Roadtrip: Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

Bald Eagle takes view of his grounds in Northern Trek (A. Kennett)

Clearly, living in Columbus can spoil even the most ardent animal-lover for other zoos.  Our zoo is ranked the best in the nation, and it is constantly expanding and improving on its offerings.  We should recognize, however, that there are many other fine zoos to visit should we find ourselves outside the Columbus region, including several great zoos right here in Ohio.  The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is most assuredly one of those.

As the name implies, the Cleveland Zoo is part of the Cleveland Metroparks system.  Much like our own beloved Metro Parks, this system offers a wide variety of hiking, education, and other offerings in natural settings.  The association between the Cleveland Metro Parks and the zoo has benefits for both the zoo and the other parks, and it has provided the residents of, and visitors to, Cleveland and the surrounding areas with an excellent attraction.

Joey, just out of his mother's pouch. (Photo: Andrew Kennett)

The Cleveland Zoo rivals Columbus for the sheer number and variety of species on display, and even surpasses it in some areas.  The diversity of the primate and marsupial collections, for instance, are far beyond those of Columbus.  In addition, the Cleveland Zoo has polar bears and an exhibit of seals and sea lions.  (The Columbus Zoo will soon be opening its polar frontier and will catch up on the polar bear front.)  The aquatics display at the Cleveland Zoo is also quite a bit more impressive than the aquarium at Columbus, especially when one stops to watch the sharks circling in their large tank.  One area in which Cleveland clearly surpasses Columbus is the Rain Forest building.  This is unlike anything at the Columbus Zoo, and is a fantastic look at the plants and animals of tropical jungles and forests.

A lizard clings to a branch in the Rain Forest (Photo A. Kennett)

The Cleveland Zoo also takes its education and stewardship missions quite seriously.  The informational signage and programs, as well as the displays such as those in the animal hospital rival those provided at the Columbus Zoo.  Both zoos do a fantastic job with this, and it would be hard to declare one a winner in this area.  It is little wonder then that when the Cleveland Zoo decided to renovate its pachyderm building they transported their collection of African elephants to Columbus for the duration.

The only real drawback to the Cleveland Zoo is its sprawling nature and somewhat confusing lay-out for first-time visitors.  While Columbus Zoo is largely laid out with animals grouped by continent, the Cleveland Zoo has a mixed classification system with areas like: Primates, Cats, and Aquatics building, African Savannah, and Northern Trek.  One then wonders where to go to see certain animals when the lions are in the African Savannah, cheetahs and the snow leopard are in the Primates, Cats and Aquatics building, and the Siberian tigers are in Northern Trek.  This confusion is shared by the number of cats and primates both that are in the Rain Forest building.  The provided map, or a good local to guide you, can help overcome this confusion, however, and the size of the zoo is mitigated both by the landscaping and the trams to the outlying areas (though the trams to Northern Trek are not running while some construction work is ongoing).

While the hearts of Columbus residents will draw them to their home zoo, the Cleveland Zoo is definitely worth the trip, especially paired with a trip to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame or one of the professional sports events in the city.