News Release
 
Contact: Sondra Katzen, Public Relations, 708.688.8351, sondra.katzen@czs.org
 
March 24, 2021
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
   

Brookfield, Ill. — Over the past year, zoos and aquariums around the country, including Brookfield Zoo, were forced to temporary close to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Now open with a limited capacity, the pandemic has had a dire financial impact on Brookfield Zoo with a significant loss of revenue. It costs about $41,000 a day to provide for the zoo’s more than 2,500 animals, including purchasing and preparing food, quality testing of food, daily habitat cleaning, training to assist in daily care, and veterinary care.

To help during these unprecedented times, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and Contemporary Productions are partnering for an all-star virtual benefit concert with some of country music’s biggest stars to help raise funds for accredited zoos and aquariums. The streamed concert, takes place on Wednesday, March 31, at 7:00 p.m. CT, and will feature performances by Brad Paisley, Old Dominion, Ashley McBryde, Wynonna, Riley Green, Jessie James Decker, and Shy Carter. The event’s emcee is Cody Alan, host of Country Music Television’s Hot 20 Countdown and of iHeartRadio’s CMT After Midnite and CMT Radio Live. The performances were shot on location at Nashville Zoo, Grassmere, and the Steel Mill studios in Nashville, Tenn.

For a $30 contribution—half of which directly benefits the Chicago Zoological Society/Brookfield Zoo—viewers will be able to enjoy from anywhere this one-time exclusive star-filled event while helping the zoo. During the show, viewers will also have the opportunity to make additional donations in real-time, with proceeds directly benefiting Brookfield Zoo.

For additional information and to purchase tickets via the link that will directly benefit Brookfield Zoo, go to CZS.org/AllTogetherForAnimals.
 

 
About the Chicago Zoological Society
The mission of the Chicago Zoological Society is to inspire conservation leadership by engaging people and communities 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. The 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.