Page 9 - Brookfield Zoo Chicago Annual_Report_2024

GREATER PRAIRIE
CHICKEN

SANDHILL
CRANE

North American Prairie Aviary facing native bird species. While Seven Seas Refresh Theodore Roosevelt Memorial
observing these birds, Zoogoers can Fountain Updates
A new North American Prairie Aviary, The $10 million renovation of the
gain insight into the threats of habitat
home to sandhill cranes, greater Zoo’s Seven Seas dolphin habitat The Zoo completed its transforma-
loss and population decline, inspiring
prairie chickens, and cattle egrets, included the addition of dynamic tion of the Theodore Roosevelt
dialogue and fostering a sense
opened at Brookfield Zoo Chicago elements to enrich the dolphins’ Memorial Fountain, which included
of stewardship.
in the summer of 2024. Located on daily lives and encourage natural new landscaping and new bronze
the north side of the Hamill Family Hamill Family Nature Plaza behaviors, such as searching for sculptures. Plants were chosen
Nature Plaza, the approximately Turtle Habitat food, playing, utilizing echolocation for their beauty, functionality,
3,000-square-foot habitat was abilities, chasing objects, and and suitability as habitat and
This spring, we opened a new
designed to accommodate the interacting with each other. Other sustenance for pollinators. The new
outdoor habitat in the Hamill Family
unique needs of its inhabitants. improvements include a new roof, sculptures, entitled “Faces of the
Nature Plaza for several species of
A shallow pool in the Aviary entices a heating and cooling system for Wild,” depict the heads of some of
terrestrial and aquatic turtles that are
the four-foot-tall cranes to display a better temperature-controlled the most endangered animals in the
native to the region, including
their beak-probing behavior. climate in the building year-round, world, many of which are found at
Blanding’s turtles, ornate box turtles,
The lush vegetation provides for a high-quality ventilation system Brookfield Zoo Chicago. They are
midland painted turtles, spotted
prairie chicken foraging and nesting. that improves airflow for both the the work of world-renowned public
turtles, and common musk turtles. animals and guests, new pool
As populations of the greater prairie We work with the Forest Preserves artists Gillie and Marc Schattner,
linings, replacement of fluorescent who also created the King Nyani
chicken are decreasing and the of Cook County, DuPage County, lighting with energy efficient
Mississippi subspecies of sandhill State of Illinois, University of Illinois sculpture at the North Gate entrance.
LED lighting, and the creation
crane faces extinction, this space and several other partners to support of accessible seating areas for
and its inhabitants bring awareness conservation of these species locally.
people who use wheelchairs during
to the conservation challenges
presentations. The Underwater
Viewing Gallery also received
a refresh, including new signage
and lighting projections.
ANNUAL REPORT 2024 5