Brookfield Zoo Brookfield Zoo News 2021
- Thread starter MeiLover
- Start date
I wish the big girl luck on her new move.
How many polar bears are left in Great Bear Wilderness?
Just one, Hudson.
Female Gray-crowned Crane Slidell has arrived from ICF. She is a very curious, active, and vocal individual and I am sure she will be a great addition to the zoo:
It’s not goodbye…Grey Crowned Crane Slidell Moves to Brookfield Zoo - International Crane Foundation
It’s not goodbye…Grey Crowned Crane Slidell Moves to Brookfield Zoo - International Crane Foundation
Article about Hope the Polar Bear.
Hogle Zoo’s polar bear Hope finds new home at Chicago’s Brookfield Zoo | Gephardt Daily
Hogle Zoo’s polar bear Hope finds new home at Chicago’s Brookfield Zoo | Gephardt Daily
Hopefully the latter is not the case.
Inbreeding of two animal species usually have less than desirable results.
Brookfield Fan
Active Member
Zoo opened back up today after closing on January 1st for maintenance (was that the reason? I forget.) So, I took a little trip at opening time to see what was different.
- Two indoor enclosures are now open: Seven Seas Underwater Viewing and the underwater viewing for Great Bear Wilderness. Believe BZ Hots next to Seven Seas is also now open for dining. Capacity is limited in each enclosure to 50 guests. I asked the employee in charge of keeping count in Seven Seas if this was a trial run for other indoor habitats to open through the summer, but he seemed to indicate that they're only opening what the state's allowing them to open at this time. Dolphin shows are not being held at this time.
- The animatronic dinosaurs that were supposed to run through November last year are still there. Supposedly, they're set to be 'revamped' but the only thing that's different is they gave one of the sauropods on the little forest trail at the west edge of the hoofed mammal yards a Jurassic Park T Rex bellow. Thought that was funny.
- Hamill Family Play Encounters area was left open and free of charge through last year, but it was closed off today. Not sure if it's maintenance-related or what. None of the goats in the petting zoo portion were out from what I could see.
- Everything that has a yard in the Pachyderm area was off exhibit. Hoofed mammal path only the Bactrian Camels and Przewalski's Horses were on display. Thought for sure none of the animals in the Australian Yards would be on display, but the kangaroos had access to the big yard closest to the carousel. Wallabys and emus were off display. Habitat Africa animals are all off display.
- Activity wise, the sea lions had a lot of enrichment items placed in their pool, so getting to watch two of them 'fight' over a frisbee was pretty entertaining. You could tell the dolphins weren't used to seeing guests (particularly children) in awhile as I've NEVER seen them swim up and stop at the glass to interact with people until today. Hudson the polar bear was walking laps around his habitat and would briefly stop at the above ground viewing glass on each lap.
- Two indoor enclosures are now open: Seven Seas Underwater Viewing and the underwater viewing for Great Bear Wilderness. Believe BZ Hots next to Seven Seas is also now open for dining. Capacity is limited in each enclosure to 50 guests. I asked the employee in charge of keeping count in Seven Seas if this was a trial run for other indoor habitats to open through the summer, but he seemed to indicate that they're only opening what the state's allowing them to open at this time. Dolphin shows are not being held at this time.
- The animatronic dinosaurs that were supposed to run through November last year are still there. Supposedly, they're set to be 'revamped' but the only thing that's different is they gave one of the sauropods on the little forest trail at the west edge of the hoofed mammal yards a Jurassic Park T Rex bellow. Thought that was funny.
- Hamill Family Play Encounters area was left open and free of charge through last year, but it was closed off today. Not sure if it's maintenance-related or what. None of the goats in the petting zoo portion were out from what I could see.
- Everything that has a yard in the Pachyderm area was off exhibit. Hoofed mammal path only the Bactrian Camels and Przewalski's Horses were on display. Thought for sure none of the animals in the Australian Yards would be on display, but the kangaroos had access to the big yard closest to the carousel. Wallabys and emus were off display. Habitat Africa animals are all off display.
- Activity wise, the sea lions had a lot of enrichment items placed in their pool, so getting to watch two of them 'fight' over a frisbee was pretty entertaining. You could tell the dolphins weren't used to seeing guests (particularly children) in awhile as I've NEVER seen them swim up and stop at the glass to interact with people until today. Hudson the polar bear was walking laps around his habitat and would briefly stop at the above ground viewing glass on each lap.
They were just closed because of covid regulations, no major maintenance as far as I'm aware. Glad to hear that they are starting to reopen a few indoor exhibits again.
Brookfield Fan
Active Member
Ah, I thought the January 1st close date was planned for awhile rather than a "Illinois hit ______ cases/day, we're closing."
I don’t think it was necessarily case driven. It was more a way to save money during the months where both the Brookfield and Lincoln Park Zoo see little visitation. Most zoos spend more to stay open tot he public than they bring in during the winter especially given Chicago’s winter.
Glad to know some of the underwater viewings and diners are staring to open up. The former is usually the best part about GBW.
With the many indoor exhibits Brookfield has, it may be a long while until we are able to see the many off-exhibit animals again. Most likely when Covid as a whole starts to die down completely.
With the many indoor exhibits Brookfield has, it may be a long while until we are able to see the many off-exhibit animals again. Most likely when Covid as a whole starts to die down completely.
A river otter pup has been born and is being hand raised by staff:
Chicago Zoo welcomes birth of otter pup
Chicago Zoo welcomes birth of otter pup
The Swamp probably has the same Covid precautions as Lincoln Park did with African Journey and the bird house. There will be lines, a keeper to count how many people can go in at a time, and the buildings may close earlier before the zoo itself.
Brookfield Fan
Active Member
Good on both. #1, love The Swamp, so this is excellent news. #2, I reaaaaaaaally wanted to try the burgers they have in that restaurant, so this is REALLY excellent news.
May make a visit this week... have to pick a good weather day though because the temps are about to drop.
What portions of the zoo are closed? I'd love to visit Brookfield again soon, but I don't want to visit until enough things are open to make it worthwhile.
Brookfield Fan
Active Member
As of the time of this post...
- Tropic World
- Habitat Africa's indoor exhibits
- Wolf Woods indoor viewing gallery
- Australia House
- Hamill Family Play Zoo
- Hamill Family Wild Encounters (should open next month... from what I believe)
- The Living Coast
- Bird/Reptile Houses
- Clouded Leopard Rainforest/Desert's Edge
Are all closed.
- Tropic World
- Habitat Africa's indoor exhibits
- Wolf Woods indoor viewing gallery
- Australia House
- Hamill Family Play Zoo
- Hamill Family Wild Encounters (should open next month... from what I believe)
- The Living Coast
- Bird/Reptile Houses
- Clouded Leopard Rainforest/Desert's Edge
Are all closed.