Brookfield Zoo Announces Closure Due To Extreme Cold

BROOKFIELD, IL — For the fourth time in its history, Brookfield Zoo will be closed on Wednesday, Jan. 30 and Thursday, Jan. 31. The zoo said the decision to close was made in anticipation of the prediction of the coldest temperatures in decades.

“To ensure the safety of our animals and staff, the zoo will only have a skeleton crew on site who will provide basic core functions, including animal care and to check on the facilities,” said Stuart Strahl, president and CEO of the Chicago Zoological Society, which manages the zoo.

This marks only the fourth time in the zoo’s 85-year history that it has closed. The zoo said other dates included Feb. 2, 2011, due to a snowstorm and Sept. 14, 2008, and April 18, 2013, because of significant flooding.

The zoo will reopen to guests on Friday, Feb. 1.

Image by Patch.