Everyone loves a carousel: the colorful setting, old time music, and intricate animals on merry-go-rounds hold timeless, universal appeal to all age groups. Today, carousels are a fairly common attraction at Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited facilities. Forty-seven of the 379 carousels listed on the National Carousel Association’s website are in zoos. One, in Little Rock Zoo in Little Rock, Ark., is on the National Register of Historic Places. The Zoo has the last remaining example of the “Over-the-Jumps” style of carousel, which has a rare undulating track instead of the typical vertical motion.

Carousels date back to 6th century Byzantium when people used baskets instead of horses. In the 12th century, the popularity of jousting and cavalry games led to horse figurines. In the 18th century, carousel horses became a fairground staple across Europe. A century later, rotating platforms were introduced. Modern-day carousels date back to 1861, when the first steam-powered carousel was invented in England. The “Golden Age of Carousels” began in the 19th century once the concept arrived in the U.S. During that time, carousels became larger, with elaborate craftsmanship and the addition of exotic animals on top of the traditional horses. Carousel popularity waned after the Great Depression.

The Golden Age may be over, but zoos and aquariums continue to add carousels with all kinds of species thanks to their popularity with visitors. Adding attractions is a balancing act in conservation-focused facilities. Merry-go-rounds can provide extra revenue on top of general entertainment—but carousels can also help zoos generate public interest in endangered species.

“Many zoos take the opportunity to use their carousel as a way to make people aware of their mission through the species they choose to feature,” said Jay Aguilar, vice president of sales and marketing at Chance Rides in Wichita, Kan. Chance Rides, a leading carousel vendor, has been an AZA commercial member for 35 years. According to Aguilar, demand for carousels has increased over the years.

In 2006, North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro, N.C., installed a 36-foot carousel with a blue and white striped tented top, a swan bench with wheelchair access, and a spinning bird nest. Most of the 30 standalone figurines featured are endangered or threatened. Each of the fiberglass animals (including zebras, giraffes, bears, elephants, and gorillas) were hand-painted. The star attractions are the carousel’s polar bears, which were designed specifically for the Zoo.

“We get a lot of comments about how beautiful our carousel is,” said Bob Roberts, the Zoo’s entertainment manager. Roberts once watched a delighted guest take photos of every single animal on the merry-go-round. He handles all of the basic maintenance and any minor repairs. At $3 per ride and roughly 60,000 guests annually, “it paid for itself in four years of operation,” despite being seasonal (April through October).

Ever since 2000, the endangered species carousel has been one of the first things visitors see at the Dallas Zoo in Dallas, Texas. The custom 36-foot-wide carousel features 30 animals, including the okapi. The carousel’s shelter received a design award from the American Institute of Architects. At $4 per ride and over 200,000 rides annually, the carousel is a good source of revenue for the Zoo. Some members ride every time they visit, according to Carmen Hannold, the senior director, guest experiences at the Zoo. The carousel was particularly popular with nostalgic adults at its annual Brew at the Zoo festival.

Similarly, in Cincinnati, Ohio, adults flocked to the Cincinnati Zoo’s carousel at their adults-only Toast of the Wild nights to ride colorful replicas of hummingbirds, zebras, and other wildlife. The Conservation Carousel has been a visitor favorite at the Zoo for more than 20 years. With a new Elephant Trek exhibit underway, the carousel had to be relocated. The Zoo did an analysis on whether it was worthwhile to consider replacing it.

“While the carousel alone is not overly profitable, it’s an added member benefit that provides a more holistic offering,” said Kate Rechtsteiner, director of visitor experiences at the Zoo. “It allows us to upgrade tickets to a ‘rides package,’ which is a profitable endeavor. I’ve had a number of members tell me that while they initially bought the Gold or Platinum membership package for the train, they kept renewing at that level so their kids could ride the carousel as many times as they want.”

When the new carousel is installed in 2023, it will be twice the size of the old one and feature 65 animals in a vintage open-air gazebo on the edge of Swan Lake. It will also be partially solar powered to stay in line with the Zoo’s broader sustainability efforts. Of course, Cincinnati Zoo went to great lengths to make sure their resident celebrity was represented.

“We decided to create a custom hippo to pay tribute to our world-famous hippo, Fiona,” said Rechtsteiner. Originally, the Zoo debated only featuring animals they had on-site, but ran into difficulty with limited customizable options.

“We did have some concern over the ‘circus’ look of the animals and the animals being harnessed” on the original carousel, she added. For the next carousel, the Zoo will be working with artists to accent the individual animals and minimize any appearance of harnesses.

“Since there are a lot of animals people haven’t heard of, it’s a great opportunity for our staff to educate them and discuss conservation topics. While real animals are the highlight of our Zoo, the carousel is able to feature them in an approachable, fun way that allows kids and adults alike to enjoy a nostalgic spin around,” she added.

The Hunt Family Endangered Species carousel at the El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens in El Paso, Texas, was a collaborative effort. The Hunt Family Foundation donated the funds through the El Paso Zoological Society, then the Robert E. and Evelyn McKee Foundation funded the landscaping, ticket booth, and ADA-compliant swan chariot. The 36-foot carousel opened in 2018, replacing a smaller carousel. It features 30 hand-painted endangered species under a blue-roofed shelter. An “extra” zebra that was used to promote the carousel before it was built now lives in a display at the El Paso Airport. 

“I think that carousels live in our memories and naturally we want our children to have that great experience, as well. Zoos are not amusement parks, but having amenities helps break up the visit,” said Leonor Wilson, administrative services manager at the Zoo.

The Kansas City Zoo in Kansas City, Mo., added a carousel in 2007 from Carousel Works Ohio. The animals are intricately carved from wood, “which has a more elegant look in my opinion,” said Sean Putney, executive director and chief executive officer at the Zoo. The wood requires restoration and painting every three years, which is done by a specialized outside contractor. Otherwise, the facilities team takes care of day-to-day mechanical work.

The Zoo’s Platinum Membership option allows for an unlimited number of carousel rides on the charming lions, kangaroos, tigers, horses, and other species that make up the collection. Otherwise, it’s $3 per ride. The carousel generates roughly $350,000 to $450,000 per year.

“While we certainly want people to love our animals and leave with conservation messages, we also want them to enjoy themselves on the grounds and return. Otherwise, they may choose other places to spend their time and then we lose the opportunity to get our messages across,” said Putney.

Carousels offer a chance to get creative, too. Houston Zoo’s Wildlife Carousel in Houston, Texas, is hand-carved and hand-painted. In addition to the more typical lions, zebras, and elephants, the carousel has the only known armadillo carousel figurine. The Bronx Zoo in the Bronx, N.Y., has a bug carousel with larger-than-life praying mantises, grasshoppers, and dung beetles. In Sacramento, Calif., Sacramento Zoo’s Conservation Carousel has 32 hand-carved, hand-painted wooden animals like an anteater, bongo, hyena, praying mantis, okapi, and sea horse. Riders can read educational and conservation messages as they circle around. The Zoo created a Sponsor-a-Carousel-Animal program to raise funds for education and conservation awareness.

On the surface, carousels have an obvious appeal in zoos and aquariums. They’re a fun opportunity to make lasting family memories. They’re often popular enough to generate significant revenue. But carousels can serve an even more important mission by helping visitors connect with different species and introducing them to new ones in a uniquely joyful way.

Hero photo credit: ©Kansas City Zoo

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