Don Winstel, Assistant Director of Conservation and Education, said the zoo will spend nearly $600,000 to feed the animals this year, 10TV News reported.

"In terms of the budget, it certainly has had an impact on the budget as the price of fuel has gone up and the price of grain has gone up in order to make additional fuel, so it certainly has had an impact on our budget," Winstel said.

The biggest increase is in the price of hay, which is eaten by many animals including the elephants.

Each animal has a special diet. Eucalyptus is flown to Ohio for the Koalas to eat, 10TV News reported.

Winstel said the zoo planned ahead for the price jump and should not have to make any changes for now.

"The animals aren't going to know the difference," Winstel said. "Our nutrition people have done a great job of forecasting our needs to ensure that the suppliers are locked in for supplying us the amounts of materials that we need."

The Columbus Zoo said anyone can help them deal with the rising cost of food by adopting an animal.

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