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“Touring

the grounds
with my

Aunt Arnieta”

•K ELLI STICE

My most memorable experience at Brookfield Zoo was touring Of course, our favorite animal to visit was her namesake,
the grounds with my Aunt Arnieta (known to her family as Arnieta the giraffe, named after my aunt for her 40-year
Aunt Nie). Since my late aunt was a volunteer at the Zoo for anniversary of being a volunteer. I was fortunate to be her
over 40 years, she had been a tour guide for me and my brother guest at the ceremony. When I was younger, my brother
since we were little. Aunt Nie would walk us around the Zoo and I attended the kids’ camps and also got behind-the-scenes
pointing out the different animals—each by name—and what tours with my aunt.
made the animals unique. She would share her stories of being As a member, I now bring my kids to Brookfield Zoo.
a volunteer and how she used her knowledge to answer I carry with me the experiences I had with Aunt Nie,
guests’ questions. plus we’re making new memories as a family!

“The capybaras are my first
stop when I visit the Zoo.”

•AUDR EY MCA DA MS

When my 48-year-old daughter was growing up, we read
books every night before bed. One of her favorite books was
about a capybara, the largest rodent in the world. We took it
out of the library constantly. She loved the story about how this
capybara lived with a family in their home. It stayed in a closet.
His favorite treat was rose petals. Since we couldn’t have
a capybara, we had guinea pigs.
In my travels to other zoos, I have seen capybaras.
I suggested bringing them here when I answered a Zoo
questionnaire many years ago. My experiences at Brookfield
Zoo have been heightened since the capybaras arrived.
Thank you so much!
We first visited Brookfield’s capybaras during the winter.
What a comforting animal. I like their gentle nature. I can’t
wait for them to have babies.
The capybaras are my first stop when I visit the Zoo. I also
like to visit with the tapirs. We have seen a few watermelon tapir
babies here at Brookfield.

BROOKFIELD ZOO | SPRING 2024 31