Brookfield Zoo Master Plan Discussion and Speculation

Based on the old masterplan:
  • Count my vote for rotating ambassadors at the entrance. That's an immediate connection and the keepers with them could make suggestions on where to go see similar animals to start the day.
  • I wouldn't touch Australia in its current location and would prefer that whole thing just be repurposed. I have always felt that building is very jarring for anyone taking a right after coming in the north entrance and it's not the best first impression. I would expand the entrance to the savannah to where Australia is now, and then relocate Australia to the festival and amphitheater space near Wild Encounters. I think a wallaby walkthrough would be a great transition. You come out of an Australia exhibit, go through the walkthrough, and then go interact with more animals at Wild Encounters. The other way, you are taken from Wild Encounters experiences and transitioned to an Australian environment.
  • I really like that this elephant/savannah section is laid out similar to Denver's Elephant Passage. There is the opportunity to see elephants on one side of you the entire time, with a variety of supporting species (can you even call lions, hippos and giraffes supportive though?) on the other. It's incredibly immersive and almost overwhelming. I kept thinking to myself, "how much longer can this really go on for?" at Denver and it's clearly one of my favorite exhibits.
  • Coming back to the southwest side of the zoo, sad we were oversold on Great Bear Wilderness as myself and others have mentioned time and time again that an additional raptor/corvid exhibit with a small mammal would really tie the place together.
  • I would like to see the Andean condors get an updated enclosure. Faux rock work or foliage on the back wall would do wonders. I love how open it is and how often you are able to see them flying from perch to perch, but staring at the brick from the back of the Feathers and Scales just sucks.
  • Rather indifferent to anything being done to Feathers and Scales other than just figuring out what it's supposed to be. It's so haphazardly put together that I just wish their choice of animals on exhibit made more sense.
  • Definitely not in favor of turning Reptiles & Birds into offices. I'm already so nostalgic for the Reptile House that I don't think I could handle another historic building biting the dust.
  • I'm glad the plan has always been to build gorillas off the back of Tropic World with an additional outdoor area for mandrills. However, I do hope that the current plans for Tropic World outdoor expansion include orangutans and gibbons being built outdoor habitats at the same time. Or else I feel like it would just never happen.
  • I don't like that the south side pachyderm yards were just supposed bite the bullet? I would pitch this as another area to relocate Australia too, but I think that would be confusing in the grand scheme of things. It really just feel like Australia is struggling to belong with the current layout of the zoo. The more and more I look at the map, the more I wish Wild Encounters was still an available space to move Australia too. That corner of the zoo just needs some sort of draw and Wild Encounters is not it.
  • I do really enjoy the Siberian Escape idea. Please just add an outdoor option (Nashville sized perhaps?) for clouded leopards. More vertical to encourage climbing. Once of the craziest things I've seen at Nashville is the cloudeds launching themselves from the trees to the fence.
  • Finally, I do enjoy the idea of axing the trams in favor of a train or sky ride. I think both is overkill. I would lean towards the sky ride on this, just because of how much you are boxing yourself in dedicating infrastructure to a train.
In general, I think this was an okay masterplan. I don't like how quick they were to axe so many historical buildings on the south side of the zoo and how much the east side still just has absolutely nothing of interest, but I can really appreciate what they were trying to do with elephants and really revamping the northwest corridor of the zoo.

Fast forward to now, I think elephants have to be out of the equation right? My next best pitch would be an Africa section themed around the Nile River in hopes of getting common hippos back and create something as massive as Cheyenne's new facility, but that almost seems like as much of a pipe dream as elephants returning. It's getting harder and harder to acquire and justify these large pachyderms. Any other realistic ideas for those hoof stock yards? Denver does start elephant passage with very large rhino exhibits, but they just don't feel like they're as big of a draw.
 
Joseph G said:
Based on the old masterplan:
  • I wouldn't touch Australia in its current location and would prefer that whole thing just be repurposed. I have always felt that building is very jarring for anyone taking a right after coming in the north entrance and it's not the best first impression. I would expand the entrance to the savannah to where Australia is now, and then relocate Australia to the festival and amphitheater space near Wild Encounters. I think a wallaby walkthrough would be a great transition. You come out of an Australia exhibit, go through the walkthrough, and then go interact with more animals at Wild Encounters. The other way, you are taken from Wild Encounters experiences and transitioned to an Australian environment.
I don't see Brookfield getting rid of their festival space any time soon. I do think it would benefit the Australian section to increase it's size and scope and make it more immersive. That way the building is less of the focal point. The lorikeet feeding and walkthrough with the Bennett's Wallaby and Emu SHOULD be moved over to the Australian section, in my opinion. Replace those experiences in Wild Encounters with something more creative.
  • I'm glad the plan has always been to build gorillas off the back of Tropic World with an additional outdoor area for mandrills. However, I do hope that the current plans for Tropic World outdoor expansion include orangutans and gibbons being built outdoor habitats at the same time. Or else I feel like it would just never happen.
Last I heard I thought that it was the gorillas and the orangutans for sure. With a possibility for the South American species? I have what they call a "soft memory," so I could be wrong.
  • I don't like that the south side pachyderm yards were just supposed bite the bullet? I would pitch this as another area to relocate Australia too, but I think that would be confusing in the grand scheme of things. It really just feel like Australia is struggling to belong with the current layout of the zoo. The more and more I look at the map, the more I wish Wild Encounters was still an available space to move Australia too. That corner of the zoo just needs some sort of draw and Wild Encounters is not it.
From what I understand, the entire Pachyderm building needs to be removed due to it's poor aging. I am sure that whatever replaces it will retain some elements somehow (those beautiful arches inside still are quite something). I think if they replace the hoofstock yards with anything it will be a long row for the black rhinoceros. It appears that they are starting to go in a South American approach to it, at the moment. If so, I hope they commit and make it amazing and bring back the South American elements that made some of the other exhibits amazing (Living Coast, The Swamp...)

  • Finally, I do enjoy the idea of axing the trams in favor of a train or sky ride. I think both is overkill. I would lean towards the sky ride on this, just because of how much you are boxing yourself in dedicating infrastructure to a train.
I dislike the train idea, honestly. We already have the trams. I shy away from the sky ride just because I don't know how practical it is, how much space it will actually take and how interesting it would be. Either way, an upgrade is always good. I just think that this is one of those things that is not as pressing as the building renovations and making sure that we are keeping the exhibits top-notch.

Fast forward to now, I think elephants have to be out of the equation right? My next best pitch would be an Africa section themed around the Nile River in hopes of getting common hippos back and create something as massive as Cheyenne's new facility, but that almost seems like as much of a pipe dream as elephants returning. It's getting harder and harder to acquire and justify these large pachyderms. Any other realistic ideas for those hoof stock yards? Denver does start elephant passage with very large rhino exhibits, but they just don't feel like they're as big of a draw.
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As a quick footnote here, while I would personally be fine not having elephants back in the near future (I have given up on that a long while ago) I would still, honestly, love to see Pacific Walrus back (not going to happen, I know, but a man can dream.)
 
Amphibiman said:
As a quick footnote here, while I would personally be fine not having elephants back in the near future (I have given up on that a long while ago) I would still, honestly, love to see Pacific Walrus back (not going to happen, I know, but a man can dream.)
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Having the walrus back would be a good compromise. But alas, it’s probably unlikely due to lack of success in breeding them in the US.
 
*Posted this on the news thread, but also thought it would be worth putting it here as well.

In the newest issue of the zoos member magazine, an interview and Q&A was conducted with new president and CEO Dr. Micheal Adkesson. Various questions were asked regarding his background, experience, and most importantly his vision for the zoo. Pay attention to the last sentence of this excerpt.

Q: What specific changes do you plan to make to the zoo?
"I will be working very closely with our executive team, staff, and other stakeholders in the months ahead to complete a new master plan for Brookfield Zoo. This master plan will chart the course of the organization for the years ahead with new regards to new habitats and species for the zoo, renovations of the existing buildings, and new amenities for guests.
In the next few months, I'll also be doing a lot of work with staff and stakeholders to evaluate the Chicago Zoological Society's strengths and opportunities as we begin to draft our next five-year strategic plan. I believe the future of the Chicago Zoological Society is very bright and I look forward to sharing more details in the months ahead."

This just about confirms it, we will almost certainly be getting some news regarding new developments later this year. To put in perspective how significant this is, I having been waiting for the day the zoo unveils new project since I joined this site over five and a half years ago. To know we are potentially only a few months out from a reveal is incredibly exciting.
 
pachyderm pro said:
*Posted this on the news thread, but also thought it would be worth putting it here as well.

In the newest issue of the zoos member magazine, an interview and Q&A was conducted with new president and CEO Dr. Micheal Adkesson. Various questions were asked regarding his background, experience, and most importantly his vision for the zoo. Pay attention to the last sentence of this excerpt.

Q: What specific changes do you plan to make to the zoo?
"I will be working very closely with our executive team, staff, and other stakeholders in the months ahead to complete a new master plan for Brookfield Zoo. This master plan will chart the course of the organization for the years ahead with new regards to new habitats and species for the zoo, renovations of the existing buildings, and new amenities for guests.
In the next few months, I'll also be doing a lot of work with staff and stakeholders to evaluate the Chicago Zoological Society's strengths and opportunities as we begin to draft our next five-year strategic plan. I believe the future of the Chicago Zoological Society is very bright and I look forward to sharing more details in the months ahead."

This just about confirms it, we will almost certainly be getting some news regarding new developments later this year. To put in perspective how significant this is, I having been waiting for the day the zoo unveils new project since I joined this site over five and a half years ago. To know we are potentially only a few months out from a reveal is incredibly exciting.
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It begins.

The zoo is in good hands, maybe much better than it ever was that the last CEO.
 
Updates have been coming out over the past several days that outline some of the ideas the zoo will be implementing in the master plan. So far the following has been revealed:

1. Tropic World outdoor habitats for gorillas and orangutans (with small primates getting outdoor habitats in a later phase) and potential conversion of current gorilla exhibit for smaller African primates.
2. Expansion of Habitat Africa with new exhibits for black rhino, hippo (with underwater viewing) zebra, various antelope and ostrich.
3. New elephant complex (likely African).
4. Various new exhibits for prairie dogs, macaws and koalas.

The master plan is now slated to be fully released by early next year, in which a large scale fundraising campaign will likely follow.
 
pachyderm pro said:
Updates have been coming out over the past several days that outline some of the ideas the zoo will be implementing in the master plan. So far the following has been revealed:

1. Tropic World outdoor habitats for gorillas and orangutans (with small primates getting outdoor habitats in a later phase) and potential conversion of current gorilla exhibit for smaller African primates.
2. Expansion of Habitat Africa with new exhibits for black rhino, hippo (with underwater viewing) zebra, various antelope and ostrich.
3. New elephant complex (likely African).
4. Various new exhibits for prairie dogs, macaws and koalas.

The master plan is now slated to be fully released by early next year, in which a large scale fundraising campaign will likely follow.
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Having chimps in the Tropic World would actually be very cool if they can get used to the indoor exhibit.

Everything else sounds just as exciting. I'll hold my breath and try not getting too excited since a lot of funding will be needed to make this all possible. Especially the African expansion.
 
Now that we finally have some details regarding what the zoos future may look like, I have been theorizing how what's being proposed may be implemented. To start, here is some speculation regarding two smaller projects that will be implemented in the near future, as well as another question for the community.

One of the things on Dr. Mikes shortlist of projects is a prairie dog exhibit with an interactive tunnel system. When this was first talked about I was struggling to picture where this would fit in the zoo. It could be squeezed in next to the bison paddock or replace something in Wild Encounters, but those locations would be awkward and disjointed. However, during my visit yesterday it hit me. The open field in the Hamill Family Nature Plaza would be the perfect fit. It was originally going to the site for the outdoor orangutan exhibit, but the location of that exhibit has been moved to the other side of the building so that leaves this space open for development. A prairie dog exhibit with craw-through acrylic tunnels and pop-up bubbles would also flow much better alongside the interactive nature displays and surrounding prairie gardens in the plaza. Here is a poorly done mockup of what this could like with Omaha's prairie dog exhibit as a base.

Brookfield Prairie Dog Concept Art.jpg

The other project that's coming in the near future is a new macaw exhibit. However, this is something I'm a little nervous about. Dr. Mikes exact phrasing regarding this development was, "We’re looking at placing artificial trees where Macaw parrots could be loud and eye-catching." I really hope he wasn't referring to the dreaded parrot on a stick display that has plagued even the best American zoos. I absolutely loath this practice and it's pretty shocking it's still allowed by the AZA. I could see them easily throwing up a few perches somewhere and calling in a day which would be hugely disappointing. Hopefully this will not be the case, as there is a spot where macaws could be nicely integrated, the south side of Feathers and Scales. The area where the memorial for former director George B. Rabb currently is was originally an aviary that has since been boarded up. The memorial could easily be relocated to the Discovery Center and a new macaw exhibit can be implemented here. This is the area I am talking about for reference.

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So even though the prospect of a Tropic World renovation, expansion of Habitat Africa, and elephants and hippos potentially returning is all incredibly exciting, I have a new question I'd like to pose. What smaller scale addition would you like to see from the zoo? A simple project that could be done for a relatively inexpensive cost that would subtly enhance the zoo as a whole.
 

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pachyderm pro said:
Now that we finally have some details regarding what the zoos future may look like, I have been theorizing how what's being proposed may be implemented. To start, here is some speculation regarding two smaller projects that will be implemented in the near future, as well as another question for the community.

One of the things on Dr. Mikes shortlist of projects is a prairie dog exhibit with an interactive tunnel system. When this was first talked about I was struggling to picture where this would fit in the zoo. It could be squeezed in next to the bison paddock or replace something in Wild Encounters, but those locations would be awkward and disjointed. However, during my visit yesterday it hit me. The open field in the Hamill Family Nature Plaza would be the perfect fit. It was originally going to the site for the outdoor orangutan exhibit, but the location of that exhibit has been moved to the other side of the building so that leaves this space open for development. A prairie dog exhibit with craw-through acrylic tunnels and pop-up bubbles would also flow much better alongside the interactive nature displays and surrounding prairie gardens in the plaza. Here is a poorly done mockup of what this could like with Omaha's prairie dog exhibit as a base.

View attachment 546841

The other project that's coming in the near future is a new macaw exhibit. However, this is something I'm a little nervous about. Dr. Mikes exact phrasing regarding this development was, "We’re looking at placing artificial trees where Macaw parrots could be loud and eye-catching." I really hope he wasn't referring to the dreaded parrot on a stick display that has plagued even the best American zoos. I absolutely loath this practice and it's pretty shocking it's still allowed by the AZA. I could see them easily throwing up a few perches somewhere and calling in a day which would be hugely disappointing. Hopefully this will not be the case, as there is a spot where macaws could be nicely integrated, the south side of Feathers and Scales. The area where the memorial for former director George B. Rabb currently is was originally an aviary that has since been boarded up. The memorial could easily be relocated to the Discovery Center and a new macaw exhibit can be implemented here. This is the area I am talking about for reference.

View attachment 546868

So even though the prospect of a Tropic World renovation, expansion of Habitat Africa, and elephants and hippos potentially returning is all incredibly exciting, I have a new question I'd like to pose. What smaller scale addition would you like to see from the zoo? A simple project that could be done for a relatively inexpensive cost that would subtly enhance the zoo as a whole.
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I want to see Living Coasts go back to the South American theme. I love the Texas Blind Salamanders and would like to see them move to either Reptiles and Birds or Feathers and Scales, but Living Coasts going back to being South America would make it much more cohesive then it currently is. Maybe a Cougar exhibit could be that area to enhance the theme more?
 
birdsandbats said:
I want to see Living Coasts go back to the South American theme. I love the Texas Blind Salamanders and would like to see them move to either Reptiles and Birds or Feathers and Scales, but Living Coasts going back to being South America would make it much more cohesive then it currently is. Maybe a Cougar exhibit could be that area to enhance the theme more?
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Maybe bring back the vampire bats for the Living Coast too. That’s one aspect of the exhibit that I’ve missed.

Cougars would be a good addition if they can somehow make enough space for one.
 
I'd like to see Owls and Raccoons return to the zoo in some form using some area of the Great Bear Wilderness, maybe include some other Native species, another interesting thing they could do is an outdoor enclosure for the North American River Otter
 
I think the ravens and kestrel from the Play Zoo should be moved to Great Bear Wilderness, I think that would improve the area a lot.
 
birdsandbats said:
I want to see Living Coasts go back to the South American theme. I love the Texas Blind Salamanders and would like to see them move to either Reptiles and Birds or Feathers and Scales, but Living Coasts going back to being South America would make it much more cohesive then it currently is. Maybe a Cougar exhibit could be that area to enhance the theme more?
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In the recent addition of the zoos members magazine there was a piece about the Living Coast's 25th anniversary. In the opening paragraph they specifically pointed out how the building originally focused on species from the Pacific coasts of the Americas and was gradually broadened to include species from around the world. The fact that the zoo is treating this like a good thing indicates that this exhibit won't be restored to its former glory any time soon, which I agree is super disappointing. All of the non native species (Texas blind salamanders, Great Lakes fish, etc.) could easily be shifted to other parts of the zoo.

Tapir Master said:
Maybe bring back the vampire bats for the Living Coast too. That’s one aspect of the exhibit that I’ve missed.
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Now this on the other hand is something I could definitely see happening. It's been eight years since the cave was sealed off and reopening it would be a very progressive development that could be done with minimal resources. There really is no reason not to do it, I just hope that management sees it as a worthy investment and it isn't forgotten about in the big picture.

Black Footed Beast said:
I'd like to see Owls and Raccoons return to the zoo in some form using some area of the Great Bear Wilderness, maybe include some other Native species, another interesting thing they could do is an outdoor enclosure for the North American River Otter
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This would be very nice, although I struggle to see where exactly they could be fit. The only plot of land in Great Bear Wilderness where something like this could be done is the small forest directly across from the bald eagle aviary. It's not very big and could probably only accommodate another aviary of a similar size.

Seeing the river otters get relocated out of The Swamp is definitely something on my wish list. Keeping an Illinois native mammal of this size indoors year-round is just foolish. The only way I could see this happening is an enclosure completely independent from any larger complex. This could be done by the northern entrance by adding an otter exhibit as a entry exhibit, similar to what Milwaukee has done with Otter Passage. Just spitballing here, but the current otter exhibit could be flooded and the Great Lakes fish from the Living Coast could be moved there.
 
This would be very nice, although I struggle to see where exactly they could be fit. The only plot of land in Great Bear Wilderness where something like this could be done is the small forest directly across from the bald eagle aviary. It's not very big and could probably only accommodate another aviary of a similar size.

Is there any reason that the species could not coexist in one exhibit? Aside from the raccoons pestering the owls, actually. I feel like the raccoons would definitely be the jovial aggressors in that situation. If they were to do something similar to how we treat bald eagles and only use rescues who cannot fly any longer or survive in the wild on their own, it's possible they could downsize a flight cage for one. I always try to be cautious, though.

There are a lot of open spaces in Brookfield Zoo and I think the zoo benefits from those instead of looking cluttered with exhibits just to boost a species count. Quality over quantity. I don't WANT them to just throw in a prairie dog exhibit anywhere because "wouldn't that be fun and cool." It needs to have purpose and enhance the area that it will be going into. That being said, along that strip by Tropic World would work, as long as they bring the focus of that area back to native prairie plants and not just decorative florals and such. It would be a little out of the way, being tucked behind the amphitheater at that point, though.
 
This may be controversial, but that large wall in Feathers and Scales always bugged me as it is essentially a lot of blank space that could be used for...anything else. I say it's time the zoo goes through and looks at it's signs, statues and exhibitry featuring thank you's, outstanding achievements, historic moments, and relocates them all into one building, probably the Discovery Center, in one large historic exhibit. That way, people who intend to look for that sort of information and enjoy it know where to go to enjoy it and it doesn't detract from the people who are there for other reasons. They could even get more in depth with those exhibits in this way with small videos and computer presentations. Even Cookie and Olga and the like can have special moments over there and have a chance to shine even while no longer with us.
 
Amphibiman said:
This may be controversial, but that large wall in Feathers and Scales always bugged me as it is essentially a lot of blank space that could be used for...anything else. I say it's time the zoo goes through and looks at it's signs, statues and exhibitry featuring thank you's, outstanding achievements, historic moments, and relocates them all into one building, probably the Discovery Center, in one large historic exhibit. That way, people who intend to look for that sort of information and enjoy it know where to go to enjoy it and it doesn't detract from the people who are there for other reasons. They could even get more in depth with those exhibits in this way with small videos and computer presentations. Even Cookie and Olga and the like can have special moments over there and have a chance to shine even while no longer with us.
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I’m surprised that it was never done yet. Having something on the wall would be better than it being dead space. It would at least bring far more life to the Feathers and Scales exhibit.
 
As we slowly inch closer and closer to the reveal of Master Plan 2: The Adkesson Cut, my anticipation has continued to build. At this point we're only three to four months away from the release of the master plan and the beginning of fundraising for the tropic world renovation/expansion. It's all very exciting to think about, so I say it's about time for another question to the community.

What is a bold prediction you have regarding the master plan? This question came to mind when thinking about my own bold prediction. I think the Hamil Family Play Zoo will be going under. The zoo hasn't charged a premium to enter the exhibit ever since the pandemic started so they are no longer making any additional profit from having this exhibit around. It's had very limited opening hours during certain points over the last year and with so many areas that center around touch, I don't think the zoo views this as a practical exhibit in a post-covid world. Wild Encounters will still be around the fill the Children's Zoo niche so I am absolutely all for this building being transformed into a proper exhibit space similar to The Swamp.

As an aside, I stumbled upon another article that had a few quotes from Dr. Mike about master plan related endeavors. It mostly just reiterates stuff we already knew, but it does mention something that hasn't been known up until now: updates to pinniped point. I do wonder what this will involve, as I would love to see a world class seal and sea lion habitat at Brookfield (or if they can somehow pull off getting walruses back).

Real Life: Dr. Mike Adkesson

"The zoo is creating a master plan as it looks toward its centennial in 2034.

“We’re trying to dream big,” he says. Among the changes will be updates to the dolphin area and sea lion pool as well as redevelopment of the area near the rhinos and giraffes. He didn’t rule out the possibility of elephants returning.

But even sooner will be creation of an outdoor habitat for the gorillas and orangutans in late 2023. Not only will the animals benefit by being outside in a natural environment, he says, but plans call for a lot of glass windows that let families — and the apes — have those pure moments of connection."

Just so everyone is caught up to speed, here is everything we know so far:
  • Tropic World Expansion: New outdoor enclosures for gorillas, orangutans and South American monkeys on the north side of the building, new holding space for a bachelor troop of gorillas, repurposing existing indoor gorilla exhibit for a new species, and adding additional primate species (Construction to start in 2023, projected to open around 2025).
  • Dolphinarium Renovation: The existing dolphinarium closed for upgrades today. Details are still vague but should hopefully be revealed imminently (Reopening Summer 2023).
  • Pinniped Point Renovation: Details also unclear, waits to be seen if these are minor or major upgrades.
  • Habitat Africa Expansion: On the site of the current pachyderm house and hoofstock row, new savanna exhibits for black rhinos, zebra, various antelope and ostrich, as well as a potential return of nile hippos with underwater viewing.
  • Elephants???: No guarantees, but still a possibility. Most likely African elephants as part of the expansion of Habitat Africa.
  • Other: Various exhibits for macaws will soon be added around the south side of the zoo, a prairie dog exhibit with an interactive tube system is planned, and koalas are also being considered.
 
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