News Release

January 21, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact : Sondra Katzen
Public Relations
708.688.8351
sondra.katzen@czs.org

NOTE: Images of Brookfield Zoo’s grizzly bears crushing a cheesehead hat and football with Green Bay Packers’ logo may be downloaded at www.CZS.org/pressroom.

Brookfield Zoo’s Grizzly Bears Get Into Football Spirit

      Brookfield, Ill.—Today, Brookfield Zoo’s 16-year-old grizzly bears, Axhi and Jim, demonstrated which team they are favoring in this Sunday’s NFC Championship game between the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers. The zoo’s staff made a paper-mâché cheesehead hat and football sporting the Packers’ logo. Each item was filled with some of the bears’ favorite foods—meat and vegetables. As soon as they were let out into their yard, the more than 900-pound grizzlies crushed the cheesehead hat and football within minutes.

The Chicago Zoological Society, which manages Brookfield Zoo, inspires conservation leadership by connecting people with wildlife and nature. Open every day of the year, Brookfield Zoo is located off First Avenue between the Stevenson (I-55) and Eisenhower (I-290) expressways and is also accessible via the Tri-State Tollway (I-294), Metra commuter line, CTA, and PACE bus service.

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