went into cardiac arrest during a routine exam and passed away after CRP efforts were not able to revive him. From the results of the necropsy (an animal autopsy) and related analysis, it appears Porthos had a congenital condition that lead to his passing.

Porthos was a favorite among zoo guests. He would interact with guests when they slide down the otter slide which goes through the otter habitat. He was born on March 19, 2010 at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. He arrived at the Akron Zoo in 2013 from the Dayton Boonshoft Museum for the opening of the Mike & Mary Stark Grizzly Ridge. The median life expectancy for North American river otters is 12 years.

“We are heartbroken over the sudden loss of Porthos,” said Doug Piekarz, president & CEO at the Akron Zoo. “Porthos was a wonderful ambassador for his species and we will all miss him. Thank you to our veterinary care staff for their heroic efforts in this difficult situation.”

As an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the Akron Zoo participates in the River Otter Species Survival Plan (SSP). The SSP works to ensure the long-term survival of North American river otters through breeding and population management programs. Thanks to local conservation efforts to clean up pollution in rivers and streams, North American river otters are listed as least concern in Ohio as the population has rebounded in the past two decades.

The zoo’s female otter, Molly, will remain in the river otter habitat daily. 

UPDATE: Akron Police Detectives have officially charged Danny A. Hamby, 39, of Springfield Township, and Toni Kenney, 31, of Warren, with murder in connection to the death of Samantha Guthrie, 18, of Akron. 

Both Hamby and Kenney are already in Summit County Jail on charges related to Guthrie's disappearance on November 4th, where she was seen at a home in the 300 block of Lillian Street. 

According to the Summit County Medical Examiner, she died from a gunshot wound to the head. 

The Akron Police Department says that the missing person/homicide case is still under investigation. Two others were arrested in the case as well. 

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The Summit County Medical Examiner has positively identified the body that was found in a wooded area along Rex Hill Road in New Franklin early Sunday morning just after midnight as that of missing 18-year-old from Akron, Samantha Guthrie.

The cause of death, according to the report, was a gunshot wound to the head.

Guthrie was last seen November 4th at a home near the Akron Zoo, according to reports, where two people who were arrested say that they were there when she was shot. Akron Police have arrested two others, totalling four people in connection to Guthrie's disappearance.

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Akron Police, along with the New Franklin Police Department and the Summit County Medical Examiner's Office are investigating after woman's body was found just after Midnight Sunday morning in a wooded area near Rox Hill Road in New Franklin. 

The victim's name is being withheld, pending an autopsy that scheduled for Monday. 

Meanwhile a Facebook page dedicated to the search for missing Akron woman, Samantha Guthrie who was last seen at a party at a home near the Akron Zoo on November 4th claims that her body was found as of Sunday morning. No confirmation from Akron Police.

The Akron Zoo has welcomed two new red wolves, Waya and Mohe. The male wolves arrived from Northeastern Wisconsin Zoo in Greenbay, Wisconsin and are now out in the zoo’s red wolf habitat daily.

Waya, which means “wolf” in Cherokee, and Mohe, meaning “elk” in Cherokee, are four years old. The brothers were born on May 22, 2014 at the Northeastern Wisconsin Zoo.

Red wolves are one of the world’s most endangered canids, with only 60 wolves estimated to be left in the wild. Native to the eastern U.S., red wolves can now only be found in one protected area in North Carolina. Red wolf numbers have rapidly declined in past years due to predator control programs, as the red wolf is often mistaken for a coyote.

The Akron Zoo partners with the Red Wolf Coalition – an organization that focuses on raising awareness and protecting red wolves in the wild – and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s efforts to protect the species through the Red Wolf Recovery program. On Nov. 5, a federal judge ruled that red wolves in the wild will continue to reside in their protected reserve in North Carolina, a huge victory in the protection of the species.

The Akron Zoo also participates in the Red Wolf Species Survival Plan (SSP), a scientifically-based breeding program to ensure a healthy, genetically-diverse population of red wolves in zoos. The Akron Zoo participates in 45 SSP programs as an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)-accredited facility.

With Waya and Mohe’s arrival, the zoo’s current male red wolf, Itabi, who arrived at the Akron Zoo in 2016, has moved to Northeastern Wisconsin Zoo with a breeding recommendation from the Red Wolf SSP. The Akron Zoo is open 361 days a year. Winter hours are 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. and admission is $7 per person. Children under two are free and parking is $3. For more information visit www.akronzoo.org or call 330-375-2550.

The Akron Zoo is set to open two new areas in the next two years. Pride of Africa is scheduled to open in summer of 2019 and Wild Asia will open in summer 2020.

Pride of Africa will include a new, expanded habitat for a pride of African lions, Speke’s gazelles, white storks and a new feeding area for goats. Pride of Africa will immerse guests in the culture of the Maasai living in the Southern Rift Valley of Kenya and the wildlife who share their land. Predators, prey, a special Maasai livestock enclosure called a boma, an expanded train ride and a spray pad will offer a rich learning experience for children and adults alike.

In Wild Asia, a new spacious Sumatran tiger habitat will allow for a pair of tigers. The red pandas will also have a larger habitat that will be home to a duo of red pandas. Due to popular demand, Wild Asia will also welcome a pair of white-cheeked gibbons.

In Pride of Africa and Wild Asia, the zoo expects many species will have breeding recommendations from the Species Survival Plan (SSP) from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). The SSP is a scientifically-managed breeding program that works to ensure a healthy, genetically diverse population of critically endangered species.

“With the opening of Pride of Africa and Wild Asia, your Akron Zoo has come full circle,” said Doug Piekarz, president and CEO at the Akron Zoo. “With these two projects comes the renovation of Tiger Valley – the oldest area currently at the Akron Zoo, which opened in 1998. Combined, these two wildlife experiences will be the largest expansion to date. We’re thrilled to offer our guests an opportunity to connect with and learn about new species, as well as current animals in new habitats.”

Together, Pride of Africa and Wild Asia are a combined $17 million project. Thanks to the Akron Zoo’s Summit County levy support, $11 million is committed. The zoo is also raising funds through their ROAR campaign, a comprehensive campaign with contributions from individual donors, corporate partners and private foundations.

The Akron Zoo is approaching $3 million of the $6 million fundraising goal, thanks to support from lead donors, the Lehner Family Foundation and Robert. O. & Annamae Orr Family Foundation and many others. The zoo has also received a $500,000 appropriation from the State of Ohio. For more extensive details on both areas, including renderings, visit akronzoo.org/Akron-Zoo-Expansion. 

Progressive Field is now certified as "sensory inclusive," after the Indians partnered with Kulture City out of Alabama, to ensure all programs, activities, and events that the ballpark hosts accommodate the needs of fans with sensory issues.

Part of the certification process was ensuring that all Progressive Field staff be trained by medical professionals to better recognize guests with sensory needs. Now, the stadium is equipped with sensory bags, that include noise-canceling headphones, weighted lap pads, and more.

Progressive Field joins other local establishments, including Quicken Loans Arena and the Akron Zoo as sensory inclusive. 

See the full press release from the Indians below. 

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The Cleveland Indians have partnered with KultureCity to make Progressive Field and all of the programs and events that the ballpark hosts to be sensory inclusive. This new initiative will promote an accommodating and positive experience for all guests and fans with a sensory issue who visit the ballpark. 

The certification process entailed the staff at Progressive Field being trained by leading medical professionals on how to recognize those guests and fans with sensory needs and how to handle a sensory overload situation.

Sensory bags, equipped with noise canceling headphones, fidget tools, verbal cue cards and weighted lap pads will also be available to all guests at the ballpark who may feel overwhelmed by the environment and can be checked out from Fan Services.

Sensory sensitivities or challenges with sensory regulation are often experienced by individuals with autism, dementia, PTSD and other similar conditions. One of the major barriers for these individuals is sensitivity to over stimulation and noise, which is an enormous part of the environment in a venue like Progressive Field. With its new certification, the ballpark is now better prepared to assist guests with sensory sensitivities in having the most comfortable and accommodating experience possible when attending any event at the ballpark 

“To know that you soon will be able to see families attend a baseball game, a true community binding experience, with their loved ones who have a sensory challenge and who were not able to previously attend, is truly a heartwarming moment,” said Traci Johnson, Executive Director of KultureCity. “Our communities are what shapes our lives and to know that the Indians are willing to go the extra mile to ensure that everyone, no matter their ability, is included in their community is amazing.”

About KultureCity

KultureCity is a leading non-profit recognized nationwide for using their resources to revolutionize and effect change in the community for those with sensory needs; not just those with Autism. In the past year alone, KultureCity has created several sensory inclusive venues and events including the NFL Pro-Bowl, NFL Super Bowl, 16 NBA arenas, 5 NFL stadiums, 5 NHL arenas and countless zoos, science centers and aquariums across the nation.

AKRON, Ohio – On Friday, Aug. 24, the Akron Zoo revealed the names for its new babies. Earlier this month, the zoo asked the public to help choose names for the Humboldt penguin chick and Siberian musk deer fawn during its “Oh Deer! Waddle We Name Them?” naming contest, sponsored by Akron Children’s Hospital.

The male penguin chick will be named Rico, which means “brave ruler” in Spanish. The female musk deer fawn’s name is Alina (a-lee-nah), which means “beautiful” in Russian.

Rico, the penguin chick, hatched on June 1, and Alina, the musk deer fawn, was born on June 13. Both babies have made their public debut and are now in their respective habitats daily.

The Akron Zoo is open 361 days a year. Hours are 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and admission is $12 for adults, $10 for senior citizens, $9 for children (ages 2-14). Children under two are free and parking is $3. For more information visit www.akronzoo.org or call (330) 375-2550.

Founded in 1953, the Akron Zoo is a non-profit, world conservation zoo with over 700 animals from around the world. Located just west of Downtown Akron, the zoo strives to connect your life to wildlife while inspiring lifelong learning and conservation action. The Akron Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). With its more than 200 accredited members, AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation, and your link to helping animals in their native habitats.

(Akron Zoo) The Akron Zoo has welcomed two babies this summer! A male Humboldt penguin chick hatched on June 1, and a female Siberian musk deer fawn born on June 13. 

The two babies currently do not have a name, and we need your help to choose! Pick your favorite name for each animal below. The naming contest begins July 24 and will run through Aug. 8 at noon. 

The penguin chick has not yet made his public debut yet. Before venturing out into the penguin habitat, the chick needs to eat on his own, molt his down feathers and pass a swim test, which is anticipated to happen later this summer.  

The musk deer fawn is currently working up to her big debut and is expected to be out in the musk deer habitat in the next couple weeks.

Make sure to like the Akron Zoo on Facebook for updates on each baby and up-to-date news on when the babies will make their public debut. 

Visit AkronZoo.org to vote!  

(Akron Zoo) – The Akron Zoo is adding new animals to its popular exhibit, Curious Creatures. Throughout the month of June, guests will begin to see new animals on exhibit, such as tree monitors, flamboyant flower beetles, spotted turtles, pinkfall trigger fish, spotted jellyfish and more.

The Partula snail will also now be featured in Curious Creatures. The Akron Zoo has had great success in past years breeding the Partula snail, which became extinct in the wild in the 1990s after a carnivorous snail species was introduced to the islands of Tahiti. In 2016 and 2017, the Akron Zoo and several other zoos sent shipments of snails to Tahiti and the snails were successfully introduced into a predator-free reserve.

Curious Creatures opened in June 2017 and featured animals with strange and unique adaptations. The exhibit features over 20 different species, plus several interactive areas, including the Learning Lab.

The Akron Zoo is open 361 days a year. Hours are 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and admission is $12 for adults, $10 for senior citizens, $9 for children (ages 2-14). Children under two are free and parking is $3. For more information visit www.akronzoo.org or call (330) 375-2550.

Founded in 1953, the Akron Zoo is a non-profit, world conservation zoo with over 700 animals from around the world. Located just west of Downtown Akron, the zoo strives to connect your life to wildlife while inspiring lifelong learning and conservation action. The Akron Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). With its more than 200 accredited members, AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation, and your link to helping animals in their native habitats.

Liver disease the reason the Akron Zoo euthanized their Sumatran tiger "Leo" earlier this week. The Zoo had been home for the past couple of years; he was born at the Oklahoma City Zoo in 2011. The tiger exhibit will remain closed for the time being; the Zoo's other tiger Sanjiv is at the Topeka Zoo on a "breeding recommendation." 

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(AkronZoo.org) he Akron Zoo is mourning the loss of their male Sumatran tiger, Leonidas, “Leo,” who was humanely euthanized on August 13, 2017. The zoo’s professional Animal Care staff recently observed a change in Leo’s appetite, leading to a comprehensive veterinary medical exam on Thursday, August 10. During his annual physical on June 27, 2017, Leo showed no signs of illness and all his lab work came back normal. However on the August 10 exam, their Veterinary Staff discovered that he had significant liver disease. Leo immediately underwent an aggressive treatment regimen, however he did not respond to therapy and continued to rapidly decline. The difficult decision was then made to humanely euthanize Leo.Leo was born on July 9, 2011, at the Oklahoma City Zoo. He arrived in Akron on March 3, 2015. The Akron Zoo is actively working with the Tiger Species Survival Plan (SSP) and is expecting a placement recommendation soon, but until that time the tiger exhibit will remain closed. The zoo’s other male tiger, Sanjiv, was recently relocated to the Topeka Zoo on a breeding recommendation from the Tiger SSP.“Leo was a great cat and a wonderful ambassador for his species,” commented Eric Albers, Animal Curator. “He was very much like a typically finicky cat and would only do what Leo wanted to do and when Leo wanted to do it. However, the staff appreciated him and enjoyed having him in Akron to educate and inspire our community.”

Akron Zoo fans and family are mourning the loss of one of their own, a sleek Snow Leopard who took to the Zoo and his mate and helped keep the species alive.

Roscoe was a 14-year old male snow leopard; he was put to sleep by Zoo personnel after discovery of a fast-growing cancer of his lower jaw. He and his mate Shanti brought seven cubs into the world, three of whom remain in Akron. Snow leopards are an endangered species, but the Akron Zoo says it was able to freeze some of Roscoe's sperm so it can be used for species diversity for years to come through artificial insemination.

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(Akron Zoo) The Akron Zoo is sad to announce that Roscoe, a 14-year old male snow leopard, was humanely euthanized on July 26 after being diagnosed with a fast growing cancer that severely affected the bone in his lower jaw. The median life expectancy of a snow leopard is 14 years old.

Roscoe has been at the Akron Zoo since 2004 and has sired seven cubs during his time in Akron, three of which are still in Akron.

Within the last two weeks keepers observed a change in appetite and behavior in Roscoe and the vet staff at the zoo performed an exam, which led to the diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma, bone cancer in Roscoe's jaw. His appetite and activity began to rapidly decrease and the decision was made to humanely euthanize Roscoe. His annual preventive medicine exam last summer showed no signs of the cancer.

Snow leopards are an endangered species and the zoo participates in the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) Snow Leopard Species Survival Plan (SSP), which includes a total of 167 snow leopards. Participation in the program has led to three successful litters with Roscoe and the zoo's female snow leopard Shanti. Two cubs were born in 2012 & 2014 and three cubs were born in 2016 and are still at the Akron Zoo. The other four cubs are at other AZA accredited zoos in the U.S.

In 2010 and 2012 the Akron Zoo worked with researchers to freeze Roscoe's sperm to potentially use in the future for artificial insemination. With the advances in veterinary medicine, Roscoe's legacy could continue for many generations and help to prevent the extinction of snow leopards.

"Roscoe has been a beloved member of our family since he arrived from San Antonio. He will be missed by all of us. I want to thank our professional animal care staff who cared for him attentively every day, and our veterinary care staff who so diligently treated him during his illness to ensure his welfare," commented Doug Piekarz, Akron Zoo president & CEO. "According to the Snow Leopard Trust at least one Snow Leopard is killed each day in the wild. With only a few thousand left on Earth we recognize the importance of the work we are doing to ensure the Snow Leopards survival. Roscoe will continue to play a critical role with his genetics preserved to help create a more genetically diverse future generation of snow leopards."

Roscoe, was born May 18, 2003 at the San Antonio Zoo and came to the Akron Zoo December 15, 2004.

"Roscoe will be missed deeply by the zoo staff, volunteers and community," added Dr. Kim Cook, Akron Zoo director of animal health & conservation. "He was a laid back cat with a great bond with Shanti. In fact they were able to be together at all times, which is rare for snow leopards, which are typically solitary animals."

Beginning Friday, July 7th, the Akron Zoo is the first zoo in Ohio, and only the second in the country, to be certified sensory inclusive by KultureCity out of Birmingham, Alabama. 

Sensory inclusive means the zoo is now accessible and accommodating to those with sensory needs, including autism. Upon entry, the zoo is now offering sensory bags that include noise-canceling headphones, fidget toys, and weighted blankets. The zoo now features five quiet zones for guests who need a break from the everyday commotion that is common at the zoo. There is also a guest comfort station, which is a private room for guests only, giving them a place to relax. 

"One of our goals is to make the zoo accessible to everyone," Akron Zoo President and CEO Doug Piekarz said in a statement. "By partnering with the very effective team at KultureCity we know that the zoo is more welcoming to all families and we are now equipped to offer a better experience for families with sensory needs." 

(Akron Zoo President and CEO Doug Piekarz, Akron Zoo Marketing and Group Sales Manager Elena Bell, Amy Belles, Carson Belles, Jeff Belles)

This isn't the first venture KultureCity has taken up in Northeast Ohio. With the help of Amy and Jeff Belles of Akron, KultureCity worked with Dan Gilbert and the Cleveland Cavaliers to make Quicken Loans Arena sensory inclusive. The Belles family, including 12-year-old Carson, who was diagnosed with autism at 2-years-old, worked with employees and helped train them, both at the Q and at the Akron Zoo, to be more sensory inclusive. 

Training for all Akron Zoo employees lasted about 6 or 7 months, and now they're equipped to help make those with sensory needs more comfortable when they walk through the zoo. 

See more at AkronZoo.org. 

The Akron Zoo had planned their "free admission day" months ahead of Presidents Day 2017. There is no way they could have predicted the unseasonably high temperatures Akron for Monday. 

With the combination of free admission, kids off of school for the holiday, and 61 degrees for the high locally, it made for a near-record for attendance at the Akron Zoo. 

"Yesterday we had our second-largest attendance in the history of the Zoo; and we were only open for five hours. We had 7,300 people show up at the Akron Zoo," Dave Barnhardt with the zoo told 1590 WAKR. 

The attendance was second to last year's record-setting day when the zoo hosted "Boo at the Zoo" last October. when we also saw unseasonably warm temperatures. 

The zoo posted to their Facebook page just before 1 p.m., that they would be closing early and would update the status on whether or not they would reopen. By 4 p.m., the zoo's regular closing time, there was no status update. Mary from Akron called our newsroom around the same time saying that the line of cars was spilling out on to Copley Road at Edgewood Avenue. By the time her group had gotten near the zoo entrance, they were told by a police officer that they had to turn back; that the zoo wasn't letting any more people in. 

The Akron Zoo is going big again with a new exhibit for 2017. "Curious Creatures" will feature what the Zoo calls some of the "world's strangest animals" starting this summer and replaces the Journey to the Reef exhibit in Komodo Kingdom. Among some of the animals: naked mole-rats, electric eels and insects who even garden.

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(Akron Zoo) 2017 will be a bizarre year at the Akron Zoo. The zoo is getting ready to introduce the community to some of the world's strangest animals when their new exhibit, Curious Creatures, opens on June 3, 2017. The exhibit will be located in Komodo Kingdom and replace Journey to the Reef, which closed in November last year.

The new exhibit will include animals that are uniquely different or have odd adaptations allowing guests to learn about some of the world's most "Curious Creatures." Some of the unique species that guests will be able to learn about in the new exhibit include naked mole-rats, leaf-cutter ants, electric eel, red-eyed tree frogs, walking batfish, chain dogfish, flashlight fish, mata mata turtles and more.

The new exhibit will keep a few species that were in Journey to the Reef, such as sea nettles, giant Pacific octopus and coral. In addition the zoo will also be showcasing some carnivorous plants such as Venus flytrap, pitcher plant, bladderwort and more. In total, Curious Creatures will include over 20 exhibits and several interactive areas like the learning lab, where guests can see marine and terrestrial invertebrates, a mood wall that simulates the helpful adaptation some animals have to blend in and change color and a strength tester where guests can compare their strength to that of the powerful mantis shrimp.

Guests will be able to view the strange behaviors of animals like the leaf-cutter ants who cut leaves with their jaw and carry them back to their nests where they grow fungus gardens, which the ants then eat. Guests will also learn about curious adaptions of animals like the naked mole-rat, which has no fur, just pink, wrinkly skin. These creatures live underground like moles and have small rat like tales, but are neither a mole nor a rat.

"Curious Creatures allows us to engage guests in an exploration of biodiversity unlike anything we have done before. By connecting our guests with animals they perhaps did not even know existed, we hope to encourage greater interest in the diversity of our natural world," said Doug Piekarz, president & CEO. "Our hope is Curious Creatures will spark the curiosity of every guest and inspire them to help these magnificent creatures as we continue to advance our mission to connect your life to wildlife while inspiring lifelong learning and conservation action."

Curious Creatures will be located in the exhibit hall in Komodo Kingdom Education Center. The exhibit hall is a space that changes exhibits every 3-4 years. Curious Creatures will be the fourth exhibit to occupy this space since Komodo Kingdom opened in 2005.

The Akron Zoo will be closing its Journey to the Reef exhibit this November.

The indoor exhibit hall is designed to change and offer a new exhibit every 3-4 years, according to officials at the Akron Zoo.

Journey to the Reef opened in May of 2012 and has hosted over 1.4 million people. The last day for the exhibit will be November 19th.

No replacement has been named, but it is expected to open in the spring of 2017.

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(Akron Zoo - Press Release) The Akron Zoo's popular exhibit, Journey to the Reef, will be closing November 19, 2016. The reef exhibit is located in an indoor exhibit hall in Komodo Kingdom which was designed to change exhibits every 3-4 years. Journey to the Reef first opened on May 26, 2012 and hosted over 1.4 million people. Its replacement exhibit has yet to be named, but will open in the spring of 2017.

To commemorate the closing of Journey to the Reef the zoo will host a Bon Voyage party on November 19. Journey to the Reef features 18 aquariums and over 40 aquatic species that live on or near the reef, and live coral. This area also includes several interactive education areas for kids, like our stingray touch tank, to learn about ocean life and conservation.

Many of the animals that are a part of Journey to the Reef had never been exhibited at the zoo before, such as: octopus, eels, seahorses, venomous lionfish and clownfish. The exhibit also included a couple of species of jellyfish, starfish, schooling fish, crabs and more.

Although the new exhibit has yet to be announced it will include some aquatic and terrestrial animals along with carnivorous plants. The new exhibit will be announced
early in 2017. The Akron Zoo is open 361 days a year. Zoo hours are 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and admission is $12 for adults, $10 for senior citizens, $9 for children (ages 2-14). Children under two are free and parking is $3.00. For more information visit www.akronzoo.org or call (330) 375-2550.

Founded in 1953, the Akron Zoo is a non-profit, world conservation Zoo with over 700 animals from around the world. Located just west of Downtown Akron, the Zoo
strives to provide a dynamic, financially responsible, guest centered animal experience that is energized by innovation and fun. The Akron Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). With its more than 200 accredited members, AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation, and your link to helping animals in their native habitats.

The Akron Zoo announced Wednesday that they will bring back their old holiday tradition of lights and displays throughout much of the holiday season.

The following is a press release from the Akron Zoo detailing the events:  

Akron Zoo brings back holiday lighting event

AKRON, Ohio - The Akron Zoo will once again be lighting up the zoo with holiday

lights and displays after a 16-year hiatus. Wild Lights, the zoo’s new fun-filled family

event, will take place November 25-27, December 2-4, 9-11, 16-18, 22-23 and 26-30,

2016. The event will run from 6-9 p.m.

Nearly the entire zoo will be decorated with a mix of lighted wildlife and

traditional holiday displays. The event will include a unique nightly light show focused on

animals near the zoo’s carousel, Santa Land, where people can visit with Santa and have

their pictures taken if they wish, a S’mores station, up-close animal encounters, dinner

at the zoo’s 4-star green certified restaurant and much more. Many of the zoo animals

will also be on exhibit.

“We are excited to bring this event back to our community and foster memorable

experiences for families, as well as educate and inspire people to take an active role in

conservation,” commented Doug Piekarz, president & CEO. “We are fulfilling the request

from our community to bring this event back, some of whom came as kids and now wish

to bring their kids to Wild Lights.”

The zoo had hosted Holidays Lights from 1987-2000 and decorated the zoo with

a half a million lights. Over 300,000 people visited the zoo for Holiday Lights during the

14 years the zoo held the event.

The zoo plans to have lights starting at its entrance and continuing throughout

the park, a traditional holiday theme in the historical portion of the zoo’s Mike & Mary

Stark Grizzly Ridge and a Candy Land theme in the zoo’s Frontier Town, which will

include an area where visitors can roast their own marshmallows for S’mores.

General (Non-member) admission for Wild Lights will be $15 for adults and $10

for children. Akron Zoo members will be $12 for adults and children are $9. Discounted

admission and early entrance at 5:00pm is available for those who purchase their tickets

in advance: Pre-sale general (non-member) admission will be $12 for adults and $9 for

children. Akron Zoo member advance purchased tickets will be $9 for adults and $8 for

children.

On the nights that the zoo is open for Wild Lights it will be closed during the day.

Our regular winter hours running from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. apply to all non-event

November and December days.

Akron Zoo - 2

The zoo is also offering companies the opportunity to host their holiday party

during Wild Lights. Companies can rent out the entire zoo on an evening when Wild

Lights is not open to the public, or people can choose to have a smaller party at the zoo

during the event. For more information about hosting a party at the zoo call 330-375-

2550 ext. 7251.

The Akron Zoo is open 361 days a year. Zoo hours are 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and

admission is $12 for adults, $10 for senior citizens, $9 for children (ages 2-14). Children

under two are free and parking is $3. For more information visit www.akronzoo.org or

call (330) 375-2550.

Founded in 1953, the Akron Zoo is a non-profit, world-conservation zoo with

over 700 animals from around the world. Located just west of Downtown Akron, the zoo

strives to provide a dynamic, financially responsible, guest-centered animal experience

that is energized by innovation and fun. The Akron Zoo is accredited by the Association

of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). With its more than 200 accredited members, AZA is a

leader in global wildlife conservation and your link to helping animals in their native

habitats.

The Akron Zoo's three snow leopard cubs will debut in June, but first, they need names.

The Zoo's opened up the snow leopard naming contest, which runs through May 16th.

Those who select the winning names get free zoo admission and "a snow leopard prize pack".

The entries - via E-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - will narrow the possible names to six, and the three winning names will be selected with the help of the cubs and their mother, Shanti.

The two male and one female cubs are now seven weeks old, weigh about seven pounds and are said to be doing well with their mother and Zoo staff taking care of them.

(Akron Zoo, release) The three snow leopard cubs, born March 5, 2016, will make their public debut early in June. But before they do, the Akron Zoo is asking the public's help in naming the newest additions to this endangered species. The naming contest, which is sponsored by Akron Children's Hospital, will run April 25-May 16, 2016. Everyone is welcome to submit their suggested names by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The zoo will narrow down the suggested names to six possibilities. The cubs and their mother, Shanti, will then help pick the winning names. The people who submitted the winning names will receive free admission to the zoo and a snow leopard prize pack.

"We are happy to partner with Akron Children's Hospital to ask the community for help naming these beautiful snow leopard cubs. Akron Children's provides exceptional care for newborns, and so do we, here at the Akron Zoo. Our youngsters may look different because of the scales, feathers or fur but the professional care and attention they receive come from a heartfelt passion and belief in our mission to save wildlife and wild places," added Akron Zoo President & CEO, Doug Piekarz. "The birth of these cubs is extremely significant to the preservation of this endangered species and this naming contest presents a rare and unique opportunity to be a part of their lives."

"Akron Children's is always honored when a family trusts us to care for their child and we feel the same way about the Akron Zoo and their three new bundles of joy," said William Considine, president of Akron Children's Hospital. "The bond that caregivers – human or animal – develop with the smallest of patients and their parents is very special. And, soon, we will all experience this first-hand when the newly named cubs debut."

Currently at seven weeks old the cubs, one female and two males, weigh about seven pounds and are doing extremely well under the attentive and watchful eye of their mother, Shanti, and the professional animal care staff who work with her while she is in her cubbing area daily. The cubs are now becoming more adventurous and have begun playing and climbing. Male snow leopards do not participate in cub rearing, so the cubs' father, Roscoe, is in his exhibit daily until the cubs make their debut.

Snow leopards are endangered primarily due to loss of habitat, illegal poaching for their pelts and body parts and killings by local herders when a snow leopard has preyed on their livestock. There are 153 snow leopards in the Species Survival Plan (SSP) in the U.S. and there are believed to be as few as 4,000 left in the wild.

The Akron Zoo is welcoming a litter of three snow leopard cubs -- a first in the zoo's history. It's the third litter born to Snow Leopard Shanti, but it's her first set of triplets. The cubs and their mother are currently off exhibit. They were born on March 5th.

The zoo is planning a naming contest, which is expected to be announced in a few weeks.

If you like penguins, January is the month for you.

The Akron Zoo is holding "Penguin Palooza" every Saturday and Sunday in January.

The zoo says you can enjoy penguin craft and you'll be able to feed the penguins for $3.

The zoo's 17 endangered Humboldt penguins are used to milder temperatures, though their exhibit is climate controlled.

Those visiting Saturday and Sunday from 11 AM to 2 PM will also be served free hot chocolate.

"Boo at the Zoo" this year set more attendance records at the Akron Zoo - both for the event itself, and all-time.

The Zoo says over 6,800 people showed up for "Boo at the Zoon" last Sunday (October 25th), which set an all-time single day attendance record for the zoo.

The 6 days of "Boo" brought in over 26,000 visitors this year, also a record.

The Zoo says one reason for the attendance spike - expanded hours from 11:30 AM to 7:30 PM on weekends for "Boo at the Zoo" this year.

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(Akron Zoo, news release) For the second year in a row the Akron Zoo has shattered two records during Boo at the Zoo.

The zoo broke its all-time single day attendance record with 6,831 visitors on Sunday, October 25th. The zoo also set a new Boo at the Zoo record with 26,220 people visiting during the 6-day event.

The previous two records were set during last year's Boo at the Zoo. Single day attendance was 6,658 on Saturday, October 2014 during the event and total attendance for Boo at the Zoo 2014 was 25,544.

Expanded hours for the event are believed to be the reason for the spike in attendance during Boo at the Zoo. Last year the zoo expanded their hours and Boo at the Zoo ran all day from 11:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays instead of shortened afternoon and evening hours as in previous years.

This year's Boo at the Zoo ran October 10-11, 17-18 and 24-25. The event is one of the area's largest trick-or-treating events. It includes 12 themed treat stations that kids can trick-or-treat at while enjoying non-scary Halloween decorations and the zoo's 700 animals. The zoo passed out 122,088 treats to the kids during the event. The event is presented by Acme Fresh Markets.