Cincinnati Zoo's Staff Standing By Awaiting One Millionth Visitor

By Chad Yelton

Cincinnati, OH - The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is awaiting its one millionth visitor of 2009. Will you be the “one in a million”? As of yesterday, the Zoo totaled 996,500 visitors for the year and expect number 1,000,000 before the end of the week, weather permitting. The lucky guest through the turnstiles will receive a fabulous Zoo prize package including a family Zoo membership, $50 gift certificate to the Zoo Shops, a complimentary lunch at the Zoo, plush animal, a behind-the-scenes tour of the elephants and the distinction of being the “one in a million”.

The Cincinnati Zoo continues to see unprecedented attendance in 2009. Gate attendance as of October 24 had already topped more than 983,000 visitors, which surpassed the annual gate attendance for the last four years. Overall gate attendance is up more than 183,000 visitors (or 23%) compared to 2008 with the second best April & May attendance in Zoo history.

“It’s exciting to reach one million with still two months to go,” said Thane Maynard, Executive Director, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. “This is further evidence that hard work does pay off. We have the most dedicated group of staff and volunteers that work extremely hard to ensure we continue to offer value to our guests and members, introducing them to more animals, more fun each and every day.”

Special events like Zoo Babies, a perennial favorite, drew 110,628 visitors during the 16-day event in May. More than 40,000 guests attended the six-day HallZOOween event this month and the Zoo expects big crowds for the 27th installment of PNC Festival of Lights, which kicks of November 27 and runs through January 3.

The opening of the Historic Vine Street Village in May helped alleviate parking issues and created a more welcoming and visitor-friendly entrance to the Zoo. Summer was also busier this year than normal. Playing off its adage, “more animals, more fun,” the Zoo stepped up its Meet-A-Zookeeper and Random Animal Encounter programs to bring visitors closer to the animals throughout the park. Close encounters with everything from snakes and porcupines to bearcats and alligators helped attract 526,833 from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

The Zoo also introduced several new animals to its already impressive collection including four baby Malayan tigers, a baby Grevy’s zebra, a baby African cheetah, “Klyde,” the black rhino, Przewalski’s horse, a camel, and three baby fishing cats. On September 9, the Cincinnati Zoo gained worldwide attention when its eight-year-old cheetah, “Sarah,” broke the speed record for all land mammals with a time of 6.13 seconds in a 100-meter sprint. This exposure brought record crowds to see Sarah and the other cheetahs run in the Cheetah Encounter show.

A number of national rankings named the Cincinnati Zoo one of the best in the country for families. Parents Magazine ranked the Cincinnati Zoo one the Top Ten Best Zoos in the country. As the only Ohio zoo on the list, the Cincinnati Zoo was chosen based on their wide range of family activities and their dedication to fostering knowledge, appreciation, and excitement among their visitors. In addition to this announcement, the Zoo has a growing list of other accolades: the Cincinnati Zoo was named the #1 attraction in Cincinnati and one of the top zoos in the nation by Zagat Survey, Child Magazine’s “Top 10 Best Zoos for Kids”, “One of the Top 10 Zoos in America” by USA Travel Guide, and Newt Gingrich’s “10 Great Places to Go Wild Over Zoo Animals” in USA Today.

Visit the nationally recognized Cincinnati Zoo TODAY! Admission prices are $13/adults, $9/children (2-12), children under two are free and parking is additional. The Zoo opens daily at 9 a.m. For more information, call (513) 281-4700 or, visit www.cincinnatizoo.org .

The world famous Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden was rated the #1 attraction locally and one of the top zoos in the nation by Zagat Survey. It was recognized by Parents Magazine as #7 on the “Top 10 Best Zoos for Kids.” It has also been recognized by Child Magazine as one of "The 10 Best Zoos for Kids." Over one million people visit the Zoo’s award-winning exhibits, and more than 500 animal and 3000 plant species annually. The Zoo is an accredited member of the American Zoo & Aquarium Association (AZA) and the American Public Gardens Association (APGA), is internationally known for its success in the protection and propagation of endangered animals and plants, and engages in research and conservation projects worldwide.

To view Cincinnati Zoo's web page on Zoo and Aquarium Visitor, go to:  http://www.zandavisitor.com/forumtopicdetail-119-Cincinnati_Zoo_and_Botanical_Gardens