The land lies along the eastern banks of the O'Shaughnessy Reservoir on the Scioto River, at the intersection of Riverside Drive and Powell Road.

[12] The city of Columbus took over management of the zoo in 1951, but later gave up ownership to the Zoological Park Association, Inc., a non-profit organization, in 1970.

Hanna put an extensive amount of effort into turning the Columbus Zoo into a model facility, including personally picking up trash after hours.

Long-term plans include the possibility of a resort-style hotel to attract tourists along with its outdoor water-amusement park, Zoombezi Bay.

[17] Dale Schmidt, the zoo's chief operating officer, was named executive director on November 20, 2009.

[19][20] Zoo officials addressed the allegations, admitting to mistakes and cut ties to institutions involved but did not clarify specific issues.

This region contains a pool for California sea lions and harbor seals, Jack Hanna's Animal Encounter Village, and the Stingray Bay.

[citation needed] Featured animals include: The North America region of the Columbus Zoo is the second-largest and the oldest.

[28] In total, North America contains 15 large exhibits featuring an 10,000 sq ft (930 m2) migratory songbird aviary containing over 40 species.

[citation needed] Featured animals include:[29][needs update] Polar Frontier opened in May 2010 as an extension of the North America region, featuring animals native to colder climates including Arctic foxes and brown bears.

The region also marked the return of polar bears to the zoo, whose habitat includes a 167,000 US gallons (630,000 L) pool and an underwater viewing area.

Visitors entering Asia Quest pass a waterfall flanked by two habitats, travel through a cave containing the indoor habitats, exit into a Chinese forest, and finally enter an Asia Quest aviary designed to look like an abandoned Asian garden.

In addition to the indoor aquariums, the shores region also features exhibits of Caribbean flamingos, American alligators, Humboldt penguins, and Aldabra giant tortoises.

[33][34] Featured outdoor animals include: Discovery Reef is an 88,000-US-gallon (330,000 L) saltwater aquarium and houses numerous species of fish, seahorses, sharks, and garden eels.

[33] Featured animals include: The Reptile Habitat is the first building encountered heading west after exiting the tunnel under Riverside Drive and is located within the shores region.

[35] Featured animals include: The African forest region, "Congo Expedition", opened in 2000 and showcases animals from the Central African rainforest, which includes numerous primates, hooved mammals, large cats, and many birds housed in an aviary.

[38] Featured animals include:[39] The Australia region is located on the far west side of the zoo, lying along the east bank of the Scioto River.

"Bob and Evelyn's Roadhouse" is an indoor nocturnal exhibit displaying animals from Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.

The Roadhouse features animals including Indian crested porcupine, North Island brown kiwi, and southern hairy-nosed wombat.

The final section of the Roadhouse is an indoor flight aviary displaying over twenty species of Asian and Australian birds.

One exhibit in the new region are lions, which were moved in order to accommodate Asia Quest, as well as giraffes, cheetahs, zebras, and vervet monkeys.

Following the design of recent exhibits such as the Islands of Southeast Asia, the African savanna attempts to merge habitats and scenery to make visitors feel as if they are on the plains.

[44] Featured animals include: The centerpiece of the Heart of Africa exhibit is the Watering Hole, an open rotational enclosure containing a large pond.

[45][46] Colo's extended family includes one child, ten grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren living in zoos throughout the country.

[48] In March 2007, Fluffy, a reticulated python (Malayopython reticulatus) and Guinness World Records holder for the longest snake in captivity, measuring 24 feet (7.3 m),[49] was put on display at the zoo.

When the park closed in 1937 and the land and rides sold in 1938, the carousel was moved to Wyandot Lake where it continued operating for sixty years, though in deteriorating condition.

In 1999, the carousel was removed from Wyandot Lake and underwent a million dollar restoration before being moved to a new location at the zoo.

Projects the zoo supports include the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, the International Elephant Foundation, and the Ohio Wildlife Center.

In an effort to increase funding for, and public awareness of, the conservation projects around the world, the Columbus Zoo has in recent years incorporated information about threatened and endangered species into exhibits.