Колумбиядағы Riverbanks жануарлар бағы мен ботаникалық бағы

Zoo, aquarium, and botanical garden in Columbia, South Carolina, United States

The Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is a zoo, aquarium, and botanical garden located along the Saluda River in Columbia, South Carolina, United States. A small portion of the zoo extends into the nearby city of West Columbia. It is operated by the Rich Lex Riverbanks Park Special Purpose District, a partnership of the city of Columbia and Richland and Lexington counties. It is overseen by the Riverbanks Park Commission, comprising two members each from the three governments and one at large member. Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

In the early 1960s, Columbia area businessmen conceived of a zoo for the state capital. However, the idea did not get beyond the planning stages until 1969, when the state created the Rich Lex Riverbanks Park Special Purpose District to run the proposed zoo. The zoo opened on April 25, 1974 after 5 years of planning. The planning stage was crucial because of the rich history surrounding the property, including four archeological sites. Within two years, it was obvious that the zoo would not be self supporting, and the Riverbanks Zoological Society was created to help raise money for the zoo. At the same time, Palmer "Satch" Krantz was appointed executive director. Around that time the newly renovated entrance, renovated otter exhibit, and renovated grizzly bear exhibit also opened. This was all part of the zoo's $36 million Destination Riverbanks plan. Additionally, a children's garden opened in 2016, complete with a dinosaur digging area and water features to interact with. This garden has been the largest addition to the zoo since the botanical garden in 1995. Separate exhibits include Hamadryas baboons, lions, Siberian tiger, meerkats, alligators, and siamangs. In May 2022, Riverbanks announced their new Bridge to the Wild plan, which aims to extend the zoo into the gardens. Plans include a new restaurant, as well as new species including orangutans, gibbons, red wolves, American black bears, and golden eagles. Phase two of this plan was approved in December 2023, with approximately $80 million invested from both Richland county and Lexington county. This project is planned to have a significant impact on tourism, local education, and potential job opportunities. The last original animal who had been there since the zoo's opening, a female Caribbean flamingo, died in March 2014.