Lincoln Park Zoo inspires communities to create environments where wildlife will thrive in our urbanizing world. The zoo is a leader in local and global conservation, animal care and welfare, learning, and science. A historic Chicago landmark founded in 1868, the not-for-profit Lincoln Park Zoo, is a privately-managed, member-supported organization and is free and open 365 days a year.
External link for Lincoln Park Zoo
2001 North Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60614, US
Meet Mike! Mike Skidmore has been a keeper here for over 30 years, and was a docent for 7 years before that. Over the years, Mike has worked just about everywhere across the zoo and accumulated a lot of stories, wisdom, and Lincoln Park Zoo ephemera. Check out a short interview with Mike below, and click through for some zoo-themed items from the past from Mike’s personal collection. Do you have a favorite memory of Lincoln Park Zoo so far? M: Wow so many, traveling to Alabama to pick up Ricko the rhino is up there. Being here for our first rhino calf born in over 20 years. Working nights was my favorite assignment, I was in my zone there. I also helped hand raise two gorilla and two orangutan babies in the nursery way back. Rollie (gorilla) still recognizes me after 25+ years and comes over to see me even in street clothes. What’s kept you here at Lincoln Park Zoo for almost 40 years? M: I grew up coming here since I can remember, taking the Clark bus with my mom and sister, since it was free and fun. I started as a docent as a way to help the zoo, thinking it might help in the long run to a possible job but I knew it was a longshot. It truly was a dream job since I was a kid, that and being an astronaut. Do you have a favorite animal, either individual or species? If so, why is it your favorite? M: Species wise it would be rhinos been working with them 20+ years and helping in their conservation efforts for going on 40 years. I've been to Africa three times, two of those times were on the Feay Travel grant to work on rhino conservation issues. Working at the RAJ building for 16 years with the rhinos was great. And of course, Rollie the gorilla, and Keke the elephant are favorites. Your collection is absolutely amazing. When did you start collecting? Is there an item that calls any particular stories to mind? M: I collect comics and use eBay a lot so typed in the zoo and saw all the items available and that got me started. I'm always interested in history, especially of Chicago and LPZ, the fact that the zoo started just after the Civil War and just before the Great Chicago Fire is amazing. I really like the Zoo Parade items featuring Marlin Perkins. I love the fact they did those shows live. The postcards are a great way to look into the past, you can see what animals we have had, and some oddball things like a dog nursing lion cubs. Do you have any tips for people getting into the zoo world? M: Persistence and patience. A lot of it is timing and being in the right place at the right time. It seems like the majority of new keepers have to start with internships, seasonal or temp jobs now, and of course a college degree in a related field helps, or attending the colleges that offer a two-year zookeeping course with hands on experience is a great road to take.
We've said it before, and we'll say it time and time again: primates do not make good pets. Private ownership of primates as pets is dangerous—and often lethal—for both animals and humans. Max's 'Chimp Crazy' is evidence of why primate protection is so important. Check out this Op Ed about in the Chicago Tribune by Lincoln Park Zoo President & CEO Megan Ross, Ph.D.:
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If Max’s new documentary Chimp Crazy feels upsetting, that’s because it’s a glimpse into a very big problem affecting primates. Keeping primates as pets just isn’t right—for humans or for animals. Keeping primates as pets forces intelligent, social animals into inappropriate confinement with unqualified caretakers and often leads to severe psychological and physical suffering. If that wasn’t enough, it fuels illegal wildlife trafficking and trade. As we approach the docuseries’ finale on Sunday, I am hopeful that it will enrage folks into action. Join Lincoln Park Zoo and a proud, growing coalition of partners advocating for the Captive Primate Safety Act, which would ban the private ownership and trade of primates as pets, addressing both animal welfare and public safety concerns. It is past time for us to do right by our primate relatives. Read this piece published in MSNBC: https://lnkd.in/ghH64492
Chimp Crazy premieres this weekend on HBO Max. The new documentary series follows people who own primates as pets–think Tiger King, but with chimpanzees. This show is a glimpse into a much larger issue as there are more than 15,000 primates kept as pets in the United States. There is no federal law to regulate the possession of primates like lemurs, capuchin monkeys, slow lorises, or even chimpanzees as personal pets. The Captive Primate Safety Act would federally prohibit the pet primate trade and protect these cognitively advanced animals, which is why it is so important that it passes. Lincoln Park Zoo has long advocated against owning primates as pets, and we’re proud to support this bill. Help be a voice for primates: lpzoo.org/takeaction
The 2024 Midwest Beaver Summit on August 28 is coming up quick, and Lincoln Park Zoo is proud to be a co-host! Register to see “Landscape-Scale Watershed Planning with Beavers for Biodiversity and Climate Resilience,” presented by Kurt Menke, GIS Consultant, Septima, and @Bob Boucher, President, Superior Bio-Conservancy, among other exciting presentations. This summit is totally free, virtual, and open to all. Hope to see you there! Register now: https://lnkd.in/genjr37Y
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What an incredible 2024 Intern Season Lincoln Park Zoo had! We are proud to have hosted the 2024 Chicago Intern Networking Event. Interns from various cultural institutions enjoyed a day of networking, receiving great advice and fun. Special thanks to Camilla Fernandez and Lyric Opera of Chicago for starting this tradition. We are happy to pass the baton. Thank you to our guest speakers Linda Nguyen Elise Mulligan Patrick Mucerino John Rooney Dave Bernier for taking the time to share your journey with the interns. Thank you for speaking words of wisdom and encouragement. Extra THANK YOU to my partner in all things interns Kristin (Szwajkowski) Tetzlaff. I am always impressed with your work ethic and I look forward to working with you for many more seasons. Shedd Aquarium Lyric Opera of Chicago Chicago Humanities Chicago Children's Museum Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum Lincoln Park Conservancy Lincoln Park Zoo
Fantastic news: Lincoln Park Zoo is now an accredited botanic garden!
Lincoln Park Zoo is now an accredited botanic garden, arboretum, *and* zoo! We’ve received accredited botanic garden status through Botanic Gardens Conservation International, a member organization that represents botanic gardens in 100+ countries. Being a member of this organization allows Lincoln Park Zoo to be a part of the largest global network of botanical gardens with a focus on conservation and sustainability. Thank you to Maureen Leahy, Katrina Quint and the entire horticulture team's dedication!
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On Tuesday night, we celebrated the 2024 Biota Awardees: Sean Hoban, Liza Lehrer, Gabriela Nunez-Mir, Yoel Stuart, and Benjamin Van Doren at Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo! Attendees were treated to a fantastic panel discussion with previous Biota Awardees, Cara Brook, Noé U. de la Sancha, and Maureen Murray, expertly led by WBEZ Chicago's Sasha-Ann Simons. The conversation focused on the vital interconnections between biodiversity and human health, sparking insightful and inspiring dialogue. Thank you to everyone who joined us for this memorable evening! Visit biotaawards.org to learn about the 2025 Biota Awards application. #BiotaAwards #Biodiversity #LincolnParkZoo #Chicago
Senator Richard Durbin stopped by Latinos Progresando’s Community Center! We, alongside Latinos Progrsesando and The Nature Conservancy in Illinois, had a wonderful afternoon talking about our partnership designed to enhance the health of people and the planet, as well as co-created programs like Explorando la Naturaleza (Exploring Nature), an adult learning program that trains Parent Leaders from Marshall Square how to explore social-emotional learning in nature with youth and families.