News Release

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

January 28, 2019

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Brookfield Zoo Plans to Close January 30 and 31 due to Weather

Photo: Hudson Polar Bear at Brookfield Zoo

     Brookfield, Ill. – In anticipation of the weekly weather forecast predicting the coldest temperatures in decades the Chicago Zoological Society made the decision to close Brookfield Zoo on Wednesday and Thursday, January 30 and 31.

“To ensure the safety of our animals and staff, the zoo will only have a skeleton crew on site who will provide basic core functions, including animal care and to check on the facilities,” said Stuart Strahl, president and CEO of the Chicago Zoological Society.

This marks only the fourth time in the zoo’s 85-year history that Brookfield Zoo has closed. Other dates included February 2, 2011 due to a snowstorm and September 14, 2008 and April 18, 2013 because of significant flooding.

The zoo will reopen to guests on Friday, February 1.

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About the Chicago Zoological Society

The mission of the Chicago Zoological Society is to inspire conservation leadership by connecting people with 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. Open every day of the year, the zoo is located at 8400 31st Street in Brookfield, Illinois, 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. For further information, visit CZS.org.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Sondra Katzen
Media Relations Manager
Office: 708-688-8351
Cell Phone: 708-903-2071
E-mail: Sondra.Katzen@CZS.org

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