News Release
 
Contacts:
Sondra Katzen, Brookfield Zoo, 708.688.8351, sondra.katzen@czs.org
Sabrina Cynova, Lincoln Park Zoo, 312.288.5129, SCynova@lpzoo.org
 
May 31, 2022
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Note: Scroll to bottom of press release to download photos of Fisher.

   

Brookfield, Ill. — Fan favorite Fisher, a male grey seal pup born at Lincoln Park Zoo in January, has transferred to Brookfield Zoo as recommended by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Grey Seal Species Survival Plan® (SSP). Not only has Fisher made the short trip to the suburbs, but he is now a member of a grey seal colony and can be seen by zoo guests.  

On January 26, Fisher was born to 8-year-old seal Jersey. Unfortunately, Jersey did not display appropriate maternal instincts to care for or protect the pup and human intervention was deemed necessary.
When Fisher was born, Animal Care staff at Lincoln Park Zoo provided around-the-clock support to ensure he received optimal care. He surpassed critical milestones, including swimming lessons, eating solid foods on his own, and even participating in positive reinforcement training sessions.

“Fisher’s ability to thrive and grow in size and strength is directly correlated to the dedicated care he received from our animal care and veterinary teams, in addition to the support we received from Brookfield Zoo,” said Mike Murray, Lincoln Park Zoo’s curator of mammals. “It’s bittersweet to see Fisher leave Chicago, especially after around-the-clock care and feeding sessions, but he’s in good hands at his new home and we can’t wait to see him with a colony of his own.”

Fisher can now be seen at Brookfield Zoo’s Pinniped Point, where he joins two 2-year-old females, Celia and Peanut. Sometime in the future, he will meet the zoo’s two other grey seals, Georgie and Kiinaq.

“We’re happy to be able to give Fisher a new home at Brookfield Zoo,” said Rita Stacey, vice president of animal programs for the Chicago Zoological Society and coordinator of AZA’s Grey Seal SSP. “Introducing him to our two youngest grey seals provides an appropriate social grouping for him and we look forward to watching him grow.”

With Fisher’s departure, Lincoln Park Zoo’s Kovler Seal Pool is currently home to two grey seals, Charles and Jersey, and two harbor seals, Slater and Storm.

Grey seals have short necks, widely set nostrils, and few spots compared to some other seals. Males can measure up to 7 feet long and weigh up to 700 pounds. Females are silver-gray with scattered dark spots while males are dark gray with silver-gray spots. Grey seals are opportunistic predators, feeding on fish, crustaceans, and mollusks.

Photo Captions (credit Cathy Bazzoni/CZS-Brookfield Zoo)
52 and 67: Fisher, a 4-month-old grey seal at Brookfield Zoo. Fisher

 

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About Lincoln Park Zoo
Lincoln Park Zoo inspires communities to create environments where wildlife will thrive in our urbanizing world. The zoo is a leader in local and global conservation, animal care and welfare, learning, and science. A historic Chicago landmark founded in 1868, the not-for-profit Lincoln Park Zoo is a privately-managed, member-supported organization and is free and open 365 days a year. Visit us at lpzoo.org. 
 
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.