Brookfield Zoo Chicago

Earn your master’s the wild way with the Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP) at Brookfield Zoo Chicago and Miami University! This unique program combines online learning with in-person experiences at the zoo, perfect for working professionals passionate about conservation, education, animal care, and more. You can learn more about the AIP at our virtual info sessions on September 17 and October 7 at 7 p.m. Register now at https://bit.ly/3MB8M5a

We're soaring towards a brighter future! Nine Guam kingfishers (or sihek, as the birds are known by the indigenous CHamoru people of Guam) have taken flight to a protected island called Palmyra Atoll in a landmark step toward their return to the wild! Sihek were once abundant in Guam until brown tree snakes were introduced to the island during World War II. Before reaching total extinction, a coalition of conservation organizations launched a rescue effort to bring some sihek into human care at zoos. Now, 36 years later, those rescued birds have reproduced enough that some birds can be released back into the wild in hopes of rewriting their story. Brookfield Zoo Chicago has been a key player in this incredible conservation effort, nurturing the world’s largest sihek population and successfully raising around 80 chicks. One of the birds being released, named Yayas, originated at Brookfield Zoo Chicago. Others came from Cincinnati Zoo, Sedgwick County Zoo, Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom and the National Aviary With the Palmyra Atoll’s similar habitat, but safer conditions, these sihek will soon be ready to spread their wings and reclaim their place in the wild. We are proud to help contribute to this critical recovery effort! The reintroduction effort at Palmyra Atoll is led by the Sihek Recovery Program, a global collaborative of conservationists dedicated to recovering the sihek. This work wouldn't be possible without collaboration from many different organizations including U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), The Nature Conservancy, Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Zoological Society of London (ZSL), and IUCN. Together, we're turning the tide for these remarkable birds! Photo Credit: Thomas Mangloña/KUAM

This summer, a group of our dedicated King Conservation Science Scholars swapped their summer break to get hands-on experience working with wildlife. The teens travelled down to White Oak Conservation in Florida to learn all about animal and veterinary care. As a part of their weeklong program the Scholars were able to: 🦏 Prepare meals and enrichment for animals like rhinos, giraffes, and Florida panthers 💉 Master IV insertions and suturing techniques 🏥 Gain first-hand experience in animal husbandry and veterinary science 🌎 Make real-life connections with conservation experts to learn how to protect wildlife!

Our Saturday celebration in honor of World African Painted Dog Day was a wild success! African painted dogs Daisy and Roanne tore into an impala-shaped piñata filled with enrichment, made by our Hamill Family Play Zoo guests and staff. Plus, they had a high-flying feast in the form of a goat carcass! As part of Association of Zoos and Aquariums Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE) program, these stunning dogs symbolize our commitment to conserving species. African painted dogs are endangered in the wild, and every effort is a step closer to securing a future for these incredible animals.

We're thrilled to share that on Friday, September 6, legendary Chef Rick Bayless will return to Brookfield Zoo Chicago for our Third Annual Frontera Farm to Table Dinner! Guests will savor a delightful evening of cocktails and appetizers before embarking on a gastronomic adventure featuring farm-to-table cuisine. This is more than just a dinner; it's an unforgettable experience that combines the best of food, nature, and entertainment. And, all proceeds will benefit the great work of the Frontera Farmer Foundation and Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s conservation efforts. Join us! https://lnkd.in/dcDDE_yC

Today at our PRIDE Awards, we celebrated the heart and soul of Brookfield Zoo Chicago – our incredible employees! From providing expert care to 3,400+ animals to creating unforgettable experiences for guests, your dedication and passion help inspire conservation leadership by connecting people to wildlife and nature. Thank you!

August 19 marked the first birthday of reticulated giraffe calf, Kinda! Yesterday, we celebrated with some enrichment for her and her mother, Arnieta. Kinda's birth is a significant milestone not just for us, but for giraffe conservation efforts. Reticulated giraffes, like Kinda, are part of Association of Zoos and Aquariums SAFE (Saving Animals From Extinction) program and are listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List. As a conservation organization, we are committed to helping these magnificent animals thrive and ensure their future. Kinda’s journey is a testament to our ongoing efforts to support and protect endangered species. Today, she stands at nearly 11 feet tall and 745 pounds, growing strong as we continue our efforts to protect threatened wildlife.

Orangutans are essential to our ecosystem — join us in their conservation! Today is World Orangutan Day. Orangutans, the largest arboreal mammals on Earth, primarily live in trees and are perfectly adapted for life in the treetops with their long limbs, allowing them to move with ease through the forest canopy. However, the homes of these incredible creatures are under threat due to deforestation and habitat loss from palm oil plantations. At Brookfield Zoo Chicago, we have a long-standing commitment to the care, welfare, and research of orangutans. Our institutional priorities — Connect, Care, and Conserve — guide all our efforts. We are proud to collaborate with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Orangutan SAFE (Saving Animals From Extinction) program, which focuses on protecting, connecting, and restoring orangutan habitats. Through this partnership, we have pledged our resources, time, and funds to support these important conservation efforts. Our goal is to connect our guests with the impactful work being done through Orangutan SAFE and inspire them to join us in conserving these remarkable animals. You can help contribute to these vital conservation efforts too! ⭐ Check the products you buy for sustainable palm oil using the Palm Oil Scan app. ⭐ Adopt orangutan, Kecil, to help support the care and conservation of these great apes at Brookfield Zoo Chicago and beyond. https://bit.ly/3ArEhvW ⭐ Donate to our Annual Fund to support the exceptional care of animals like orangutans and to support our impactful global conservation efforts. https://bit.ly/3SQELC5

We are thrilled to share that a white-bellied pangolin—one of the most trafficked mammals in the world—was born at Brookfield Zoo Chicago to mom Virginia on July 25. Did you know that baby pangolins are called pangopups? With Brookfield Zoo Chicago being just one of a few zoos in the U.S. to have successfully bred and birthed healthy pangolins, the new pangopup is a welcome addition to a small population that lives in zoological settings and helps advance experts’ understanding of pangolin reproductive behaviors and needs. With this birth, there are now 13 pangolins at the Zoo. Most are behind the scenes, as our veterinary team and scientists take great care to study this endangered species; one of the pangolin adults can be seen regularly in Habitat Africa! The Forest.

Have you seen Molly and Sierra, the newest pups in the Mexican wolf pack at Brookfield Zoo Chicago? The girls are now nearly 4 months old, getting bigger, and more playful as well! Check out our video to see them interacting with their dad, Amigo. Brookfield Zoo Chicago is proud to partner with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Mexican Wolf Recovery Program, a multi-agency effort to bring the species back from the brink of extinction. Each year, Mexican wolf pups born in accredited zoos like ours are brought to wild wolf dens in the Southwest United States, where the pups assimilate into the pack. This helps bring genetic diversity to the species, increase the population, and enhance chances for survival. Brookfield Zoo Chicago has participated in the program for many years, and the most recent litters have greatly contributed to the program's efforts. In just the past three years, 16 wolf pups born at Brookfield Zoo Chicago have joined wolf packs in the wild!