News Release

September 16, 2014
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Note: Images for any of the events listed are available by calling the Chicago Zoological Society’s Public Relations Department at (708) 688-8351 or emailing sondra.katzen@czs.org.
 

Brookfield Zoo’s 2014 Fall/Winter Calendar of Events

                  
Zoo Run Run for the Animal Care and Conservation Fund
September 21 (Sunday)
Each year, more species lose their race for survival and disappear from the wild. Help endangered species while enjoying the animals at Brookfield Zoo during its Zoo Run Run for the Animal Care and Conservation Fund. The 5K run/walk route, set entirely inside the zoo, will take you past animal exhibits, including Great Bear Wilderness, Habitat Africa!, and Big Cats. Everyone is welcome to participate individually or form a team. The more you fundraise for the zoo’s Animal Care and Conservation Fund, the more prizes you win!  To register and for additional information, go to CZS.org/Events or call (708) 688-8000.
 
Conservation Leadership Awards Dinner
October 1 (Wednesday)
 The Women’s Board and the Board of Trustees of the Chicago Zoological Society created the Conservation Leadership Awards in 2005 to honor the lifelong legacy of animal welfare and the worldwide conservation leadership of George Rabb, Ph.D., president emeritus of the Society. Recognized for its significant impact on conservation efforts locally and around the globe, the Society, which manages Brookfield Zoo, will honor three recipients during its 2014 Conservation Leadership Awards dinner at the Four Seasons. Recipients are Dr. Iain Douglas-Hamilton, CEO and founder of Save the Elephants, who will receive the George B. Rabb Conservation Medal; local residents Sandy and Jerry Manne, who will be presented with the Corwith Hamill Lifetime Achievement Conservation Award; and Nicor Gas, An AGL Resources Company, which will be presented with the Edith Rockefeller McCormick Corporate Conservation Award. The special evening will benefit the Society’s conservation and education initiatives. Tickets are $500 per person; table sponsorships range from $5,000 to $50,000. For further information, including to make reservations, call (312) 553-2000 or visit www.pjhchicago.com.
 
Cat Awareness Weekend
October 4-5 (Saturday and Sunday)
Head to Brookfield Zoo for a purr-fect weekend and learn about the zoo’s cats, from big cats like African lions, Amur leopards, Amur tigers, and snow leopards to the small ones, including fishing cats and domestic house cats. There will be special Zoo Chats and cat-themed activities for cat lovers of all ages. For more information, call (708) 688-8000 or visit CZS.org/Events.
 
Lecture: “Living with Elephants: Conservation and Botswana”
October 7 (Tuesday)
As the founder of Elephants for Africa, Dr. Kate Evans has committed her life to the research and conservation of African elephants. Dr. Evans' work is dedicated to researching ways for humans and elephants to live together harmoniously and to conserve the species. You are invited to spend an evening at Brookfield Zoo listening to Dr. Evan's stories of these amazing pachyderms. The lecture, beginning at 7:30 p.m., is $16 and is followed by a wine and cheese reception. For more information, call (708) 688-8000 or visit CZS.org/Events.
 
Lecture: “Conserving the Grevy's Zebra in Kenya”
October 16 (Thursday)
Peter Lalampaa is the field director of the Grevy’s Zebra Trust working in northern Kenya with pastoral communities to address the decline of the endangered Grevy’s zebra. Lalampaa was brought up in a pastoral system in which he herded livestock before pursuing his career. Coming from Samburu, Kenya, he has a special affinity for the area and a desire to give back to his community and the land it depends on. This connection has strengthened his dedication to wildlife conservation as he recognizes that the future of pastoral livelihoods is also dependent on the same resources. During this intriguing lecture, discover how conserving wildlife and its habitat also will improve the livelihoods of Lalampaa’s people, creating a win-win situation. The lecture, which begins at 7:30 p.m., is $16 and is followed by a wine and cheese reception. For more information, call (708) 688-8000 or visit CZS.org/Events.
 
Wines in the Wild
October 18 (Saturday)
Sample exquisite wine and liquor from around the world, accompanied by hors d’oeuvres, at the Chicago Zoological Society’s Wines in the Wild fundraiser, hosted by the Women’s Board. The evening function, held in Brookfield Zoo’s Discovery Center from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., will also feature silent and live auctions. The cost is $100 per person, which includes the tasting, zoo admission, parking, and a commemorative wine glass. Additionally, there will be a VIP Hour from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. that will give wine enthusiasts the opportunity to sample exclusive wines not available during the main event and a chance to meet some of Brookfield Zoo’s animals, including a two-toed sloth and a wallaby. Choose from the $1,000 VIP Gorilla Package for six tickets, the $500 VIP Orangutan Package for two tickets, or the $275 VIP Chimpanzee Package for one ticket. Funds will benefit the Society’s animal programs, science education programs for children and teachers, community outreach events, annual scholarships, and local and international conservation programs. For further information, visit CZS.org/Wines or call (708) 688-8393
 
Boo! at the Zoo
October 18-19, October 25-26 (Saturdays and Sundays)
Little ghosts and goblins of all ages are sure to have a howlin’ good time at Brookfield Zoo’s annual Halloween celebration! The not-so-scary and fun-filled event has something for the entire family to enjoy, including a “Crazy Maize” corn maze, a professional pumpkin carver creating 1,000-pound jack-o’-lanterns, a haunted hayride*,  a costume parade and costume contest, special animal Zoo Chats, a chance to build a scarecrow*, a haunted carousel ride*, and more (* denotes that additional fees apply). For more information, call (708) 688-8000 or visit CZS.org/Events.
 
Lecture: “Vital Ground for Grizzlies”
November 4 (Tuesday)
Dr. Gary Wolfe has been the executive director of The Vital Ground Foundation since October 2004, and the Chicago Zoological Society enthusiastically supports his work. The Vital Ground Foundation (www.vitalground.org) works to ensure the recovery and long-term survival of grizzly bears—together with the many native species that share their range—through the protection and restoration of core habitats and landscape linkages. Join Dr. Wolfe for an informative presentation about this conservation organization at Brookfield Zoo’s Discovery Center. The lecture, beginning at 7:30 p.m., is $16 and is followed by a wine and cheese reception. For more information, call (708) 688-8000 or visit CZS.org/Events.
 
Community and Corporate Tree Trim
November 22-23 (Saturday and Sunday)
Community organizations and corporations can get in the holiday spirit and join in Brookfield Zoo’s Community and Corporate Tree Trim by helping decorate the zoo’s malls and around Roosevelt Fountain for the 33rd annual Holiday Magic. Make ornaments and head to the zoo between 10:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to decorate your tree. Each community group receives 20 complimentary general admission zoo passes, five complimentary parking passes, a fully LED-lit tree (no need to bring lights!), and a sign that displays the group’s name. Each tree costs $135. Corporate trees, which cost $500, include 30 complimentary general admission zoo passes, 10 complimentary parking passes, a fully LED-lit 10-foot tree, and a sign that displays the sponsor’s company logo. Additional zoo passes and parking passes for community organizations and corporations can be purchased in advance for $7 and $10, respectively. For more information, call (708) 688-8000 or visit CZS.org/Events.

Holiday Magic
December 6-7, December 13-14, December 20-21 (Saturdays and Sundays) and December 26-31 (Friday through Wednesday)
Enjoy a family tradition or start a new one at Brookfield Zoo’s Holiday Magic, Chicagoland’s largest lights festivals that features more than one million LED twinkling lights, singing to the animals, professional ice-carving demonstrations, magnificent light shows, and special visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Select animal exhibits will remain open, as will zoo restaurants and gift shops (where guests can find gifts for those hard-to-shop-for loved ones). Enjoy a full schedule of live entertainment, magic shows, a friendly 38-foot talking tree, costumed characters, a model train display, and more. For more information, call (708) 688-8000 or visit CZS.org/Events.
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Breakfast with Santa
December 6-7, 13-14, 20-21 (Saturdays and Sundays)
Enjoy a delicious all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet during Brookfield Zoo’s annual Breakfast with Santa. Youngsters will have the opportunity to share their wish lists with Santa and Mrs. Claus, who will be on hand along with some of the zoo’s costumed characters. The breakfast will be held in the zoo’s Discovery Center. Seatings are offered at 9:00 a.m. or 11:00 a.m. Seatings are limited and reservations are required. The cost, which includes admission to the zoo, is $40.95 for adults and $28.95 for children 3-11 (zoo members pay $29.95 and $21.95, respectively). Children 2 and under eat for free. For further information and to make reservations, visit CZS.org/Events or call (708) 688-8355.
 
Brunch with Santa
December 7, 14, and 21 (Sundays)
Bring the family, and your appetites, to Brookfield Zoo for its annual Brunch with Santa. Seatings for the extravagant all-you-can-eat brunch are offered at 11:00 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. Mr. and Mrs. Claus will be on hand to hear everyone’s wish list and pose for pictures. Also making an appearance will be some of the zoo’s costumed characters and some furry critters. Seatings are limited and reservations are required. The cost, which includes admission to the zoo, is $49.95 for adults and $35.95 for children 3-11 (zoo members pay $39.95 and $29.95, respectively). Children 2 and under eat for free. For further information, including the menu, and to make reservations, visit CZS.org/Events or call (708) 688-8355.
 
Zoo Year’s Eve
December 31 (Wednesday)
Everyone is invited to rock in the New Year at Brookfield Zoo’s Zoo Year’s Eve celebration. A DJ will have the Holly Jolly Theater rockin’ beginning at 6:00 p.m. along with fun games and party favors. At Hamill Family Play Zoo, youngsters can make noisemakers and enjoy an early kid-friendly countdown at 8:00 p.m. The event is free with regular zoo admission. For more information, call (708) 688-8000 or visit CZS.org/Events.
 
Admission to Brookfield Zoo is $16.95 for adults and $11.95 for children ages 3-11 and seniors age 65 and over. Children 2 and under are free. Parking is $10.
 
General zoo admission is free on Tuesdays and Thursdays from October 2 through December 30. (Free admission is good only during regular zoo hours. Zoo admission fees apply to Holiday Magic.)
 
The Chicago Zoological Society inspires 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. Open 365 days a year, the 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. For further information, visit www.CZS.org.

 
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MEDIA CONTACT:

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

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