Marking a momentous 150th year in the life of an institution is no small feat, and the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is doing just that. The second oldest zoo in America is throwing a year-long party to honor its rich history, dating back to September 18, 1873. Thane Maynard, the zoo's director, has been a part of this institution for over half a century, watching it grow from a local attraction to a leader in global wildlife conservation and sustainable practices. "The Zoo has been my home for the past 50 years, so I’ve witnessed and participated in its growth and evolution," Maynard told Local12.
With festivities geared up to increase as September draws nearer, the zoo aims to thank the Cincinnati community and its global supporters for its ongoing success. The lineup of new habitats for this year includes Siamang Point, Bear Ridge, Sea Otter Coast, and a special primate haven, according to a press release quoted by Spectrum News 1. This adds to their already impressive collection, which features the Reptile House, the oldest zoo building in North America and home to Martha, the last passenger pigeon until she died in 1914. As the Zoo prepares for its sesquicentennial celebration, it's not forgetting its numerous milestones, like the birth of the first giraffe in the Western Hemisphere in 1889 and the heartwarming story of Fiona the hippo born prematurely in 2017, who became a global sensation.
Not just limited to births and anniversaries, the zoo bears the distinction of launching the first-ever building dedicated to insects in any U.S. zoo in 1978 and the CREW (Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife) in 1981, which has pioneered conservation efforts. As Maynard emphasized in a statement obtained by WLWT, the Zoo has always connected people with wildlife, creating lasting memories and making a difference for the planet. "Here’s to the next 150 years of making a difference for people and wildlife!” he said.
The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden's journey from a "touch of the old world" shared by Local12 to a heralded conservator of nature is commendable, and its commitment to wildlife and education shows no signs of waning. Examples of its leading edge are seen in monumental developments, like the largest publicly accessible urban solar array built within a zoo on U.S. soil in 2011 and the Elephant Trek in 2024, described as the zoo's largest habitat in history. This year's milestone symbolizes a reflection on the zoo's storied past and a vibrant portrait of its dedication to innovation, education, and conservation far into the future.
