Page 28 - Gateways_Winter_2024-25

Next Century continued

Next Century Plan Highlights

• Nearly half of the Forest Preserves of Cook County land the larger than the Zoo’s former elephant habitat, making it one
Zoo occupies—113 of our 235 total acres—will be of the largest and most dynamic elephant habitats in the U.S.
transformed. A deep westward expansion will blend new • From streamlined ticketing to modern amenities, every aspect
immersive environments into the existing rich forest canopy. of the Zoo visit is being reimagined for guests’ comfort,
• Individual yards that house one or two animals, or animals convenience, and enrichment.
of a single species, will be supplanted by 14 spacious mixed- • The Zoo’s role as a leader in groundbreaking research on
species environments that reflect the landscapes and ecology wildlife and ecosystems here and around the world will be
of some of the most biodiverse regions of the world. supported with new investments and programs. Guests will
Compatible species will share space and allow guests to see the have more opportunities to learn and participate.
animals display natural behaviors in naturalistic habitats. • Eco-friendly practices will be integrated into the Zoo’s
• Dynamic and flexible environments will physically and infrastructure, operations, and programs to minimize its
mentally stimulate animals. A half-mile-long transfer corridor, environmental footprint, enhance climate resiliency, and
a new innovation in zoo design, will link African ecoregions promote a sustainable future. Details will be unveiled next
and habitats, allowing the free movement of animals between year in the Zoo’s Strategic Framework for Conservation.
them. As animals exercise choices, guests will have ever- • The campus plan, which you will read about on the following
changing animal viewing opportunities. pages, reorganizes the Zoo into four zones: Immersive
• New species are coming to Brookfield Zoo Chicago, including Ecoregions, Wildlife Discovery, Historical Core,
African elephants! Their new 12.5-acre habitat will be 20 times and Conservation Campus.

Brookfield Zoo Chicago Campus Plan

North Arrival Experience & Pedestrian Overpass
Southwest Australian Provinces
East African Forests
Savannah Passage African Savannah
Pacific Coasts of the Americas
31st Street
North Gate Desert’s Edge
Parking Lot
South African
Discovery Clouded Leopard
Forest
Center Rainforest
Carousel
Our Rivers
to the Gulf
Seven

Himalayas & Swan Lake Seas S. 1st Ave
Central Asian Amphitheatre
Central African Forest
Steppe
Tundra/ Taiga Roosevelt Ferris Wheel
Fountain
New Salt Creek Salt Creek
Restaurant Zipline
Tropical Forests Location
The
Swamp
North American
Grassland Hamill
South Gate
Family Wild
Parking Lot
Encounters
Expansion
Hamill Family
South American Atlantic Forest & Pantanal Conservation Campus Parking Lot Play Zoo
Feathers and Scales
North American Woodlands
Amazon Waters South American Andean Lagoons
Facilities & Legend
Operations Hub

New or Renovated Building Southwest Australian Provinces Central African Forest North American Woodlands Tropical Forests

Existing Building to Remain African Savannah Himalayas & Central Asian Steppe South American Atlantic Forest & Pantanal Hamill Family Wild Encounters
Garden/Landscape East African Forest North American Grassland Amazon Waters Pacific Coasts of the Americas
Conservation Campus South Aftrican Forest Tundra-Taiga South American Andean Lagoon Our Rivers to the Gulf
|
A
T
E
24
24 GATEWAYS | NEXT CENTURY PLAN
G
CENTUR
T
PLAN
Y
A
W
NEX
YS