Brookfield Zoo’s Stingray Bay is a captivating exhibit that allows visitors to get up close and personal with these fascinating marine creatures. Located in Brookfield, Illinois, this interactive touch tank has been delighting zoo-goers since 2007, offering a unique opportunity to learn about and interact with southern stingrays and cownose rays.
Habitat Details
The Stingray Bay exhibit at Brookfield Zoo features a saltwater pool, with the water temperature and oxygen levels carefully monitored to ensure the well-being of the stingrays. However, the exhibit has faced some challenges in the past, with incidents in 2008 and 2015 where malfunctions in the temperature and oxygen control systems resulted in the tragic loss of several stingrays.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Pool Size | Not specified |
| Water Type | Saltwater |
| Temperature Control | Malfunctioned in 2008, causing 16 stingray deaths |
| Oxygen Levels | Malfunctioned in 2015, causing 54 stingray deaths |
Stingray Population
The Stingray Bay exhibit is home to a diverse population of southern stingrays and cownose rays. In the past, the exhibit has housed as many as 54 stingrays, but the 2015 incident resulted in a significant loss of the population.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Species | Southern stingrays and cownose rays |
| Number of Stingrays | 54 died in 2015, 16 died in 2008 |
| Barbs | Removed to prevent injury to visitors |
Visitor Experience
Visiting the Stingray Bay exhibit at Brookfield Zoo is an interactive and educational experience. Visitors are required to wash their hands before entering the exhibit and are allowed to touch the stingrays under the supervision of zoo staff. Visitors may also have the opportunity to participate in feeding the stingrays, further enhancing their engagement with these marine animals.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Ticketing | Tickets are required; visitors may need to wait in line |
| Hand Washing | Required before entering the exhibit |
| Touching Stingrays | Allowed under specific rules (e.g., lying on belly, flat hand, no grabbing) |
| Feeding | Visitors may participate in feeding the stingrays under zoo staff supervision |
Incidents and Closure
The Stingray Bay exhibit has faced some challenges over the years, with two significant incidents in 2008 and 2015 that resulted in the loss of a significant number of stingrays. These incidents led to the temporary closure of the exhibit, as well as legal action and settlements.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| 2008 Incident | 16 stingrays died due to a temperature control malfunction |
| 2015 Incident | 54 stingrays died due to an oxygen level malfunction |
| Closure | The exhibit was closed in 2015 after the oxygen level malfunction |
Lawsuits and Settlements
The Stingray Bay exhibit’s challenges have also led to legal action, with PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) filing a lawsuit in 2018 alleging a cover-up in the 2015 stingray deaths. The lawsuit was settled in 2021, with the Forest Preserve District agreeing to provide documents and pay $9,000 in legal fees.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| PETA Lawsuit | Filed in 2018, alleging a cover-up in the 2015 stingray deaths |
| Settlement | The Forest Preserve District settled the lawsuit in 2021, agreeing to provide documents and paying $9,000 in legal fees |
Partnerships
The Stingray Bay exhibit at Brookfield Zoo was previously run in conjunction with SeaWorld, but this partnership was terminated as part of the settlement agreement with PETA.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| SeaWorld Partnership | The exhibit was run in conjunction with SeaWorld; the partnership was terminated as part of the settlement agreement |
Timings and Rates
The Stingray Bay exhibit at Brookfield Zoo operates during the zoo’s regular hours, but the specific timings and admission rates are not publicly available.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Hours | Not specified |
| Cost | Not specified |
Directory
For those interested in visiting the Stingray Bay exhibit at Brookfield Zoo, here are the relevant details:
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | 8400 31st St, Brookfield, IL 60513 |
| Phone Number | 708-688-8000 |
Value
The Stingray Bay exhibit at Brookfield Zoo has provided an educational and interactive experience for visitors, allowing them to learn about and engage with these fascinating marine creatures. Additionally, the exhibit has aimed to raise awareness about stingray conservation.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Educational Value | The exhibit provided an interactive and educational experience for visitors |
| Conservation Value | The exhibit aimed to raise awareness about stingray conservation |
References:
1. https://www.chicagotribune.com/2018/07/18/peta-lawsuit-alleges-cover-up-in-death-of-54-stingrays-at-brookfield-zoo/
2. https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/national-international/brookfield-zoo-stingrays-die-oxygen-levels-malfunction/65657/
3. https://www.czs.org/custom.czs/media/BZ_Accessibility/Stingray-Bay.pdf
4. https://www.rblandmark.com/2021/06/01/forest-preserves-settle-peta-lawsuit-over-zoo-records/
5. https://www.cnn.com/2015/07/12/us/dead-stingrays-chicago-zoo/index.html