Brookfield Zoo Chicago - Connect. Care. Conserve.

News Release

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

April 13, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NOTE: Scroll to end of press release to download photos.

New Gorilla Trek Virtual Reality Experience at Brookfield Zoo
Immerses Riders amongst a Family of Mountain Gorillas

Brookfield, Ill. — Brookfield Zoo guests can now venture into the lush forests of Rwanda, Africa, without leaving the park. Gorilla Trek, a new virtual reality (VR) experience, will take zoogoers on an amazing journey to see a family of critically endangered mountain gorillas, a subspecies of the eastern gorilla.

The approximately seven-minute adventure, led by Dr. Tara Stoinski, world-renowned primatologist and executive director/CEO of Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, takes participants through the dense and unforgiving Volcanoes National Park, where elevations are 8,000 to 13,000 feet high. There, deep in the forest riders will encounter frolicking baby gorillas playing under their mother’s watchful eyes, an adult male, known as a silverback, protecting his family, while subordinate males vie for leadership. In addition to seeming like you can reach out and touch these magnificent creatures, the adventure also conveys a conservation message of why it’s important to care about them and the natural world.

Developed by Immotion, the global leader in immersive edutainment, Gorilla Trek is an amazing 360-degree VR live-action film. The beautifully shot HD footage viewed through personal headsets with high-tech motion seats and immersive sound, truly transports guests to breathtaking heights in the Virunga Mountains.

Located on the southwest side of Brookfield Zoo, Gorilla Trek costs $8 ($6 for zoo members). Riders must be at least 40 inches tall.

After experiencing, Gorilla Trek, guests can visit the Zoo’s Tropic World: Africa habitat, home to a family of western lowland gorillas.

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Photo Captions
02 and 05: Brookfield Zoo’s Gorilla Trek, a new virtual reality experience, takes zoogoers on an amazing adventure to see a family of critically endangered mountain gorillas in Rwanda. (credit: Cathy Bazzoni/CZS-Brookfield Zoo)

20, 72, and 84: Brookfield Zoo guests experiencing Gorilla Trek, a new virtual reality experience that features a family of mountain gorillas. The beautifully shot HD footage viewed through personal headsets with high-tech motion seats and immersive sound, truly transports guests to breathtaking heights in the Virunga Mountains. (credit: Cathy Bazzoni/CZS-Brookfield Zoo)

1, 2, 3, and 4: Gorilla Trek, a new virtual reality experience at Brookfield Zoo, takes guests on a journey to see mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park in Africa. In addition to seeming like you can reach out and touch these magnificent creatures, the adventure also conveys a conservation message of why it’s important to care about them and the natural world. (credit: Immotion)

About the Chicago Zoological Society
The mission of the Chicago Zoological Society is to inspire conservation leadership by connecting people to wildlife and nature. The Chicago Zoological Society is a private nonprofit organization that operates Brookfield Zoo on land owned by the Forest Preserves of Cook County. The Society is known throughout the world for its international role in animal population management and wildlife conservation. Its Center for the Science of Animal Care and Welfare is at the forefront of animal care that strives to discover and implement innovative approaches to zoo animal management. Brookfield Zoo is the first zoo in the world to be awarded the Humane Certified™ certification mark for the care and welfare of its animals, meeting American Humane Association’s rigorous certification standards. The Zoo is also accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums, and the International Marine Animal Trainers’ Association. Brookfield Zoo is located at 8400 31st Street in Brookfield, Illinois, between the Stevenson (I-55) and Eisenhower (I-290) expressways and also is accessible via the Tri-State Tollway (I-294), Metra commuter line, and CTA and PACE bus service. For further information, visit CZS.org.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Sondra Katzen
Director of Public Relations
Office: 708-688-8351
Cell Phone: 708-903-2071
E-mail: Sondra.Katzen@CZS.org

About CZS

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