$66 million ‘Tropical Forests’ opens today at Brookfield Zoo Chicago with close gorilla encounters – Daily Herald

Report on the Opening of the “Tropical Forests” Exhibit at Brookfield Zoo Chicago

Brookfield Zoo Chicago has inaugurated its “Tropical Forests” outdoor primate complex, a $66 million project representing the largest capital investment in the institution’s history. The exhibit, which serves as the capstone for the first phase of the zoo’s “Next Century Plan,” is designed to advance global conservation efforts and public education, with a significant focus on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Integration with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The “Tropical Forests” project is fundamentally aligned with several key SDGs, translating global sustainability targets into tangible local action through conservation, education, and responsible operational practices.

SDG 15: Life on Land

The exhibit directly addresses the targets of SDG 15, which focuses on protecting, restoring, and promoting the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems and halting biodiversity loss. Two-thirds of all primate species are currently threatened with extinction, a crisis the zoo aims to combat through this initiative.

• Protection of Threatened Species: The facility provides advanced care and a naturalistic habitat for critically endangered western lowland gorillas, orangutans, and other primate species. It notably houses both a family gorilla troop and the zoo’s first bachelor gorilla group, contributing to global species management programs.
• Combating Wildlife Trafficking: The exhibit is home to a group of spider monkeys, five of whom were confiscated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service after being illegally trafficked. This provides a sanctuary for rescued animals and raises public awareness of the illegal pet trade, a direct driver of biodiversity loss.
• Habitat Conservation: The new Gorilla Conservation Center features a cellphone recycling station. This program aims to reduce the demand for coltan, a mineral mined in gorilla habitats, thereby linking consumer behavior directly to the protection of these critical ecosystems.

SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

The project emphasizes immersive educational experiences to foster a public commitment to sustainability, in line with SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

• Education for Sustainable Development: Dr. Michael Adkesson, President and CEO, stated that close encounters with animals are designed to “build empathy, inspire connection, and can be the first and most important step towards conservation action.” This educational philosophy is central to the exhibit’s design.
• Promoting Responsible Consumption: The aforementioned cellphone recycling initiative serves as a practical educational tool, encouraging visitors to adopt sustainable consumption patterns that mitigate environmental degradation in primate habitats.

Exhibit Design and Animal Welfare Standards

The design of “Tropical Forests” prioritizes animal welfare and seeks to replicate the complexities of a natural environment, a core tenet of modern zoological practice.

Key Infrastructure and Features

1. Expansive Outdoor Habitats: The complex includes four distinct outdoor areas across nearly 3 acres, providing primates with access to open sky, direct sunlight, and natural grass for the first time.
2. Immersive Viewing: Approximately 2,700 square feet of glass viewing panels allow for close proximity between visitors and animals, fostering the connection central to the zoo’s educational mission.
3. Advanced Enrichment: The habitats are equipped with features that promote natural behaviors, including waterfalls, streams, heated rocks, and misters to create microclimates. Dynamic enrichment devices distribute food at various times to encourage foraging.

Future Strategic Direction

The completion of “Tropical Forests” marks the end of the first phase of the zoo’s 30-year “Next Century Plan.” According to Cherryl Thomas, Chair of the Board of Trustees, this is the “beginning of so much more to come.”

Next Phase of Development

• The zoo has commenced the early design process for its next major project.
• This future development will focus on a 35-acre section of the zoo’s northwest quadrant, dedicated to creating African savanna and forest habitats.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

Explanation:

The article on the Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s “Tropical Forests” exhibit touches upon several themes that directly and indirectly connect to the Sustainable Development Goals. The primary focus is on wildlife conservation, education for sustainability, and responsible resource management.

• SDG 15: Life on Land: This is the most prominent SDG in the article. The text focuses on the protection of primate species, the creation of naturalistic habitats, and combating threats like wildlife trafficking and habitat destruction due to mining.
• SDG 4: Quality Education: The article emphasizes the zoo’s role in educating the public. The new exhibit is designed to “build empathy, they inspire connection, and they can be the first and most important step towards conservation action,” which aligns with education for sustainable development.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: The initiative to recycle cellphones to reduce the demand for coltan, a mineral mined in gorilla habitats, directly addresses sustainable consumption patterns and the impact of resource extraction.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Explanation:

Based on the specific actions and goals mentioned in the article, the following targets can be identified:

1. SDG 15: Life on Land

   • Target 15.5: “Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.” The article supports this by highlighting that “two-thirds of primate species… are threatened with extinction” and detailing the zoo’s efforts to house and protect species like western lowland gorillas and orangutans in an expansive, naturalistic habitat.
   • Target 15.7: “Take urgent action to end poaching and trafficking of protected species of flora and fauna and address both demand and supply of illegal wildlife products.” This target is directly addressed through the story of the spider monkeys. The article states, “five of those 10 [spider monkeys] were a recent confiscation by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that were being trafficked out of South America.”

2. SDG 4: Quality Education

   • Target 4.7: “By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles…” The zoo’s CEO, Dr. Michael Adkesson, explicitly states the exhibit’s purpose is to “inspire connection” and lead to “conservation action, actions that lead to protecting wildlife and the natural world.” This educational mission is the core of the project’s public-facing goal.

3. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

   • Target 12.5: “By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.” The article mentions a specific initiative where “Patrons are invited to recycle old cellphones at a drop-off station inside the new Gorilla Conservation Center, helping reduce demand for coltan.” This is a direct action promoting recycling and reducing waste.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Explanation:

The article provides several explicit and implied indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets.

1. Indicators for SDG 15 (Life on Land)

   • Indicator for Target 15.5: The number of threatened primate species housed in the new facility (e.g., western lowland gorillas, orangutans). The article mentions these species are part of the new “Tropical Forests” complex.
   • Indicator for Target 15.7: The number of animals rescued from wildlife trafficking and given sanctuary. The article provides a specific number: “five of those 10 spider monkeys… were a recent confiscation.”

2. Indicators for SDG 4 (Quality Education)

   • Indicator for Target 4.7: The establishment of educational facilities and programs. The article mentions the “Gorilla Conservation Center” as a specific place for conservation education. It also notes the entire exhibit is designed to “inspire millions of guests that come through the park.”

3. Indicators for SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production)

   • Indicator for Target 12.5: The implementation of recycling programs. The article explicitly mentions the creation of a “drop-off station” for old cellphones. The volume of cellphones collected would be a direct measure of this program’s success.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: dailyherald.com