Page 32 - Bookfield Zoo Chicago Annual Report 2024

BROWN BEAR Cubs

In November, Brookfield Zoo charismatic North American
Chicago welcomed two approxi- icons grow up. When fully grown,
WHITE-BELLIED
mately 10-month-old Alaskan coastal Tim will be nearly twice as heavy PANGOLIN
brown bears. The cubs arrived at the as Jess—male adults can weigh Habitat Africa!
Zoo—their forever home—thanks 1,200 pounds or more.
to the collaborative efforts among
Coastal brown bears have access
Brookfield Zoo Chicago, Alaska
to coastal food sources such as fish.
Zoo, and the Alaska Department of ANIMAL MEALS SERVED LAST YEAR
Brown bears in North America that
Fish and Game (ADF&G). After the
live further inland are considered MEAT 46,500 POUNDS
orphaned cubs were retrieved from FISH 162,400 POUNDS
a subspecies called grizzlies and
the wild, Zoo officials were contacted HAY 196,600 POUNDS
typically do not have access to fish PRODUCE 263,700 POUNDS
about providing the two siblings a
and other marine prey. EGGS 7,200
permanent home. EARTHWORMS 1,792
Approximately 30,000 brown bears CRICKETS 3,313,500
The young animals were temporarily
live in Alaska, where they face threats
housed at Alaska Zoo, while logistics
of habitat loss and are increasingly
were finalized for transporting them
coming into conflict with humans.
to Chicago. Then, on November 3, Another PANGOLIN BIRTH
The bears are attracted to garbage
animal care specialists from Brook-
and food left out for pets and wildlife
field Zoo Chicago accompanied the
in populated areas, which can lead A pangolin was born at Brookfield The pangolin came into the world
approximately 200-pound cubs on
to their lethal removal. The support Zoo Chicago in 2023. The birth as a second, or F2 generation,
a flight to Chicago, thanks to the
of our guests, members, and donors follows two pangolin births in the meaning one or both of his
generosity of FedEx.
enables us to respond to animals in previous year—more births of the parents were also born at Brookfield
Upon their arrival, the cubs, named crisis and provide them with a forever species than at any other institution. Zoo Chicago. He has been weaned
Tim and Jess, received physical ex- home and a chance to live a full and Pangolins are notoriously difficult from his mother and is thriving.
aminations before making their debut healthy life. to breed. These births are a tremendous
at Great Bear Wilderness. Guests validation of the quality of care we
Brookfield Zoo Chicago has the
can now enjoy watching these provide this species and raises
largest founder population of
hopes that a thriving population of
white-bellied pangolins outside of
pangolins under human care can
West Africa and a very successful
be established to help conservation
breeding program. This species of
efforts for animals in the wild.
pangolin is endangered and their
numbers continue to decline.
Pangolins are the most heavily traf-
ficked mammals in the world, mostly
because people mistakenly believe
their scales have medicinal value.
28 BROWN BEARS BROOKFIELD ZOO CHICAGO
Great Bear Wilderness