Why is Columbus Zoo closing?

Columbus Zoo loses accreditation over animal program, leadership issues, but plans appeal. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium has lost its accreditation with its industry's top accrediting body amid concerns regarding its acquisition of animals and inappropriate business practices by the zoo's former leaders.



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Catch up quick: The loss of accreditation was two-pronged. First, a Dispatch investigation that Alissa worked on in 2021 uncovered that former officials had been using zoo assets personally for years, resulting in losses of at least $631,000 that have been mostly recovered via settlements.

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Costs of animal feed, building products, fuel and other overhead continues to rise, he said, and the zoo recently increased its minimum wage for employees $2 to $13 per hour.

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Although 700 million people worldwide visit zoos and aquariums each year, many zoos have found their attendance numbers going down in recent years.

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1. San Diego Zoo | San Diego, CA. Renowned across the country, San Diego's zoo, founded in 1916, is home to over 12,000 animals of more than 650 species and subspecies.

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When you compare the Columbus vs Cleveland zoo, you'll find the Columbus Zoo is much larger, but this also means it can be harder to walk and explore. The Columbus zoo covers 580 acres with over 7,000 animals and 800 species. The Cleveland MetroParks Zoo is 183 acres with 3,000 animals and over 600 species.

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