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Columbus zoo gift shop5/9/2023 ![]() The Gift Shop at the National Zoo & Aquarium is stocked full of a great variety of quality souvenirs to remind you of your visit – from pocket money toys to clothing and wildlife themed Giftware – all at very competitive prices. Shop for the perfect columbus zoo gift from our wide selection of designs, or create your own personalized gifts. There’s a variety of gifts for any budget and occasion. Located at the Zoo’s main entrance, the Gift Shop is the perfect place to find that special gift or souvenir. A: If you lose your membership card, simply go to the Membership/Season Pass Processing office to have your card reprinted for a fee. Racey said the reversal followed important revisions to the bill, which remains pending in Washington.Located near the entrance of Heart of Africa, this gift shop features eco- friendly jewelry, gifts and home accents from a variety of vendors that provide education and create jobs to local artisans from all over Africa. ![]() He announced zoo support in April for the federal legislation prohibiting private ownership of big cats as pets and banning cub-petting venues. There’s no doubt about it,” Shumate told the Dispatch.īorin also reversed the zoo’s previous opposition - which the film alleged had been spearheaded by Hanna - to The Big Cat Public Safety Act. A longtime vice president of animal programs retired. It revised policies and reporting structures for acquisition and disposition of ambassador animals in the Animal Programs department. Over the summer, the zoo acknowledged the bulk of the film’s revelations and apologized. “Those are very serious issues within our accreditation process.”įilmmaker Michael Webber said the zoo and its accreditors took his documentary’s allegations seriously. “They were, and have been for some time, dealing with non-AZA members, and pretty clearly not disclosing those transfers,” Ashe said. “What we can say emphatically is that he worked his entire career to better the animal world,” the family said in a statement.Īshe said the film’s revelations, coupled with his association’s own growing file on the zoo’s Animal Programs department, weighed heavily in the decision to pull Columbus’ accreditation. In many cases, they were provided by backyard breeders and unaccredited roadside zoos and disappeared into private hands after those appearances.Īs publicity around the film grew, Hanna’s relatives said they hadn’t seen it and could not comment on the claims. The film tied the zoo and Hanna to the big cat trade, showing that some tiger, lion and snow leopard cubs that had been Hanna’s fuzzy and adorable companions on TV neither came from nor returned to the zoo. ![]() Yet even more wrenching were the accusations leveled in the documentary “The Conservation Game,” which premiered at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival on April 6. Twenty-nine full- and part-time employees were furloughed, and 33 non-animal care positions across the zoo and The Wilds were eliminated. Yet, that year, it was closed for weeks, ultimately sustaining $20 million in operational losses. More than half its earned revenue comes from admissions and other sales, such as food and gift items. Typically, Columbus Zoo is open 363 days per year. Want more of our free, weekly newsletters in your inbox? Let’s get started. ![]() “The people who took liberties in their power are gone, and the people who are cleaning up the mess in the room, under new leadership, we’re moving forward. “We can’t change what happened in the past, but we’ve done a lot to admit those wrongs, to apologize and to address our shortcomings,” said zoo spokesperson Nicolle Gomez Racey. Keith Shumate, chair of the zoo’s board, called Schmid “extremely smart, ethical and passionate about zoos and wildlife conservation.” 6 as president and CEO of the zoo and its related businesses, including The Wilds safari park and conservation center and Zoombezi Bay water park. “It’s been a tough year for the Columbus Zoo, yes,” said association president Dan Ashe, while adding that the zoo’s roughly 2 million visitors a year can still be assured the facility’s 10,000 animals are well cared for.Īshe said bringing in Tom Schmid, who currently heads the Texas State Aquarium, as the zoo’s new leader bodes well: “He’s going to bring the Columbus Zoo roaring back.” Zoo officials filed an intent to appeal last week. In October, citing the financial and animal rights revelations, a commission of the respected Association of Zoos and Aquariums stripped the Columbus Zoo of its main accreditation. A day later, in timing they said was unrelated, Hanna’s family announced he had dementia and would retire from public life. Then in April, just as a streaming international TV channel named for him was launching, a damning animal rights documentary alleging Hanna had ties to the big cat trade premiered in California.
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