Many Noteworthy Events Occurred in 2009 at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

By Tom O’Konowitz

Cleveland, OH - Looking Back on Zoo-Thousand-Nine at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

A French bachelor moves to Cleveland in hopes of mating with other eligible koalas. Four bundles of cuteness – better known as red panda cubs – steal the spotlight as they debut at the Zoo. And a giant tortoise’s true gender is discovered half a century after she … er, he arrives in Northeast Ohio.

Those are just a few of the many memorable moments that made 2009 such a special year for everyone at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. As we prepare for 2010’s arrival, here’s a rundown of some of the Zoo’s top highlights of the year:

January 21, 2009: The Zoo welcomes a pack of six Mexican gray wolves. The sisters came from the Wild Canid Survival and Research Center near St. Louis and are the first Mexican wolves ever on exhibit at the Zoo.

February 16, 2009: The Zoo’s first-ever Heart to Heart Day raises awareness about cardiac health in humans … and gorillas. Star of “The Biggest Loser,” Jerry Skeabeck, stopped by the Zoo to share tips on how people can stay heart-healthy.

April 29, 2009: A baby Francois’ langur is born to parents “Petunia” and “Ike” at The RainForest. The little monkey, named “Maynard,” arrived with a bright orange coat of fur that slowly blended in with his parents’ solid black coats.

May 21, 2009: The hugely popular DINOSAURS! exhibit roars back to life along the Zoo’s Waterfowl Lake for a five-month stay. Robotic re-creations of Tyrannosaurus rex, Deinonychus and Baryonyx were among a total of 20 animatronic beasts.

June 15, 2009: This beautiful, warm summer day attracts 20,752 people to the Zoo, making it the busiest day of the year.

June 28, 2009: The Zoo announces the births of three red pandas. The endangered cubs are the fourth, fifth and sixth born to parents “Ruth” and “Gordi.” A fourth cub is later brought in from Washington, D.C., to be a companion for cub “Mei Mei,” whose mother couldn’t care for her.

July 4, 2009: Thousands of people celebrate Independence Day at the 2nd annual Red, White & Zoo event, which showcased animals with patriotic colors, including red kangaroos, white storks and blue poison dart frogs.

July 21, 2009: A French bachelor arrives in Cleveland to meet his new mates. “Bulkee” the koala left his home at ZooParc de Beauval in France to reside with female koalas “Midgee” and “Colliet” at the Zoo. Hopes are for successful breeding attempts that lead to koala joeys in the future.

August 2009: The Zoo’s new Guide by Cell audio and video tour makes headlines as a successful use of technology to enhance the Zoo experience for its guests. The cell-phone tours allow people to call in and hear – and see – extra information about the Zoo and its animals.

September 14, 2009: The Association of Zoos & Aquariums grants re-accreditation to the Zoo, showing that the Zoo meets or exceeds the ever-expanding standards of the association.

September 14, 2009: GEICO brings its gecko exhibit to the Zoo for a three-month stay. Five giant day geckos are stars of the attraction, which also receives visits from the GEICO Gecko character.

September 24, 2009: One year into construction, the new African Elephant Crossing exhibit is starting to look like the world-class elephant habitat it will become. The project is on track to become the first major animal exhibit to receive LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. And the Zoo’s three elephants are doing well with their keepers at the Columbus Zoo, awaiting their return to Cleveland before African Elephant Crossing opens in 2011.

October 2009: More than 35,000 people celebrate Boo at the Zoo’s 20th anniversary. As Cleveland’s premier Halloween event for families, Boo at the Zoo features the Creepy Crawly Critter Animal Show, Hay Maze, Not-so-Haunted Greenhouse and lots of costumed characters.

October 29, 2009: Gorillas Bebac and Mokolo get an all-green diet. The Zoo hopes the new menu of dandelion greens, romaine and green beans will help to improve their overall health.

November 15, 2009: For the first time, the Zoo takes part in America Recycles Day, hosting a drive to collect and recycle computers, cans, cell phones, newspapers, magazines and inkjet cartridges to benefit animal conservation.

November 17, 2009: Mary the Aldabra tortoise, who has lived at the Zoo for more than half a century, turns out to be a he – not a she. The 400-pound reptile was long thought to be a female due to his flatter shell and shorter tail. A medical exam finally revealed Mary’s rarely seen reproductive organs, and the tortoise was renamed Terry.

December 31, 2009: The Zoo will ring in 2010 with the annual Noon Year’s Eve celebration – a daytime way for families to welcome the New Year.

To learn more, visit clemetzoo.com or call (216) 661-6500.

To view Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's web page on Zoo and Aquarium Visitor, go to:  http://www.zandavisitor.com/forumtopicdetail-28-Cleveland_Metroparks_Zoo