Brookfield Zoo Master Plan Discussion and Speculation

[Sasha I]

With all the buzz about the eco-regions. I'm drawn to the wildlife discovery core. because what is this?

I don't understand why we need a huge parking lot long term, we are already renovating the north lot which is massive and a staff lot does not need to be this huge. As interesting as Deserts edge, and the CLR is these creates should get outdoor access as well. especially the Clouded leopard! there's ample space in this massive parking lot to add a 1 acres addition to the side of this building to accommodate for outdoor access.

secondly lets look down to the bear grotto's, don't they look tiny? there's so much empty space above these habitats and they look drastically smaller than any other habitat in the new plan. especially for what's planned there. let's just say that's as big as they could make them, then why not utilize the space above to make an indoor house to increase space. This side of the zoo continues to be underutilized and contain wasted space.

Also like alot of people have said, I really hope that the dolphins have access to the rivers to the gulf, because constantly taking the dolphins out and moving them between exhibits sound really stressful. Im not sure whether they will separate the pod and keep some in here and there, but doesn't that sound kind of unethical?

anyways sorry for rambling!

 

[pachyderm pro]

I don't understand why we need a huge parking lot long term, we are already renovating the north lot which is massive and a staff lot does not need to be this huge.

That's an existing parking lot that's being maintained. Keep in mind, with an expanded collection and expanded footprint more staff will be needed to manage it all. Without an understanding of how the zoo staff operates it isn't fair to say if the lot is oversized or not being effectively utilized.

secondly lets look down to the bear grotto's, don't they look tiny? there's so much empty space above these habitats and they look drastically smaller than any other habitat in the new plan. especially for what's planned there. let's just say that's as big as they could make them, then why not utilize the space above to make an indoor house to increase space. This side of the zoo continues to be underutilized and contain wasted space.

Also like alot of people have said, I really hope that the dolphins have access to the rivers to the gulf, because constantly taking the dolphins out and moving them between exhibits sound really stressful. Im not sure whether they will separate the pod and keep some in here and there, but doesn't that sound kind of unethical?

I wouldn't pay too much attention to the exact designs and footprints according to the master plan map. These exhibits in particular are both over a decade away and largely conceptual at the moment. I'm not sure how they'll connect the two dolphin buildings, or how big the grotto exhibits will be, or what they'll end up doing with the old sheep ridge behind the grottos, but those projects are so far off that I'm not concerned with specifics. That's why I'm mainly focused on the phase two projects -- Gateway to Africa, Australia, Pacific Coasts and North Gate -- because they're happening in the near future and are much more fleshed out ideas.

 

[Sasha I]

That's an existing parking lot that's being maintained. Keep in mind, with an expanded collection and expanded footprint more staff will be needed to manage it all. Without an understanding of how the zoo staff operates it isn't fair to say if the lot is oversized or not being effectively utilized.

I wouldn't pay too much attention to the exact designs and footprints according to the master plan map. These exhibits in particular are both over a decade away and largely conceptual at the moment. I'm not sure how they'll connect the two dolphin buildings, or how big the grotto exhibits will be, or what they'll end up doing with the old sheep ridge behind the grottos, but those projects are so far off that I'm not concerned with specifics. That's why I'm mainly focused on the phase two projects -- Gateway to Africa, Australia, Pacific Coasts and North Gate -- because they're happening in the near future and are much more fleshed out ideas.

Do you have an inkling when the 5 year second phase report will come out? I heard people talking about Feb 25 but will it be mid or late Feb or early march?

 

[pachyderm pro]

Do you have an inkling when the 5 year second phase report will come out? I heard people talking about Feb 25 but will it be mid or late Feb or early march?

It was slated for release this month, but it wouldn't surprise me if it gets pushed back as things like this often are. Should be sooner than later I imagine.

 

[pachyderm pro]

Something I imagine will be of interest: Dr. Mike and a team from the zoo are spending the week visiting zoos in Europe to gather inspiration for upcoming master plan projects, including Berlin Tierpark and Zurich Zoo. Mike shared several photos of Zurich's elephant house, as well as one of Berlin's upcoming elephant exhibit. Gets you thinking...

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[Mr.Ivory]

Something I imagine will be of interest: Dr. Mike and a team from the zoo are spending the week visiting zoos in Europe to gather inspiration for upcoming master plan projects, including Berlin Tierpark and Zurich Zoo. Mike shared several photos of Zurich's elephant house, as well as one of Berlin's upcoming elephant exhibit. Gets you thinking...

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Looks like you predicted the future in the Brookfield Zoo: Ideas, Dreams, Hopes thread if they plan on doing the country's first naturalistic elephant house in a similar vain to Zurich.

 

[Tapir Master]

Something I imagine will be of interest: Dr. Mike and a team from the zoo are spending the week visiting zoos in Europe to gather inspiration for upcoming master plan projects, including Berlin Tierpark and Zurich Zoo. Mike shared several photos of Zurich's elephant house, as well as one of Berlin's upcoming elephant exhibit. Gets you thinking...

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Very nice, the crew really are doing the proper research on natural larger housing for the elephants. It’s shaping to be the most anticipated part of the Gates of Africa expansion.

 

[pachyderm pro]

Something I imagine will be of interest: Dr. Mike and a team from the zoo are spending the week visiting zoos in Europe to gather inspiration for upcoming master plan projects, including Berlin Tierpark and Zurich Zoo. Mike shared several photos of Zurich's elephant house, as well as one of Berlin's upcoming elephant exhibit. Gets you thinking...

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Follow-up: The delegation from Brookfield also visited Berlin Zoo and Leipzig Zoo over the last few days. I realize not everyone has a LinkedIn account so I'll copy over the most relevant parts of Dr. Mike's posts:

"We had a fantastic visit to the 180-year-old Zoologischer Garten Berlin yesterday. The zoo has done a fantastic job of redeveloping old animal houses into modern habitats, while preserving their rich history and heritage. The zoo's grounds are truly beautiful and serve 3.5 million guests per year.

I particularly enjoyed seeing their Hippo Bay habitat. Returning Nile hippopotamus to Brookfield Zoo Chicago is part of our Next Century Plan. Berlin Zoo also features an incredible Indian rhinoceros habitat with underwater viewing. Truly a treat and something I haven't seen before. This trip has been a wonderful opportunity to bring back innovative ideas that touch on all aspects of running a great zoo"

"Next stop – Zoo Leipzig! Thanks to the incredible team at Zoo Leipzig for being such wonderful hosts! The zoo's Kiwara Savannah, home to giraffes, zebras, ostrich, oryx, lechwe, and gazelle aligns with our vision in Brookfield Zoo Chicago's Next Century Plan — creating expansive habitats for mixed African wildlife."

Not only is it exciting to see European zoos being used as primary models for Brookfield's future projects, but these are the exact exhibits they should be looking at for inspiration -- Zurich's elephant house and Lewa Savanna, Leipzig's Kiwara Savannah, Berlin's rhino and hippo houses, etc. Each are must-see and if Gateway to Africa inherits their best features it will be a showstopper unlike anything in the country. The emphasis on innovative and unique ideas leaves me similarly eager for the next phase(s) of the master plan.

 

[Cat-Man]

Follow-up: The delegation from Brookfield also visited Berlin Zoo and Leipzig Zoo over the last few days. I realize not everyone has a LinkedIn account so I'll copy over the most relevant parts of Dr. Mike's posts:

"We had a fantastic visit to the 180-year-old Zoologischer Garten Berlin yesterday. The zoo has done a fantastic job of redeveloping old animal houses into modern habitats, while preserving their rich history and heritage. The zoo's grounds are truly beautiful and serve 3.5 million guests per year.

I particularly enjoyed seeing their Hippo Bay habitat. Returning Nile hippopotamus to Brookfield Zoo Chicago is part of our Next Century Plan. Berlin Zoo also features an incredible Indian rhinoceros habitat with underwater viewing. Truly a treat and something I haven't seen before. This trip has been a wonderful opportunity to bring back innovative ideas that touch on all aspects of running a great zoo"

"Next stop – Zoo Leipzig! Thanks to the incredible team at Zoo Leipzig for being such wonderful hosts! The zoo's Kiwara Savannah, home to giraffes, zebras, ostrich, oryx, lechwe, and gazelle aligns with our vision in Brookfield Zoo Chicago's Next Century Plan — creating expansive habitats for mixed African wildlife."

Not only is it exciting to see European zoos being used as primary models for Brookfield's future projects, but these are the exact exhibits they should be looking at for inspiration -- Zurich's elephant house and Lewa Savanna, Leipzig's Kiwara Savannah, Berlin's rhino and hippo houses, etc. Each are must-see and if Gateway to Africa inherits their best features it will be a showstopper unlike anything in the country. The emphasis on innovative and unique ideas leaves me similarly eager for the next phase(s) of the master plan.

I’ve long thought that American city zoos - Brookfield, Detroit, Bronx, Philadelphia, Smithsonian, aught to look for inspiration from European zoos to see what can be achieved with proper ambition.

 

[wild boar]

Follow-up: The delegation from Brookfield also visited Berlin Zoo and Leipzig Zoo over the last few days. I realize not everyone has a LinkedIn account so I'll copy over the most relevant parts of Dr. Mike's posts:

"We had a fantastic visit to the 180-year-old Zoologischer Garten Berlin yesterday. The zoo has done a fantastic job of redeveloping old animal houses into modern habitats, while preserving their rich history and heritage. The zoo's grounds are truly beautiful and serve 3.5 million guests per year.

I particularly enjoyed seeing their Hippo Bay habitat. Returning Nile hippopotamus to Brookfield Zoo Chicago is part of our Next Century Plan. Berlin Zoo also features an incredible Indian rhinoceros habitat with underwater viewing. Truly a treat and something I haven't seen before. This trip has been a wonderful opportunity to bring back innovative ideas that touch on all aspects of running a great zoo"

"Next stop – Zoo Leipzig! Thanks to the incredible team at Zoo Leipzig for being such wonderful hosts! The zoo's Kiwara Savannah, home to giraffes, zebras, ostrich, oryx, lechwe, and gazelle aligns with our vision in Brookfield Zoo Chicago's Next Century Plan — creating expansive habitats for mixed African wildlife."

Not only is it exciting to see European zoos being used as primary models for Brookfield's future projects, but these are the exact exhibits they should be looking at for inspiration -- Zurich's elephant house and Lewa Savanna, Leipzig's Kiwara Savannah, Berlin's rhino and hippo houses, etc. Each are must-see and if Gateway to Africa inherits their best features it will be a showstopper unlike anything in the country. The emphasis on innovative and unique ideas leaves me similarly eager for the next phase(s) of the master plan.

Those two savanna exhibits don't look particularly unique based on pictures but they are still very impressive. They seem like great exhibits for inspiration.

Hopefully when Nile hippopotamuses return to Chicago, both their indoor and outdoor exhibits will have a greater land area than Berlin's indoor accommodations do.

The Zurich elephant house is certainly aesthetically pleasing but that definitely shouldn't be prioritized over expansive barn and yard spaces and the ability to accommodate both a breeding and a bachelor herd. If both feats can be accomplished that's great.

 

[pachyderm pro]

One last post from Dr. Mike, this time describing the team’s visit to Cologne Zoo:

“We wrapped up our trip with a visit to Kölner Zoo (Cologne Zoo) in Germany. By pure luck, we arrived 5 days after the zoo welcomed a healthy baby elephant calf to their family herd. The zoo has a beautiful elephant park with dynamic and enriching habitats for the animals. We had the opportunity to spend some time with their fantastic elephant team, who introduced us to their beautiful, multi-generational herd. Seeing this calm and relaxed, tight-knit, matriarchal herd with such a young calf was truly a special experience. It also reinforced just how well elephants can truly thrive under professional care in a modern zoo. The impact these animals have on people was visible in the joyful looks of the zoo guests – who will leave inspired to protect wildlife and nature.

The zoo’s “Hippodom” features hippos, Nile crocodiles, antelope, birds, and other species. It’s a great example of our vision for how we hope to bring these animals back to Brookfield Zoo Chicago in the future and we left with many good ideas. I also had the opportunity to catch up with some aardvarks – an animal that I particularly love and miss having at our zoo!

Thanks to the Kölner Zoo team for a wonderful visit and the chance to see their wonderful zoo! Overall, it’s been a fast-paced trip through 5 European zoos in 5 days and we are coming home with many great ideas to build into our plans for the future of Brookfield Zoo Chicago.”

 

[DavidBrown]

One last post from Dr. Mike, this time describing the team’s visit to Cologne Zoo:

“We wrapped up our trip with a visit to Kölner Zoo (Cologne Zoo) in Germany. By pure luck, we arrived 5 days after the zoo welcomed a healthy baby elephant calf to their family herd. The zoo has a beautiful elephant park with dynamic and enriching habitats for the animals. We had the opportunity to spend some time with their fantastic elephant team, who introduced us to their beautiful, multi-generational herd. Seeing this calm and relaxed, tight-knit, matriarchal herd with such a young calf was truly a special experience. It also reinforced just how well elephants can truly thrive under professional care in a modern zoo. The impact these animals have on people was visible in the joyful looks of the zoo guests – who will leave inspired to protect wildlife and nature.

Do you think that they will actually bring back elephants and hippos to Brookfield? If so, is it your gut feeling that they are working on a practical plan to actually do it in the foreseeable future, like immediately after they finish up the outdoor ape complex?

 

[Milwaukee Man]

It sounds like the Zoo director is really pulling all the stops to bring an unforgettable experience to Brookfield. I’m stoked to find out more details when the time comes and what pieces of European complexes and inspiration are brought to the table.

By the way, call it wishful thinking, but am I the only one seeing that aardvark comment as a potential hint at their return?

 

[Cat-Man]

One last post from Dr. Mike, this time describing the team’s visit to Cologne Zoo:

“We wrapped up our trip with a visit to Kölner Zoo (Cologne Zoo) in Germany. By pure luck, we arrived 5 days after the zoo welcomed a healthy baby elephant calf to their family herd. The zoo has a beautiful elephant park with dynamic and enriching habitats for the animals. We had the opportunity to spend some time with their fantastic elephant team, who introduced us to their beautiful, multi-generational herd. Seeing this calm and relaxed, tight-knit, matriarchal herd with such a young calf was truly a special experience. It also reinforced just how well elephants can truly thrive under professional care in a modern zoo. The impact these animals have on people was visible in the joyful looks of the zoo guests – who will leave inspired to protect wildlife and nature.

The zoo’s “Hippodom” features hippos, Nile crocodiles, antelope, birds, and other species. It’s a great example of our vision for how we hope to bring these animals back to Brookfield Zoo Chicago in the future and we left with many good ideas. I also had the opportunity to catch up with some aardvarks – an animal that I particularly love and miss having at our zoo!

Thanks to the Kölner Zoo team for a wonderful visit and the chance to see their wonderful zoo! Overall, it’s been a fast-paced trip through 5 European zoos in 5 days and we are coming home with many great ideas to build into our plans for the future of Brookfield Zoo Chicago.”

Koln Zoo is exactly the sort of Zoo cities zoos should take inspiration from. Nothing really spectacular or out of the ordinary, just consistent, high quality exhibits filling every part of the space.

 

[CMP]

One last post from Dr. Mike, this time describing the team’s visit to Cologne Zoo:

“We wrapped up our trip with a visit to Kölner Zoo (Cologne Zoo) in Germany. By pure luck, we arrived 5 days after the zoo welcomed a healthy baby elephant calf to their family herd. The zoo has a beautiful elephant park with dynamic and enriching habitats for the animals. We had the opportunity to spend some time with their fantastic elephant team, who introduced us to their beautiful, multi-generational herd. Seeing this calm and relaxed, tight-knit, matriarchal herd with such a young calf was truly a special experience. It also reinforced just how well elephants can truly thrive under professional care in a modern zoo. The impact these animals have on people was visible in the joyful looks of the zoo guests – who will leave inspired to protect wildlife and nature.

The zoo’s “Hippodom” features hippos, Nile crocodiles, antelope, birds, and other species. It’s a great example of our vision for how we hope to bring these animals back to Brookfield Zoo Chicago in the future and we left with many good ideas. I also had the opportunity to catch up with some aardvarks – an animal that I particularly love and miss having at our zoo!

Thanks to the Kölner Zoo team for a wonderful visit and the chance to see their wonderful zoo! Overall, it’s been a fast-paced trip through 5 European zoos in 5 days and we are coming home with many great ideas to build into our plans for the future of Brookfield Zoo Chicago.”

This statement is just about everything I could dream of from the director of one of one of my local zoos. Whether or not it actually pans out is another thing, but I am extremely optimistic and applaud the Brookfield team for thinking big.

 

[PossumRoach]

It’s really nice to see a zoo from the US get inspired from some of Europe’s best. It seems to me that the main focus is mainly the mega fauna, which I understand since those are the big (both literally and figuratively) draws of a zoo. I just hope that Dr. Mike and the rest of the team get inspired to display small smaller species alongside larger species, Leipzig mainly comes to mind, to give them a chance to shine.

The Zurich elephant house is certainly aesthetically pleasing but that definitely shouldn't be prioritized over expansive barn and yard spaces and the ability to accommodate both a breeding and a bachelor herd. If both feats can be accomplished that's great.

I’ll have you know that the Kaeng Karachan Rlephnt Park has more to than just aesthetics. As @lintworm pointed out in their “Europe's 100 must see exhibits” thread, the enclosure provides elephants with rotations and multiple feeding stations which makes up for the size of the enclosure. Here’s lintworm’s post giving more detail.

Zoo Zurich, Switzerland
Opened: 2014
Size: 11000 square metres
Inhabitants: Asian elephant, blackbuck, lesser mouse deer, Vietnamese leaf turtle, a few birds and invertebrates

WIth a diameter of over 80 metres the turtle back shaped roof is the main eye-catcher at first sight. With a reticulated pattern of wood and transparent foil it aims to create the illusion of a forest canopy and while dominant from a distance, the building does not dominate the elephants inside. This is by a margin the most complex elephant indoor enclosure in the world, combining space with a structured environment. The whole complex (3 indoor enclosures, 3 outdoor enclosures) features over 40 different feeding stations and maximum flexibility for the 2 matriarchal groups + bull that reside here. While the outdoor enclosure might be relatively cramped compared to the indoors, the number of feeding stations and multiple rotations between the exhibits throughout the day makes for some of the most active elephants in Europe. Again proving former zoo director Heini Hediger right that space is not everything. The exhibit is surrounded by education on human-elephant conflicts in Thailand, which the zoo works in situ to decrease. The main downside is the relative lack of smaller animals surrounding the elephants, with only 5 side-exhibits.

Also in the same post, two other large elephant enclosures including the Koelner Zoo Dr. Mike just visited were mentioned, which despite their size doesn’t look like they have much to offer their elephants indoors other than space, basic requirements, and a great family structure.

 

[JVM]

It’s really nice to see a zoo from the US get inspired from some of Europe’s best. It seems to me that the main focus is mainly the mega fauna, which I understand since those are the big (both literally and figuratively) draws of a zoo. I just hope that Dr. Mike and the rest of the team get inspired to display small smaller species alongside larger species, Leipzig mainly comes to mind, to give them a chance to shine.

I agree with you very strongly. This has always been one of Brookfield's strengths and I'm extremely hopeful they sticks to this as they have always done well with this at home, and I'm hoping that the emphasis on megafauna at this point is for donation dollars, public attention, and because of how early in the process we actually are that they might not even know what will be in each of the smaller spaces, and that the final products will include them.

I’ll have you know that the Kaeng Karachan Rlephnt Park has more to than just aesthetics. As @lintworm pointed out in their “Europe's 100 must see exhibits” thread, the enclosure provides elephants with rotations and multiple feeding stations which makes up for the size of the enclosure. Here’s lintworm’s post giving more detail.

Also in the same post, two other large elephant enclosures including the Koelner Zoo Dr. Mike just visited were mentioned, which despite their size doesn’t look like they have much to offer their elephants indoors other than space, basic requirements, and a great family structure.

I really, really appreciate the insight on this, both from you and lintworm. I'm not as well-read of continental Europe as I'd like to be and even for a lot of exhibits I know, like this one, there are nuances that have been lost on me, and there's always new things to learn. I didn't know how many feeding stations were there, for example!

The new elephant barn and yards will be a brand new structure, so they can definitely take into account every aspect of Zurich's exhibit and others.

Do you think that they will actually bring back elephants and hippos to Brookfield? If so, is it your gut feeling that they are working on a practical plan to actually do it in the foreseeable future, like immediately after they finish up the outdoor ape complex?

I know this is not aimed at me, but I believe this is really the case. Gateway to Africa looks to starting sooner rather than later and the Pachyderm building is already being emptied in preparation for construction, so I suspect construction will begin there.

What is really interesting to me though is the northern part of the building will face a new Savanna, but while the entire Savanna project will rely on constructing the Passage exhibit which will involve much of the Zoo's northwest quadrant that could take a much longer time to build -- crucially, the hippopotamus and crocodile exhibit to be built on the southern side of the building are not connected to the Passage at all, and so could possibly open and be completed at an earlier date than the rest of the Gateway to Africa, of which even the Savanna Passage phase will be much more expansive and complicated in comparison. If this is the case as well, it will integrate nicely with Tropical Forests, which is being constructed just south of this exhibit site.

I'm fascinated to see how much of the zoo's northwest quadrant closes at once for construction and how much of Gateway to Africa's four phases end up overlapping construction.

By the way, call it wishful thinking, but am I the only one seeing that aardvark comment as a potential hint at their return?

I was surprised by that as well! I did a double take.

I'm starting to wonder if Dr. Mike has read some of my posts campaigning so hard for the aardvarks.. or at least the letter I wrote... okay, probably not, but you know, he's giving me an awful lot of hope!

 

[pachyderm pro]

Do you think that they will actually bring back elephants and hippos to Brookfield? If so, is it your gut feeling that they are working on a practical plan to actually do it in the foreseeable future, like immediately after they finish up the outdoor ape complex?

Like @JVM said, it's all but guaranteed. Bringing elephants and hippos back is no longer just a pipe dream like it's been in the past, but something the zoo is actively pursuing as headlining projects under this master plan. They've already raised a majority of the funds for the exhibit(s) and they are well into the design stage. It's been suggested that it will indeed be the next major project following the outdoor primate exhibits, with construction getting under way as early as next year according to some articles.

 

[Tapir Master]

I saw aardvarks and I gotten excited.

All the updates and research on the other African animal exhibits is good news (the elephants and hippos should get just the enrichment they need with this research), but aardvarks returning would be the best thing ever. However finding the right spot for them. Gateway to Africa should be the best thing that will ever happen to Brookfield in a long time.

 

[Jonathan Petersson]

Safari Wilderness the last holder of Forest Buffalo in the US said on their facebook "These are the last Red Forrest Buffalo left in the United States that we are aware of and because of laws changing they are now banned for import." Does anyone know what restrictions have put on their import and if Broofield plans to follow through with bringing back forest buffalo how they will do it? Or are they interested in obtaining Safari Wilderness animals?

Safari Wilderness | Lakeland FL