News Release

January 19, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

NOTE: Images of Tumbleweed during last year’s Groundhog Day celebration may be downloaded at www.CZS.org/pressroom.

Celebrate Groundhog Day at Brookfield Zoo
Find Out If Spring Is Just Around the Corner

     Brookfield, Ill.—It is that time of year when most people are wishing for warmer weather. To find out if spring will arrive early, head to Brookfield Zoo on Wednesday, February 2, for the annual Groundhog Day celebration. During the 10:30 a.m. event, zoo guests can watch as zookeepers coax Children’s Zoo’s furry meteorologist, Tumbleweed, from her winter quarters with a nutritious sweet potato cake. Then zoo staff will lead guests in a rousing rendition of “Happy Groundhog Day.”

According to legend, if a groundhog sees its shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter; if it does not, spring is just around the corner. Since her forecasting debut in 2008, Tumbleweed has predicted an early spring each year.

After the weather prediction is announced, guests are invited to join in the Groundhog Day Parade led by the zoo’s woodchuck costumed character. The parade kicks off outside the Children’s Zoo entrance and concludes at Hamill Family Play Zoo, where youngsters can create groundhog shadow puppets to take home and participate in a wood chucking game.

While at the Play Zoo, guests can see some critters that inspired the inception of Groundhog Day in Europe. In the 18th century, hedgehogs—which are indigenous to Europe, where winters are typically milder than in North America’s Midwest—came out of hibernation in early February. Their appearance was a sign to farmers that it was time to begin spring planting. Since there are no hedgehogs native to the United States, the tradition was transferred to groundhogs. A special Zoo Chat about hedgehogs will be held at 11:30 a.m.

Normally at this time of year, when the air temperature is a consistent 50°F or below, groundhogs are hibernating. During this dormant state, a groundhog’s body temperature drops from 90°F to 38°F. It takes a breath about once every minute, and its heart slows to only four to six beats a minute. When the temperature begins to warm, it may take several hours for a groundhog to rouse from its slumber. If Tumbleweed is still hibernating, zookeepers will not disturb her as this could disrupt Tumbleweed’s metabolism.

On February 2, admission will be free for both Children’s Zoo and Hamill Family Play Zoo. Zoo admission is $13.50 for adults and $9.50 for children ages 3-11 and seniors 65 and older. Parking is $9.00. For further information, visit www.CZS.org/events or call (708) 688-8000.

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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