Lincoln Park Zoo Lincoln Park Zoo News 2024

Hello everyone!! I want to get some insight on Lincoln Park Zoo!! I'll be visiting Shedd Aquarium, Lincoln Park, and Brookfield Zoo to photograph the last couple species to finish off photographing 1000 species with 2 years. With that being said, I want to get some info on the exhibits for certain species and the activity of certain animals. Would anyone have knowledge of the Aardvark, Sichuan Takin, Kagu, Mohli Bushbaby, Pygmy Slow Loris, Japanese Macaque, Snowy Owl, Brush Tailed Bettong, Eastern Black Rhino, Chacoan Peccary, and Egyptian Fruit Bat. Sorry for the long list but I would love to get some info on the exhibits and animal activity if possible!
 
In front of the indoor area for Giraffes in Regenstein African Journey, in my experience viewing is almost always the rear end of an individual halfway in a hide-hole.

Sichuan Takin
Chacoan Peccary
Fairly standard setups for both in the Camel and Zebra Hoofstock Yards, south and east sides of the yards respectively, from what I remember.

Second to last exhibit, Tropical Highland, in the McCormick Bird House. Usually showy.

Mohli Bushbaby, Pygmy Slow Loris
Egyptian Fruit Bat
Brush Tailed Bettong
All in the Small Mammal/Nocturnal Gallery of the Regenstein Small Mammal and Reptile House. The Loris and Fruit Bats are almost guaranteed, although the lighting is almost too dim for photography unless you have a setup that can handle such low light. The Bettong can be hard to see, it's not always out, and I've never seen the Bushbaby despite checking multiple times each visit.

Japanese Macaque
Excellent viewing and photo opportunities in the world class Regenstein Macaque Forest exhibit.

Snowy Owl
Not really a great enclosure for photography but at the back of 'Regenstein Birds of Prey', past the stork and vulture and bald eagle enclosures.

Eastern Black Rhino
Not always out in the yards but you can usually see one from the doorway to their indoor areas.

Enjoy your visit, and don't forget the Puerto Rican Parrots (Amazona vittata), probably the biggest rarities at the zoo!
 
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How could I forget the Puerto Rican Parrot!!! They are such a gorgeous species!! I can't wait to see them!! I am hoping I can showcase their beauty to everyone. I have potentially 2 tries to get every species lol. I'll be in Chicago from July 12th-15th
 
Hello everyone!! I want to get some insight on Lincoln Park Zoo!! I'll be visiting Shedd Aquarium, Lincoln Park, and Brookfield Zoo to photograph the last couple species to finish off photographing 1000 species with 2 years. With that being said, I want to get some info on the exhibits for certain species and the activity of certain animals. Would anyone have knowledge of the Aardvark, Sichuan Takin, Kagu, Mohli Bushbaby, Pygmy Slow Loris, Japanese Macaque, Snowy Owl, Brush Tailed Bettong, Eastern Black Rhino, Chacoan Peccary, and Egyptian Fruit Bat. Sorry for the long list but I would love to get some info on the exhibits and animal activity if possible!
@CMP covered most of what you need to know. I would add that the best time to see the Aardvark is usually near the beginning or end of the day, unless someone has figured out a feeding time. My best luck was during a winter day where it was already starting to darken at four thirty.

I usually have good luck with the loris although it does dip in and out of view. I believe it's fed around 3PM or 4PM as I've usually reached the exhibit around that time and seen it interacting with a keeper. Difficult to photograph though even when being showy. The bettong isn't as consistent and is a little harder to see even on a good day; it almost feels like their exhibit is set to lower light than the others.

I've seen the bush baby a few times but I do caution they consistently avoid the windows while visitors are nearby. If it's not too crowded (which in July it probably is, unfortunately) I'd try to wait several feet from the glass for a few minutes to see if they come out, then approach, and you'll probably have a couple seconds before they climb away to avoid the attention.

Snowy owl, kagu, macaque, fruit bat and takin are usually visible for me although I have missed the takin a few times in the winter. The takin have two enclosures next to each other and multiple individuals. The peccary are a bit harder to see in my experience, even when present and out I've usually seen them further from the viewing side of the exhibit.

For the parrots, definitely check both levels of the exhibit.
 
I have another question, in regard to photography. My work usually goes up on Instagram and is only for educational purposes. I called the zoo and asked about some of the behavior patterns of the animals on exhibit. The woman on the other end wasn't the nicest person to talk with and just gave me an email to the pr team. She said I would need a "permit" in order to photograph the animals. I was going to try and ask her if that is necessary and she cut me off immediately by stating the email of the pr team. Moral of the story, do you need a permit to photograph at Lincoln Park Zoo? Last thing I want to do is get kicked out just for photographing the Japanese Macaque or something like that.
 
I have another question, in regard to photography. My work usually goes up on Instagram and is only for educational purposes. I called the zoo and asked about some of the behavior patterns of the animals on exhibit. The woman on the other end wasn't the nicest person to talk with and just gave me an email to the pr team. She said I would need a "permit" in order to photograph the animals. I was going to try and ask her if that is necessary and she cut me off immediately by stating the email of the pr team. Moral of the story, do you need a permit to photograph at Lincoln Park Zoo? Last thing I want to do is get kicked out just for photographing the Japanese Macaque or something like that.

No, you don’t need a permit to photograph the animals.
 
I have another question, in regard to photography. My work usually goes up on Instagram and is only for educational purposes. I called the zoo and asked about some of the behavior patterns of the animals on exhibit. The woman on the other end wasn't the nicest person to talk with and just gave me an email to the pr team. She said I would need a "permit" in order to photograph the animals. I was going to try and ask her if that is necessary and she cut me off immediately by stating the email of the pr team. Moral of the story, do you need a permit to photograph at Lincoln Park Zoo? Last thing I want to do is get kicked out just for photographing the Japanese Macaque or something like that.
I think she may have assumed you were contacting as a professional commercial photographer and was trying to ensure the zoo was compensated fairly. Sounds very uncomfortable though, nobody likes being cut off!
 
Me and family were downtown for an appointment and I was offered to stop a few hours at the zoo and had a nice time traveling around the southern side.

- With the arrival of the new North American River Otters, the exhibit has flowing water again and the outdoor viewing is no longer blocked off. I did not see the otters unfortunately as I only checked as I was leaving, but the exhibit was blocked for a long time.
- As previously reported, the lions are separated now, with a wall dividing the exhibit on the rock structure.
- Helen Brach Primate House was temporarily closed today.
- The prehensile-tailed skink was off-exhibit at Small Mammal-Reptile House.
- For the first time, I saw a turtle inside Waterfowl Lagoon, right by the bridge! What a treat!
- One of the male gorillas spent a while outside today, although he seemed uncomfortable whenever large numbers of guests approached. I did get the chance to see him up close though! The other apes all remained indoors despite the open doors.
- The adolescent black-crowned night herons are everywhere. I saw some by the Swan lagoon and later on some were back by the nests, which I saw from outside the gates. A very nice lady was telling the crowds about them.

I unfortunately did not make it to the northern section of the zoo until 4:15pm by which time most of the animals were off display. I reached African Journey seconds too late. No sign of polar bears, penguins or rhinoceros. I did briefly glimpse the Plains zebra and a single African painted dog. I also did not make it inside McCormick Bird House.

I think the zoo could use another callitrichid in the Small Mammal-Reptile House. The sloth exhibit (formerly sloth/tamarin) feels so lifeless. It's also been a few visits since I've seen the river stingray?
 
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Other August/September 2024 News Worth Mentioning:
On September 12th, the zoo announced they acquired (2.0) mini Nubian goats from an unspecified local farm in Illinois which are on exhibit.

Lincoln Park Zoo

On August 8th, the zoo announced that 2 African penguins hatched on June 24th and June 27th respectively.

Lincoln Park Zoo

On August 29th, the zoo announced they acquired a Brazillian whiteknee tarantula from the Cincinnati Zoo in Ohio which is on display in the Regenstein Small Mammal-Reptile House.

Brazilian Whiteknee Tarantula | Lincoln Park Zoo

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On October 1st, it was announced that the zoo acquired a (0.1) bearded emperor tamarin from the Buttonwood Park Zoo in Massachusetts.

Buttonwood Park Zoo

On October 18th, it was announced that the zoo acquired a (1.0) red wolf from the Lowcountry Zoo in South Carolina.

Brookgreen Gardens
 
Other August/September 2024 News Worth Mentioning:
On September 12th, the zoo announced they acquired (2.0) mini Nubian goats from an unspecified local farm in Illinois which are on exhibit.

Lincoln Park Zoo

On August 8th, the zoo announced that 2 African penguins hatched on June 24th and June 27th respectively.

Lincoln Park Zoo

On August 29th, the zoo announced they acquired a Brazillian whiteknee tarantula from the Cincinnati Zoo in Ohio which is on display in the Regenstein Small Mammal-Reptile House.

Brazilian Whiteknee Tarantula | Lincoln Park Zoo

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On October 1st, it was announced that the zoo acquired a (0.1) bearded emperor tamarin from the Buttonwood Park Zoo in Massachusetts.

Buttonwood Park Zoo

On October 18th, it was announced that the zoo acquired a (1.0) red wolf from the Lowcountry Zoo in South Carolina.

Brookgreen Gardens
This emperor tamarin has yet to arrive to our facility as of today :)
 
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