
“Zoos are a good thing for a lot of kids and a lot of adults. They provide an opportunity for people to see animals that otherwise they wouldn’t see.”
Dr. Temple Grandin, Animal Welfare Advocate
Profile Information:
- Address: 2001 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60614 (Map)
- Phone Number: (312) 742-2000
- Email Address: info@lpzoo.org
- Hours of Operation: Open every day of the year, 10 am-5 pm
- Date Founded: 1868
- Accreditation: Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)
- Number of Animals: Over 1,000
- Number of Species: Over 200
- Park Size: 35 acres
- Website Link: www.lpzoo.org
Brief History:
The Lincoln Park Zoo is one of the oldest zoos in the United States, founded in 1868 when the Lincoln Park Commissioners acquired a pair of swans to add to their collection of birds, which soon led to the acquisition of other animals, such as a bear cub and a pair of lions. Over time, the collection grew, and the zoo expanded, eventually becoming one of the largest and most respected zoos in the country.
Throughout its history, the Lincoln Park Zoo has been a leader in animal care, education, and conservation. The zoo has played a critical role in the breeding and conservation of a number of endangered species, including the black rhinoceros, the African wild dog, and the Chilean flamingo.
The zoo has also been a pioneer in animal welfare, being one of the first institutions to move away from traditional barred cages to more open, naturalistic habitats that better meet the needs of the animals. In addition, the Lincoln Park Zoo has a strong commitment to education and community engagement, offering a variety of programs and events for people of all ages.
Today, the Lincoln Park Zoo remains one of the most popular attractions in Chicago, drawing over three million visitors each year. The zoo is home to over 1,000 animals representing more than 200 species, and continues to be a leader in animal care, education, and conservation.
We hope you enjoy learning about the Lincoln Park Zoo and all the amazing animals that call it home! If you’re ever in Chicago, be sure to stop by and experience this incredible institution for yourself. Don’t forget to check out their website for more information on events, exhibits, and educational programs.
Quick Facts:
- The Lincoln Park Zoo is one of only three zoos in the United States that still offers free admission.
- The zoo is home to a variety of animals, including big cats, primates, reptiles, birds, and more.
- The zoo features a state-of-the-art polar bear exhibit, which includes an underwater viewing area.
- The zoo is committed to conservation efforts and participates in over 50 conservation programs around the world.
- The zoo offers a variety of educational programs and events for visitors of all ages.
- The zoo’s historic lion house was built in 1912 and is a designated National Historic Landmark.
- The zoo is located in the heart of Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood, surrounded by beautiful gardens and walking paths.
- The zoo’s new Walter Family Arctic Tundra exhibit is home to a variety of arctic animals, including polar bears and arctic foxes.
- The zoo’s Kovler Seal Pool is one of the oldest exhibits in the zoo and is home to a variety of seals and sea lions.
- The zoo is open year-round, and each season offers a unique experience for visitors.
Fun Facts:
- The Lincoln Park Zoo was the first zoo in the United States to have a barless lion exhibit.
- The zoo’s Lion House was designed by famed architect Dwight Perkins and features beautiful Art Deco details.
- The zoo’s Regenstein African Journey exhibit features a replica of a baobab tree that is over 40 feet tall.
- The zoo is home to a colony of eastern massasauga rattlesnakes, one of the few remaining populations in the Midwest.
- The zoo’s Regenstein Small Mammal-Reptile House is home to a variety of exotic animals, including poison dart frogs and aardvarks.
- The zoo’s Nature Boardwalk features a boardwalk that stretches over a pond filled with native fish and turtles.
- The zoo’s chimpanzee exhibit includes an indoor rainforest environment with a waterfall and a stream.
- The zoo’s Pritzker Family Children’s Zoo features interactive exhibits and play areas for young visitors.
- The zoo’s Hope B. McCormick Swan Pond is home to a variety of waterfowl, including black swans and mute swans.
- The zoo’s Kovler Lion House features a beautiful indoor jungle exhibit that is home to a variety of primates, including gorillas and orangutans.
Fun Facts for Kids:
- The Lincoln Park Zoo is home to a family of polar bears, including a playful bear named Siku.
- The zoo’s Regenstein African Journey exhibit is home to a herd of majestic giraffes that visitors can feed up close.
- The zoo’s Kovler Lion House is home to a group of majestic lions that can often be seen lounging on their rock formations.
- The zoo’s Walter Family Arctic Tundra exhibit is home to a group of playful arctic foxes that love to run and play.
- The zoo’s Pritzker Family Children’s Zoo features a petting zoo where kids can get up close and personal with goats and sheep.
- The zoo’s Regenstein Small Mammal-Reptile House is home to a variety of exotic animals, including a cute and cuddly sloth.
- The zoo’s Hope B. McCormick Swan Pond is home to a variety of waterfowl, including adorable ducklings.
- The zoo’s Nature Boardwalk is home to a variety of native turtles that love to sun themselves on logs.
- The zoo’s Kovler Seal Pool is home to a group of playful seals that love to swim and show off for visitors.
- The zoo’s Pritzker Family Penguin Cove is home to a group of adorable penguins that visitors can watch as they swim and play.