Milestones

Brookfield Zoo History  

Since the opening of Brookfield Zoo in 1934, the Chicago Zoological Society has had an international reputation for taking a cutting-edge role in animal care and conservation of the natural world. Among its historical firsts are indoor multispecies exhibits, zoo nutrition residencies, methods for animal husbandry, and medical care that includes successful brain surgery for a gorilla.

Read "Brookfield Zoo 80th Anniversary"  View Historical Photos

Read below the Society's highlights per decade since Brookfield Zoo opened on July 1, 1934.

1930s-1940s

1934
On July 1, Brookfield Zoo, buildings designs by Edwin H. Clark, architect opens to the public.
Cookie Cockatoo arrives. He remained the oldest animal resident living at the zoo until passing away in 2016. A bench overlooking Formal Pond is dedicated to him.

Mei-Lan-Panda2_250x165.jpg1937
Su-lin becomes the first panda in a U.S. zoo and is a sensation. A year later, pandas Mei-mei and Mei-lan arrive at Brookfield Zoo.

1941
Georgie-Joe is the first black rhino born in a zoo. Today, conservation of endangered species like black rhinos is a hallmark of the Society.

1943
The Society offers to sell animals to private citizens to raise money due to low attendance during war years. Today, zoos must follow strict rules governing animal exchanges.

1948
The zoo acquires Kamala Rani and Kashi Ram, two rare Indian rhinos, in the wild.

1950s

1952
The first animal hospital opens. At the time, Brookfield Zoo is only the third zoo in the country with a dedicated hospital.

Children's Zoo1953
Children’s Zoo opens, beginning decades of connections between Chicagoland children and domestic native animals.

1954
Roosevelt Fountain is created to honor President Theodore Roosevelt for his conservation efforts.

1957
Wolf Woods is carved out of the forested area in the western part of the zoo. Staff soon undertake groundbreaking studies on wolf behavior.

1959
Mr. G is the first okapi born in a U.S. zoo. These animals become another species studied by Society researchers.

1960s

1961
The original Seven Seas Panorama (located where The Living Coast now stands) opens as the country’s first inland dolphinarium.

Olga-Walrus_250x165.jpg1962
Olga Walrus arrives. With her playful antics and memorable personality, she inspires guests to care for marine mammals.

1966
The first Mold-A-Rama machine is installed.

1968
A diesel-switch train runs around the zoo.
1969
The sale of marshmallow is discontinued. The Society is now a leader in animal nutrition.

1970s

1971
The Volunteer League is created. Volunteers currently give countless hours to the zoo each year.

1973
Work begins on Tropic World. The exhibit’s three sections open in 1982, 1983, and 1984.

1974
The first Boo! at the Zoo is held.

1977
The Parents Program (now Share the Care program) begins. This valuable support contributes directly to the expert care and feeding of our animals.

1979
Affie Elephant arrives. As a beloved ambassador for the wild, she inspires generations of Chicagoans to learn about conservation issues around the world.
 

1980s

1980
Samson Gorilla arrives. He sires five offspring, adding important genetic diversity to zoo gorilla populations. A statue commemorating this popular primate now stands at the entrance to Tropic World.

1982
The first Holiday Magic is held and soon becomes an annual tradition with Chicagoland families.

1984
The zoo celebrates its 50th anniversary with concerts by the Osmond Family, the Beach Boys, Jonny Cash, and others.

1985
The Society further solidifies its conservation efforts by establishing a Conservation Biology Department staffed by world-renowned scientists and researchers.

1987
The new Seven Seas Panorama opens and becomes as popular as the original exhibit.

1990s

1990
The Society helps found the Declining Amphibian Populations Task Force to help save amphibians around the world.

1992
A specialist in animal enrichment is hired, part of Society efforts to provide the best care possible for the animals.

1993
A new animal hospital opens, enhancing animal care efforts and making the Society a leader in zoological medicine.

Golden lion tamarins live outdoors to train them for reintroduction to South American rain forests.

1995
Brown bear cubs Jim and Axhi were rescued by the Society on Admiralty Island, Alaska.

1996
The Society becomes a founding member of Chicago Wilderness, a leading group that restores and protects hundreds of acres of wild areas in Chicagoland.

Binti Jua Gorilla rescues a boy who falls into the Tropic World exhibit.

2000s
  • 2000
    The Society helps launch a new discipline called conservation psychology, which is the scientific study of the relationship between people and nature.

    2001
    Hamill Family Play Zoo opens.

    2006
    The Center for Conservation Leadership is launched, focusing the Society’s efforts on creating conservation leaders, protecting the natural world, and outreach and education around Chicago.
     
    The largest modern, handcarved wooden carousel in the world makes its debut.

    2008
    The Center for the Science of Animal Welfare opens. It is initiated to help the Society become world experts in the scientific care of animals.

    2009
    The Dinosaurs Alive! seasonal exhibit opens. It features the Ruyang Yellow River dinosaur, the largest animatronic dinosaur in the world.

    Great Bear Wilderness2010
    Great Bear Wilderness opens.

    2012
    The Xtreme Bugs exhibit opens.

    2013
    The Dinosaurs made a comeback to the zoo.

    The Ann McLean Conservation Center opens.

    2014
    CZS launches the first Holistic Welfare Management program.

    2015
    Hamill Family Wild Encounters and Bramsen Animal Ambassador Pavilion open.

    2016
    Brookfield Zoo is first U.S. zoo to earn American Humane Certified seal.

    Eight African white-bellied tree pangolins are successfully brought to the zoo. CZS is a founding member of the Pangolin Consortium, a partnership among seven zoological facilities committed to global pangolin conservation.

    2017
    CZS holds first International Symposium on Pangolin Husbandry and Conservation.

    2018
    Brookfield Zoo opens a sensory-friendly family room and resource center.

    2019
    Hamill Family Nature Plaza opens.

    King Conservation Leadership Academy is founded.

    2020
    CZS researchers complete the largest multi-institutional study of cetaceans.

    Endangered Blanding's turtles hatched at the zoo are released into the wild.

 

Member of Chicago Collections

80th Anniversary

80th Anniversary

Brookfield Zoo has been at the forefront of animal care and conservation since opening its doors in 1934.

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Center for Animal Welfare

Read about our innovative practices in animal welfare to ensure the ultimate care of our individual animals.

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Conservation Leadership

We place a high priority on developing and supporting conservation leaders of all ages and backgrounds.

Adopt an Animal

Community Impact

We partner with various communities in helping people appreciate and learn about the roles they play in conservation.