If you like Zoos, Columbus Zoo Plans To Be Largest In North America

For those who like Zoos I found this article about the Columbus Zoo.

The Zoo plans to become the largest in North America, growing to 600 acres. This process will take about 10 years, they estimate. For those who don't know, the zoo is led by animal lover Jack Hanna.

Who knows, maybe if the Detroit Zoo closes they can send some of their animals down to Columbus???




http://www.10tv.com/Global/story.asp...9&nav=LUESMuat


Columbus
Big Plans for Columbus Zoo

Reported by Kurt Ludlow


The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is embarking upon a project that could wind up making it the largest zoo in North America.

If zoo director emeritus Jack Hanna gets his way, people will soon be able to spend the night at the Columbus Zoo. Not with the animals of course, but in a hotel built on zoo grounds.


ThatÂ's just one of the improvements planned for the zoo over the next ten years.


Â"The African Savannah is going to be phenomenal,Â" described Hanna.



In that exhibit, visitors will be able to watch giraffes, hippopotami and zebras roam free.



As he explained the changes, Hanna marveled at what the Columbus Zoo is about to become. He recalled the size of the park back in 1978 when he began there and compared it to today and what the plans for the future hold.



Â"And now who would imagine the largest zoo in North America?Â" Jungle Jack said of what current proposals project.



The zoo has begun a $180 million, 10-year project that will expand the grounds from 90 acres today to nearly 600 acres by 2015.



Â"Franklin County voters have really supported the zoo with a property tax levy. And that's really the basis that's helped all these changes take place,Â" zoo director Gerald Borin explained.



And the changes will be dramatic. Powell Road north of the zoo is being moved to the south end of the facility, opening up access to new land and the ability to create new exhibits.



"We have 100 acres already partially treed in parts, which we can protect. and recreate these grasslands,Â" Hanna pointed out in reference to the African Savannah.



Visitors can expect Africa in 2009. The Arctic Frontier exhibit with polar bears is scheduled to open in 2008. The new Asia exhibit premieres this summer.



But there's a lot more on the drawing board, including tentative plans for a hotel on the zoo grounds.



"When I walk around here at night by myself it's like a dream,Â" Hanna said in disbelief.

Another potential for growth for the zoological park is the fact that this summer will be the last season Six Flags is contracted to operate neighboring Wyandot Lake. Then their lease expires.



So the Columbus Zoo may take over the water park itself and use the proceeds to further fund the animal operations.>