 LOCATION:
3400 Vine Street
, Cincinnati, Ohio 45220
Phone: -513-281-4700
URL: http://www.cincyzoo.org/
 KEY WORDS:
Greenhouse, Immersion, Underwater habitat
 ANIMALS:
| Family: | Species: | Common Name: | Capacity: |
| Agkistrodon contortrix contortrix | Southern Copperhead | |
| Agkistrodon piscivorus conanti | Florida Water Moccasin | |
| Alligator mississippiensis | American Alligator | |
| Ameiurus natalis | Yellow Bullhead | |
| Anisomorpha buprestoides | Spitting Devil | |
| Anolis carolinensis | Green Anole | |
| Apalone ferox | Florida Softshell Turtle | |
| Bufo quercicus | Oak Toad | |
| Bufo terrestris | Southern Toad | |
| Chelydra serpentina osceola | Florida Snapping Turtle | |
| Crocodylus acutus | American Crocodile | |
| Crotalus adamanteus | Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake | |
| Cybister fimbriolatus | Predaceous Diving Beetle | |
| Drymarchon corias couperi | Eastern Indigo Snake | |
| Esox niger | Chain Pickerel | |
| Gambusia holbrooki | Eastern Mosquitofish | |
| Gopherus polyphemus | Gopher Tortoise | |
| Heliconius charitonia | Zebra Longwing Butterfly | |
| Hydrophilus triangularis | Water Scavenger Beetle | |
| Hyla gratiosa | Barking Tree Frog | |
| Ictalurus punctatus | Channel Catfish | |
| Lampropeltis triangulum elapsoides | Scarlet Kingsnake | |
| Lepisosteus oculatus | Spotted Gar | |
| Lepisosteus osseus | Longnose Gar | |
| Lepisosteus platyrhincus | Florida Gar | |
| Lepisosteus spatula | Alligator Gar | |
| Lepomis auritus | Redbreast Sunfish | |
| Lepomis macrochirus | Bluegrill | |
| Lepomis microlophus | Red-ear Sunfish | |
| Macrobrachium | Painted River Prawn | |
| Macroclemys temmincki | Alligator Snapping Turale | |
| Micropterus salmoides | Largemouth Bass | |
| Micrurus fulvius | Eastern Coral Snake | |
| Notemigonus crysoleucas | Golden Shiner | |
| Pomacea paludosa | Florida Apple Snail | |
| Pomoxis nigromaculatus | Black Crappie | |
| Pseudemys concinna suwanniensis | Suwannee River Cooter | |
| Pseudemys floridana floridana | Florida Cooter | |
| Pseudemys floridana peninsularis | Peninsular Cooter | |
| Pseudemys rubiventris | Redbelly Turtle | |
| Romelea microptera | Eastern Lubber Grasshopper | |
| Siren intermedia | Lesser Siren | |
| Trichechus manatus latirostris | Florida Manatee | |
 DESCRIPTION:
Manatee Springs is a celebration of Florida’s biodiversity. Through partnerships with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other conservation organizations, the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden is promoting the long-term conservation of Florida biodiversity, which includes the Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris), a flagship species. The exhibit is designed to showcase the manatee as a living model by which to tell the story of Florida’s diverse ecology.
The sights and sounds of Florida greet visitors as they step into the Manatee Springs greenhouse habitat. The enclosure illustrates three habitats: tropical hammocks, freshwater swamps and coastal mangrove wetlands. Live oak (Quercus virginiana), bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) and water tupelo (Nyssa aquatica) trees are draped with Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides) while great fan-shaped fronds of sabal palm (Sabal palmetto) accent the lush greenery of the forest.
The largest exhibit is the 455,000 liter (120,000-gallon) manatee tank. This recreation of the animal’s underwater habitat showcases two Florida manatee plus spotted gar, longnose gar, Florida gar and alligator gar and other fish species in a highly-detailed river habitat. The exhibit consists of cast polyurethane rock formations and tree bark formed over a foam base giving an authentic appearance. The U-shaped tanks provides thirty-eight lineal feet of access viewing glass, including a large acrylic bubble.
 SIZE:
Manatee Springs facilities include a greenhouse (304 m²) and an exhibit building (1035 m²). The entire facility (1339 m²) includes 171 m² (1,900 ft²) of staff and support areas and 369m² (4,100 ft²) of filtration equipment space on two levels. Staff work areas make up 12% of the physical space, while 20% of the building is devoted to filtration and mechanical equipment areas. The animal exhibits, including animal holding areas, make up 38% of the physical space at Manatee Springs. Public viewing and interpretive areas comprise another 30% of the exhibit.
The Manatee Springs greenhouse habitat is 10.7 meters (35-foot) tall and has a size of 304 m² (3,375 ft²). The American alligator display is 73 m² and includes a 21,000 liter (5,500 gallon) pool with underwater viewing. The 86 m² American crocodile swamp display includes a 31,000 liter (8,200 gallon) pool. A 34,110 liter (9,000 gallon) tank exhibits "alien invaders".
The multi-species exhibit building is 1035 m² (11,500 ft²). A 26,530 liter (7,000 gallon) tank exhibits both alligator snapping and Florida snapping turtles. The largest exhibit is the 454,800 liter (120,000 gallon) manatee tank. A 75,800 liter (20,000 gallon) tank, separate from the main tank, serves as a manatee "medical tank". Space allocation in square meters:
| use | indoors | outdoors | total exhibit |
| accessible | total | accessible | total |
| animals | | 509 | | | |
| visitors | | 402 | | | |
| others | | 428 | | | |
| total | | 1,339 | | | 1,339 |
 COSTS:
USD 4,500,000 including 9 % for design.
 OPENING DATE:
21 May 1999
 DESIGN:
Beginning:
- Architecture: McCollow & Associates, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Engineering, architecture, planning, and surveying: CDS Associates, Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio
 CONSTRUCTION:
Beginning: June 1998
- Structural Engineers: Steven Schaefer Associates, Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio
- Construction: Turner Construction Company, Cincinnati, Ohio
 LOCAL CONDITIONS:
 PLANTS:
Several palms native to south Florida are part of the swamp exhibit in the green house, including one of the rarest of American palms, the buccaneer palm (Pseudophoenix sargentii). The plant list specifies the Latin names of the plants used for this exhibit.
 FEATURES DEDICATED TO ANIMALS:
To encourage natural feeding behavior by the manatees, sections of 7.6 cm (3 inch) PVC pipes are made to resemble logs that keepers fill with lettuce heads. Theses weighted “feeding logs” are placed in strategic positions by divers. Keepers bury carrots with tops in the gravel and wedge lettuce throughout the rockwork giving the manatee foraging opportunities. In addition, both carrots and sweet potatoes are dropped into the water, giving the animals “sinking” food for manual manipulation of food items.
In the Palmetto Scrub exhibit warm surface areas are provided to encourage snakes to remain in clear view.
 FEATURES DEDICATED TO KEEPERS:
Keeper areas are well lit with easy accessibility to exhibits and mechanical support systems. The Palmetto Scrub exhibit for venomous snakes is double-locked with access within secured keeper areas. There are two species of crocodilians displayed. Each species has its own appropriate off-exhibit holding pool attached to its exhibit area. This allows for transfer of these animals so that their exhibits can be serviced safely. The animal transfer doors are operated by water-driven hydraulic cylinders developed at the Cincinnati Zoo. Five keepers are maintaining the exhibit on a daily basis.
 FEATURES DEDICATED TO VISITORS:
Visitors travel through the greenhouse on a wood boardwalk with a rustic bridge overlooking a naturalistic pond. The American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) display replicates a gator hole and includes a pool with underwater viewing. The mangrove-studded, American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) swamp display also includes underwater viewing. Several palms native to south Florida are part of the exhibit. Moving beyond, visitors can explore more of Florida’s biodiversity, including painted river prawns (Macrobrachium carcinus) and predaceous diving beetles (Cybister fimbriolatus). Another tank exhibits "alien invaders" of fish, reptiles and plants that have been introduced into Florida. The Palmetto Scrub exhibit consists of Eastern diamondback rattlesnakes (Crotalus adamanteus), canebrake rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus atricaudatus) and Southern copperheads (Agkinstrodon contortrix contortrix).
The walkway guides visitors into the multi-species exhibit building where they first enter a darkened area depicting the underwater world of the manatee. A tank exhibiting both, alligator snapping (Macromclemys temmincki) and Florida snapping (Chelydra serpentina osceola) turtles, and two amphibian exhibits occupy this area. As visitors approach the manatee area, they encounter the overhead hull of a small motorboat with props in motion, depicting a major threat to manatee … humans. The manatee tank can be viewed through a large panorama window and through an acrylic viewing bubble of 2 meters diameter which extends 0.76 meters into the water.
 INTERPRETATION:
Throughout Manatee Springs "Eco Interactions" help visitors discover the interactions between man and manatee. The "Dater Discovery Center" includes several interactive displays. Through a multi-layered interpretive plan, Manatee Springs illustrates the interactions that exist in Florida’s aquatic habitats. First, the greenhouse focuses on three keystone species: the gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus), American alligator and red mangroves (Rhizophora mangle). Next, the manatee area explores the interactions of humans and manatees and the threats to manatees’ survival. Finally, the remainder of the exhibit looks more broadly at the issue of biodiversity in Florida. Manatee Springs integrates naturalistic animal habitats with museum-style exhibits, such as a manatee skeleton and a dusky seaside sparrow (Ammodramus maritimus nigrescens) specimen. These exhibits, with interpretive signs, natural sounds, videos and behind-the-scenes cameras produce an experience that connects with a variety of learning styles.
In the Dater Discovery Center, visitors can interact with computer displays that teach about manatee natural history and the threats to survival. A separate computer explores the role of science in manatee conservation and allows visitors to track manatees in the wild using satellite telemetry. A third computer kiosk challenges visitors to explore complex conservation issues. Volunteer interpreters are stationed in this area to explain Florida’s biodiversity through biofacts and education animals. Volunteers must complete a two-night marine mammal course designed by a member of the zoo's staff.
For a more in-depth look at Manatee Springs, children and adults can participate in family programs led by zoo naturalists. An overnight program "Sleep with the Manatees" is available to groups of 15 to 45 participants, ranging in age from 8 years to adult. Visitors can also purchase an exhibit companion guide and CD-ROM.
 MANAGEMENT:
The animal collection within Manatee Springs comprises several classes. The various animal departments within the zoo cooperate to maintain this eclectic gathering of species. The horticulture staff maintains the multitude of plants used throughout the exhibit.
The Manatee Springs building is equipped with a wet pipe automatic sprinkler system, fire alarm system and smoke detection system for visitor and animal safety. The HVAC system and the filtration system incorporate redundant systems for backup in case of equipment failure. The entire facility incorporates a digital control system to regulate ventilation, heating and cooling. All filtration pipes and valves are labeled for easy identification. The ozone system is computerized and alarmed for staff and animal safety. Wet areas utilize non-slip grating. A Dutch door is incorporated in the poisonous snake exhibit as well as a "panic" button to the alarm system. A hydraulic lift is used in the manatee medical tank for veterinary care. A platform lift is provided to give individuals with special needs easy access to mezzanine level.
Water temperature is maintained between 25-28 °C (77-82 degrees F). All life support systems have been designed as twins and each half of the system can handle 70% of the total load. Filtration systems utilize sand and gravel filters as well as a reverse flow under-gravel filter system in the tank. The water is polished with three-micron bag filters. The reverse flow filter system and skimmers work well with the lighter-than-water food and fecal waste to provide clean water and reduce keeper maintenance.
All manatee keepers are certified divers and are helped by a local diving club. A manatee "medical tank", separated from the main tank by an aquatic gate, includes a built-in hydraulic elevating floor for veterinary examination.
 RESEARCH:
In a series of impact evaluations conducted at the exhibit, 98% of the visitors indicated that Manatee Springs met or exceeded their expectations.
 CONSERVATION:
A continuing partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Manatee Recovery Program made it possible for the zoo to open this conservation education facility.The Cincinnati Zoo was one of only three institutions outside Florida to participate in this program. The exhibit provides opportunity for support of field research in manatee conservation. Through a partnership with the Center of Ecosystem Survival, a “reef” meter is in the exhibit. All of the funds raised at Manatee Springs currently go to the Parque Nacional del Estes in the Dominican Republic, a site where manatees are living in coastal waters.
The exhibit itself has innovative energy saving features built into both the greenhouse and main area. High-insulating wall and roof glazing at the greenhouse dramatically reduce energy costs. Inert gas in the insulated glass units prevents heat transfer and a Low-E glass coating reflects infrared radiation and controls ultraviolet light. In the greenhouse, the digital control system sequences through steps of natural ventilation then powered ventilation before the cooling system is energized at temperatures above 29.4 °C (85 degrees F). All light fixtures throughout the keeper and animal exhibit areas are either energy efficient High Intensity Discharge (HID) or T8 flourescent lighting. In the public area, all incandescent lighting is on a dimmer to give precise control of the desired light level. A heat exchanger is used for the public viewing area to improve energy conservation.
 LOCAL RESOURCES:
|
 |
| 49K | 64K |
| Site Plan |
| ©Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, 1999 |
 |
| 48K | 70K |
| Picture Views |
| ©Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, 1999 |
 |
| 35K | 84K |
| Manatees (1) |
| ©Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, 1999 |
 |
| 63K | 88K |
| Crocodile Exhibit (5) |
| ©Monika Fiby, 2003 |
 |
| 37K | 49K |
| Manatee Tank (7) |
| ©Monika Fiby, 2003 |
 |
| 47K | 67K |
| Acrylic Viewing Bubble (9) |
| ©Monika Fiby, 2003 |
|
