Brookfield Zoo Chicago

Great news about gorillas! 🦍 The troop has recently moved into a new indoor habitat and state-of-the-art primate care facility within the all-new James & Elizabeth Bramsen Tropical Forests habitat—the first step toward introducing them to their new outdoor habitats this summer! They’re already making themselves at home—climbing, interacting, and exploring their new environment. This important milestone marks the start of an exciting new chapter, as we eagerly anticipate the public opening of Bramsen Tropical Forests this summer. Once it’s complete, this incredible addition will include two indoor habitats—one publicly viewable—and four expansive outdoor habitats for western lowland gorillas, Bornean orangutans, and several species of monkeys. At nearly three acres, it will be one of the largest homes for primates among U.S. zoos, reflecting our unwavering commitment to animal care and conservation. We can’t wait for guests to connect with these incredible animals face to face, deepening our shared understanding and empathy for wildlife. Stay tuned as we bring Bramsen Tropical Forests to life and continue our mission to inspire conservation leadership by connecting people to wildlife and nature.

As Women’s History Month wraps up, we are thrilled to present a free online discussion featuring Zoë Harris, a PhD candidate in Community Health Sciences at the University of Illinois–Chicago. As a proud citizen of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and Jamaica, Zoë combines her unique cultural perspectives to advance public health through an intersectional lens. Her work focuses on education, health promotion, and language preservation within Indigenous and urban Native communities. Zoë’s groundbreaking research and advocacy tackle critical issues such as mental health, racism in public health, and social determinants of health, all while fostering meaningful change in diverse communities. Join us for an inspiring session with Zoë as she shares her insights and efforts to create a more equitable future for all. 📆 Wednesday, March 26 at 5:00 p.m. 🔗 Register for free at https://bit.ly/41JEtAF

Attention Educators! Join us onsite at Brookfield Zoo Chicago for our newest Teacher Workshop on Friday, April 25 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. As you learn about giraffe adaptations and conservation, we will model practical, engaging strategies to implement problem-based learning in your classroom. (This program is designed for educators teaching grades 4-8. High school teachers are also welcome.) Learn more and register at https://bit.ly/4bJhnP5.

We're continuing the celebration of Women's History Month by hosting a free, online discussion with Dr. Karen Murchie, a leading expert in migratory fish conservation and sustainable fisheries. As Director of Freshwater Research at Shedd Aquarium, Dr. Murchie works to advance freshwater biodiversity research and inform global conservation policies. Her experience spans the Great Lakes, Arctic, Amazon, and beyond! 🗓️ Wednesday, March 19 at 5:00 p.m. 🔗 Register for free at https://bit.ly/4bzA5su

In celebration of Women's History Month, we are thrilled to host a FREE online discussion with Katie Propp, a dynamic conservation leader and science communicator who is shaping the future of wildlife protection. As the COO of Penguins International, Katie leads impactful initiatives to safeguard penguin species worldwide, including the highly successful "March of the Penguin Madness" campaign. Her work unites communities, organizations, and scientific efforts to drive real, meaningful change in conservation and ocean protection. Don't miss this opportunity to hear from a trailblazing woman who is making waves in the conservation world! 📆 Wednesday, March 12 at 5:00 p.m. 🔗 Register for FREE at https://bit.ly/4kyJbJY

Conservation breakthrough alert! For the first time ever, a groundbreaking study published by our scientists in the Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens MDPI documents 11 critical developmental milestones for Guam kingfishers. This research is vital in informing husbandry practices and supporting a global effort to reintroduce this species into the wild. Also known as sihek by the CHamoru people of Guam, this species had been cared for exclusively at U.S. zoos for the past four decades after becoming Extinct in the Wild in the 1980s when a rescue effort brought the remaining nearly 30 birds into professional care. Brookfield Zoo Chicago has participated in the Sihek Recovery Program since its inception and currently cares for the largest sihek population at a single institution! This newly published study, based on decades of data (1989–2023), enhances our understanding of sihek chick growth and development—offering animal care experts normal development ranges and an understanding of when to intervene to best support a chick’s health and welfare. It demonstrates the essential role of accredited zoos in species conservation, from research and care to eventual reintroduction, as shown by Sihek Recovery Program’s reintroduction efforts that began in fall 2024.

We’re incredibly honored for Brookfield Zoo Chicago to be recognized as one of the Top 10 Best Zoos in the U.S. by Condé Nast Traveler for 2025! This recognition, independently selected by their editors, is a testament to the passion and dedication of our team, who work tirelessly to provide world-class animal care, immersive guest experiences, and impactful conservation initiatives. Thank you to our incredible staff, volunteers, guests, and supporters who make the Zoo such a special place every day. Read the full list here: https://lnkd.in/gwxa2p6a

Celebrate Women’s History Month with us! This March, we’re shining a spotlight on inspiring women who are leading the way in wildlife conservation, environmental advocacy, and community science. The speakers for this series are: Marilú López-Fretts, project leader for Celebrate Urban Birds is a passionate advocate for inclusive science. Marilú leads community-based research across the Americas to make birding and conservation more accessible and equitable. 📆 Wednesday, March 5 at 5:00 p.m. Katie Propp, Chief Operating Officer at Penguins International is a dynamic conservation leader and science communicator. Katie spearheads global efforts to protect penguin species and inspire action for ocean conservation. 📆 Wednesday, March 12 at 5:00 p.m. Dr. Karen Murchie, Director of Freshwater Research at Shedd Aquarium is a freshwater research expert. Dr. Murchie works to conserve migratory fish and advance sustainable fisheries through science and community engagement. 📆 Wednesday, March 19 at 5:00 p.m. Zoë Harris, Community Health Sciences PhD candidate at the University of Illinois – Chicago, School of Public Health is a dedicated public health researcher. Zoë focuses on Indigenous health, education, and advocacy to address social determinants of health and promote equity. 📆 Wednesday, March 26 at 5:00 p.m. You can register for these free, virtual discussions at https://bit.ly/3Eph13n.

We're wrapping up February with our fourth and final speaker: Sierra Taliaferro! Sierra is an outdoor educator and bird enthusiast dedicated to promoting diversity in urban conservation, social justice, and community advocacy. With experience in strategic planning, community engagement, and land management, she has worked with various organizations to implement outdoor education and outreach. Sierra is also the founder of The Green Obsidian, a social media platform highlighting Black professionals in environmental conservation. Register for her free, virtual discussion on Wednesday, February 26 at 5:00 p.m. at https://bit.ly/3Et6aWn

Ready to take your career on a wild adventure? 🐾 Brookfield Zoo Chicago is hiring, and we’re excited to invite you to our Job Fair this Saturday, February 22, at the Zoo’s Discovery Center from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. This is your chance to explore exciting roles in food and beverage, retail, catering, custodial, admissions, attractions, and more! Plus, you can interview on the spot. As part of our team, you’ll enjoy amazing perks like free Zoo admission, flexible schedules, employee discounts, and plenty of career advancement opportunities. Don’t miss out—check out our open positions and apply in advance here 👉 https://lnkd.in/gRa9VZvY.