Bonobo Habitat Enhancement at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is recognized as a leader in the care and management of bonobos, the least known and smallest of all ape species. Bonobos are the only great ape managed on an international scale and are the sole ape species recommended by the IUCN for captive breeding. With fewer than 100 individuals in the Species Survival Plan (SSP) and approximately 130 in the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP), bonobos remain critically rare in human care. The Columbus Zoo manages a significant portion of the U.S. bonobo population—15 individuals, or roughly 14%—including some of the most genetically valuable bonobos in the world, such as the last two wild-born males and the last two wild-born females in the country. The Zoo’s ongoing commitment to exceptional care and strategic management ensures the continued preservation of this important and vulnerable species.

Bonobo building before renovation. Photo credit Amanda Carberry, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Zoo leaders began work for a transformative renovation to enhance the indoor habitat for its bonobo troop—improving animal welfare, keeper management, and the visitor experience. Bonobos, close relatives of chimpanzees, are less aggressive and more arboreal, with complex social structures that shift frequently. Their previous indoor habitat, however, presented multiple challenges that hindered both animal wellbeing and effective care.

The original space included two dayrooms with concrete floors and CMU walls, outfitted with children’s playground equipment that detracted from a naturalistic presentation. The hard surfaces amplified the bonobos’ vocalizations, creating a challenging environment for both animals and staff. Furthermore, the climate-controlled indoor facility, necessary to maintain temperatures above 60°F for half the year, did not provide sufficient flexibility to manage the bonobos’ fission-fusion social dynamics.

The renovation addressed these issues through strategic design improvements:

• Expanded spaces for better social group management
• Improved acoustics with acoustic panels and a soft biofloor
• Arboreal furnishings to encourage natural climbing behaviors
• Upgrades to enrich the visitor experience

Adjusting to the new building required a period of adaptation for the Animal Care team. With a greater number of doors and movement pathways to coordinate, daily routines became more complex, and maintaining the taller spaces—often involving ladders—introduced new logistical challenges. Despite the learning curve, keepers agree the changes are well worth it. The opportunity to see the bonobos thriving—more engaged, active, and socially dynamic—makes the added effort rewarding and reinforces the value of the new design.

The Animal Care team notes that the bonobos are noticeably calmer, healthier, and more active in the upgraded space. This project has not only elevated the zoo’s standard of care but also reinforced the Columbus Zoo’s broader commitment to animal wellbeing and to creating meaningful connections between people and wildlife.