Interesting. Did you happen to take a photo of this sign?
Brookfield Zoo Brookfield Zoo News 2023
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I sadly did not, hopefully whoever goes there next through the North Gate takes a pic of the sign
On January 27th, it was announced that a (1.0) African wild dog named JP was transferred to the ABQ BioPark Zoo in New Mexico.
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Brookfield Zoo Visit Report, 02/05/2023
Clear skies paired with unusually warm weather made today a perfect day to pay a visit to Brookfield. A lot of maintenance going on right now during the off season, but this was a really wonderful visit overall. Quite a few active animals and we are finally beginning to see some development regarding the new exhibits being added later this year.
Wings Around the World:
This was the sign that @Black Footed Beast referenced a few weeks back that teases the new bird exhibits being added this year, which I have an interesting update on. I spoke with a few keepers at the play zoo and it turns out the red-legged seriema will be moving to the new toucan exhibit as well. They currently only have one seriema, but apparently there are plans to bring in another individual to breed. These are two wonderful additions and were great fun to watch in their current smallish aviary. The toucans were extremely active flying around their enclosure and investigating their surroundings, while the seriema was far more interested in the visitors by the fence.
Additionally, I was also told that the raven will be staying after its exhibit is revamped for the toucans/seriema. It will be moving to another part of the zoo, but I have no idea where that could be. Perhaps the new North American aviary?
In another news relating to the upcoming exhibits, work has begun on the new turtle exhibits in the nature plaza. I was under the impression they would just be replacing that whole section with a small pond, but it's actually going to be much more interesting than that. There will be two elongated raised "ponds" that are already near completion. It's as if they're taking the flower beds that were there before and converting them into open-topped vivaria, which I think has potential to be a really neat and engaging display.
Misc. Updates:
Clear skies paired with unusually warm weather made today a perfect day to pay a visit to Brookfield. A lot of maintenance going on right now during the off season, but this was a really wonderful visit overall. Quite a few active animals and we are finally beginning to see some development regarding the new exhibits being added later this year.
Wings Around the World:
This was the sign that @Black Footed Beast referenced a few weeks back that teases the new bird exhibits being added this year, which I have an interesting update on. I spoke with a few keepers at the play zoo and it turns out the red-legged seriema will be moving to the new toucan exhibit as well. They currently only have one seriema, but apparently there are plans to bring in another individual to breed. These are two wonderful additions and were great fun to watch in their current smallish aviary. The toucans were extremely active flying around their enclosure and investigating their surroundings, while the seriema was far more interested in the visitors by the fence.
Additionally, I was also told that the raven will be staying after its exhibit is revamped for the toucans/seriema. It will be moving to another part of the zoo, but I have no idea where that could be. Perhaps the new North American aviary?
In another news relating to the upcoming exhibits, work has begun on the new turtle exhibits in the nature plaza. I was under the impression they would just be replacing that whole section with a small pond, but it's actually going to be much more interesting than that. There will be two elongated raised "ponds" that are already near completion. It's as if they're taking the flower beds that were there before and converting them into open-topped vivaria, which I think has potential to be a really neat and engaging display.
Misc. Updates:
- A new giraffe has arrived. I believe this is a new breeding male but I'm not completely sure.
- The former domestics area in the play zoo is confirmed to be permanently closed and is now used as an area for keepers to train animal ambassadors.
- Radiated tortoises are now on-exhibit with the hinge-back tortoises inhabiting the former sengi enclosure.
- The magnificent tree frog exhibit in the Australia House is being redone, presumably for a new species as the entire terrarium has been stripped.
- Tropic World: Africa is temporarily closed once again. It also appears The Swamp will be closed for maintenance from February 14-23 for
- The alligator snapping turtle exhibit is still empty and all signage has been removed, so it appears to be gone.
- The large hoofstock barn between the addax and the zebra yards is in the process of being demolished.
- The birds really did steal the show today. Like I said, love the toucans and the seriema. These are really great additions and I cannot wait to see them in the new exhibit soon, as their temporary accommodation is a tad small for their size. However, Feathers and Scales in general has really become one of my favorite houses in the zoo recently. The Sonoran desert aviary was very lively with the roadrunners literally bouncing off the walls throughout the exhibit. The free-flying cock-of-the-rocks and curassows are also great fun to watch like always.
- Speaking of birds, those blue-throated macaws just won't stop talking. Seriously, as soon as I walked into the building I could hear them down the hall. They are ear piercingly loud, but made for some nice photos.
- Watched a bison scatter feed today. Keepers approached the gate and the whole herd came running over to eat some large carrots they were being tossed. Great show.
- I'm not sure what it was, but something about Tropic World seemed unusually lively today. The South American monkeys were scurrying around the treetops and the orangutans were climbing all throughout their enclosure. Still no sign of the cotton-top tamarins or whatever will be replacing the lorises, but a good time none the less.
- As many times as I've seen it, I will never not be excited watching the pangolin move around it's exhibit. I feel really blessed to be able to see this species regularly, especially when it's awake.
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I was there too, definitely a good (and busy) day to come visit.
With TW: Africa being currently closed, some other frequent zoo-goers and I chatted with a volunteer about the closure. Supposedly we are going to be getting a new silverback gorilla. Keepers thought they could wait a while but sounds like the troop is starting to get out of hand, and Nora has been challenging her mother Koola, so a silverback could be arriving sooner rather than later.
With TW: Africa being currently closed, some other frequent zoo-goers and I chatted with a volunteer about the closure. Supposedly we are going to be getting a new silverback gorilla. Keepers thought they could wait a while but sounds like the troop is starting to get out of hand, and Nora has been challenging her mother Koola, so a silverback could be arriving sooner rather than later.
I was at Lincoln Park today, and had a lovely time -- now I wish I chose Brookfield a little! It would have been lovely to do a zoochat meetup.
So much good news about birds. I was thinking recently what animals are feeling missing from Brookfield and toucan, macaw and owl all came to mind: all have arrived or are very much on the way, with some welcome friends. Makes me excited to visit again.
Sorry to hear about Buck and the snapping turtle though. Sad losses.
So much good news about birds. I was thinking recently what animals are feeling missing from Brookfield and toucan, macaw and owl all came to mind: all have arrived or are very much on the way, with some welcome friends. Makes me excited to visit again.
Sorry to hear about Buck and the snapping turtle though. Sad losses.
I got to say this was the most unexpected update I’ve ever heard. I knew the hoofstock area was always seen as the most underwhelming of the exhibits, but to see it go so soon is unexpected. Who knows what may take its place.
As far as I'm aware the barn has been out of use for a while and the zoo probably took advantage of the infrastructure funding from the recent tax levy to get rid of it ahead of time. Construction the new African exhibits won't begin until the Tropic World extension is completed so it doesn't directly relate to that, but it will be one less thing to deal with when the time comes.
It’s been confirmed, a new silverback at Brookfield! Zachary has also left the zoo, moving to Saint Louis.
Chicago Zoological Society - Brookfield Zoo & The Chicago Zoological Society
Chicago Zoological Society - Brookfield Zoo & The Chicago Zoological Society
GibbonGuy95
Well-Known Member
Poor Zach it's unfortunate he couldn't be a part of the upcoming bachelor group I keep hearing will be happening in the future.
Gamora: Did you do it?
Thanos: yes
Gamora: what did it cost?
Thanos: Zachary
He’s at the age where he should be leaving the troop. It was bound to happen sooner rather than later.
Joseph G
Well-Known Member
According to the zoo's most recent Facebook post, Ben, a 44-year-old Bornean orangutan, was humanely euthanized on February 12th. He was the second oldest Bornean orangutan in the accredited North American zoo population.
The newest addition of the zoos member magazine has a segment on the new exhibits coming this spring. Not much that we aren't already aware of, but it does include a new rendering of the native turtle habitats that hasn't been seen before. The turtle exhibits and macaw perches will be open this spring while everything else is listed as "coming soon" (I've been hearing a target of late June).
Additionally, the Discovery Center is in the process of being renovated. The interior will be modernized and WPA era artwork is being added including painted tabletops which depict zoo animals. The renovation is scheduled for completion in April.
Additionally, the Discovery Center is in the process of being renovated. The interior will be modernized and WPA era artwork is being added including painted tabletops which depict zoo animals. The renovation is scheduled for completion in April.
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The concept art for these exhibits is really reminding me what a big deal these exhibits are, these renovations are finally starting to feel *real* and not like stuff we've discussed in dreams and hopes. There are two clearly underlying themes, which is introducing more bird habitats to the zoo, and more native species.
They are both worthy goals. The former Children's Zoo and the Indian Lake / Salt Creek Wilderness trail acted as the zoo's 'native species' spaces for a very long time, but they were both skippable for a majority of visitors, and the former was dismantled close to a decade ago, leading the zoo to lose a lot of local species like raccoons, skunks, groundhogs, opposum, and owls. The zoo's bird collection has also suffered some in the last two decades, with ostrich, toucans and owls among abc birds that have disappeared from the zoo and macaws although that absence was ultimately brief. A lot of the zoo's bird collection is held in mixed species free-flight biome spaces (several rainforest, savannah, coastal) which while impressive, I find can somewhat underserve the individual species as attractions, and it's come up here before that Tropic World's bird inhabitants can be hard to find. The condor and eagle exhibits are some of the only really 'headliner' exhibits for birds, and even the Bald Eagle aviary, one of the only outdoor mesh aviaries in any of Chicago's major zoological attractions, can sometimes feel overshadowed by the nearby mammals.
None of this is to say the zoo lacks a bird collection entirely, but I do think it has needed a few dedicated bird spaces that are not part of a larger complex and allow the birds to be a primary attraction.
The Sandhill Crane aviary represents both of these goals in action -- highlighting a native species, probably several, as well as providing an dedicated outdoor exhibit for a majestic water bird. It's also just a really different kind of exhibit -- the zoo houses almost all of its birds indoors, but this is going to be a full outdoor aviary with mesh, dedicated solely to water birds, something that will sound dreadfully unoriginal and common to most zoochatters but has not actually been done at either of Chicago's zoos. I think it's really going to stand out as a uniquely modern exhibit in that respect. It compliments the zoo's existing North American and bird collections well, and compliments the turtle exhibits specifically in creating a dedicated 'Illinois' space at the Hamill Family Nature Plaza. It really feels like the centerpiece of these projects.
I really, really like the look of the Native Turtle Habitats. The concept art is really bringing out how creative the flower bed conversion idea was. Bringing the animals upward is a really smart strategy and I think will really let these turtles shine in a way they wouldn't in an exhibit lower to the ground; it's something I'd like to see done more often. It's also a great way for Brookfield to draw attention to a local conservation story they have personal involvement in, something I think the zoo has not always been able to communicate clearly.
The Eurasian eagle owl aviary is also fascinating to me. It looks like a great aviary for a really interesting and unexpected species, it helps the zoo buff out the northeastern Asia quadrant which is currently devoid of any birds, and we needed an owl. I think it's a really inspired choice and again, like the crane exhibit, I think it will feel surprisingly modern compared to the zoo's indoor bird exhibits. Great to see them embracing mesh.
I have to confess to finding the toucan aviary underwhelming. I'm glad the species is returning to the zoo but I think it is better housed in Feathers and Scales. I don't think Toucan Sam is enough to justify moving it into the Children's Zoo and I don't think the exhibit is a good space for tropical birds. The only 'plus' is that it is more colorful and visually striking than the raven. I want to assume it is simply being placed here out of pure convenience.
I don't want to renew the macaw discourse as my opinion has been made clear, but the conteast between the native birds, turtles and owl with the macaws and toucan is disheartening, and it leaves me hoping someday they may give us a true South American aviary space where macaw and toucan can be in naturalistic habitats.
They are both worthy goals. The former Children's Zoo and the Indian Lake / Salt Creek Wilderness trail acted as the zoo's 'native species' spaces for a very long time, but they were both skippable for a majority of visitors, and the former was dismantled close to a decade ago, leading the zoo to lose a lot of local species like raccoons, skunks, groundhogs, opposum, and owls. The zoo's bird collection has also suffered some in the last two decades, with ostrich, toucans and owls among abc birds that have disappeared from the zoo and macaws although that absence was ultimately brief. A lot of the zoo's bird collection is held in mixed species free-flight biome spaces (several rainforest, savannah, coastal) which while impressive, I find can somewhat underserve the individual species as attractions, and it's come up here before that Tropic World's bird inhabitants can be hard to find. The condor and eagle exhibits are some of the only really 'headliner' exhibits for birds, and even the Bald Eagle aviary, one of the only outdoor mesh aviaries in any of Chicago's major zoological attractions, can sometimes feel overshadowed by the nearby mammals.
None of this is to say the zoo lacks a bird collection entirely, but I do think it has needed a few dedicated bird spaces that are not part of a larger complex and allow the birds to be a primary attraction.
The Sandhill Crane aviary represents both of these goals in action -- highlighting a native species, probably several, as well as providing an dedicated outdoor exhibit for a majestic water bird. It's also just a really different kind of exhibit -- the zoo houses almost all of its birds indoors, but this is going to be a full outdoor aviary with mesh, dedicated solely to water birds, something that will sound dreadfully unoriginal and common to most zoochatters but has not actually been done at either of Chicago's zoos. I think it's really going to stand out as a uniquely modern exhibit in that respect. It compliments the zoo's existing North American and bird collections well, and compliments the turtle exhibits specifically in creating a dedicated 'Illinois' space at the Hamill Family Nature Plaza. It really feels like the centerpiece of these projects.
I really, really like the look of the Native Turtle Habitats. The concept art is really bringing out how creative the flower bed conversion idea was. Bringing the animals upward is a really smart strategy and I think will really let these turtles shine in a way they wouldn't in an exhibit lower to the ground; it's something I'd like to see done more often. It's also a great way for Brookfield to draw attention to a local conservation story they have personal involvement in, something I think the zoo has not always been able to communicate clearly.
The Eurasian eagle owl aviary is also fascinating to me. It looks like a great aviary for a really interesting and unexpected species, it helps the zoo buff out the northeastern Asia quadrant which is currently devoid of any birds, and we needed an owl. I think it's a really inspired choice and again, like the crane exhibit, I think it will feel surprisingly modern compared to the zoo's indoor bird exhibits. Great to see them embracing mesh.
I have to confess to finding the toucan aviary underwhelming. I'm glad the species is returning to the zoo but I think it is better housed in Feathers and Scales. I don't think Toucan Sam is enough to justify moving it into the Children's Zoo and I don't think the exhibit is a good space for tropical birds. The only 'plus' is that it is more colorful and visually striking than the raven. I want to assume it is simply being placed here out of pure convenience.
I don't want to renew the macaw discourse as my opinion has been made clear, but the conteast between the native birds, turtles and owl with the macaws and toucan is disheartening, and it leaves me hoping someday they may give us a true South American aviary space where macaw and toucan can be in naturalistic habitats.
I wouldn't call an exhibit style that works "dreadful". I also wouldn't call enclosed aviaries for cranes common, as most Crane exhibits I've seen are open-topped/flight-restricted. It's great to see zoos embrace the fact birds can fly, and housing cranes, flamingos, etc. in large aviaries.
My own Gateways copy arrived and the cover refers to the new habitats as Wings of the World, but this name is not used anywhere inside the magazine. I wonder if this is just a mostly behind the scenes name for expanding the bird collection? For a moment I thought this was going to be revealed as the name for the indoor Parrot exhibit... speaking of which has anyone visited that yet? (Not Reptiles and Birds, the former Peacock Cafe.)
That's good to know. I was making an assumption based on conversations I'd seen elsewhere and not really expressing my own opinion, so I'm happy to be wrong here.
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