During its early years, the Zoo only held animals of local origin. The Zoo, originally named the Cleveland Zoological Park, first opened in 1882 at Wade Park where the Cleveland Museum of Art now stands. 4.1.1 Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Recognized Among Five "Best" Zoos in Ohio.2.2.2 Michael Vitantonio (8th director).2.2.1 Leonard Goss, DVM, PhD (7th director).2.2 Past directors/directors emeritus, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.2.1.1 National Zoo Association Awarded Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Staff with Honorary Memberships.2 Leadership Emeritus, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo (CMZ).It is one of the most popular year-round attractions in Northeast Ohio by attendance with a 2% increase from the previous year to 1.2 million visitors in 2007, compared to the Cleveland Guardians who were the most popular attraction in Northeast Ohio in 2007 with a total attendance of over 2.2 million. The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo was founded in 1882. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo has one of the largest collections of primates in North America, The Zoo is a part of the Cleveland Metroparks system. The Zoo is divided into several areas: Australian Adventure African Savanna Northern Wilderness Trek, The Primate, Cat & Aquatics Building, Waterfowl Lake, The RainForest, and the newly added Asian Highlands. The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo aka Cleveland Zoological Park is a 183-acre (74 ha) zoo in Cleveland, Ohio.