There are many places to spend quality time in nature in Chicago. One of them is Brookfield Zoo or the Chicago Zoological Park. It is unique because cages were abandoned here for the first time in the USA. The animals are kept free roaming according to chicagoname.com.
Building of a zoo
This story goes back to 1919. Then, Edith Rockefeller McCormick’s father gave her 83 acres of land for her wedding. She soon transferred it to the Cook County Forest Preserve District for the construction of a huge and modern zoo. Following this case, Brookfield County has made 98 more acres available for construction. In 1921, influential locals supported this idea and created the Chicago Zoological Society. In 1922, the first stone was laid. However, the construction started only in 1929, when a tax was established for the future zoo.
The Great Depression followed and work had to be stopped. The construction resumed at the end of 1931. Brookfield Zoo was opened in the summer of 1934. As expected, there were numerous visitors. Over 1 million people came to the zoo from July to September. They traveled from all over the Midwest to see the animals. The most famous resident was the elephant Ziggy, whose weight was 6 tons. He was locked up for almost 13 years after he attacked a zookeeper. In 1975, Ziggy fell into a pit and died. The second famous animal that attracted the audience was Olga the walrus. Children and adults watched her performances with great pleasure. A large bronze monument was created in her honor.
The development of the zoo was interrupted by the Second World War. However, a new story of Brookfield Zoo began afterward. The territory was expanded and the collection was replenished with new animals. In addition, a veterinary hospital, a children’s zoo and a famous fountain were built on the huge area. The management used all possible methods to make the zoo well-known all over the world. Despite this, a crisis began in 1960. Only in 1976, Brookfield Zoo recovered and became one of the best in the country.
Modern Brookfield Zoo
Brookfield Zoo has a good collection of exotic animals that gives an insight into the animal world of Africa, Asia and South America. More than 450 species of reptiles and birds live on the territory of 87 hectares.
An indoor dolphinarium has been operating here since 1960. Visitors’ attention is also drawn to the section dedicated to the tropics. It is a closed pavilion with an artificial microclimate of humid forests, home to primates and birds.
One of the most popular residents of the zoo is the gorilla Binti Jua. She saved the life of a little boy who carelessly fell into an enclosure with gorillas. Binti took the baby in her arms and brought him to the zoo workers.
In 2019, the zoo added a seven-foot, 16-year-old albino crocodile to its collection. Snowflake is one of only 100 albino alligators in the world. The chances of survival in the wild for them are very small since they cannot hide in rivers and lakes. Snowflake was placed in a unique artificial biosystem called The Swamp.
The proper conditions have been created for animals that regularly produce offspring at Brookfield Zoo. A vivid example of this happened in 2023. The catshark successfully conceived and gave birth to a healthy baby without the male. The same year, a Mendes antelope was born in the zoo in front of visitors. This species is listed in the Red Book.
Brookfield Zoo continues to actively develop, caring not only for its residents but also for the environment.
