News Release

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

July 19, 2019

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Animals at Brookfield Zoo Receive Ice Treats to Keep Cool

Brookfield, Ill. – Today, with temperatures heating up, animals at Brookfield Zoo received some ice treats. Animal care staff provided several of the zoos animals, including polar bears, grizzly bears, Amur tiger, sloth bears, and even the rhino with ice. Some of the frozen treats were filled with fruits and vegetables while others had bones and meat depending on the species. The polar and grizzly bears also received 300-pound blocks of ice, but seemed to prefer the smaller ones with the frozen treats inside. Also, some of the outdoor habitats like the reindeers’ have water misters so the animals can cool off. In addition, animals such as the bears and big cats are given access to their indoor quarters if they choose.

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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. 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 also is accessible via the Tri-State Tollway (I-294), Metra commuter line, CTA and PACE bus service. For further information, visit CZS.org.

Photo Captions—credit: Kelly Tone/Chicago Zoological Society

8950 and 8969: Kartik, a sloth bear at Brookfield Zoo, enjoys an ice treat filled with cantaloupe, grapes, and blueberries.

9069 and 9077: Whirl, an Amur tiger at Brookfield Zoo, received an ice treat filled with chuck meat and bones.

9110: Axhi, one of Brookfield Zoo’s grizzly bears, keeps cool with a 300-pound block of ice.

9155, 9174: To beat the heat, animal care staff gave Axhi, a grizzly bear at Brookfield Zoo, ice treats filled with a variety of fruit.

9277: Hudson, one of Brookfield Zoo’s polar bears, stands over a 300-pound block of ice to keep cool during the hot weather that the Chicago area is experiencing today.

9442: The reindeer herd at Brookfield Zoo are keeping cool in the Chicago heat by standing near the misters that animal care staff have set up in their habitat.