I’ve heard the axolotls may be a temporary resident but I’m not sure.
Brookfield Zoo Brookfield Zoo news 2025
- Thread starter MeiLover
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I’ve heard the axolotls may be a temporary resident but I’m not sure.
I heard breeding axolotls can be very difficult, so I have my doubts these guys will stick around too long either.
I don’t think they’ll be breeding them since they’re common in private collections.
Since they already had the axolotls, my guess is that they wanted to give guests the chance to see them.
It would be disappointing if the cave salamanders are indeed gone considering they're only kept at six other facilities. Perhaps they'll pop back up somewhere else, it's not like the zoo has a shortage of terrariums that they could be relocated to.
Perhaps an Amphibian House could be added to the Master Plan? Is there still a Chinese giant salamander bts as well? (This is joking.)
As Pachy said, there are plenty of terrariums at the zoo that rotate around and already do, although the aquatic factor may make this a bit harder. Hopefully the aquatic salamanders rotate around so both can be visible.
As Pachy said, there are plenty of terrariums at the zoo that rotate around and already do, although the aquatic factor may make this a bit harder. Hopefully the aquatic salamanders rotate around so both can be visible.
The two silverbacks will be arriving in a few weeks time.
https://www.wfla.com/news/florida/gorillas-undergo-exams-before-saying-goodbye-to-zoo-miami/
Nile Hippo Expert
Well-Known Member
0.1 Asian Small Clawed Otter Wishes moved to the Woodland Park Zoo in Washington.
Woodland Park Zoo
Woodland Park Zoo
The zoo has recently launched a fundraising campaign called Grow the Forests, inviting donors to help "support" the upcoming James & Elizabeth Bransen Tropical Forests exhibit. There is some information here on the website, and there is also a mailer going out to zoo members. The mailer mentions each new exhibit with have "different micro-climates" and interestingly, seems to confirm the orangutan-gibbon mix, mentioning the "new space will house western lowland gorillas, Bornean orangutans, northern white-cheeked gibbons, and South American monkeys" and measures the exhibits as "Spanning over 125,000 feet".
In addition, the zoo has announced an adults only event, Zoo Uncorked: Wines & Vines here on the website, which will be held on August 23, 2025 in Tropical Forests, and suggests people interested in the event not "miss your chance to be among the first to experience our stunning new exhibit while indulging in great drinks and a lively ambiance".
In addition, the zoo has announced an adults only event, Zoo Uncorked: Wines & Vines here on the website, which will be held on August 23, 2025 in Tropical Forests, and suggests people interested in the event not "miss your chance to be among the first to experience our stunning new exhibit while indulging in great drinks and a lively ambiance".
Brookfield Zoo Chicago Visit Report 05/17/2025
In a few days I’m off to my first international zoo trip, so it only made sense to spend the afternoon at Brookfield as a warmup. Covered the entire zoo for the first time in several years and while I don’t have too much in the way of news, it was a beautiful day and a wonderful visit.
-The highlight of the day was seeing the male prairie-chicken booming. It was terrific to finally see this behavior in person as he attempted to court one of the females, putting on a brilliant song and dance performance. He gained himself quite the audience with nearly a dozen other visitors watching him and people were enamored with the behavior, with one lady saying something along the lines of “that’s the coolest little bird ever”. It was heartwarming to see others so excited about a rather niche species.
-In addition, a new juvenile sandhill crane has arrived. According to a keeper he arrived from a rehab facility in Minnesota. Unsure what happened to the male that arrived last fall from Henry Vilas.
-While on the topic, I also want to comment on how much nicer the prairie aviary looks now that it’s had a year to grow in. The landscaping has established itself beautifully as the taller grasses, shrubs and trees have matured. The cranes were resting in the grass while the egrets flew from one side of the enclosure to the other. It’s one of my favorite exhibits in the zoo and such a pleasant break from the hustling atmosphere on busy days like today. Here’s a panoramic shot today I took today:
-The South American lungfish tank is once again occupied. The lungfish is still signed but was not on-show. Other species signed/seen include spotted pim, striped leporinus, and suckermouth catfish.
-Cafe del Sol has reopened following a revamp/rebranding. The restaurant is now called Graze Kitchen and the upgraded interior has been decorated with old-school memorabilia and large posters of old guide books. Love to see creative uses of historical paraphernalia like this.
-And of course, work on Tropical Forests is progressing rapidly as this exhibit enters the final weeks of construction. Large trees are being planted in both gorilla exhibits along with various logs and pieces of deadfall. The fake trees all look significantly better than they did when I last visited a couple months ago now they've been finished off. Viewing windows are installed, pathways are paved, and the site of the pollinator garden which will serve as a buffer between the exhibit and the west mall has been cleared. The entrance to Tropic World is being completely overhauled as well, with the entrance to the building itself being wrapped in an artificial fallen tree structure. It’s all coming together and I remain highly optimistic this project will end up a great success.
In a few days I’m off to my first international zoo trip, so it only made sense to spend the afternoon at Brookfield as a warmup. Covered the entire zoo for the first time in several years and while I don’t have too much in the way of news, it was a beautiful day and a wonderful visit.
-The highlight of the day was seeing the male prairie-chicken booming. It was terrific to finally see this behavior in person as he attempted to court one of the females, putting on a brilliant song and dance performance. He gained himself quite the audience with nearly a dozen other visitors watching him and people were enamored with the behavior, with one lady saying something along the lines of “that’s the coolest little bird ever”. It was heartwarming to see others so excited about a rather niche species.
-In addition, a new juvenile sandhill crane has arrived. According to a keeper he arrived from a rehab facility in Minnesota. Unsure what happened to the male that arrived last fall from Henry Vilas.
-While on the topic, I also want to comment on how much nicer the prairie aviary looks now that it’s had a year to grow in. The landscaping has established itself beautifully as the taller grasses, shrubs and trees have matured. The cranes were resting in the grass while the egrets flew from one side of the enclosure to the other. It’s one of my favorite exhibits in the zoo and such a pleasant break from the hustling atmosphere on busy days like today. Here’s a panoramic shot today I took today:
-The South American lungfish tank is once again occupied. The lungfish is still signed but was not on-show. Other species signed/seen include spotted pim, striped leporinus, and suckermouth catfish.
-Cafe del Sol has reopened following a revamp/rebranding. The restaurant is now called Graze Kitchen and the upgraded interior has been decorated with old-school memorabilia and large posters of old guide books. Love to see creative uses of historical paraphernalia like this.
-And of course, work on Tropical Forests is progressing rapidly as this exhibit enters the final weeks of construction. Large trees are being planted in both gorilla exhibits along with various logs and pieces of deadfall. The fake trees all look significantly better than they did when I last visited a couple months ago now they've been finished off. Viewing windows are installed, pathways are paved, and the site of the pollinator garden which will serve as a buffer between the exhibit and the west mall has been cleared. The entrance to Tropic World is being completely overhauled as well, with the entrance to the building itself being wrapped in an artificial fallen tree structure. It’s all coming together and I remain highly optimistic this project will end up a great success.
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I too find it disappointing as the axolotl now on show may be a good educational story about amphibian development, yet given the fact that all captive axolotl outside a few places in Mexico are not the real article..., it is a bit out of time out of step (my personal perceptions mind). I would rather see the cave salamanders and the Chinese giants as fine examples of the amphibian diversity as well as be of some conservation relevance.
There unfortunately doesn't look to be a good space available for the Chinese giant salamanders right now. I really really hope Brookfield can come up with a creative solution, provided they still have an individual at all (I know one was sent to Los Angeles) to bring them back on display, as they are a fascinating species - as you say, they really help show the diversity of amphibians.
If you could elaborate on the hybridization of axolotl I'd appreciate it, already sounds like a potentially interesting story.
@JVM, Sure ... I will DM you in the next few days. It is kind of a complex long story and goes back to when pure-bred axolotl were imported last century. Only along the way some brilliant minds did something of a mindfuck (and not on paper, but practice...). Anyhow, will DM ... I promise.
As for Chinese giant salamanders, I am all for it and ears....! NOTA BENE: Purportedly, there should now be 3 potential full species... for Chinese giant salamanders.
ContraryPython
Active Member
There is no set opening date yet.
I was hoping to make the zoo today for its Bear Day events but family obligations prevailed.
There is no official set opening date but logically any construction should be complete by that date based on the event description so it will probably still open before or shortly after that date at latest.
Allie (bottlenose dolphin) should be giving birth this month. Any one visited lately and have any updates?
