100-653: The Cincinnati Zoo Historic Structures is a collection of historically significant buildings at the Cincinnati Zoo in Cincinnati , Ohio , United States . They were designated a National Historic Landmark on February 27, 1987. The second oldest zoo in the United States, it has opened to the public in September 1875. Significant for the antiquity and richness of its collections and for its efforts in
200-738: A Steller's sea eagle and an Andean condor . The Reptile House is America's oldest surviving zoo building, built in 1875. Originally, it housed monkeys and other primates until 1951. Now, it is home to over 30 reptile species from around the world in both indoor and outdoor exhibits. Selected species include Chinese alligators , Gila monsters , brown anoles , emerald tree monitors , quince monitors , Pascagoula map turtles , pancake tortoises , spider tortoises , poison dart frogs , Titicaca water frogs , hellbenders , black rat snakes , corn snakes , rattlesnakes , pine snakes , king cobras , Indochinese spitting cobras , boa constrictors , emerald tree boas and West African Gaboon vipers . Neighboring
300-689: A polygynous breeding pattern. From May to August, males establish territories and try to attract females with which to mate. Females are free to move in between territories, and are not coerced by males. Mothers nurse their pups in between foraging trips. California sea lions communicate with numerous vocalizations, notably with barks and mother-pup contact calls . Outside their breeding season, California sea lions spend much of their time at sea, but they come to shore to molt . California sea lions are particularly intelligent , can be trained to perform various tasks and display limited fear of humans if accustomed to them. Because of this, California sea lions are
400-510: A trumpeter swan in a zoo, as well as four passenger pigeons . This was followed in 1882 with the first American bison born in captivity. In 1986, the zoo established the Carl H. Lindner Jr. Family Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife for the purpose of using science and technology to understand, preserve, and propagate endangered flora and fauna and facilitate the conservation of global biodiversity. Its Frozen Zoo plays
500-504: A 2.5-acre (1.0 ha) naturalized rain forest habitat, teeming with rare and exotic wildlife and hundreds of plant species from Asia, South America, and Africa. Each region in the exhibit is divided by outdoor and indoor habitats with enjoyable viewing of the Zoo's collection of rare primates birds, reptiles, insects, small mammals. The attraction received the AZA prestigious exhibit award in 1994,
600-410: A U.S. leader in breeding eastern black rhinos with eighteen births over the course of their existence. Other featured species include okapi , yellow-backed duiker , plains zebra , eastern bongo , and Visayan warty pigs . On July 17, 2017, a black rhino calf, Kendi, was born to parents Faru and Seyia. Kendi's birth was captured on camera and can be viewed on the zoo's website. Curator of mammals at
700-462: A behavior even after three months of resting. Some organizations, such as the Humane Society of the United States and World Animal Protection , object to using California sea lions and other marine mammals for entertainment, claiming the tricks are "exaggerated variations of their natural behaviors" and distract the audience from the animal's unnatural environment. The California sea lion
800-531: A circus. Equipped with minarets and a windowed dome, the Elephant House was built to evoke the Taj Mahal and a sense of contemporary India . This concrete structure measures 150 by 75 feet (46 m × 23 m) in length and height respectively. In building such a structure, the zoo followed the pattern of many other zoos, which constructed animal houses in the styles of the countries whence
900-403: A component of the zoo since its earliest years: when it first opened in 1875, its collection comprised the menagerie of Andrew Erkenbrecker, a prominent bird collector who desired to form the country's first zoological gardens. Besides a group of birds that he had collected, Erkenbrecker owned a group of mammals of all types, including multiple monkeys as well as an elephant that he had bought from
1000-517: A good genetic match and recommended that they breed. Faru came to Cincinnati from Atlanta in the summer of 2015 and was introduced to Seyia. Renovated in 1984–1985, 55,000 sq ft (5,100 m ) of exhibits that feature common barnyard animals , animals of the eastern American woodlands, and animals of the southwest American desert such as alpacas , llamas , Nigerian Dwarf goats , Juliana pigs , guinea pigs as well as Brazilian porcupines , radiated tortoises and southern tamanduas . There
1100-615: A higher number of dead pups. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has pointed to unprecedentedly warm Pacific coastal waters, related to Pacific decadal oscillation and El Niño , as the likely cause. Elevated water temperatures reduced the abundance of anchovies, sardines and mackerel, principal components of the California sea lion pup diet during nursery season. This caused many California sea lion pups to starve, while others died when they took to open waters in search of food at too early an age. Several months earlier, in
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#17327986276251200-510: A huge sum at the time. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975, it is considered one of the most spectacular historic buildings in the zoo world. At 150 feet (46 m) long and 75 feet (23 m), this was the largest and most complete concrete animal building in the world, intended for hoofed animals. In 2000, the attraction became Vanishing Giants, featuring giraffes , okapis and elephants . From 2007 to 2008,
1300-414: A major role. In it are stored over 2,500 specimens representing approximately 60 animal and 65 plant species. Terri Roth is CREW's director. California sea lion The California sea lion ( Zalophus californianus ) is a coastal eared seal native to western North America . It is one of six species of sea lions . Its natural habitat ranges from southeast Alaska to central Mexico , including
1400-412: A musical fashion. Trainers reward their animals with fish, which motivates them to perform. For ball balancing, trainers toss a ball at a California sea lion so it may accidentally balance it or hold the ball on its nose, thereby gaining an understanding of what to do. A California sea lion may go through a year of training before performing a behavior for the public. However, its memory allows it to perform
1500-612: A nearby beach. Before mating begins, females gather into "milling" groups of 2–20 individuals. The females in these groups will mount each other as well as the males. These groups begin to disintegrate as the females begin to mate. The territorial and mating system of the California sea lion has been described as similar to a lek system, as females appear to choose their mates while moving through different territories. They avoid males that are too aggressive or energetic. Males are usually unable to prevent females from leaving their territories, particularly in water. Mating may occur outside
1600-530: A popular choice for public display in zoos , circuses and oceanariums , and are trained by the United States Navy for certain military operations . The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the species as Least Concern due to its abundance. To protect fish, the US states of Oregon and Washington engage in annual kill quotas of California sea lions. The California sea lion
1700-463: A renovation of Otter Creek. After another renovation in the summer of 2011, the second section focuses on the conservation story of the Mexican gray wolf native to the southwestern United States . Here, a rustic, historical trapper's cabin has been converted into a Mexican wolf field research station. Other species include the gray foxes , North American river otters , and barred owls . Lords of
1800-521: A significant adverse impact on the decline or recovery of ESA-listed salmonids. Applications have been granted for removal of several individual California sea lions at Ballard Locks and at the Bonneville Dam, where up to 92 California sea lions can be killed each year for a 5-year period. Wildlife officials have unsuccessfully attempted to ward off the sea lions using bombs , rubber bullets and bean bags . Efforts to chase sea lions away from
1900-403: A small flowing stream under low elevated bridge. It also provides many tall trees for the five pandas to relax and sleep on. This big body of water takes up a lot of the zoo's ground near the entrance. The Cincinnati Zoo was the first place to exhibit and breed red-crowned cranes , trumpeter swans , wood ducks and various other waterfowl species are kept here. Wolf Woods opened in 2005 after
2000-540: A tall elevated platform. Guests can also view the giraffes in their indoor 25,000 sq ft (2,300 m ) stalls especially during winter. In the 2010s the zoo built an eight-acre (3.2 ha) Africa exhibit, the largest animal exhibit in its history. Phases I and II, completed in 2010, added an exhibit for cranes and expanded the Cheetah Encounter yard so that the cheetahs had a 40% larger running space. Phase III opened on June 29, 2013, and included
2100-457: A thick layer of fat called blubber for energy. Size and patience allow a male to defend his territory more effectively; the bigger the male, the more blubber he can store and the longer he can wait. A male California sea lion usually keeps his territory for around 27 days. Females have long parturition intervals, and thus the males do not establish their territories until after the females give birth. Most fights occur during this time. After this,
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#17327986276252200-524: A wave of public desire to purchase the increasingly popular zoo, took over management. In 1932, the city purchased the zoo and started to run it through the Board of Park Commissioners. This marked the zoo's transition from its period of financial insecurity to its modern state of stable growth and fiscal stability. In addition to its live animal exhibits, the zoo houses refreshments stands, a dance hall, roads, walkways, and picnic grounds. Between 1920 and 1972,
2300-616: A wider vista that offers visitors an opportunity to see African lions , servals , a bat-eared fox , African wild dogs , and a new cheetah exhibit. A new Base Camp Café, said to be the greenest restaurant in the US, was also added in the 2013 season. Phase IV, the largest phase of the Africa expansion, opened on June 28, 2014. It introduced a wide savanna with lesser kudus , a saddle-billed stork , common ostriches , crested guineafowl , pink-backed pelicans , Rüppell's vultures , lappet-faced vultures , and grey crowned cranes . Phase V,
2400-565: A year after it opened. First, a series of outdoor exhibits features Sumatran orangutans , white-handed gibbons , Müller's gibbons , helmeted curassows and blue-throated macaws . Next, an indoor building houses pygmy slow loris , golden-headed lion tamarins , and white-faced sakis , in addition to indoor housing for the orangutans and gibbons. Further on, another series of outdoor exhibits features black howlers , bonobos , Coquerel's sifakas , and Angola colobuses . The second building features West African pottos , and an aye-aye . Birds of
2500-457: A year but can continue to suckle for another year. California sea lions communicate with a range of vocalizations. The most commonly used one is their characteristic bark . Territorial males are the loudest and most continuous callers, and barks are produced constantly during the peak of the breeding season. California sea lions bark especially rapidly when excited. The barks of territorial and non-territorial males sound similar, although those of
2600-570: Is 120,000 gallons with 3 viewing areas including a bubble window. In addition to the central exhibit with Florida manatees , other Florida species are featured, including American alligators , American crocodiles , alligator gars , alligator snapping turtles , coastal plain cooters , loggerhead musk turtles , greater sirens , two-toed amphiumas and the invasive Burmese python . This exhibit opened as Big Cat Canyon in 1975, containing three one-year old White tigers. In February and in August 1988,
2700-501: Is a nursery where guests can see either babies born at the zoo or babies that came to the zoo. Volunteers and keepers bring a certain harmless animal out everyday for guests to be able to touch, and learn more about them. Lucille, a two-year old binturong, is the ambassador for the Cincinnati Bearcats , there is also a ground squirrel named Yam, Scamper, a rescued American red fox , and a Virginia opossum named Opal who
2800-563: Is also home to Vietnamese pheasants and Azure-winged magpies . Phase 2 in 2025 will include Siamang ’s Point, a rhinoceros hornbill exhibit, Asian small-clawed otters and Babirusa pigs for the Clawed River Otter Habitat and the New Picnic Shelter Complex. The Cincinnati Zoo has been active in breeding animals to help save species, starting as early as 1880 with the first hatching of
2900-597: Is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), and a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA). A 2014 ranking of the nations's best zoos by USA Today based on data provided by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums lists the Cincinnati Zoo among the best in the country. A 2019 reader's choice ranking of the nation's best zoos by USA Today named
3000-415: Is home to many nocturnal and/or predatory animals previously found in other exhibits throughout the zoo, including aardvarks , aardwolves , binturong , black-footed cats , fishing cats , common vampire bats , fennec foxes , Indian flying foxes , northern greater galagos , large-spotted genets , ocelots , Pallas's cats , ringtails , a Gambian pouched rat , sand cats and tawny frogmouths . During
3100-556: Is limited to the blue-green area of the color spectrum . This is likely an adaptation for living in marine coastal habitats. Sea lions have fairly acute underwater hearing, with a hearing range of 0.4–32 kHz . California sea lions rely on their whiskers or vibrissae for touch and detection of vibrations underwater. Compared to the harbor seal , the California sea lion's vibrissae are smoother and less specialized and thus perform less when following hydrodynamic trails, although they still perform well. The California sea lion ranges along
Cincinnati Zoo Historic Structures - Misplaced Pages Continue
3200-439: Is the first hippo to be born at the zoo in 75 years. Fiona was also the first Nile hippo to ever be captured on an ultrasound image . After intensive care from zoo keepers, veterinarians, and NICU specialists at Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Fiona survived. The story of her trials and success made her an internet celebrity and city hero, and has dramatically increased zoo attendance. Henry's health declined later in 2017 and he
3300-600: Is the second oldest zoo in the United States, founded in 1873 and officially opening in 1875. It is located in the Avondale neighborhood of Cincinnati, Ohio . It originally began with 64.5 acres (26.1 ha) in the middle of the city, but has spread into the neighboring blocks and several reserves in Cincinnati's outer suburbs. It was appointed as a National Historic Landmark in 1987. The zoo houses over 500 species, 1,800 animals and 3,000 plant species. In addition,
3400-519: Is typically dark brown. The face of adult males may also be light tan in some areas. Pups have a black or dark brown pelage at birth. Although the species has a slender build, adult males have robust necks, chests, and shoulders. Adult males also have a protruding crest which gives them a "high, domed forehead"; it is tufted with white hairs. They also have manes, which are less developed than those of adult male South American and Steller sea lions. Both sexes have long, narrow muzzles. As an otariid,
3500-492: Is used in military applications by the U.S. Navy Marine Mammal Program , including detecting naval mines and enemy divers. In the Persian Gulf , the animals can swim behind divers approaching a US naval ship and attach a clamp with a rope to the diver's leg. Navy officials say California sea lions can do this in seconds, before the enemy realizes what happened. Organizations like PETA believe that such operations put
3600-774: The Cincinnati Summer Opera performed in an open-air pavilion and were broadcast by NBC radio. In 1987, parts of the zoo were designated as a National Historic Landmark, the Cincinnati Zoo Historic Structures , due to their significant architecture featured in the Elephant House, the Reptile House, and the Passenger Pigeon Memorial. The Herbivora building was constructed in 1906 for $ 50,000,
3700-803: The Columbia River . In 2004, a healthy California sea lion was found sitting on a road in Merced County , California, almost a hundred miles upstream from the San Francisco Bay and half a mile from the San Joaquin River . California sea lions feed on a wide variety of seafood , mainly squid and fish , and sometimes clams . Commonly eaten fish and squid species include salmon , hake , Pacific whiting , anchovy , herring , rockfish , lamprey , dogfish , and market squid . They mostly forage near mainland coastlines,
3800-491: The Gulf of California . California sea lions are sexually dimorphic ; males are larger than females, and have a thicker neck, and a protruding sagittal crest . They mainly haul out on sandy or rocky beaches, but they also frequent manmade environments such as marinas and wharves . California sea lions feed on a number of species of fish and squid, and are preyed on by orcas and great white sharks . California sea lions have
3900-610: The Indonesian Government . The Cincinnati Zoo was the second U.S. zoo to exhibit Komodo dragons and the second zoo to breed them outside of Indonesia . The exhibit was renovated in 2009 and opened in June 2010. A few other species of lizards such as armadillo girdled lizards , blue tree monitors and Nile monitors are also housed in this complex. This open-aired exhibit was built in 1962 as Baboon Island and renovated as Ibex Island. It allows guests to look down at some of
4000-541: The Phelsuma grandis , poison dart frogs , Argentine horned frogs and even naked mole-rats This building features five species of colorful monitor lizards ranging from Southeast Asia and Australia. In the past, this exhibit housed other animal species until the zoo received the largest Komodo dragon to ever live in captivity in the Western Hemisphere, named Naga. He was a gift from George H. W. Bush from
4100-915: The continental shelf , and seamounts . They may also search along the ocean bottom. California sea lions may eat alone or in small to large groups, depending on the amount of food available. They sometimes cooperate with other predators, such as dolphins , porpoises , and seabirds , when hunting large schools of fish. California sea lions sometimes follow dolphins and exploit their hunting efforts . Adult females feed between 10–100 km (6.2–62.1 mi) from shore. Adult males may forage as far as 450 km (280 mi) from shore when water temperatures rise. They also have learned to feed on steelhead and salmon below fish ladders at Bonneville Dam and at other locations where fish must queue in order to pass through dams and locks that block their passage. California sea lions are preyed on by orcas and large sharks . At Monterey Bay , California sea lions appear to be
Cincinnati Zoo Historic Structures - Misplaced Pages Continue
4200-924: The white-breasted cormorants , great white pelicans , and yellow-billed ducks . On June 15, 2021, the Zoo Broke ground on the Biggest Habitat in Zoo History: The Harry and Linda Fath Elephant Trek; The Elephant Trek is five times the size of the Zoo's current elephant habitat that opened on October 1st, 2024 that is now home to a multi-generational herd of 8–10 Asian elephants . It includes swimming pools, streams, overhead feeding stations, mud wallows, and enrichment opportunities at every turn. These enrichments encourage movement and other natural behaviors. The herd of eight can access three different yards that serve different purposes and can accommodate separation for training and medical procedures. It
4300-445: The "squeal", the "belch", and the "growl". The sound a female California sea lion gives when calling her pups is called a "pup-attraction call", described as "loud" and "brawling". Pups respond with a "mother-response call", which is similar in structure. Pups will also bleat or bark when playing or in distress. California sea lions can produce vocalizations underwater. These include "whinny" sounds, barks, buzzings, and clicks. Outside
4400-633: The American Zoo and Aquarium Association in 2000. The sights, sounds, and smells of Florida greet visitors as they enter Manatee Springs. Close-up viewing on both dry land, as well as dramatic underwater viewing of over 45 magnificent species provide an exciting experience for every Zoo visitor. Manatee Springs facilities include a greenhouse (304 m ) and an exhibit building (1035 m ). The entire facility (1339 m ) includes 171 m (1,900 ft²) of staff and support areas and 369m² (4,100 ft²) of filtration equipment space on two levels. The manatee tank
4500-509: The Arctic opened in 2000, housing species representing northern parts of the world in a 21,000 sq ft (2,000 m ) attraction. Originally housing polar bears ; the last individual having died in 2021, the exhibit also features Arctic foxes . According to the zoo's master plan, the exhibit will be retooled to house North American wildlife, along with American black bears and sea otters in 2025. Jungle Trails takes visitors through
4600-576: The California and Japanese sea lion appear to have split off 2.2 million years ago during the Pliocene . The California sea lion differs from the Galapagos sea lion in its greater sexual dimorphism . The Steller sea lion is the closest extant relative of the Zalophus sea lions, being a sister taxon . Being sexually dimorphic, California sea lions differ in size, shape, and coloration between
4700-413: The California sea lion relies on its foreflippers to propel itself when swimming. This form of aquatic locomotion , along with its streamlined body, effectively reduces drag underwater. Its foreflipper movement is not continuous; the animal glides in between each stroke. The flexibility of its spine allows the California sea lion to bend its neck backwards far enough to reach its hindflippers. This allows
4800-678: The Cincinnati Zoo the top zoo in North America. In 1872, three years before the zoo's creation, Andrew Erkenbrecher and several other residents created the Society for the Acclimatization of Birds in Cincinnati to acquire insect-eating birds to control a severe outbreak of caterpillars. A collection of approximately 1,000 birds imported from Europe in 1872 was housed in Burnet Woods before being released. In 1873, members of
4900-636: The Ensenada Front. The stocks of the Gulf of California live in the shallow waters of the north (Northern stock), the tidal islands near the center (Central stock), and the mouth of the bay (Southern stock). The stock status of the California sea lions at the deep waters of the central bay has not been analyzed. Vagrants can reach the north-western Pacific such as on the Commander Islands . Although several otariinae have been recorded around
5000-468: The Gulf of California do not migrate; they stay in the Gulf of California year-round. Marine biologist Ronald J. Schusterman and his research associates have studied the California sea lions' cognitive ability. They have discovered that California sea lions are able to recognize relationships between stimuli based on similar functions or connections made with their peers, rather than only the stimuli's common features. California sea lions have demonstrated
5100-525: The Gulf of California. Females remain with their pups onshore for 10 days and nurse them. After this, females will go on foraging trips lasting as long as three days, returning to nurse their pups for up to a day. Pups left onshore tend to gather in nurseries to socialize and play. When returning from a trip, females call their pups with distinctive calls to which the pups will reply in kind. A mother and pup can distinguish each other's calls from those of other mothers and pups. At first, reunions largely depend on
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#17327986276255200-530: The Insect received the prized American Zoo and Aquarium Association exhibit award in 1979. This building also features the longest ant exhibit in the world, housing colonies of leafcutter ants . Some of its species include Antilles pinktoe tarantulas , Brazilian whiteknee tarantulas , dragon-headed katydids , Eastern lubber grasshoppers , marbled crayfish , Texas bullet ants and water scorpions . Despite being an insect house, it also displays Fire belly newts ,
5300-576: The Japanese archipelago in recent years, their exact origins are unclear. During the breeding season, California sea lions gather on both sandy and rocky shores. On warm days, they lie closer to the water. At night or in cool weather, they travel farther inland or to higher elevations. Non-breeding individuals may gather at marinas , wharves , or even navigational buoys . California sea lions can also live in fresh water for periods of time, such as near Bonneville Dam , nearly 150 miles (240 km) up
5400-464: The Reptile House are two outdoor exhibits featuring the Galápagos tortoises and rescued bald eagles, the latter formerly contained Japanese macaques . This exhibit opened in 1978 as a naturalistic, rain forest habitat for the Cincinnati Zoo's western lowland gorillas . The Cincinnati Zoo leads the country in gorilla births with 48. Elle was the last gorilla born at the zoo in 2015. The zoo holds
5500-524: The Reptile House was the oldest zoo building anywhere in the United States. The original Aviary no longer stands, having been destroyed in the 1970s; a collection of gorilla exhibits occupies the site now. The Kemper Log Cabin is also gone, have been moved to Sharon Woods Village in Sharonville in January 1982. Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
5600-535: The Society of Acclimatization began discussing the idea of starting a zoo and founded The Zoological Society of Cincinnati. One year later, the Zoological Society of Cincinnati purchased a 99-year lease on 65 acres (26 ha) in the cow pasture known as Blakely Woods. The Cincinnati Zoological Gardens officially opened its doors on September 18, 1875. Architect James W. McLaughlin , who constructed
5700-588: The World features a wide-variety of bird species from throughout the entire world, including a selection of aviaries that guests can enter to get up close and personal. Birds housed include Bali mynas , boat-billed herons , buff-crested bustards , Guam rails , Inca terns , masked lapwings , sunbitterns , thick-billed parrots , penguins and puffins . (outside) (inside) The 27,000 sq ft (2,500 m ) $ 1.6 million Dobsa Giraffe Ridge opened on June 6, 2008, and allows guests to feed Masai giraffes from
5800-581: The Zoo attained rare white lion cubs donated to the zoo by Siegfried and Roy . These lions successfully bred four offspring in April 2001, but as of May 2022, they all died, and their exhibit now contains Bennett's wallabies . Built in 1935 as the African Veldt with large hoofed animals, the series of exhibits was renovated in 1997 to become Rhino Reserve. This area is home to Flamingo Cove with over twenty greater flamingos . The Cincinnati Zoo ranks as
5900-458: The Zoo's commitment to the conservation of threatened species through education and scientific research in the wild and at the zoo. Included at the end of this trail is an exhibit housing Eurasian eagle-owls . Opened in 1978, this is the largest building in North America devoted to the display of live insects. The Cincinnati Zoo has been given four awards by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association for successful propagation of insects, and World of
6000-649: The ability to understand simple syntax and commands when taught an artificial sign language . However, California sea lions rarely used the signs semantically or logically. In 2011, a California sea lion named Ronan was recorded bobbing her head in synchronization to musical rhythms. This " rhythmic entrainment " was previously seen only in humans, parrots and other birds possessing vocal mimicry. Because of their intelligence and trainability, California sea lions have been used by circuses and marine mammal parks to perform various tricks such as throwing and catching balls on their noses, running up ladders, or honking horns in
6100-673: The animal to make dorsal turns and maintain a streamlined posture. When moving on land, the California sea lion is able to turn its hindflippers forward and walk on all fours. It moves the foreflippers in a transverse , rather than a sagittal , fashion. In addition, it relies on movements of its head and neck more than its hindflippers for terrestrial locomotion. California sea lions may travel at speeds of around 10.8 km/h (6.7 mph), and can dive at depths of 274 m (899 ft) and for up to 9.9 minutes, though most dives are typically 80 m (260 ft) and last less than 3 minutes. California sea lions have color vision , though it
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#17327986276256200-523: The animals came, but the Elephant House was one of the last zoo buildings in the United States constructed with such a philosophy. Designed by architects Elzner and Anderson, it was placed atop the zoo's highest hill. Its original cost was $ 50,000, and in later years the zoo has expended further money on renovations. Originally built as the Monkey House, the Reptile House is a round Moorish Revival building designed by James W. McLaughlin for use as
6300-532: The animals in danger. However, the Navy insists that California sea lions are removed once their mission is complete. The IUCN lists the California sea lion as Least Concern due to "its large and increasing population size." The estimated population is 238,000–241,000 for the U.S. or Pacific Temperate stock, 75,000–85,000 for the Western Baja California or Pacific Tropical stock, and 31,393 for
6400-438: The area have also proven ineffective. Critics have objected to the killing of the California sea lions, pointing out that the level of mortality permitted as a result of recreational and commercial fisheries in the river and as part of the operation of hydroelectric dams pose a greater threat to the salmon. These animals exploit more human-made environments like docks for haul-out sites. Many docks are not designed to withstand
6500-425: The aviary. Its design centers around a large dome more than 40 feet (12 m) high, with numerous windows and skylights that enable it to be lit by sunlight, in addition to Corinthian columns . Although it was expanded in 1922 by the construction of a veterinary hospital, the zoo arranged for an extensive remodeling to prepare it for the reptiles that were first placed within it in 1951. Zoo historians claim that
6600-494: The breeding season, males migrate to the northern ends of the species range to feed, while females forage near the breeding rookeries. California sea lions can stay at sea for as long as two weeks at a time. They make continuous dives, returning to the surface to rest. California sea lions may travel alone or in groups while at sea and haul-out between each sea trip. Adult females and juveniles molt in autumn and winter; adult males molt in January and February. California sea lions in
6700-441: The critically endangered Sumatran rhino ) into an exhibit called Roo Valley, the exhibit features the Zoo's first-ever kangaroo walkabout, with a new beer garden and restaurant, a big rope course over the habitat, and provides the largest outdoor little penguin habitat. Roo Valley adds five new species to the zoo as well, including red and western grey kangaroos , Australian wood ducks , New Zealand scaups and freckled ducks ,
6800-467: The day, lights inside the building are kept very low to allow visitors to view the animals in their natural nocturnal habitats. Cat Canyon links the Night Hunters experience with the former Tiger Canyon area to include new exhibits for cougars , Malayan tigers , and snow leopards . Cat Canyon provides an exciting, sensory adventure into the world of the great feline predators while strengthening
6900-404: The efforts of the mothers. However, as pups get older, they get more involved in reunions. Older pups may sometimes join their mothers during their foraging trips. Adult male California sea lions play no role in raising pups, but they do take more interest in them than adult males of other otariid species; they have even been observed to help shield swimming pups from predators. Pups are weaned by
7000-546: The final phase of the expansion, opened on July 23, 2016, adding an area for Nile hippos , Hippo Cove, which provides both above and below-water viewing. A 34-year-old male named Henry from the Dickerson Park Zoo and a 17-year-old female named Bibi from the St. Louis Zoo joined the zoo. On the morning of January 24, 2017, Bibi gave birth to a six-weeks premature calf. The baby female hippo, named Fiona by zoo staff,
7100-495: The former are deeper. Males may bark when threatening other males or during courtship. The only other vocalization made by territorial males is a "prolonged hoarse grunt sound" made when an individual is startled by a human. This vocalization is also made by groups of non-reproductive males. Female California sea lions are less vocal. Their barks, high-pitched and shorter than those made by males, are used in aggressive situations. Other aggressive vocalizations given by females include
7200-498: The genus Zalophus , which derives from the Greek words za , meaning "intensive", and lophus, meaning "crest". This refers to the protruding sagittal crest of the males, which distinguishes members of the genus. Traditionally, the Galapagos sea lion and Japanese sea lion were classified as subspecies of the California sea lion. However, a genetic study in 2007 found that all three are in fact separate species. The lineages of
7300-474: The giraffe and okapi yards were renovated into a food court area and their respective species moved to other areas in the zoo. It has since undergone several renovations and became the Cincinnati Zoo's Elephant Reserve at that time. Elephant Reserve was the home to two subspecies of the Asian elephant in a four-acre (1.6 ha) exhibit with a 60,000 gallon pool in the female yard. The zoo has been trying to breed
7400-511: The latter three species living side by side with the little penguins. In September 2020, the Cincinnati Zoo finished the second part of the master plan. They turned their old sea lion habitat, sometimes referred to as "Seal Falls" until the passing of Duke the California sea lion in 2019, into a bigger exhibit for their African penguins , increasing their breeding success rate, while at the same time including some other African sea birds like
7500-432: The males rely on ritualized displays (vocalizations, head-shaking, stares, bluff lunges, and so on) to maintain their territorial boundaries. Since temperatures can reach over 30 °C (86 °F) during this time, males must include water within their territories. Some territories are underwater, particularly those near steep cliffs. California sea lions that fail to establish a territory are driven out to sea or gather at
7600-457: The marine food chain. In the United States, the California sea lion is protected on the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), passed in 1972, which outlaws hunting, killing, capture, and harassment of the animal. In 1994 an amendment to the Act allowed for the possibility of limited lethal removal of pinnipeds preying on endangered salmonids should the level of predation be documented to have
7700-464: The more common food items for transient mammal-eating orcas pods. The California sea lions may respond to the dorsal fin of a killer whale and remain vigilant, even when encountering resident fish-eating pods. California sea lions are also common prey for great white sharks . They have been found with scars made by attacks from both great white sharks and shortfin mako sharks . Sharks attack California sea lions by ambushing them while they are resting at
7800-509: The oldest existing structures in the Cincinnati Zoo complex at that time. Two of the buildings were separately included in the "Cincinnati Zoo Historic Structures" designation in 1987 and named a National Historic Landmark : the Monkey House and the Elephant House. Built of concrete and stone, the Monkey House had been constructed by 1880, along with the Aviary, although the Elephant House was built in 1902. Space for all of these animals has been
7900-497: The population in the Gulf of California. Off the Pacific coast of the United States , California sea lions are so numerous that they are close to carrying capacity , while the Gulf of California population declined by 20% by 2008. California sea lions may be killed when in conflict with fishermen , by poaching , and by entanglements in human-made garbage. They are also threatened by pollutants like DDT and PCB which accumulate in
8000-499: The propagation, nurture of rare and endangered species, it was well known as the home of Martha , the last passenger pigeon . Four zoo buildings were listed on the National Register in 1975 as the "Cincinnati Zoo District", although they were removed in 1999. This district comprised the Kemper Log Cabin (built in 1804 and moved to the zoo in 1912), the Aviary, the Monkey House, and the Elephant House. These buildings were
8100-427: The purpose was to protect the local populations of fish (such as trout or salmon) from predation by the sea lions. In August 2020, the federal government authorized the states of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho as well as six regional tribes to cull sea lions that preyed upon endangered species of fish in the Columbia River basin, allowing for the killing of up to 540 California sea lions and 176 Steller sea lions over
8200-469: The record for having 6 gorilla births in one year in 1995. In this same year, one of their gorillas gave birth to the world's first test-tube gorilla. Near the gorilla exhibits, the zoo also features black-and-white colobus monkeys . The Carnivora Building was built in 1952. In 1985, it was renovated to become the Cat House. From 2010 to 2011, it was renovated again to become the Night Hunters exhibit. It
8300-585: The rookeries, between non-territorial males and females, as the latter move to and from the mating site. In some rookeries, copulation may be monopolized by a few males, while at others, a single male may sire no more than four pups. Female California sea lions have a 12-month reproductive cycle, consisting of a 9-month actual gestation and a 3-month delayed implantation of the fertilized egg before giving birth in June or July. Interbirth intervals are particularly long for this species, being 21 days for sea lions off California and more than 30 days for sea lions in
8400-480: The sexes. Males can grow up to 2.5–2.7 m (8.2–8.9 ft) long and weigh around 350 kg (770 lb), while females are typically around 2.1 m (6.9 ft) and weigh around 100 kg (220 lb). The heaviest recorded male weighed 660 kg (1,460 lb). Females and juveniles have a tawny brown pelage , although they may be temporarily light gray or silver after molting . The pelage of adult males can be anywhere from light brown to black, but
8500-581: The stage for yellow-cheeked gibbons and siamangs who entertain visitors with their acrobatic antics and loud whooping calls while climbing on their giant jungle gyms. Opened in 1985, this naturalistic woodland landscape includes many native Chinese plant species to simulate the natural forest habitat of the red panda . One pair of red pandas was a gift to the Cincinnati Zoo from the Beijing Zoo in China. These lavish exhibits are opened aired, connected by
8600-551: The summer of 2014, a large number of Cassin's auklet chicks died during the fledging period due to similar circumstances brought about by elevated water temperatures. In November 2018, the State of Oregon obtained a permit to kill 93 California sea lions per year below Willamette Falls. Under a similar program, Oregon and Washington had killed over 150 California sea lions on the Columbia River by January 2019. In both cases,
8700-429: The summer. The building houses a few species, including a Linnaeus's two-toed sloths , blue-and-yellow macaws , and boa constrictors . It also contains many small animals used for demonstrations as part of the zoo’s visitor engagement program. This flight cage opened in 1970 as one of the largest flight cages of its time. Originally containing bald eagles , these were moved elsewhere, and the exhibit currently features
8800-431: The surface. California sea lions that are attacked in the hindquarters are more likely to survive and make it to the shore. California sea lions breed gregariously between May and August, when they arrive at their breeding rookeries . When establishing a territory , the males will try to increase their chances of reproducing by staying on the rookery for as long as possible. During this time, they will fast , relying on
8900-529: The two, but they have been unsuccessful since their last baby in 1998. On the October 1st of 2024, the elephants were moved to the Elephant Trek. Plans for what will become the current Elephant Reserve of becoming a giraffe tower have not been released to the public yet. Renovated in 1989, this classroom is used for live animal demonstrations for school groups and zoo visitors presented regularly during
9000-402: The weight of several resting California sea lions which cause major tilting and other problems. Wildlife managers have used various methods to control the animals and some city officials have redesigned docks so they can better withstand them. In January and February 2015, 1450 malnourished or sick California sea lion pups were found along stretches of the California coast, and estimations give
9100-871: The western coast and islands of North America , from southeast Alaska to central Mexico . Mitochondrial DNA sequences in 2009 have identified five distinct California sea lion populations: the U.S. or Pacific Temperate stock, the Western Baja California or Pacific Tropical stock, and the Southern, Central, and Northern Gulf of California stocks. The U.S. stock breeds mainly in the Channel Islands , although some breeding sites may be established in northern California , and females are now commonly found there. The Western Baja California stock mainly breeds near Punta Eugenia and at Isla Santa Margarita . The above-mentioned stocks are separated by
9200-492: The zoo also has conducted several breeding programs in its history, and was the first to successfully breed California sea lions . In 1986, the Lindner Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife (CREW) was created to further the zoo's goal of conservation. The zoo is known for being the home of Martha , the last living passenger pigeon , and of Incas , the last living Carolina parakeet . The zoo
9300-768: The zoo from being liquidated, the stockholders chose to give up their interests of the $ 225,000 they originally invested. For the next two years, the zoo was run under the Cincinnati Zoological Company as a business. In 1901, the Cincinnati Traction Company, purchased the zoo, hoping to use it as a way to market itself to potential customers. They operated the zoo until 1917, when the Cincinnati Zoological Park Association, funded by donations from philanthropists Mary Emery and Anna Sinton Taft and
9400-506: The zoo's ring-tailed lemurs on a 30-foot (9.1 m) tall, man-made rock with many lush and shady areas, surrounded by a small stream. Wings of Wonder is an educational live show featuring different species of birds. Manatee Springs, a $ 4,500,000 attraction, opened on May 21, 1999, and was awarded the Munson Aquatic Conservation Exhibitry Award and a Significant Achievement Exhibit Award from
9500-412: The zoo's first buildings, designed the earliest completed zoological exhibits in the United States. The zoo began with eight monkeys , two grizzly bears , three white-tailed deer , six raccoons , two elk , a buffalo , a laughing hyena , a tiger , an American alligator , a circus elephant , and over four hundred birds , including a talking crow . The first guide book about the Cincinnati Zoo
9600-479: The zoo, Christina Gorsuch states, "This calf is only the fifth eastern black rhino born in the last two years in North America." She goes on to say "Every rhino calf born is incredibly important for the population, which includes fewer than 60 in North America. Calves will stay with their mothers for 3–4 years which means that the average female can only have one calf every 5 years." In 2015, AZA and Species Survival Plan (SSP) determined that parents Faru and Seyia were
9700-469: Was described by René Primevère Lesson , a French naturalist, in 1828. It is grouped with other sea lions and fur seals in the family Otariidae . Otariids, also known as eared seals, differ from true seals in having external ear flaps, and proportionately larger foreflippers and pectoral muscles. Along with the Galapagos sea lion and the extinct Japanese sea lion , the California sea lion belongs to
9800-518: Was euthanized on October 31. On September 6, 2021, a 19-year-old male named Tucker from the San Francisco Zoo joined the zoo. On August 24, 2022, Bibi gave birth to another calf which weighed roughly 60 pounds. This calf's was named Fritz, which was decided through a public vote. In August 2020, the Cincinnati Zoo finished the first part of their master plan "More Home To Roam". They turned their old Wildlife Canyon exhibit (former home of
9900-556: Was rescued in Northern Ohio in early 2023, she was brought to the zoo to educate guests about the importance of local wildlife. Completed in 1972, Gibbon Islands occupies the former location of the old Opera Pavilion. (From 1920 to 1971, the Cincinnati Zoo was home to the Cincinnati Opera Summer Festival.) These two islands are surrounded by water that flows from Swan Lake. Bamboo exercise bars are
10000-497: Was written in 1876 in German. The founders of the zoo, including its first general manager, were German immigrants and the city had quite a large German-speaking population. The first English-language edition (illustrated) was published in 1893. In its first 20 years, the zoo experienced many financial difficulties, and despite selling 22 acres (8.9 ha) to pay off debt in 1886, it went into receivership in 1898. In order to prevent
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