Craig Billington
Well-Known Member
Thanks for all the info everyone. Sad to hear about the black footed cat leaving. My wife and daughter loved her (I did too). Any news or a timeline on the prairie dog exhibit?
Brookfield Zoo Brookfield Zoo News 2023
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It’s likely construction of the prairie dog exhibit won’t begin until after the aviaries are complete. It was originally slated to be done by this fall, but I’m not sure if that’s still the case.
Thank you. For the best, as in trying to find out more about Paboo I was repeatedly directed to another red panda with a similar name.
I don't mean to steal @MeiLover's thunder, but she uploaded a photo to the gallery that seems worth mentioning here. A sign has been placed by the former red panda exhibit which reads "new animal species arriving soon" insinuating that red pandas will not be returning and something new will be taking over the space. Not to speculate, but I reckon this may be an opportunity for Puzzle the Matschie's tree kangaroo to finally make her public debut...
I discussed this with a keeper today. Tree kangaroos are out of the question. There are talks of bringing in the coatis from Desert’s Edge, as the female is often escaping from the enclosure. Either they move there, or they move on to another facility. I will post updates as soon as I know.
MeiLover, sorry to ask, but since you mentioned a visit today -- is Zoey gone yet? I was hoping to make a trip today to stop and see her but it didn't work out, but logically I imagine she's already left.
Interesting news about the red pandas. I absolutely love the species and would welcome them back to Brookfield, but I was never happy with their home in Wild Encounters.
Interesting news about the red pandas. I absolutely love the species and would welcome them back to Brookfield, but I was never happy with their home in Wild Encounters.
Official announcement on the birth of Mexican gray wolf pups:
Chicago Zoological Society - Brookfield Zoo & The Chicago Zoological Society
Chicago Zoological Society - Brookfield Zoo & The Chicago Zoological Society
Brookfield Zoo Visit Report, 5/27/2023
Today was the first official day of the busy season and it was packed beyond belief. Lucky for me, I showed up a bit later in the afternoon and avoided most of the crowds. Regardless it was a lovely day and I couldn't help but notice various new promotional material involving macaws which is ironic, but I'm refraining from making any more comments on that debacle until those perches are done. I moved at a rather brisk pace as I didn't have much time to linger, but there are a few things of note.
Updates:
There has still yet to be any progress on the new aviaries and I genuinely don't know what's taking them so long. These exhibits are fully funded and were supposed to start construction last month with completion scheduled for the end of June, but there's no way they're hitting that deadline now. However, I did notice the raven seems to have been moved from its exhibit in the play zoo, possibly in preparation for its conversion into a toucan/seriema aviary. Perhaps that's an indication that work will be underway soon, but who knows at this point.
I didn't get to Deserts Edge today so I don't have any word on what's happening with the former black-footed cat exhibit and soon-to-be former coati exhibit. Truthfully, I'm kinda happy the coati are moving elsewhere, whether that be the former red panda enclosure or another facility. That exhibit never worked well for them. My initial thought for their replacement would be rock hyrax, the former inhabitants of the space. They were able to be contained without the mesh barrier and are one of the few species who can really take advantage of the exhibits' verticality.
Lots of action around the zoo right now. Turtles and macaws will likely be done within the next couple of weeks, I'm guessing the aviaries will be finished sometime in July or August, and at least a few new mammal species should be introduced including the capuchins. There's also the prairie dog exhibit, but considering the zoo hasn't even officially announced that one yet, I wouldn't be surprised if it ends up getting delayed into next year. With so many new exhibits and species coming soon, it'll make the wait for the reveal of the 'Next Century Campaign' that much easier.
Today was the first official day of the busy season and it was packed beyond belief. Lucky for me, I showed up a bit later in the afternoon and avoided most of the crowds. Regardless it was a lovely day and I couldn't help but notice various new promotional material involving macaws which is ironic, but I'm refraining from making any more comments on that debacle until those perches are done. I moved at a rather brisk pace as I didn't have much time to linger, but there are a few things of note.
Updates:
- Another female nyala calf was born on May 8th and is already on exhibit. The male nyala is still being held in the former gerenuk paddock. Nice to see the size of the herd has doubled since the species was first introduced to the enclosure a few years ago.
- In Reptiles and Birds, the reticulated python exhibit is being expanded into the Gray's monitor exhibit. Disappointing to lose the monitor, but I am very happy to see a large snake exhibit which will allow its inhabitants to fully extend. That's unfortunately somewhat rare in zoos and a very welcome improvement.
- The Discovery Center has reopened following a several month-long renovation. Now bearing a sleek design inside, the most notable change is the addition of WPA era artwork displayed in the main lobby. There's also an informative graphic explaining the origins of this art. Neat stuff!
- Lastly, the ornate box turtle exhibit has been completed. More work is still needed to be done on the adjacent Blanding's turtle habitat, but It shouldn't be much longer until it's also done. These exhibits should be open within the next few weeks and I'll give my full detailed thoughts when I see the finished product, but for now I must say that these look really, really good. Way cooler than a standard terrarium.
There has still yet to be any progress on the new aviaries and I genuinely don't know what's taking them so long. These exhibits are fully funded and were supposed to start construction last month with completion scheduled for the end of June, but there's no way they're hitting that deadline now. However, I did notice the raven seems to have been moved from its exhibit in the play zoo, possibly in preparation for its conversion into a toucan/seriema aviary. Perhaps that's an indication that work will be underway soon, but who knows at this point.
I didn't get to Deserts Edge today so I don't have any word on what's happening with the former black-footed cat exhibit and soon-to-be former coati exhibit. Truthfully, I'm kinda happy the coati are moving elsewhere, whether that be the former red panda enclosure or another facility. That exhibit never worked well for them. My initial thought for their replacement would be rock hyrax, the former inhabitants of the space. They were able to be contained without the mesh barrier and are one of the few species who can really take advantage of the exhibits' verticality.
Lots of action around the zoo right now. Turtles and macaws will likely be done within the next couple of weeks, I'm guessing the aviaries will be finished sometime in July or August, and at least a few new mammal species should be introduced including the capuchins. There's also the prairie dog exhibit, but considering the zoo hasn't even officially announced that one yet, I wouldn't be surprised if it ends up getting delayed into next year. With so many new exhibits and species coming soon, it'll make the wait for the reveal of the 'Next Century Campaign' that much easier.
I did not see these and they were not signed anywhere in the building. What aviaries are they supposed to be in?
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I have confirmed with a keeper that black-footed cats will not be returning anytime soon. Not sure if there are any plans on a replacement species yet or not.
I was told a month ago that the prairie dogs have already arrived and are living behind the scenes, but no idea when their exhibit is supposed to be ready.
My assumption is the large rain forest exhibit. The update I received did not specify which exhibit they are exactly located in.
Is it confirmed the monitor is leaving the zoo entirely? I should hope not as it's another one of my favorites. This is certainly good news for the python though.
This is such a cool way to display turtles. I think it will be a popular exhibit. It looks better and better every time we see it.
Thank you for all of the updates. I am also puzzled by the delays on the prairie dogs and aviaries.
I'm devastated here, within reason. This was truly one of my favorite animals at the zoo, both Zoey as an individual and black-footed cats. I was hopeful it might be a situation where Zoey was needed for breeding but another cat may be in her place, but I was also rational enough to know that probably wouldn't be the case as is now confirmed. I'm really disappointed to see it joining fennec fox, pallas' cat, caracal, and sand cat as a small carnivore no longer present in Chicago, especially as I think this group particularly benefits from zoo display and exposure.
I saw the dolphins at the Minnesota Zoo on 5/28/2023. I did not get to see the presentation in the amphitheater, as it was sold out. The guest services agent told me they are sold out about 2 weeks in advance. Minnesota really misses having the dolphins at the zoo!
Interestingly, Spree, who was born at the Minnesota Zoo and lived in this exhibit for a few years, will not gate out to the main exhibit space. The staff I spoke to said she is the only one that will not go through the gate and has been extremely shy.
The staff also confirmed that the dolphins were originally supposed to go back to Chicago early summer, but that it has been delayed and there is not timeline right now, but that they would be in Minnesota at least through the end of the summer.
Some updates from my visit this morning:
In Reptiles & Birds, gray’s monitor is in the former Jamaican iguana exhibit. The Jamaican iguanas have moved to the former sailfin dragon exhibit (though were not visible).
Banana the pygmy hippo has taken up residence in the former capybara exhibit, next to the tapirs and across from the western grey kangaroos.
In Reptiles & Birds, gray’s monitor is in the former Jamaican iguana exhibit. The Jamaican iguanas have moved to the former sailfin dragon exhibit (though were not visible).
Banana the pygmy hippo has taken up residence in the former capybara exhibit, next to the tapirs and across from the western grey kangaroos.
GibbonGuy95
Well-Known Member
Are the Capybara gone or just in another part now?
They are to the left of the pygmy hippo, next to the Pachyderm House entrance/exit. The two capybaras don’t get along, so they are rotating time outdoors.
Asha, the zoo's 2-year-old female reticulated giraffe, made her public debut today.
Chicago Zoological Society - Brookfield Zoo & The Chicago Zoological Society
Chicago Zoological Society - Brookfield Zoo & The Chicago Zoological Society
Arnietta, the zoo’s 16 year old female giraffe, is pregnant and due sometime in between mid July to late August.
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