Editing Cleveland Metroparks Zoo (section)

=== African Savanna ===
The African Savanna area is located near the park entrance. Visitors can observe [[lion|African lion]]s, [[flamingo]]s, [[giraffe]]s, [[zebra]]s, [[bontebok]], a variety of [[List of African birds|African birds]], and [[eastern black rhino]]s. the African elephant crossing contains elephants and [[meerkat]]s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.clemetzoo.com/animals/index.asp?action=details&camefrom=class&animals_id=1049&strQuery= |title=Cleveland Metroparks Zoo - Searchable Animal Database |website=www.clemetzoo.com |access-date=27 January 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130714055508/http://www.clemetzoo.com/animals/index.asp?action=details&camefrom=class&animals_id=1049&strQuery= |archive-date=14 July 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> On February 7, 2018, a baby rhino, named Lulu, was born to parents Forrest and Kibbibi.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://fox8.com/2019/02/07/cleveland-metroparks-zoo-rhino-lulu-celebrates-1st-birthday/|title=Cleveland Metroparks Zoo rhino, Lulu, celebrates 1st birthday|date=2019-02-07|website=fox8.com|language=en|access-date=2019-04-24}}</ref> On August 20 of the same year, another baby rhino, named Nia, was born to parents Forrest and Inge.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.clevelandmetroparks.com/zoo/learn/cleveland-metropark-zoo-babies|title=Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Babies}}</ref>

[[Image:Steffee zoological medical building.jpg|150px|thumb|Sarah Allison Steffee Center for Zoological Medicine]]

====The Sarah Allison Steffee Center for Zoological Medicine====

As part of CMZ's focus on conservation, the Zoo constructed the [https://web.archive.org/web/20051201082327/http://www.clemetzoo.com/whats_new/sas.asp Steffee Center for Zoological Medicine] in September 2004. The center hosts medical, laboratory and surgical suites, in addition to a ward and quarantine area. Its [[veterinary hospital]] is equipped with the first CT scanner for use in a zoo hospital.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.clemetzoo.com/sasczm/|title=Zoo|website=Clemetzoo.com|access-date=5 August 2018}}</ref> Located in a nearby pavilion is the Reinberger Learning Lab, where Zoo patrons can learn about veterinary care at every stage of an animal's life. The Learning Lab offers interactive, hands-on educational displays as well as views into surgical suites where visitors may observe treatment procedures in progress.

====African Savanna and Ben Gogolick Giraffe Encounter====

Consisting of several large yards, the African Savanna features a variety of mammals and birds. The exhibit houses animals such as [[Masai giraffe]]s, [[Hartmann's mountain zebra]]s, [[bontebok]]s, [[common ostrich|ostrich]]es, [[white-backed vulture]]s as well as several species of African [[stork]]s and [[Goose|geese]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=ZooChat |url=https://www.zoochat.com/community/threads/cleveland-metroparks-zoo-species-list-2024.490953/}}</ref> In 2015, the Ben Gogolick Giraffe Encounter was completed, and visitors are now able to purchase leaves to feed the giraffes.<ref name=":0" />

[[Image:AfricanelephantCLEzoo.jpg|150px|thumb|[[African elephant]] at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo]]

====African Elephant Crossing====

In 2011, the Zoo opened its new elephant exhibit, African Elephant Crossing. At a total cost of $25 million, the state of the art habitat quadrupled the elephants' living space, allowing the zoo to increase its number of [[African bush elephant|African elephant]]s from three, to a herd of eight to ten. The exhibit features two large ranges—the Savanna and the Mopani—spread out over several acres. The ranges include deep ponds so that the elephants can swim, as well as expanded sleeping quarters. Areas of the ranges are also heated to maximize the elephants' habitat during the winter months. Periodically throughout the day, the elephants are shepherded across the pathway between the ranges, allowing visitors an up-close view of the animals. In addition to expanding the number of African elephants, the African Elephant Crossing exhibit introduced [[Meerkat]]s, [[naked mole rat]]s, an [[African rock python]], and several species of birds.