Zoo News

The Akron Zoo recently performed cataract surgery on their female golden lion tamarin, Ana. The zoo partnered with Clear Choice Laser Center, Cleveland Eye Clinic and Great Lakes Veterinary Specialists to perform the surgery. Golden lion tamarins are small primates that are endangered.   

The Akron Zoo has joined the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and over 100 accredited zoos and aquariums around the world who have collectively pledged over $1 million dollars to help save the vaquita porpoise. This small porpoise is native the Gulf of California and is the worlds most endangered marine mammal. Also joining the efforts to save this species from extinction are the Mexican government, who has pledged over $3 million towards the effort, The VaquitaCPR (Conservation, Protection and Recovery) emergency rescue plan, and the United States Navy.

The Akron Zoo joins their accrediting organization, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), in support of the March for Science on Earth Day, April 22, 2017.  During the event thousands of people will March for Science in cities around the country, including Public Square in Cleveland.  The national March for Science will take place in Washington, D.C. on the same day.

The Akron Zoo has some new residents and other residents who have moved to other accredited zoos based on Species Survival Plan recommendations from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The zoo has received a new red panda, Komodo dragon, a sun bear and two Humboldt penguins. The zoo’s sloth bear, red panda and one of their Komodo dragons have now moved to their new homes.

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.” 

The Akron Zoo surpassed its all-time annual attendance record, attracting 398,878 visitors in 2016. The new attendance record eclipsed the previous attendance record of 389,508 set in 2013.

The Akron Zoo will be hosting a brand new event to start the new year; Dollar Days will take place every Saturday and Sunday in January, including January 7-8, 14-15, 21-22 & 28-29, 2017. Each weekend will feature a special at the zoo for only $1. 

The $1 specials may include food, experiences at the zoo or even admission. People can find out the discounts on the Wednesday before each weekend on the zoo’s website and social media accounts. 

On Sunday, October 23, during Boo at the Zoo, 7,550 guest visited, making it the highest attended day n Akron Zoo history.

The Akron Zoo has made biking to the zoo more user friendly today as it unveiled a brand new bike shelter.

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.