Brookfield Zoo Brookfield Zoo News 2024
- Thread starter MeiLover
- Start date
Joseph G
Well-Known Member
I didn’t know there was a period of time this had ever been lifted. It was blocked off last week and around the same time a year ago. How long had it been re-opened?
It has always been open up until now. Maybe you’re thinking of the entire upper viewing area? That has been closed off for years.
GibbonGuy95
Well-Known Member
I'd really like to see report on this. I'd love to see what they behavior they observed.
It most likely won’t be publicized. Only a sign stating what I said.
It was published in Animal Behavior and Cognition, and can be found here: https://www.researchgate.net/public...Impacted_by_360_Degree_Visitor_Viewing_Access
The study found that when viewing was restricted there was a decrease in glucocorticoid levels (stress hormones) and a decrease in self-grooming behavior (a common stereotypy in gorillas).
Pleistocene891
Well-Known Member
How many duikers does the zoo have?
3. Mother, father, and baby.
Has the zoo said anything about Pachyderm House being open at all this winter? It’s been closed every time I’ve been recently but this could be coincidence.
Nile Hippo Expert
Well-Known Member
It is closed at this time and I don't know how long it will be before it opens again. My guess is that it will reopen when spring starts in March.
Chicago Zoological Society - Plan Your Visit to Brookfield Zoo
Joseph G
Well-Known Member
Per a volunteer (for what that's worth), the roof on the building is in bad shape and needs repairs. But I'm pretty sure it's been closed every winter for the last few years, so I don't know if that's why it's closed.
Last Summer the zoo sent out a request for an engineering firm to assess the condition of the building. It's likely the extended closure may be due to ongoing repairs related to the findings of the assessment.
Thank you for clarifying. I was a little unsure on the window. The visit in Sept 2022 is the only time I'd seen it open in a few years so I wasn't sure how unusual it was.
Yes, but the building is so old and is falling apart, so it is for the safety of the guests.
For some historical reference in support of the concerns about the building's safety, I remember hearing as far back as 2009 that the Pachyderm House was in such awful shape it would probably need to be completely demolished; this conversation was with a docent before Great Bear Wilderness had been formally announced.