Governor Kasich Signs Exotic Animal Legislation Into Law

GOVERNOR KASICH SIGNS EXOTIC ANIMAL LEGISLATION INTO LAW

June 5, 2012 - Today, Governor John Kasich signed Senate Bill 310 into law. The bill bans private possession and sale of dangerous wild animals in Ohio and is a major step toward protecting the welfare of exotic animals and a significant improvement to public safety in Ohio. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and the Cleveland Zoological Society worked with other Ohio zoos and animal welfare organizations to help raise public awareness of and urge support for this important legislation. The Ohio House voted in favor of passing SB310 on May 22 and the Senate quickly approved the measure.

We applaud Governor Kasich’s and the legislature’s leadership on this critical issue and look forward to working with the administration on its implementation. And thank you to all of our Zoo friends for supporting this all-important legislation!

Go beyond the Zoo's exhibits with Channel 19 this Friday!

Want to get a peek behind the scenes at the Zoo? Make sure you tune in to "Cleveland Metroparks Zoo: Beyond the Exhibits," a new 30-minute special airing at 7 p.m. Friday, October 7 on WOIO Channel 19 and 6:30 p.m. Saturday, October 15 on WUAB Channel 43.

In "Beyond the Exhibits," 19 Action News reporter Danielle Serino shares the history and stories behind many of the animals. You'll see a grizzly bear cub get a physical, learn how gorillas are trained, find out how rhinos are shipped across the country, and meet some of the extraordinary people at the Zoo who dedicate their lives to taking care of animals. You'll also hear the amazing rescue story of sea lions Buzz and Annabelle, and learn the answer to one of the most frequently asked questions in the park, "Whatever happened to the Zoo's hippo?"

V107.3 at the Zoo on August 23 - Buy Boo Tickets that Day, Get Complimentary DINOSAURS! Tickets

V107.3 on-air radio personality Ravenna Miceli is broadcasting live from the Zoo on Monday from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Anyone who purchases Boo at the Zoo tickets on Monday, August 23 at the Zoo Box Office ONLY (Box Office is open 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.) will receive an equal number of complimentary tickets to DINOSAURS! the Zoo's summer blockbuster exhibit. Tickets to DINOSAURS! are good through September 12.

Tune in for a Jungle Trek in The RainForest Wednesday Morning with WKYC

Got cabin fever? WKYC and the Zoo have the antidote! As part of "Cabin Fever Week," WKYC's Maureen Kyle will be live inside The RainForest from 5 - 7 a.m. on Wednesday, February 24. She'll be talking to the Zoo's Professor Wylde and learning about some of the features that make The RainForest, and the Zoo, a great winter escape. Tune in for animals, atmosphere and an early morning trek through the jungle.

Zoo Makes Readers' Choice List

Thanks to the readers of Cleveland Scene for choosing Cleveland Metroparks Zoo as their choice for "Best Place to Take Kids." Scene announced its "Best of Cleveland 2009" winners earlier this month, and the Zoo is proud to receive the honor -- for the second year in a row. (And please don't forget you can bring your kids to the Zoo all year long, except for Christmas and New Year's Day.)

'Good Company' at the Zoo

Andrea Vecchio from WKYC Channel 3's "Good Company Today" recently stopped by Cleveland Metroparks Zoo to meet our harbor seals and California sea lion, "Mickey." Tune in to the show at 10 a.m. tomorrow, Friday, October 2, to see how it went. (Andrea got a chance to go behind the scenes to help our animal keepers train Mickey and the seals.) Plus, Good Company has your chance to win tickets to Boo at the Zoo!

Robin Swoboda Spends a Night at the Zoo!

Tune in to "That's Life with Robin Swoboda" at 10 a.m. next Monday, September 7, on Fox 8 for another episode taped right here at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Robin and some friends slept over at the Zoo's Rising Waters Safari Camp to experience what the Zoo has to offer in its popular overnight programs.

Robin got to go behind the scenes to feed the camels in Northern Trek, and we gave her night-vision binoculars to take on her night hike through the Zoo. We wrapped up the evening with s'mores and stories around the campfire before hitting the hay. Check out our adventures next week on Fox 8!

That's Life .... at the Zoo!

Tune in to "That's Life with Robin Swoboda" at 10 tomorrow morning on Fox 8 to see a whirlwind tour of Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. We had a blast taping the episode with Robin and friends, so we can't wait to see the show!

Read all of That's Life .... at the Zoo!

Get Ready for Zoo Week on Channel 3

Our friends at WKYC-TV's "Channel 3 News Today" show will have live segments from the Zoo all next week! The Roar Report has details on what you'll see and what you can win just for watching!

Read all of Get Ready for Zoo Week on Channel 3

Zoo Volunteer Named One of Cleveland's 'Most Interesting People'

Congratulations to Maribeth Flowers, a teen volunteer here at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, for being named one of 2009's "Most Interesting People" by Cleveland Magazine. A Zoo Crew volunteer for the past three years, Maribeth was selected to go on a trip to the arctic last year to study polar bears in a program sponsored by the Zoo, Polar Bears International and the Greater Cleveland Chapter of the American Association of Zoo Keepers. Maribeth is currently planning ways to share what she learned in Manitoba, Canada, with people here in Northeast Ohio. The junior at Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School says she hopes to raise awareness of threats to polar bears' long-term survival.