I have uploaded approximately 40 photos of this tiny Illinois zoo that is free to the public. Anyone wishing to check it out can browse the gallery on this website, and the zoo will be 100 years old in 2015.
Phillips Park Zoo Phillips Park Zoo News
- Thread starter snowleopard
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As someone that never been here, would you say it's a decent zoo or a mediocre one?
I didn't like it at all when I visited a few years ago. Wolf and elk exhibits were both good, but otherwise a very mediocre and unkept zoo. Parrots in pet store cages, an overcrowded reptile house, low bird of prey cages, generally bad otter and cougar exhibits, etc. Very unappealing and I have no reason to ever return.
Thanks for the description. So it's nothing special, got it.
I may consider stopping by Lincoln Park Zoo next month instead once the new exhibit is ready.
Here’s some legit news after I’ve decided to come. The zoo’s only otters died after the first Covid shut down and were left with no way to compensate. The current exhibit is still under construction as a result and a keeper was nice enough to tell me that they will either get more otters or have a complete new animal in this new exhibit.
Another thing is that a Scottish Highland Cattle expansion is in the works. The few cattle they have will be moved to this new exhibit soon. It’s not too shabby being mostly small wooded fencing as it’s a small species compared to most. The keepers have zero plans if they plan to add any new animal alongside the goats and turkey, or just keep them alone.
My first time in the winter is mostly fine. Can understand the concerns about the small caging for many animals. Some I can get when they have injuries that prevent them from flying. The only animals I couldn’t see were the California Desert Tortoise due to then cleaning the tank and the Puma that prefers being inside during the cold. And I realized that the zoo’s only Canadian Lynx came straight from Brookfield, sweet.
Another thing is that a Scottish Highland Cattle expansion is in the works. The few cattle they have will be moved to this new exhibit soon. It’s not too shabby being mostly small wooded fencing as it’s a small species compared to most. The keepers have zero plans if they plan to add any new animal alongside the goats and turkey, or just keep them alone.
My first time in the winter is mostly fine. Can understand the concerns about the small caging for many animals. Some I can get when they have injuries that prevent them from flying. The only animals I couldn’t see were the California Desert Tortoise due to then cleaning the tank and the Puma that prefers being inside during the cold. And I realized that the zoo’s only Canadian Lynx came straight from Brookfield, sweet.
drill
Well-Known Member
E="snowleopard, post: 802392, member: 473"]I have uploaded approximately 40 photos of this tiny Illinois zoo that is free to the public. Anyone wishing to check it out can browse the gallery on this website, and the zoo will be 100 years old in 2015.[/QUOTE] Don't know if they still have prairie chicken but that's the only place I've ever seen it
It’s been 5 months since the Aurora had discussed with the zoo owners about a brand new master plan via an online survey citizens can give suggestions through. If only I had known about this sooner because there’s so much changes they should do (like doing something with the former otter exhibit since COVID taken away its former residents).
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We should be getting an update on its new master plan some time in early 2023 (hopefully soon).
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We should be getting an update on its new master plan some time in early 2023 (hopefully soon).
Other 2022 News:
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On February 2nd, the zoo announced that their (1.0) cougar named Tonka passed away at age 18 due to complications with advanced age.
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On January 23rd, the zoo announced that a (0.1) American elk named Mary Ann passed away at age 19 due to age-related health issues.
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On February 5th, the zoo announced they acquired (0.0.3) axolotls named Bruce Sebastian and Patrick which are now on exhibit in the Reptile House.
Something new is bubbling at Phillips... - Phillips Park Zoo | By Phillips Park Zoo | Something new is bubbling at Phillips Park Zoo! Axolotls are a fascinating amphibian from Mexico that spend their entire lives underwater, using their...
On July 17th, the zoo announced that they started replacing areas with turf grass and replacing them with pollinator gardens.
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On July 23rd, the zoo announced that they moved their (1.0) American kestrel named Pippen to a new exhibit in the Birds of the Prairie area.
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On August 14th, the zoo announced they acquired a (1.0) blue-tongued skink named Indigo which is now on exhibit in the Reptile House.
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On February 5th, the zoo announced they acquired (0.0.3) axolotls named Bruce Sebastian and Patrick which are now on exhibit in the Reptile House.
Something new is bubbling at Phillips... - Phillips Park Zoo | By Phillips Park Zoo | Something new is bubbling at Phillips Park Zoo! Axolotls are a fascinating amphibian from Mexico that spend their entire lives underwater, using their...
On July 17th, the zoo announced that they started replacing areas with turf grass and replacing them with pollinator gardens.
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On July 23rd, the zoo announced that they moved their (1.0) American kestrel named Pippen to a new exhibit in the Birds of the Prairie area.
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On August 14th, the zoo announced they acquired a (1.0) blue-tongued skink named Indigo which is now on exhibit in the Reptile House.
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On February 2nd, the zoo announced that their (1.0) cougar named Tonka passed away at age 18 due to complications with advanced age.
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On May 5th, the zoo announced that they transferred (1.1) American alligators named Irwin and Alice to the Critchlow Alligator Sanctuary in Michigan after they became too big for their exhibit. The former exhibit will be used to house smaller reptiles as the city of Aurora looks into a major renovation of the facility and surrounding park.
Phillips Park Zoo
Phillips Park Zoo
pinnipedpal93
Active Member
Has anyone been here recently? I ask because I live a reasonable distance from this zoo but have yet to go. I'm not sure if it's worth it.
I visited once several years ago. The elk and wolf exhibits were good, but otherwise I was thoroughly unimpressed by the rest of the place. Many of the other enclosures weren't in the best shape; the reptile house in particular was quite poor. It's not a terrible place by any means, but I have no intentions of ever going back.
On August 13th, 2024, the zoo announced they acquired 2 pot-bellied pigs named Fiona and Mavis, which are on exhibit.
Phillips Park Zoo
On September 16th, 2025, it was announced that the zoo acquired 77 Blanding's turtles from Forest Preserve District of DuPage County in Illinois to be hand-raised and released back into the wild in the future.
Phillips Park Zoo
Phillips Park Zoo
On September 16th, 2025, it was announced that the zoo acquired 77 Blanding's turtles from Forest Preserve District of DuPage County in Illinois to be hand-raised and released back into the wild in the future.
Phillips Park Zoo
On September 18th, 2025, the zoo announced they acquired (2.0) American beavers from an unspecified wildlife rehab center, which are now on display across from the bald eagle.
Phillips Park Zoo