CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The return of lions’ roars brings the Lincoln Park Zoo one step closer to feeling normal.
There's been positive public reaction in the first week or so since the Lincoln Park Zoo opened it's new, $41-million lion habitat.
Lincoln Park Zoo President and CEO-elect Megan Ross was surprised by the number enthusiastic visitors who came out over the first week that the Pepper Family Wildlife Center was open.
"There were a lot of kids there with cat shirts, and I know there are a lot of cat lovers out there, but there is even more than maybe I have anticipated," Ross said.
"It was almost like a summer day here. We had so many people coming, they were so excited about seeing the new lions."
She said the renovations give the new male and three female lions plenty of room.
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"The lions have been utilizing their spaces as we anticipated, because we designed their whole habitat using science, selective data on what the lions like and we gave them those items," Ross said.
That data was gathered from Zoo Monitor, an animal behavior app created by Ross and others at the zoo.
Ross said they hope to expand the cognitive program beyond the three species currently being studied.
Regarding the zoo itself, besides two COVID closures in the last year and a half, crowds have been constant with people looking to connect with nature and be outside. That means the zoo had to create a reservation system.
"It took us a little while to figure out how many reservations to open, when you could make you reservations to get people in. I think some of our big challenges were people were saying more of them wanted to come than could come, because of the restrictions," Ross said.
You can hear more about it in the full interview with Ross during our At Issue program on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. and 9:30 p.m.
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