Brookfield Zoo, located in Chicago, Illinois, has a rich history with elephants. Over the years, the zoo has housed both Asian and African elephants, but recent events have led to the closure of the elephant exhibit. In this blog post, we’ll explore the key events and details surrounding the Brookfield Zoo’s elephants.
Historical Background
Brookfield Zoo opened its doors in 1934 and initially housed Asian elephants. In 1935, an African elephant joined the herd, and the zoo’s elephant population grew over the years. At the peak, Brookfield Zoo had five Asian elephants in 1959 and five African elephants in 1984.
One of the most notable elephants at the zoo was Affie, an African elephant who lived at Brookfield from 1979 until her death in 2009 at the age of 40. Affie was celebrated annually on her birthday, which was attended by hundreds of guests.
Recent Events
The closure of the elephant exhibit at Brookfield Zoo was triggered by the deaths of two of its elephants in 2009. Affie, the beloved African elephant, passed away on May 18, 2009, due to old age. Just a few months later, on December 22, 2009, another African elephant named Christy died at the age of 29 due to kidney failure.
After Affie’s death, the zoo decided to close the elephant exhibit until further notice. In an effort to provide companionship for Christy, the zoo brought in a 27-year-old African elephant named Joyce on loan from Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in August 2009. However, after Christy’s passing, Joyce was left alone and was eventually sent back to Six Flags in September 2010.
Current Status and Future Plans
Brookfield Zoo currently does not have any elephants in its collection. The zoo has plans to renovate the pachyderm building, which will provide a larger indoor area for elephants and an off-exhibit area for elephant care. Additionally, a longer-term proposal includes a $30 million renovation of the entire elephant habitat area, which would give the animals 10 times more space to roam.
While there are no immediate plans to bring elephants back to Brookfield Zoo, the zoo has expressed interest in doing so in the future, possibly with a new and expanded exhibit.
Lincoln Park Zoo
Brookfield Zoo is not the only zoo in the Chicago area that has had a history with elephants. Lincoln Park Zoo, located in Chicago, also had elephants since the early 1900s, with a peak of four Asian elephants in 1963. However, the zoo’s last three elephants, Tatima, Peaches, and Wankie, died between 2004 and 2005. Wankie was transported to Utah’s Hogle Zoo, where she died in 2005. Lincoln Park Zoo has not expressed plans to bring elephants back, focusing instead on other species like black rhinoceroses.
Key Dates
- 1934: Brookfield Zoo opens with Asian elephants.
- 1959: Brookfield Zoo has five Asian elephants.
- 1979: Affie arrives at Brookfield Zoo.
- 2004: Lincoln Park Zoo’s last elephants die.
- 2009: Affie dies, and Christy dies later that year.
- 2010: Joyce is sent back to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom.
Key Figures
- William Ziegler: Senior vice president of collections and animal care for the Chicago Zoological Society.
- Sondra Katzen: Zoo spokeswoman.
- Kim Smith: Vice president of animal care.
The history of elephants at Brookfield Zoo is a complex and emotional one. While the zoo has faced challenges in recent years, it remains committed to providing the best possible care for its animals and exploring opportunities to bring elephants back in the future.
References:
– Brookfield Zoo’s Last Elephant Leaves
– Chicago Zoos’ Long History with Elephants Ended in 2010
– Past, Present, and Future of Elephants in Chicago
– Brookfield Zoo’s Elephant Exhibit Closes
– Brookfield Zoo’s Elephant Affie Dies