POWELL, Ohio — The Columbus Zoo today unveiled plans for the John F. Wolfe Aquarium, which will mark the most ambitious project in the organization’s history.
In a release, Zoo officials said the new destination will redefine aquatic wildlife experiences in the Midwest. The new aquarium is made possible by a historic $50 million gift from The Robert F. Wolfe and Edgar T. Wolfe Foundation and is the largest philanthropic gift received by the Columbus Zoo and among the largest gifts ever made to any zoo or aquarium in the nation.
The new aquarium, spanning more than 100,000 square feet, will dramatically expand the Zoo’s mission. It will house more than 1 million gallons of freshwater and seawater habitats and feature more than 10,000 aquatic animals representing more than 300 species across 27 immersive exhibits.
Designed as a free-standing, year-round destination, Wolfe Aquarium will connect guests to aquatic ecosystems from around the world while inspiring a deeper understanding of the vital role water plays in sustaining life on Earth.
Guests will journey through several galleries: Amazon River Basin, Scioto River, Pacific Northwest, Open Ocean, Indo-Pacific Reef, and Discovery Galleries.

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