POWELL – The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is proud to announce the grand opening of the Claudine André Bonobo Indoor Habitat. The opening marks a significant milestone in the zoo’s ongoing commitment to animal wellbeing, wildlife conservation, and education. This newly-renovated and expanded indoor facility, which has undergone over $4 million in renovations over the past year, provides a state-of-the-art habitat for the zoo’s cherished bonobos, including a recent addition to the family, baby Bob, born in November 2023.

The official opening was celebrated on Aug. 27 with a ceremony featuring zoo leadership and other community leaders, as well as Claudine André, founder of Friends of Bonobos and Lola ya Bonobo. Because of her significant contributions to the conservation of bonobos, the Columbus Zoo has dedicated this new space in her name.

The Claudine André Bonobo Indoor Habitat has been designed with the unique needs of bonobos in mind, offering multiple opportunities for these fascinating primates to engage in their natural behaviors. In addition to the existing outdoor habitat that the bonobos explore during the warmer months, the new indoor space provides an enriching environment for the bonobos and unique viewing opportunities for Columbus Zoo guests year-round.

Highlights of the new indoor habitat include:

• Increased vertical space (26 feet total) with pathways and climbing/swinging opportunities — an important component for this species that spends time both on the ground and in trees.

• Three-foot-deep mulch biofloor for the bonobo’ additional comfort.

• Increased HVAC capacity and building modifications to provide high humidity, the ideal condition for bonobos.

• Redesigned behind-the-scenes rooms to accommodate the complex social structure of the species and their preferences throughout the day. Bonobos live in a fission-fusion society, which means the size of the zoo’s bonobo group (14 individuals) in a given area changes throughout the day. Sometimes, many of the bonobos choose to be together in one place (fusion), and other times, they opt split into small groups (fission) — all of which contribute to thriving bonobo family dynamics.

“Thanks to the collaboration throughout our organization from Animal Care to the Zoo’s Facilities, Horticulture, and Planning teams, each has brought their expertise to ensure the new indoor habitat was carefully designed to meet this unique species’ needs. This collective dedication has resulted in areas that enhance the bonobos’ wellbeing by supporting their natural behaviors and social dynamics while furthering our commitment to the care and conservation of this important species,” said Audra Meinelt, curator of the Columbus Zoo’s Congo Expedition region.

Bonobos, known for their cooperative female-led social structures, are among the rarest great apes in the world, with only 5,000 to 50,000 estimated to remain in the wild. Native to the equatorial forests of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), these endangered primates are facing severe threats, from habitat destruction to bushmeat hunting. The Columbus Zoo is one of only a few organizations in North America to house bonobos and is actively involved in global conservation projects aimed at protecting this species in their native range.

“We are honored to name this new indoor habitat in recognition of Claudine’s significant contributions to the conservation of this endangered species,” said Columbus Zoo and Aquarium President and CEO Tom Schmid. “Raising awareness is essential for protecting bonobos in the wild. This new habitat not only enriches the lives of the bonobos in our care but also provides our guests with the opportunity to observe these incredible animals up close and understand their vital role in the ecosystem.”

“I am deeply honored to have the bonobo indoor habitat named in my honor,” said Claudine André, founder of Friends of Bonobos and Lola ya Bonobo sanctuary. “For me, one word summarizes the new state-of-the-art space for the bonobos: Wow! My heart is full seeing this incredible habitat for the bonobos. My first visit to the Columbus Zoo was back in 1998, and the commitment of the Zoo team left a deep impression on me. The Columbus Zoo’s mission of ‘Empowering People. Saving Wildlife.’ is much like my own motto: ‘Conservation Begins with Education.’ By working together with communities, all of us can continue to make a significant difference for this incredible species. I am proud to see how far we have all come in this journey, and I thank the Columbus Zoo for being an integral part of our work to save bonobos in the wild.”

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium has a long-standing partnership with Friends of Bonobos, the conservation organization that created the world’s only bonobo sanctuary, located in the DRC. Founder Claudine André and her Congolese staff have rescued and cared for hundreds of bonobos. They are also the only organization to have reintroduced bonobos to the wild, first in 2010 and again in 2022, into the Ekolo ya Bonobo Community Reserve. In 2013, André was honored with the Columbus Zoo’s inaugural Commitment to Conservation Award. Since 2000, the Columbus Zoo has provided over $500,000 in support of the sanctuary’s rescue, rehabilitation, rewilding, and educational programs.

The Claudine André Bonobo Indoor Habitat is open to all guests during regular Zoo daytime hours.

Submitted by the Columbus Zoo.