Brookfield Zoo Brookfield Zoo news 2025

JVM said:
I am very, very excited about the gibbon-orangutan mix -- you know I was arguing strongly in favor of this last year until I started hearing it might not be possible with the current plans, so really excited to know this may actually happen! I know a few guests, myself included, discussed with docents the idea as well. I'll have to find something more pie-in-the-sky to shoot for next!
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I'm also pleasantly surprised to see the gibbons get outdoor access. Really didn't think that was going to happen. They already have a perfectly large, complex space indoors, but the more species getting outdoor enclosures the better and mixing them with the orangutans is long overdue.
JVM said:
Also glad to see we're getting more spider monkeys, too -- should ensure lots of activity in the South American monkey habitat with a spider-capuchin mix. Really excited to see how that exhibit shapes up, too and if the squirrel monkeys and crested capuchins can eventually join them outside. It could become a very dynamic environment.
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What I anticipate will happen is that the monkeys will rotate in groups with the spider monkeys/tufted capuchins as one group and the squirrel monkeys/crested capuchins as another. That enables both the indoor and outdoor spaces to be occupied during the warmer months and prevents vegetation in the outdoor enclosure from being overwhelmed. That's what makes the most sense to me at least, but having all four species outdoors together would make for a thrilling display.
 
birdsandbats said:
The gibbons have always been mixed with the orangs - the gibbons are perfectly capable of getting to the orangutan island in Tropic World and I've seen them up there before - which makes it all the more baffling that they are not allowed access to the full space.
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Yes, it always always possible, although unintended. When Tropic World was constructed, they didn't realize that the gibbons could reach the orangutan island and were very surprised the first time it happened. I think the zoo treated this first instance as more of a fluke though - based on discussion I had with a keeper, I don't think it happened again until gibbon Thani and orang Kekasih started playing (here) which is one of the reasons I started advocating giving both species access to the full space, as some of the individuals involved clearly had some rapport.

I've also heard from at least two sources that the arrangement of back-of-house holdings have had something to do with the lack of a current mix of the species.

I also just feel that it's best to give as many of the primates outdoor access as possible and avoid repeating the gorilla situation. The way things are looking, all of Tropic World's residents except for African monkeys and the tamarins should have outdoor access in the near future, which is great progress, and there's ways to possibly help with the African monkeys...
 
GibbonGuy95 said:
-I think river otter charlotte may have passed away as her exhibit was closed and drained, of course id like to be more positive and assume that it had to do with a water leak a while back.
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To provide a bit of a belated update to this, it seems that Charlotte is alive and well, as the zoo recently posted videos on their TikTok and Facebook pages of her with a celebratory ice cake for her 16th birthday
 
pachyderm pro said:
-Five more black-handed spider monkeys recently came to the zoo from San Diego Zoo Safari Park, individuals that were confiscated from wildlife traffickers by the USDA.
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pachyderm pro said:
Here are some articles on the newly arrived spider monkeys and the zoo's involvement with combating the illegal wildlife trade. The Chicago Tribune article confirms that the zoo no longer keeps Chinese giant salamanders, which were all sent to other facilities in preparation for reintroduction.

Endangered Spider Monkeys Rescued from Wildlife Traffickers Find a Forever Home at Brookfield Zoo Chicago

Smuggled spider monkeys show fight against illegal wildlife trade
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In the Chicago Tribune article, it states that 3 spider monkeys came from the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in California, with 2 coming from the Houston Zoo in Texas. The article also mentions that all 5 spider monkeys are the Mexican subspecies.
 
Got out yesterday. Some brief notes that may or may not have been posted before.

Two of the Amur leopards were in the enclosure by Desert’s Edge. The female was eager to mate. The male seemed a bit confused. The docent said that they were making good progress and were hopeful they’d do it soon.

I might be misremembering but I feel like the desert exhibits were reversed on the day-night cycle from where they usually are. The meerkat are was in night mode and the meerkats were all sleeping in a heap. The porcupines were off exhibit. A lot of animals were off exhibit throughout the zoo to be honest.

The snow leopard was gnawing on a bone and it was very cute.

I got to see a sea lion feeding. Seems like they occur around 12:30.

The dolphins had two or three balls in their tank and it really elevated the experience. One grabbed a ball in his mouth and kept bringing it to the windows at the back of the tank to show the humans. Another was “dribbling” by pushing it down and letting the water push it back up before pushing it down again. I fully believe that dolphins given a ball and enough time could develop a proper sport.

The goat and wallaby walkthroughs were closed but the animals were out. There’s not a raven in the coati exhibit this winter.

I really, really like the “new” aviary in the swamp. I’m a bit worried about the mix of great egret and passerines but they do have a second aviary they can move the egrets to if needed. With the lungfish / stingray of exhibit the swamp’s draws are really only the otters and birds. And the otter exhibit is atrocious. Genuinely might be the worst in the zoo, excluding the giraffe’s winter accommodations and the soon-to-be expanded orangutan enclosure.

Cranes and cattle egrets were off display but I did get to see the prairie chickens. Neat little fellas.

Due to avian influenza the walkthrough area of Reptiles & Birds is closed. The birds in Feathers & Scales no longer have access to the full room.

There are major renovations happening in the old jellyfish area of Living Coast. I also saw an eel free swimming for an extended period of time. No luck seeing the two more grounded sharks.

Pangolins are signed as off exhibit. I think the elephant shrews might be, too, as I didn’t see them and the gate to their BTS area was closed.

The zebra foal is very cute. Not a whole lot in the hoofstock-savannah area as the Nyala (?), pachyderms, dik-dik, and Addax are all off display for the winter / renovations and the giraffes are indoors. The kangaroos, geese, wallabies, and emus are also off exhibit. I did see the bettong. Didn’t see the echidna in the kookaburra exhibit, but there were keepers in it doing work. Maybe they just didn’t want the echidnas in the way.
 
Lurked here since last summer but felt that I should get a bit involved. Visited the zoo on the 12th and had a magical experience. Here's some notes on things I don't think were documented here/were previously mentioned/I thought were fun.

Habitat Africa The Forest/Savannah: I can note that the elephant shrews are still there. The hornbills and duikers were right at the netting which was so cool. Interesting to walk through there without the lush greenery, I noticed a structure over near the red river hogs which was blocked off and a sign near the elephant statues which I never saw. I wish Savannah had some more going on though I like the aviary. The giraffes were right up near the fence which was exciting. One was licking the air vent constantly.

Great Bear Wilderness: highlight of the trip by far. I never get lucky with the wolves but I was able to see them decently this time. The best view was on the side of the building entrance. Brown bears were sitting right near the glass which was amazing (one was licking it). I spent a lot of time sitting on the floor with them and taking photos, so much so that I had to come back around later. It was a fantastic idea because I got to see one playing with a barrel near the water. Polar bear was out but sat near the water all day. Bison were always close to the fences and I had a really good view from the tunnel.

Living Coast: completely closed for maintenance when I went there. The door was open but there was a barricade in front of it. Guessing it has to do with the jellyfish area.

Feathers and Scales/Reptiles and Birds: no notes outside of being able to confirm the aviaries aren't open.

The Swamp: the "new" aviary is nice and the flamingos are a highlight. It's not completely open as the sawmill section had a bird flu sign there but I think it came out good. They were filling a tank with water when I was there (after the aviary near the hollow tree display, was that the lungfish?) I have to admit that this used to be one of my favorite exhibits but nowadays I think it feels empty without a star. I love snakes but they're not enough to carry it. I think otters could be something but that area needs work.

Clouded Leopard Rain Forest/Desert's Edge: clouded leopard was right up front and the binturongs were moving. I never noticed that the prevost's squirrel has a way into the "forest" section of the building. I've been in there so many times and I just realized it. Cape porcupine was off exhibit if I remember correctly. I do not think I've ever seen them and at this rate I don't know if I ever will. Naked mole rats were off exhibit which I find sad.

Big cats: some zookeeper presence around the amur leopard enclosure. When I first went there they were talking about something and there was a barricade in front of the glass which was gone by the time I came out of the Fragile Desert.

Pachyderms: saw the black rhinoceros on the way back to Great Bear Wilderness but wasn't able to see them all too close.

Tropic World: this is coming together fast. Lots of work being done on the trees. It's amazing how much has happened since that started.
 
moldaramacollector said:
Big cats: some zookeeper presence around the amur leopard enclosure. When I first went there they were talking about something and there was a barricade in front of the glass which was gone by the time I came out of the Fragile Desert.
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Most likely Amur leopard reintroductions between the male and female. They’re put together occasionally but have yet to mate successfully.
 
Okay by barricade do you mean “can’t get right up to the glass” or that the windows were actually covered. I thought the latter but if it’s the former that was also in place on Sunday.
 
Persephone said:
Okay by barricade do you mean “can’t get right up to the glass” or that the windows were actually covered. I thought the latter but if it’s the former that was also in place on Sunday.
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Not sure if you’re asking me but the barricade was the one that you can’t get up to the glass in my experience.
 
The barricade is down and I only saw one leopard in the exhibit.

Every terrarium in the Australia house is filled. Been a while since that was the case.

Are there actually epaulette sharks in the living coast where they’re signed? I’ve had no luck with them. Did manage to see the octopus today, though. They’re a real cutie.

The new swamp aviary is one of my favorite parts of the zoo now. It’s just very full of life.

The smaller birds in Feathers and Scales still have access to the whole building. It’s just the curassows that are shut in. Walkthrough aviary in Reptiles and Birds was still closed. The curassow were out on the usual visitor path.

The wallaby and goat walkthroughs have reopened now that the snow has melted.

The nyala are outside. Giraffes still aren’t.

Are there still emu? I didn’t see one this visit or the last and they’re fairly cold tolerant. The kangaroos and wallabies were both out. Actually, I had pretty good luck in the Australia House as every single echidna and the wombat were active.

Pangolins are still off exhibit. The outdoor trail following the building is reopened and the okapi / hogs were out. One of the hogs had a metal disk of some sort as a toy and was enraptured by it. Actually saw the elephant shrews, too.
 
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Persephone said:
The barricade is down and I only saw one leopard in the exhibit.

Every terrarium in the Australia house is filled. Been a while since that was the case.

Are there actually epaulette sharks in the living coast where they’re signed? I’ve had no luck with them. Did manage to see the octopus today, though. They’re a real cutie.

The new swamp aviary is one of my favorite parts of the zoo now. It’s just very full of life.

The smaller birds in Feathers and Scales still have access to the whole building. It’s just the curassows that are shut in. Walkthrough aviary in Reptiles and Birds was still closed. The curassow were out on the usual visitor path.

The wallaby and goat walkthroughs have reopened now that the snow has melted.

The nyala are outside. Giraffes still aren’t.

Are there still emu? I didn’t see one this visit or the last and they’re fairly cold tolerant. The kangaroos and wallabies were both out. Actually, I had pretty good luck in the Australia House as every single echidna and the wombat were active.

Pangolins are still off exhibit. The outdoor trail following the building is reopened and the okapi / hogs were out. One of the hogs had a metal disk of some sort as a toy and was enraptured by it. Actually saw the elephant shrews, too.
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There are no epaulette sharks, but there are still emus. I saw one yesterday.
 
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