Brookfield Zoo debuts $66M gorilla habitat
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The James and Elizabeth Bramsen Tropical Forests. Photo: Carrie Shepherd/Axios
Brookfield Zoo opened a new $66 million gorilla habitat on Thursday that officials are hailing as critical to the zoo's goal as a conservation leader.
The big picture: The James and Elizabeth Bramsen Tropical Forests houses eight western lowland gorillas in four different habitats built to mimic the animals' native environments, with vertical structures to swing, and terrain for foraging and places to build nests.
Yes, but: A common criticism of zoos is that caging animals for the enjoyment and spectacle of humans is antithetical to their natural environments.
What they're saying: "The wild is disappearing," Brookfield Zoo president and CEO Michael Adkesson told Axios.
- "For many animals, the only hope that they have is for people to understand the importance of protecting wildlife, protecting nature. And really, zoos are so uniquely positioned to be able to do that."
Threat level: Hunting, wildlife trade and habitat destruction threaten two-thirds of primates with extinction, Adkesson said.
- The new habitat is meant to educate visitors about the dangers to these animals, like a display on how mining for cell phone batteries is threatening gorillas.
By the numbers: The new tropical forest was primarily funded by private dollars, plus $5 million of ARPA funding from Cook County and a $200,000 tourism grant from the state.
- An average 2 million people visit the zoo annually, and it generates more than $150 million in economic activity, according to zoo officials.
What's next: The new tropical forest is part of the zoo's next century plan ahead of its 100-year anniversary in 2034, and the next project is the 35-acre African Savannah.