Page 3 - Impact Report 2017

CZS Firsts
E ighty-four years ago, the Chicago Zoological Society opened the gates
to Brookfield Zoo, a place where people could see and learn about
animals they might never encounter otherwise.

Over the years, we developed as a center for conservation world’s most pioneering training facilities for educators and
science where humans could further connect with animals veterinarians, and we are leading the field in serving visitors
and the natural world and become inspired to champion of all abilities.
environmental protection.
With a legacy as long and far-reaching as ours, it’s no
Today, we reach out into Chicago-area neighborhoods wonder we’ve achieved so many firsts.
with nature-inspired programming, we are one of the

1937 1941 1959 1961 1975

Became the first U.S. zoo Became the first zoo outside
to successfully welcome Australia to successfully
the live birth of a black breed southern hairy-nosed
rhino (Georgie-Joe). wombats.

Opened the first inland Dolphinarium 1982

Exhibited the first giant Became the first U.S. zoo in the United States. 1986 Opened the first
panda in North America immersive rain forest
(Su-Lin). to successfully have a live exhibit, TROPIC WORLD.

990okapi birth (Mr. G.). 1

1994 Dr. Robert Lacy developed VORTEX,
the first software program used to
2001 Brookfield Zoo veterinarians cooperatively manage zoo breeding
and neurosurgeons from programs around the world.
Loyola Medical Center Brookfield Zoo veterinarians
performed the first-ever VORTEX is now part of the free performed the first bilateral
brain surgery on a great Species Conservation Toolkit hip replacement surgery for
ape, removing a tumor from Initiative, a group of software a gorilla (Beta, a female
Chicory, a silverback western programs used to help secure the western lowland gorilla).
lowland gorilla. future of wildlife species in a
changing world.
Opened HAMILL FAMILY PLAY ZOO—
the first exhibit based on nature play for
children ages birth-10 and their families.

2002 2005 2016 2017

Hosted the first conference Brookfield Zoo veterinarians, along Became the first zoo in the world to receive Celebrated the first graduating class of
on conservation psychology, with doctors from Adventist La Grange the “Humane Certified™” seal from the Project SEARCH interns. Project SEARCH
the study of how people Memorial Hospital, completed the first American Humane Association. helps individuals with disabilities prepare
connect to animals and successful uterine fibroid embolization to join the workforce, and as part of our
nature, which was (UFE) procedure on Beta, the female Launched the world’s first zoo-based Radiology expanding “A Zoo for All” initiative, we
pioneered here. western lowland gorilla who also Consultation Service under the direction of were the first organization in Illinois to
received the hip replacement in 1986. Dr. Marina Ivančić, the first and only full-time work with Project SEARCH interns ages
radiologist at any zoo or aquarium. 24 and older.

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