Brookfield Zoo Chicago

Brookfield, Illinois, USA

5/5 Expert Rating

American Humane Certified AMMPA Accredited AZA Accredited

Founded: 1934
Website: czs.org/Brookfield-Zoo
Featured Species: Bottlenose Dolphin, Polar Bear, Western Lowland Gorilla, Amur Tiger
Species: African Wild Dog Amur Tiger Bottlenose Dolphin Giraffe Lion Polar Bear Western Lowland Gorilla
Accreditation: American Humane Certified AMMPA Accredited AZA Accredited

Brookfield Zoo Chicago, managed by the Chicago Zoological Society, is one of the largest and most progressive zoos in the United States. Spanning 216 acres in suburban Brookfield, Illinois, the zoo is home to over 2,000 animals representing 450 species from around the world.

Founded in 1934, Brookfield Zoo was a pioneer in the use of naturalistic, barless exhibits — a revolutionary approach that changed zoo design worldwide. The zoo’s Seven Seas exhibit features an underwater dolphin viewing gallery, while Tropic World remains one of the largest indoor rainforest exhibits in the world.

Brookfield Zoo holds both AZA and AMMPA accreditation and is a leader in animal welfare science, conservation research, and community engagement.