PHOTOS: Animals At Brookfield Zoo Celebrate St. Patrick's Day
CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- You may have forgotten it is St. Patrick's Day, but Brookfield Zoo did not. And to try to keep some normalcy, despite the coronavirus outbreak, the zoo decided to keep an annual tradition to celebrate.
The zoo’s pinnipeds gave their "seal of approval" when animal care staff presented them with green colored ice and sugar-free gelatin shaped like shamrocks. The grey seals—Peanut, Celia, and Lily—and the California sea lions—Josephine, Charger, Carolyn, Sabiena, and Lucy—all seemed to enjoy their St. Patrick’s Day enrichment items, the zoo said.
The dwarf Nigerian goats also received the shamrock-shaped biscuit treats, as well as some green leaves as part of the zoo’s browse program. According to the zoo, ComEd delivers twigs and branches from trees that its crews cut along power lines to the zoo from spring through early fall.
"Staff in the zoo’s nutrition department vacuum seal and freeze it, which also preserves the nutritional value. This allows the animals to enjoy the leafy greens, twigs, and branches during the winter months," the zoo said.
Brookfield Zoo remains open with limited access. Guests may enjoy the zoo’s outdoor space, which includes more than 200 acres of pathways, as well as view the animals that have outside access. All indoor animal habitats, the Discovery Center, restaurants, and gift shops are closed. During this time, admission to Brookfield Zoo will be free; a parking fee still applies.
