Ohio ranks as zoo capital of the United States

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio’s five city zoos, already among the most attended in the country, are planning major renovations and expansions over the next five to 10 years.

The popularity of zoos in Akron, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus and Toledo keep growing.

Ohio and California are the only states with at least three zoos that draw more than 1 million people a year, according to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. They are also the only states with four zoos that draw at least 900,000 annually.

“We don’t have many states with five accredited zoos,” said Kris Vehrs, executive director of the zoo association. “Ohio has five incredibly strong zoos.”

Add to that the Wilds, a 10,000-acre refuge about 60 miles east of Columbus near Zanesville, which features 25 species of wildlife from Africa, Asia and North America.

Three of Ohio’s zoos — Cincinnati, Cleveland and Toledo — are more than 100 years old, while the Columbus Zoo is 80. The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens is the second-oldest zoo in the country after the Philadelphia Zoo.

“If a person lives in Ohio and they want to see a zoological park, there is no reason to leave the state,” said Jack Hanna, director emeritus of the Columbus Zoo and frequent guest on nationally televised talk shows.