Brookfield Zoo Brookfield Zoo News 2024
- Thread starter MeiLover
- Start date
2 Pieces of 2024 News Worth Mentioning:
On July 14th, the zoo announced the other wolf's name, Molly.
Brookfield Zoo Chicago
On August 22nd, the zoo announced officially announced that a (0.1) yellow-backed duiker was born on June 19th.
Brookfield Zoo Chicago
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On October 22nd, it was announced that the zoo transferred a (1.0) southern hairy-nosed wombat to Zoo Miami in Florida.
2.3K views · 107 reactions | International Wombat Day | Happy #InternationalWombatDay from your favorite hairy nosed wombats, Gordon and Adelaide! Did you know wombats have SQUARE shaped poop?! Learn all... | By Zoo Miami | Facebook
On October 25th, the zoo announced they acquired a (1.0) western grey kangaroo named Cheerio which is on exhibit.
6.1K views · 302 reactions | We're saying g'day to Cheerio! Our mob has a new member—a male Western gray kangaroo! Male kangaroos are usually larger than females, with more muscle... | By Brookfield Zoo Chicago | Facebook
On July 14th, the zoo announced the other wolf's name, Molly.
Brookfield Zoo Chicago
On August 22nd, the zoo announced officially announced that a (0.1) yellow-backed duiker was born on June 19th.
Brookfield Zoo Chicago
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On October 22nd, it was announced that the zoo transferred a (1.0) southern hairy-nosed wombat to Zoo Miami in Florida.
2.3K views · 107 reactions | International Wombat Day | Happy #InternationalWombatDay from your favorite hairy nosed wombats, Gordon and Adelaide! Did you know wombats have SQUARE shaped poop?! Learn all... | By Zoo Miami | Facebook
On October 25th, the zoo announced they acquired a (1.0) western grey kangaroo named Cheerio which is on exhibit.
6.1K views · 302 reactions | We're saying g'day to Cheerio! Our mob has a new member—a male Western gray kangaroo! Male kangaroos are usually larger than females, with more muscle... | By Brookfield Zoo Chicago | Facebook
How many wombats does that leave Brookfield with?
2. A father and his adult daughter.
I was told by a zookeeper cleaning in the wombat enclosure back in August that there was only one wombat at the zoo.
I was also under the impression that 0.1 Mia was the only wombat at the zoo currently. Her mother passed away last year.
Ok. Maybe the male had passed or was transferred.
I'm pretty sure the keeper said that the father was transferred to Florida, so the male @Smaggledagle found a post about would be that father. It must just be a late announcement by Zoo Miami.
This video provides a highly detailed look at the newly renovated wading bird aviary in The Swamp. It looks excellent and the birds will be introduced sometime over the next few weeks. Here are some notable details:
-What was previously three separate aviaries has been combined into one large space. The glass windows and mesh in front of what were previously the two smaller aviaries have been removed and the main visitor deck has been enclosed; turned into a walkthrough space.
-Instead of having to frequently drain and clean the water features, the new filtration system allows for a bioactive ecosystem with new aquatic planters, pond gravel and driftwood. Microorganisms will now be able to grow and simulate a natural wetlands environment.
-All three water features have been connected and turned into a single circulating system.
-The atrium skylights have been fully replaced allowing for additional sunlight.
-Wood storks are being introduced apparently, which would be a new species for the zoo.
-What was previously three separate aviaries has been combined into one large space. The glass windows and mesh in front of what were previously the two smaller aviaries have been removed and the main visitor deck has been enclosed; turned into a walkthrough space.
-Instead of having to frequently drain and clean the water features, the new filtration system allows for a bioactive ecosystem with new aquatic planters, pond gravel and driftwood. Microorganisms will now be able to grow and simulate a natural wetlands environment.
-All three water features have been connected and turned into a single circulating system.
-The atrium skylights have been fully replaced allowing for additional sunlight.
-Wood storks are being introduced apparently, which would be a new species for the zoo.
Wood Storks are a pretty rare species in captivity, too!
GibbonGuy95
Well-Known Member
Went to the zoo yesterday, I couldnt help but notice a few things.
-Did we get more meerkats? I noticed a shipping container as well as new animals settling in sign, which I found odd since we just got new meerkats and the births arent that new.
The swamp seemed unusually empty and it would seem two of the tanks, one that help the rays and a smaller one were emptied out. Any idea on this? It seems the swamp is slowly becoming more of an aviary, which is a shame because I liked when it was more diverse.
-Did we get more meerkats? I noticed a shipping container as well as new animals settling in sign, which I found odd since we just got new meerkats and the births arent that new.
The swamp seemed unusually empty and it would seem two of the tanks, one that help the rays and a smaller one were emptied out. Any idea on this? It seems the swamp is slowly becoming more of an aviary, which is a shame because I liked when it was more diverse.
A detailed article on the master plan is included in the latest addition of the Gateways member magazine. Here are some new details that were mentioned:
Gateways_Winter_2024-25
- A tentative lineup of African hoofstock species that will inhabit the flex savanna enclosures: nyala, addax, kudu and eland.
- Brush-tailed bettongs will be added to the renovated Australia House.
- There's discussion of creating a North Wetlands ecoregion in some capacity. No further details of what that may include beyond a collaboration with the Forest Preserves of Cook County.
Gateways_Winter_2024-25
- I believe this is just referring to the north gate renovation. From the overpass "Entrants enjoy panoramic views of the zoo and a new wetland habitat for native fauna and migrating birds"
pinnipedpal93
Active Member
I know it's been quite some time since I posted this, but I haven't forgotten about replying!Life has been so busy lately ... Before I start, I'm not sure how to link it but on my profile I uploaded a small collection of photos from the experience if you wish to take a look.
The experience started in the penguin meeting area (the room with benches) and we were provided boots and gloves. No cameras are allowed in this experience, mostly because people have dropped their belongings on accident in the exhibit. The experience is limited to two people at the most, but individual experiences are possible too, if you wanted to go solo. Our friend joined us for the trip that day and waited at the viewing area for the exhibit to take pictures of us from behind the glass. Two employees explained what we would be doing while also sharing some information about the penguins here at the zoo. They also talked about the different kinds of fish we would be giving them, and how some were picky about what fish they preferred.
We were lead into a back room corridor for staff only, it more or less was just a walkway to maybe one or two back areas, one of them being the room behind the exhibit. There were lots of water pumps, machinery, valves, and other essential equipment for aquatic exhibits. The staff took a giant bait and tackle box from a freezer and led us into the exhibit.
Walking into the exhibit is a bit treacherous but it's also not a long walk. It's hard to keep your balance at first because you're walking on rocks but the area to stand is very small, so it was equivalent to walking a few feet in front of you. If you have trouble walking or balancing then this might be difficult for you unless you have someone else with you to help assist. That or I'm sure one of the employees would be glad to help you.
Setting down the tackle box, one of the employees gave us both circular trays and packed them with handfuls of fish periodically. These fish were pre-gutted and frozen to preserve them before the experience, but they were mostly thawed when we received them, so they were fresh for the penguins. I cannot recall every type of fish, but I remember smelt being one of them, as a good portion of them were not fans. The penguins definitely know when feeding time is, because they'll all gather in a group in front of you, waiting for you to feed them. Some of them were molting, as seen in the pictures I posted. We were told to hold the fish with the head facing you to minimize getting poked by beaks. We were also warned about a specific penguin, Empanada. She likes to stand very close to the feeder, sometimes behind them, and peck at their boots and legs until she gets fish. This time, I was her target, but thankfully she was actually pretty polite to me. She stood behind me, but my boots were as long as my shins (I'm the shorter one with grey shorts in the photos, lol) so the very few times she poked me, it didn't hurt because she was hitting mostly boot. I made sure to give her a few fish every couple minutes for her good behavior.
You can see her in one of the pictures I posted, she sat on a jutted out rock fixture to my left that was molded into the wall.The penguins all have zip-tie armbands on their flipper. We were told the ones with matching colors are a mated pair. There was a couple in particular with orange bands that stayed for the entire feeding. They're also visible in the photos. The penguins weren't the only ones who wanted fish-- the free flying birds in the exhibit also kept an eye on us. One even flew at my boyfriend, perched onto his tray of fish, and quickly took one before flying off. We actually got a picture of it happening, but I didn't upload it here.
All in all, it was a great time! I would do it again! The staff take very good care of the penguins and it shows.
@pinnipedpal93 Thank for such a detailed description, sounds like a lot of fun. Appreciate the notes about standing balanced as I have family members for whom that's important.
Is this the first full confirmation the gulls and tern are moving with the penguins? I know it was implied before.
I appreciate the renewed rundown of the eco-regions, which gives us tiny hints to the long-term future, although I'm curious what North Wetlands might entail given The Swamp pretty much covers that space and just underwent a great renovation. The "completed 2034" notes gave me pause but I realize they are probably just using the phase end date for now.
All welcome news. Bettong a great pick to add as they are fast and active; think I read they were once held alongside the bats, so maybe a renovated version of that habitat? The addition of kudu and eland makes sense as they are hardy and better at handling a mixed species habitat situation, although I thought I'd heard nyala prefer to be separated? I'm glad addax will remain in the collection. I suspect these are only some of the final species we'll see, as zebra are not mentioned but almost definitely will stick around.
Is this the first full confirmation the gulls and tern are moving with the penguins? I know it was implied before.
I appreciate the renewed rundown of the eco-regions, which gives us tiny hints to the long-term future, although I'm curious what North Wetlands might entail given The Swamp pretty much covers that space and just underwent a great renovation. The "completed 2034" notes gave me pause but I realize they are probably just using the phase end date for now.
It’s interesting that at this point they’re planning on three species of Tragelaphus and the one non-Tragelaphine antelope also has spiral horns.
With three species of the same genus, they will have to do either single-sex groups of all three species or they will be maintaining separate mixed species sets that do not intermingle because all three of those species can hybridize. Although with their intended mixes/rotational concept… that’s likely for the best.
With three species of the same genus, they will have to do either single-sex groups of all three species or they will be maintaining separate mixed species sets that do not intermingle because all three of those species can hybridize. Although with their intended mixes/rotational concept… that’s likely for the best.
ContraryPython
Active Member
I still am relatively curious as to how much will be changed/added in the Australia House. New species is a given, but I am curious if any of the existing habitats will be renovated
I had been wondering about the Kudu and Nyala but completely overlooked the Eland being a factor too... oh dear. They're all wonderful species but that does have me slightly concerned.
I am very curious, too. Hoping it keeps the same spirit as the existing building, but refreshed to be more modern and sleeker.
GibbonGuy95
Well-Known Member
The zoo has just announced on Facebook that Banana will be leaving the zoo.
I get why they are doing it, but now I wonder abput Layla, the tapirs, and the last remaining capybara.
I get why they are doing it, but now I wonder abput Layla, the tapirs, and the last remaining capybara.