NEW SUMMER OF 2012: What animal has no bones, is related to a shark and planning on moving into the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium this summer? The stingray! Stingray Bay will open this summer, offering visitors a state-of-the-art facility to get up-close-and-personal with these stealthy creatures.

Rays have been living at the zoo for years, in both the Discovery Reef and Manatee Coast exhibits, but this is their first time being a headliner. The new facility, which is both indoor and outdoor, is being added at the Animal Encounters Village area of Jungle Jacks Landing. This is the area where guests can get face to face with some of their favorite animals; Going nose to nose with Penguins, petting pretty pink flamingos, holding giant rabbits , and even getting a chance to touch a Cheetah.

From the looks of it, the building is done and the tanks have been installed. I'd expect to see Stingray Bay open around Memorial Day weekend.

I recently visited the Columbus Zoo and this attraction was my only complaint with the zoo. Why is an animal attraction an up-charge for a ZOO! I pay money to see the animals so why should I pay money to get in and pay for animal attractions?

If I wanted to pay to pet sting rays I would go to Florida and see a Rays baseball game and/or Sea World.

I've never been to the Columbus Zoo, But I know that the Indianapolis and San Diego Zoo's don't have stingrays. ^ Seaworld would be a great place to see stingrays and Manta (roller coaster)

The Columbus Zoo is one of my favorites, its a really cool zoo and its so big that its devides into two halves. Thats like two cincinnati Zoos.

The Columbus Zoo is one of my favorites, its a really cool zoo and its so big that its devides into two halves. Thats like two cincinnati Zoos.

It is a cool zoo.. you have to give it kudos.

I'm not a big fan of zoos; everytime I've been to Cincinnati Zoo, all the animals are asleep or not even out in their habitat.

I'm not a big fan of zoos; everytime I've been to Cincinnati Zoo, all the animals are asleep or not even out in their habitat.

Look at the walkways, they are everywhere!