Brookfield Zoo Chicago

Calling all Teachers! 📚 We’re thrilled to announce a series of FREE classes designed to enhance your field trips at the zoo! These sessions will equip you with creative strategies to engage your students with wildlife and conservation. Learn more at https://bit.ly/3zL7Fx7

Happy International Zookeeper Day! Today, we celebrate our amazing animal care teams who care for over 3,400 animals and more than 500 species of furry, feathered, and scaled animals from around the globe. Their dedication to animal care helps connect our guests to the wonders of wildlife and the importance of conservation for our shared future. Thank you to our animal care teams for all you do!

Exciting news! Last week, Brookfield Zoo Chicago has been awarded the Master Key of Success in Innovation–Best Practices Award by the International Association for Human Resources Information Management (IHRIM)! Our project team was recognized for exhibiting exemplary collaborative spirit, working with HRchitects Consulting consultants to successfully implement a new enterprise Human Capital Management system. Congratulations to everyone involved!

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with Dr. Alejandro Grajal! We're excited to feature Dr. Alejandro Grajal, President and CEO of Woodland Park Zoo, as part of our ZAP! Conservationists in Action series on October 2 at 5 PM! With over 30 years of experience, Dr. Grajal has dedicated his career to advancing global conservation efforts, from leading biodiversity programs to shaping sustainable zoo practices that engage the public in pro-environmental behaviors. On top of all this, Dr. Grajal is an avid wildlife artist with many of his works exhibited in galleries across the world! As a key figure in the fight to protect endangered species and ecosystems, Dr. Grajal's work highlights how modern zoos play an essential role in conserving wildlife while educating and inspiring future generations of conservationists. You can register for this free, virtual discussion at https://bit.ly/4gqsUVn.

We are thrilled to share that Brookfield Zoo Chicago has contributed to a groundbreaking project that integrates ex situ species data from the Species360 ZIMS database into the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. This collaboration marks a major step forward in aligning conservation efforts to protect our planet’s most vulnerable species. By combining data from both in situ (wild populations) and ex situ (species in human care) sources, the IUCN Red List now provides a more complete picture of global biodiversity. This initiative is a testament to the power of collaboration and the vital role that zoos, aquariums, and wildlife sanctuaries play in safeguarding threatened species through breeding programs, genetic diversity management, and species reintroductions. At Brookfield Zoo Chicago, we are honored to be part of this initiative, supporting the "One Plan Approach" to species conservation. Every day, our dedicated team collects and shares critical data on the animals in our care, contributing to a global effort to better understand and protect the world’s wildlife. This partnership with Species360 and the IUCN underscores our commitment to conservation, education, and the long-term survival of the species we all cherish. Together, we are building a future where biodiversity can thrive. #Conservation #Biodiversity #IUCNRedList #BrookfieldZooChicago #OnePlanApproach #Wildlife #Species360 #EndangeredSpecies #ZoologicalConservation

Brookfield Zoo Chicago is pleased to announce the return of Rita Stacey as Senior Vice President of Programs and Impact. In this newly created role, she will oversee the integration of the Zoo’s Animal Care & Programs and Education & Community Engagement teams, fostering a collaborative and strategic approach to animal care, conservation, and community outreach. Rita is a distinguished zoological professional with more than 30 years of progressive leadership experience, and is no stranger to Brookfield Zoo Chicago. She previously served as our Vice President of Animal Programs and Curator of Marine Mammals. Her influence extends nationally through her work as the Grey Seal Studbook Keeper and Population Management Planner for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and internationally as Accreditation Commission Co-Chair for the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums. Most recently, she served as Chief Conservation and Science Officer at the Texas State Aquarium, where she directed animal care, veterinary services, and conservation programs. Her appointment comes as she nears completion of her PhD in psychology this fall, with a focus on cognition and instruction, the human-animal bond and animal welfare. In her new role, Rita will lead efforts to grow Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s conservation programs and strengthen its engagement with communities both locally and globally. Her return marks a pivotal step in advancing the zoo’s mission to inspire conservation leadership in every guest. Please join us in welcoming Rita back to Brookfield Zoo Chicago!

We’re entering a new era for conservation and veterinary care! Today marks the unveiling of a groundbreaking resource for veterinary professionals: the Zoo and Aquarium Radiology Database (ZARD). The ZARD is a digital repository of diagnostic images like CT scans, MRIs, and radiographs designed to aid veterinarians in providing the highest standard of animal care and welfare. The project was inspired by a 2017 case involving Layla, a critically endangered black rhino here at the zoo. She developed a sinus growth that obstructed her breathing, leading her veterinary team to perform a CT scan—the first on a living adult rhino. With limited reference material available, as existing scans were from deceased specimens lacking soft tissue details, experts saw the need for more comprehensive imaging resources for Layla's species and others. “Layla’s case shined a large spotlight on a challenge that zoological veterinarians and radiologists face when diagnosing non-domestic species like rhinos,” said Dr. Michael Adkesson, president and CEO of Brookfield Zoo Chicago and the project’s principal investigator. “Undoubtedly, this new resource will be a game-changer for the zoological community and significantly improve our ability to diagnose and treat the animals in our care." Beyond advancing animal care, ZARD will also support wildlife conservation, helping field biologists diagnose wild populations and protect endangered species! Photo Credit: Brookfield Zoo Chicago, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance

Attention all early childhood educators and nature lovers! Join us for the Second Nature Conference on October 26, 2024, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Brookfield Zoo Chicago! Whether you’re a formal educator, camp counselor, homeschooler, parent, or grandparent, this conference is designed for you! Explore how to enhance nature-based learning through our insightful keynote panel, focusing on quality practices and community engagement. 🎟️ Registration: $75 per person and includes a printed copy of the Nature-based Early Childhood Program Assessment and Guidebook if you register before September 18. Groups of 4 or more can register for only $65 per person. Reserve your spot and find out more at https://bit.ly/3XrLvI2

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with Jerónimo Chávez! As part of our ZAP! Conservationists in Action series, we're excited to feature Jerónimo Chávez, a biologist from Nuevo León, México, leading the Correo Real Program at Profauna. Jerónimo's work focuses on preserving the incredible migration of the Monarch butterfly, managing projects, fundraising, and collaborating with governments, civil organizations, and private initiatives. Join us online on Wednesday, September 25 at 5 p.m. for this free virtual series to learn how Jerónimo’s efforts help protect biodiversity and inspire future conservationists! This presentation will be delivered in Spanish with plenty of English supports. You can register for this free virtual discussion at https://bit.ly/4gth5hi

We’re thrilled to announce that we’ve earned reaccreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, remaining part of the select 10% of approximately 2,800 USDA-regulated animal care facilities that hold this prestigious recognition. This accreditation reflects our commitment to exceeding the highest standards in animal welfare, science, and conservation. Our team is committed to providing exceptional animal care while actively engaging guests through interactive programs and exhibits. We aim to educate, inspire, and make an impact by taking tangible actions to address the challenges wildlife face, emphasizing the critical importance of conservation efforts and the need to save animals from extinction, demonstrating our commitment to advancing both animal care and public education. At the heart of everything we do is our mission: inspiring conservation leadership by connecting people to wildlife and nature. This achievement drives us even further in making that vision a reality.