PHOTOS: Animals at Brookfield Zoo receive Valentine’s treats

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CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Valentine’s Day came a little early to several of the animals at Brookfield Zoo as they received heart-shaped treats provided by the animal care staff.

According to the zoo, the western lowland gorilla group and Norman, a 6-year-old Cape porcupine enjoyed red heart-shaped treats made of a complete-balanced biscuit and gelatin.

Koola, one of Brookfield Zoo’s western lowland gorillas, gets ready to eat the early Valentine’s treat she received this week from the animal care staff.
Koola, one of Brookfield Zoo’s western lowland gorillas, gets ready to eat the early Valentine’s treat she received this week from the animal care staff. Photo credit Cathy Bazzoni/Chicago Zoological Society

The grey seals, including Peanut, Georgie, and Kiinaq, seemed to enjoy their frozen gelatin Valentine’s messages.

Georgie, one of Brookfield Zoo’s grey seals, poses next to frozen gelatin Valentine’s messages.
Georgie, one of Brookfield Zoo’s grey seals, poses next to frozen gelatin Valentine’s messages. Photo credit Cathy Bazzoni/Chicago Zoological Society

The meerkats were given mealworms inside heart-shaped origami, while the squirrel and spider monkeys also joined in the Valentine’s celebration with bright red strawberries.

Meerkats at Brookfield Zoo look inside heart-shaped origami to find mealworm treats.
Meerkats at Brookfield Zoo look inside heart-shaped origami to find mealworm treats. Photo credit Cathy Bazzoni/Chicago Zoological Society

Brookfield Zoo said the Animal Programs staff is always thinking of ways to physically and mentally stimulate the animals at Brookfield Zoo. One way is by providing them with a variety of different enrichment and food items they normally do not receive on a regular basis.

Maggie Chardell, an animal care specialist at Brookfield Zoo, gives T-Mo, a Linnaeus’s two-toed sloth, an early Valentine’s treat.
Maggie Chardell, an animal care specialist at Brookfield Zoo, gives T-Mo, a Linnaeus’s two-toed sloth, an early Valentine’s treat. Photo credit Cathy Bazzoni/Chicago Zoological Society

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Featured Image Photo Credit: Cathy Bazzoni/Chicago Zoological Society