News Release

January 6, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

NOTE: Images of the Mexican gray wolves at Brookfield Zoo may be downloaded at www.CZS.org/pressroom.

Brookfield Zoo Offers Free Admission on Select Days in January and February
Winter Is a Great Time to Visit Zoo

      Brookfield, Ill.—Winter is a great time to head to Brookfield Zoo. In January and February, admission is free on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Plus it is a wonderful opportunity to see animals such as the new Mexican gray wolf pack that like the colder temperatures, and to enjoy a variety of special events for the entire family.

“During these economically troubled times, we are pleased to offer families the opportunity to come to the zoo for free. The winter is an exciting time to visit the zoo because you can spend some time getting to know cold-weather animals—and then step inside a tropical exhibit to warm up,” said Stuart Strahl, president and CEO of the Chicago Zoological Society, which manages the zoo.
Many of the zoo’s animals, including bears, camels, Amur tigers, snow leopards, bison—and the new pack of 2-year-old Mexican gray wolves—enjoy colder temperatures.

The eight wolf siblings arrived at the zoo late last fall from The Endangered Wolf Center in Eureka, Missouri, based on a recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Mexican Gray Wolf Species Survival Plan (SSP), which is co-managed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the Mexican Technical Advisory Subcommittee for the Conservation of Mexican Wolves. An SSP is a cooperative population management and conservation program for a species. It was also recommended that the two male wolves most recently exhibited at the zoo’s Regenstein Wolf Woods be transferred to the center in Missouri, where they will continue to assist the Mexican Gray Wolf SSP by providing semen donations for cryopreservation.

Currently, the five female sisters—Rubina, Ernesta, Nancia, Celrue, and Francea—can be seen on exhibit. Once breeding season is over in April, their brothers, Felipe, Redford, and Sancho, currently in an adjacent off-exhibit space, will join them in the main habitat. Additionally, Brookfield Zoo is gearing up for its winter events. On February 2, guests can discover whether or not spring will arrive early this year at the annual Groundhog Day celebration. Resident furry meteorologist Tumbleweed will be coaxed from her digs with a nutritious sweet potato cake at 10:30 a.m.

Outdoor enthusiasts can head to Brookfield Zoo on February 20 for FREEze Day from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The event features free winter activities, including dog sledding demonstrations by members of the Green Valley Dog Drivers organization and their four-legged friends. After enjoying the outdoors, guests can warm up in Discovery Center for a 3:00 p.m. matinee performance by the talented musicians of Chicago Sinfonietta. The concert, “Fragrances of Land, Sea, and Air,” will feature selections by Holst, Handel, Saint, and Saens.

Before winter comes to a close, pig lovers of all ages can join in the s-pig-tacular National Pig Day celebration on March 5. The celebration features the best pig porkformance in town by the zoo’s Guinea hogs, plus a parade, and fun pig-themed activities.

In addition to free general admission to Brookfield Zoo on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, admission is free to the Children’s Zoo and Hamill Family Play Zoo every day through February. For further information, visit www.CZS.org/events. Offering free admission days and free admission to popular attractions is one of the ways the Chicago Zoological Society is supporting the Chicagoland community during the current economic downturn. In 2010, CZS increased its efforts to make the zoo more accessible through outreach to local community-based organizations and collaborations with public and private partners.
The Chicago Zoological Society, which manages Brookfield Zoo, inspires conservation leadership by connecting people with wildlife and nature. Open every day of the year, Brookfield Zoo is located off First Avenue 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.

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