Columbus Zoo

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium filed an appeal after losing its accreditation back in Oct. 2021 over issues of financial mismanagement and concern for animal welfare in one of the zoo's programs.

The area of eastern Ohio known as The Wilds is one of the largest conservation parks in the country. The 10,000-acre spread has undergone massive transformations from its prehistoric beginning to farmland to strip mining and now preserve.

Six months into his job as the CEO of the Columbus Zoo, we’ll speak with Tom Schmid about the actions he’s taking to regain the zoo’s status and restore its reputation.

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium has received accreditation from the Zoological Association of America, officials say. This comes after the zoo lost its accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums last year.

Earlier this month, four injured manatee calves were flown to the zoo to free up space at SeaWorld's Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Florida. The transfer speaks to a larger problem plaguing the manatee population in the Sunshine State.

The new Columbus Zoo and Aquarium CEO charged with restoring the facility’s reputation begins his work Monday.

Newly hired CEO and President of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Tom Schmid said he knew about the loss of the zoo's accreditation before taking the position, however, Schmid said he was surprised by the move.

The documentary that ties the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and former director Jack Hanna to the exotic animal trade will make its Columbus debut in September. The documentary's filmmaker and zoo officials addressed the film's controversy Thursday morning on WOSU's All Sides with Ann Fisher.

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is making changes based on issues raised in a new documentary about the exotic animal trade.

National educator and community icon Jack Hanna has dementia, his family said in a public letter.