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Gorilla

Conservation

Center

In the Gorilla Conservation Center, guests and
gorillas can come face-to-face with each other.
“Folks can walk through and see gorillas on
the first level of the building,” said Skelton.
“The gorillas have an indoor dayroom space
that is behind the scenes and an indoor dayroom
space that is visible to guests.” When one gorilla
group occupies the dayroom visible to guests,
the other group will be in the behind-the-scenes
dayroom.
The generously sized dayrooms are outfitted
with climbing structures, a 3-foot-deep mulch
floor, trees, and vegetation. Large floor-to-ceiling
windows separate guests from the animals and
give guests intimate and unobstructed views into
the lives of the animals.
Behind the scenes, each gorilla has its own
bedroom space and access to transfer chutes that
link indoor and outdoor habitats. These spaces— Above: The building’s second floor offers breathtaking views of the gorillas in their outdoor
both indoor and outdoor—will be the gorillas’ habitat and indoor dayroom, and will be a base for the Zoo’s KCLA programs.
new home.
The space is intended to equip future conservation leaders
with skills to understand and help protect primate species from
Learning Hub threats in the wild. It will feature custom spaces for our King
Conservation Leadership Academy, including offices, classrooms,
On the floor above the Gorilla Conservation
Center will be cutting-edge facilities that will and a computer lab. Participants will have the opportunity
host engaging educational programs that foster to observe gorillas firsthand through large viewing windows and
a deeper understanding of wildlife conservation learn observational skills to monitor animal behavior and welfare.
and environmental stewardship. KCLA received AZA’s Community Engagement Award in 2020.
Established in 2019, the education initiative engages children of all
ages in nature and conservation, including children with limited
access to wildlife, nature, and quality science education. The second
floor also offers event spaces with unparalleled views and amenities
and a patio that overlooks the outdoor gorilla habitat.

BROOKFIELD ZOO CHICAGO | SPRING 2025