News Release
 
July 6, 2022                                 
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
 
Arrest Made in Connection with Threat to Brookfield Zoo
 

Brookfield, Ill. – Today, July 6, an arrest was made in connection to a threat made to Brookfield Zoo on July 5. The suspect, was located at her home in Chicago and voluntarily agreed to be escorted to the Brookfield Police Department for further questioning.

Investigators confirmed the suspect was never at Brookfield Zoo, or in any of the surrounding communities. Investigators communicated with the Assistant States Attorney’s Office, and the individual was charged with one count of disorderly conduct, with additional charges to possibly follow. Due to the nature of her actions, she was also evaluated by a crisis worker and sent to an area hospital for possible further mental health treatment.

“We are thankful that this unfortunate situation has been quickly resolved, an arrest has been made, and there is no longer any threat to Brookfield Zoo. We want to thank again our neighboring jurisdictions that quickly responded to the incident last evening and assisted the Brookfield Zoo Police Department in ensuring that all our guests, staff, and animals were safe,” said Chief Mike Pendola, chief of police for the Chicago Zoological Society, which manages Brookfield Zoo.

On the afternoon of July 5 at approximately 5:15 p.m., West Central Dispatch received a call from a crisis intervention line from a caller stating she was going to harm guests at Brookfield Zoo. The call was sent to Brookfield and Riverside police departments, who responded immediately. At around 7:30 p.m., an all-clear was given and guests and staff were able to leave the park.

 
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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.
 
 

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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