Title
To honor and recognize the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium on achieving the ranking of #1 Zoo in the country by USA Travel Guide.
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WHEREAS, The Columbus Zoological Park opened in 1927 with a small collection of donated animals, and has been continually expanding, exploring and evolving for over eighty years; and
WHEREAS, the transfer of operational responsibilities of the Columbus Zoo to the City of Columbus in 1951 was followed by several exciting new accomplishments for the zoo, including the 1956 birth of Colo, the world's first captive born gorilla, and the 1978 installation of acclaimed animal expert Jack Hanna as the zoo Director; and
WHEREAS, the Columbus Zoo has been consistently growing since the 1989 inclusion of the southern golf courses, then further expanded to accommodate West Indian Manatees with the addition of the Manatee Coast exhibit which renamed the Columbus Zoo as the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in 1999, and most recently opening Zoombezi Bay Waterpark in 2008; and
WHEREAS, the mission of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is to promote awareness and understanding of the interdependence of the natural world and to present to our community interactive, participatory and educational exhibits and activities which represent that relationship; and
WHEREAS, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium consistently works toward this mission by teaching and practicing conservation, both on and off-site, contributing to the discovery of biological knowledge, offering enjoyable educational and family-oriented recreational opportunities and instilling in all who visit, a sense of adventure and discovery; and
WHEREAS, through the hard work and dedication of the staff, past and present, we are honored to be home to America's favorite zoo-our Columbus Zoo and Aquarium; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this Council congratulates the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium on its continued success and looks forward to many more years of exploration with this city treasure.