Brookfield Zoo Brookfield Zoo News 2022

Leo the Red Panda has passed away
Was Leo the only red panda left at the zoo? It's quite strange that all of the red pandas the zoo has acquired since Wild Encounters opened have all died well below the average life expectancy for the species. It doesn't appear like the zoo is doing anything wrong either which makes this whole situation really bizarre.
 
The zoo is moving forward on new exhibits for prairie dogs, sandhill cranes, toucan, and Eurasian eagle owl. The bird exhibits should be completed in early summer 2023 with the prairie dog exhibit being completed in fall 2023.
Where in the zoo would they be located?
 
Brookfield Zoo posted about the dolphins- Renovations to the 35-year-old facility will include the installation of a lift platform, a new roof and a complete climate-controlled air purifying system for the entire building, making for a better environment for the animals.
 
Brookfield Zoo posted about the dolphins- Renovations to the 35-year-old facility will include the installation of a lift platform, a new roof and a complete climate-controlled air purifying system for the entire building, making for a better environment for the animals.

This is also quite exciting news for the dolphins. I saw it was about time they updated everything to be on par with most dolphinariums for that healthy environment these cetaceans deserve. Looking forward to the end result once it's all ready.
 
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Any news on whether or not they will be making the exhibit space for the dolphins larger? I would assume so given that they are installing a lift, but it would be nice to see their exhibit gain some more space as well. I haven't seen a dolphin show there since I a child except for once with I went in 2019 and there were very few seats that were occupied. I am sure during the summer months when more families are showing up to the zoo that they have better crowds, but it was off-season for me. I know there's probably not much wiggle room there, but it would be nice to expand their living space somewhat.
 
Any news on whether or not they will be making the exhibit space for the dolphins larger? I would assume so given that they are installing a lift, but it would be nice to see their exhibit gain some more space as well. I haven't seen a dolphin show there since I a child except for once with I went in 2019 and there were very few seats that were occupied. I am sure during the summer months when more families are showing up to the zoo that they have better crowds, but it was off-season for me. I know there's probably not much wiggle room there, but it would be nice to expand their living space somewhat.
The habitat itself isn't being expanded. The renovation is geared more towards quality of life improvements for the dolphins by adding things like air purification and climate control systems as well as the medical lift, plus infrastructure enhancements like the roof replacement. It really isn't possible to expand the exhibit beyond its current footprint.

In other news, Cook County residents approved a tax referendum to provide additional funding to local forest preserves, including the Brookfield Zoo. The funds will go towards maintaining and revitalizing the zoos infrastructure, including some buildings that are nearly 100 years old.

Chicago Zoological Society - Vote Yes: Clean Air, Clean Water & Wildlife

Cook County voters approve property tax increase for the forest preserves
 
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