POWELL, Ohio — The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium will have updated security measures and policy changes for its guests starting Thursday.
In March, the zoo announced an investment of $1.4 million for the EVOLV security system at its front entrance. The same system is installed at the Zoombezi Bay entrance.
CEO and President of Safeguard Risk Solutions Gray Sigrist said EVOLV systems are efficient in handling larger volumes of people in short amounts of time.
The zoo also updated its bag and cooler policies.
- Bag Policy: There will no longer be restrictions on the size of bags or on wheeled items brought into the park. However, bags may be subject to additional screening if flagged by the EVOLV system.
- Cooler Policy: Coolers larger than 24 inches in length will not be allowed in the park and may still be inspected. Guests can store these coolers in the Cooler Cove, located outside the front gate. Any coolers under 24 inches may be brought in to the Zoo and stored at our in-park Cooler Coves, conveniently located near Adventure Cove or Tiger Boardwalk. All coolers stored in the Cooler Coves are subject to random searches by security.
Additionally, officials said bags and coolers entering the zoo are subject to be searched at any time by security.
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