Brookfield Zoo Brookfield Zoo News 2024
- Thread starter MeiLover
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Nile Hippo Expert
Well-Known Member
This was mentioned by @pachyderm pro on February 29th.I do not know if this was announced but Brookfield zoo is getting a new name. From Brookfiled zoo to Brookfield Zoo Chicago. They also changed their logo and added Connect, Care, Conserve. There is also new emblem in the zoo(see link)
Brookfield Zoo gets new name, announces expansions as it turns 90 - Riverside Brookfield Landmark
Brookfield Zoo Chicago - Brookfield Zoo Chicago Emblems
Zoo adventures
Well-Known Member
Thank you for telling me. I did not see it.
Looks like the opening of the prairie aviary has been pushed back to July according to the zoo's website.
Brookfield Zoo Chicago - Coming This Year
Brookfield Zoo Chicago - Coming This Year
Interesting they altered the mention of a July opening for the aviary but did not revise the page to mention the date of the Koala opening that they have unveiled on social media already.
A few minor updates from the latest edition of the member magazine: Gateways_Summer2024_Neat
The koalas will be at the zoo for the next two years before returning to San Diego.
A Brookfield Zoo Chicago mobile app will release later this month. It'll include interactive maps, digital membership cards, notifications about upcoming events and other features.
The koalas will be at the zoo for the next two years before returning to San Diego.
A Brookfield Zoo Chicago mobile app will release later this month. It'll include interactive maps, digital membership cards, notifications about upcoming events and other features.
One of my favorite issues of Gateways, honestly. Lots of information to chew on.
It looks like the dolphin renovation was originally limited in scope (a roof and skylight is a lot for a zoo to work on but not much to excite guests) and the re-theming came up later in the process. The article talked a lot about the renovation work, including a passage describing that recent studies suggested enrichment opportunity be prioritized, and so a lot of the new additions are to facilitate new enrichment.
There's also a great article about how zoos decide when to introduce animals and how much -- while a lot of it is old news for a zoochatter, I think it's brand new information for the casual zoogoer. Someone was just commenting on a video uploaded yesterday about how lonely the zoo's remaining black rhinoceros looked. This article also reveals the two koala will be housed separately (via a separation in the former lemur space) so they cannot see each other.
The prairie aviary is listed in the magazine for mid June, although I expect the July figure is more accurate.
It also has a good summarization of the Wild Connections programs, which will be useful for begging and convincing friends to go.
It looks like the dolphin renovation was originally limited in scope (a roof and skylight is a lot for a zoo to work on but not much to excite guests) and the re-theming came up later in the process. The article talked a lot about the renovation work, including a passage describing that recent studies suggested enrichment opportunity be prioritized, and so a lot of the new additions are to facilitate new enrichment.
There's also a great article about how zoos decide when to introduce animals and how much -- while a lot of it is old news for a zoochatter, I think it's brand new information for the casual zoogoer. Someone was just commenting on a video uploaded yesterday about how lonely the zoo's remaining black rhinoceros looked. This article also reveals the two koala will be housed separately (via a separation in the former lemur space) so they cannot see each other.
The prairie aviary is listed in the magazine for mid June, although I expect the July figure is more accurate.
It also has a good summarization of the Wild Connections programs, which will be useful for begging and convincing friends to go.
Nile Hippo Expert
Well-Known Member
Hani, the zoo's 21 year old female Sloth Bear, moved to the Little Rock Zoo in Arkansas in early April.
Little Rock Zoo
Little Rock Zoo
Is this to free up space in the bear ravine?
No, they still have 2 sloth bears.
A breeding pair?
An eventual breeding pair, yes.
An interesting article on the design of Tropical Forests:
Chicago Zoo Designs an Outdoor Primate Paradise
Chicago Zoo Designs an Outdoor Primate Paradise
Looking forward to the new primate exhibits. A project long overdue and in my view a game changer for the zoo in the next few years with getting the zoo back on track to new development and an era of renovation and exciting new zoo exhibits.
The zoo is beginning to promote the koalas more heavily on social media. I've seen some 'sponsored' Facebook posts trying to mention them, they were featured on the recent Gateways cover and inside the magazine, and they've been posting on social media how to tell Willum and Brumby apart. I've been hyping them up a little with friends and family, too!
This was such a great read. The part about the trees felt like a particularly fresh and interesting point of detail but I also loved learning more about the design of the chutes - how they're teaching the animals to use them, the intended height of the chutes. how strong the mesh needs to be and how thick the glass is, etc. It's clear a lot of thought has gone into this complex and they're aiming well beyond "let's get these guys some sunlight" into trying to make really top tier habitats.
Persephone
Well-Known Member
Random coworkers have mentioned the Brookfield koalas to me. I live over an hour from the zoo. Their campaign has caught some public interest.
I went back to the zoo last month. Didn’t bother with a full report, but it looks like the play zoo is charging admission again. Saw the pangolin feeding at 3:45. Elephant shrew was a no-show for the ninety minutes I was in the building. All the echidnas were active again. Even saw the giant anteater.
Oh, and all the dolphins had toys to play with. Glorified dog toys or simple objects, but they were all playing with them. It feels like such a simple way to elevate a dolphin enclosure and I’m surprised more zoos don’t invest in enrichment outside of shows.
I went back to the zoo last month. Didn’t bother with a full report, but it looks like the play zoo is charging admission again. Saw the pangolin feeding at 3:45. Elephant shrew was a no-show for the ninety minutes I was in the building. All the echidnas were active again. Even saw the giant anteater.
Oh, and all the dolphins had toys to play with. Glorified dog toys or simple objects, but they were all playing with them. It feels like such a simple way to elevate a dolphin enclosure and I’m surprised more zoos don’t invest in enrichment outside of shows.
Admission is not being charged at the play zoo. Admissions staff are being stationed at the booth at the entrance for crowd control.
Here's a brief video showcasing the process of creating faux trees for Tropical Forests. Looks like they'll be posting additional video updates on the construction over the next year.
Any idea where Brookfield acquires eucalyptus for Koalas?
The native turtle exhibits finally open May 25th. There will be eight species on display: Blanding’s, spotted, painted, common musk, red-eared slider, ornate box, eastern box, and three-toed box turtle.
Brookfield Zoo Chicago - Brookfield Zoo Chicago Press Room
Brookfield Zoo Chicago - Brookfield Zoo Chicago Press Room