Page 15 - Bookfield Zoo Chicago Annual Report 2024

Outdoor Photo Gallery Unveiled

The Zoo, along with our partner marine species found there, including
institutions, has worked tirelessly to endangered Humboldt penguins,
protect and preserve the delicate Peruvian fur seals, South American
ecosystems of Punta San Juan, sea lions, and a variety of seabirds
a marine protected area in Peru. and underwater life.
The unveiling of the Punta San Juan
Sambra’s work was also compiled
outdoor photo gallery celebrates
into a captivating coffee-table book,
a conservation success story and
available for purchase at Brookfield
marks another significant step in our
Zoo Chicago’s gift shops. Dr. Michael
ongoing commitment to environmen-
J. Adkesson, president & CEO of
tal education and conservation.
Brookfield Zoo Chicago, had the priv-
Beginning last fall, 32 stunning pho- ilege of writing the book’s forward.
tographs have decorated the exterior With a background in zoo and wildlife
wall of The Living Coast. They convey veterinary medicine, Adkesson has
the intricate balance of life in Punta worked with colleagues from around
San Juan. The artist, Bernardo Sam- the world to lead programs aimed at
bra, is a renowned Peruvian photog- evaluating the health of wildlife popu-
rapher who skillfully captured the lations at Punta San Juan.
beauty and significance of the many BZC Partnered with the
Chicago Botanic Garden

Zoo guests will be wowed by the chosen for their beauty, functionality,
transformation of the landscape and suitability as habitat and suste-
beds surrounding Roosevelt Fountain. nance for pollinators.
Brookfield Zoo Chicago partnered
The new design also incorporates
with horticultural experts at the
12 dramatic sculptures depicting the
Chicago Botanic Garden on the
heads of some of the most endan-
initial design plan. Christy Weber
gered animals in the world, many of
Landscapes skillfully executed that
which are found at Brookfield Zoo
plan, acquiring and installing the
Chicago. The group of bronze
plant materials.
sculptures, entitled “Faces of the
Last fall, the beds were planted with Wild,” was unveiled last fall. They are
15 varieties of perennial plants such the work of world-renowned public
as Dark Towers, Bobo, Smokebush, artists Gillie and Marc Schattner, who
Pink Dawn, Purple Smoke, and Daisy also created the King Nyani sculpture
Duke Shasta Daisy. The plants were at the North Gate entrance.

ANNUAL REPORT 2023 11