By 1808Delaware
The Columbus Zoo has unveiled plans for the John F. Wolfe Aquarium, a major new destination that will bring more than 1 million gallons of freshwater and seawater habitats to Central Ohio.
The project, described as the most ambitious in the Zoo’s history, is being made possible by a $50 million gift from The Robert F. Wolfe and Edgar T. Wolfe Foundation. It is the largest philanthropic gift ever received by the Columbus Zoo and ranks among the largest gifts ever made to any zoo or aquarium in the country. When complete, the free-standing, year-round aquarium will cover more than 100,000 square feet and feature more than 10,000 aquatic animals representing more than 300 species across 27 immersive exhibits.
For visitors, the John F. Wolfe Aquarium promises something larger than a new attraction. It is designed as a journey through the world’s waters, from Ohio’s own Scioto River to coral reefs, deep ocean habitats and some of the planet’s most biologically rich aquatic environments.
“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform how people connect with wildlife and conservation,” said Tom Schmid, President and CEO of the Columbus Zoo, The Wilds, and John F. Wolfe Aquarium. “The John F. Wolfe Aquarium will immerse guests in some of the world’s most extraordinary marine and freshwater environments while inspiring action to protect them.”
From The Scioto To The Open Ocean
The aquarium will be organized around several major galleries, each designed to introduce guests to a different aquatic world.
The Amazon River Basin gallery will offer a two-level look at one of Earth’s most diverse freshwater ecosystems, with giant arapaima, freshwater stingrays, piranhas, armored catfish and other species that help define the river’s extraordinary web of life. Closer to home, the Scioto River gallery will place one of Ohio’s most important waterways at the center of the experience. Zoo officials say it will be the only aquarium in the nation to interpret the Scioto River as a full ecosystem. Guests will encounter native species such as paddlefish and lake sturgeon while learning why freshwater conservation matters in Ohio as much as it does across the globe.
The Pacific Northwest gallery will surround visitors with the feel of underwater forests, tide pools and coastal habitats. Hands-on tide pool experiences are planned to give guests a closer look at the life found where land and sea meet.
The Open Ocean gallery will serve as the aquarium’s centerpiece. Planned as the largest aquarium habitat in Ohio, it will recreate the “Tongue of the Ocean” ecosystem, where coral reefs give way to deeper waters. Sand tiger sharks, sandbar sharks, rays and schools of tropical fish will move through a large underwater environment intended to set the aquarium apart from others in the region.
The Indo-Pacific Reef gallery will draw inspiration from the most biodiverse marine ecosystem on Earth. It will also provide a new home for species currently featured in the Zoo’s Aquarium at Discovery Reef, while expanding space for animal care, education and guest engagement.
Additional Discovery Galleries will spotlight aquatic species known for unusual forms and adaptations, including jellies, seahorses, cuttlefish, chambered nautiluses, giant spider crabs and giant isopods.
Conservation At The Center
Zoo leaders say the aquarium is being planned not only as a guest destination, but as a long-term investment in conservation, education and animal wellbeing. As a separately ticketed experience, the John F. Wolfe Aquarium is expected to create a new revenue stream that will support the Zoo’s broader mission of “Empowering People. Saving Wildlife.” The project is also expected to bring economic benefits to Central Ohio through tourism, jobs and increased visitation.
“As Columbus continues to grow as a destination city, Wolfe Aquarium will serve as a world-class attraction that reflects the innovation, ambition, and momentum of our region,” Schmid said.
The project places water at the center of the visitor experience, connecting local and global ecosystems while highlighting the role rivers, lakes, reefs and oceans play in sustaining life.
A Family Legacy Nearly A Century In The Making
The aquarium also carries a name closely tied to the earliest days of the Columbus Zoo, as in 1926, after visiting the Saint Louis Zoo, Harry “H.P.” Wolfe encouraged Columbus Mayor James J. Thomas to create a zoological park for Columbus. His remark, “Columbus should have something like this,” helped set in motion an idea that would grow into one of Central Ohio’s most beloved institutions.
Later that year, the Wolfe family donated the Zoo’s first animals, six Alaskan reindeer imported for a city Christmas celebration. That early gift helped spark public interest in what would become the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. Nearly 100 years later, the family’s connection to the Zoo continues through the new John F. Wolfe Aquarium.
“The Columbus Zoo has been woven into my family’s life for generations,” said Katie Wolfe Lloyd. “We feel so fortunate to be able to continue our support of this incredible community asset and we are especially excited about the John F. Wolfe Aquarium and the impact it will have for generations to come.”
Construction timelines and additional project details will be announced as planning continues. Updates will be shared at wolfequarium.org and through the Aquarium’s social media channels.
Source: Columbus Zoo and Aquarium; Image by Gianluca from Pixabay
