Brookfield Zoo Chicago

What Brookfield Zoo Chicago does

Brookfield Zoo Chicago is a private nonprofit zoological institution operated by the Chicago Zoological Society, a 501(c)(3) founded in 1934. It occupies 235 acres in Brookfield, Illinois, within the Forest Preserves of Cook County, and houses more than 3,500 animals representing over 500 species. The zoo was the first in the world to earn Humane Certified status and holds accreditations from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums (AMMPA), and ArbNet.

The zoo's revenue model is a hybrid of paid admissions, memberships, animal adoption packages, premium experiences (behind-the-scenes tours, animal encounters, VR and after-hours programs such as Dinos After Dark), donations, and fundraising events — the Women's Board Whirl Gala alone generates $1.5M+ annually. Retail and food-and-beverage operations are operated by SSA Group under a partnership, allowing the institution to focus internal resources on animal care, conservation, and education. Notable technical infrastructure includes pseudo-kreisel aquariums for jellyfish display, a mobile app with geofencing and Firebase/Keen IO analytics, and veterinary capabilities that have produced first-of-kind procedures including a CT scan on a living polar bear.

The organization pursues conservation, research, and education missions rather than profit maximization. It partners with Polar Bears International, Oregon Zoo, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, and the Forest Preserves of Cook County, and joined the Polar Bear Population Alliance in 2025 alongside the receipt of a female polar bear transfer. Leadership is provided by President and CEO Dr. Michael J. Adkesson, with credentialed scientific staff including Dr. Randall Wells (marine mammals) and Dr. Sathya Chinnadurai (avian medicine).

Name

Brookfield Zoo Chicago

Legal name

Brookfield Zoo Chicago

Website

https://brookfieldzoo.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1934

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Brookfield Zoo Chicago, operated by the Chicago Zoological Society, is a 235-acre nonprofit zoo in Brookfield, Illinois housing 3,500+ animals across 500+ species, serving general visitors, members, and conservation partners via admissions, premium experiences, and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Zoological Park and Aquarium Services

NAICS

Zoos and Botanical Gardens (71213), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Zoos, Aquariums & Botanical Gardens (Educational Collections) (THAJADAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Zoo & Aquarium Parks (Ticketed Wildlife Attractions) (THAJAEAE), Wildlife Watching & Encounters (Birding, Whale Watching, Primates) (THAJAIAC)

Keywords

• Zoo attractions
• Animal encounters
• Wildlife conservation
• Zoo membership
• Family recreation

Headquarters

HQ city

Brookfield

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Admission Tickets: Revenue from daily admission fees for zoo access, with various pricing tiers for adults, children, seniors, and groups.
2. Membership Program: Annual memberships offering unlimited zoo access, free parking, and exclusive benefits. Tiers include Adventurer Membership with free rides and experiences included.
3. Animal Adoption Program: Virtual animal adoptions at various price points ($35-$65) providing certificates, photos, fact sheets, and plush animals. Supports animal care and conservation efforts.
4. Premium Experiences: Paid add-on experiences including Dolphin Discovery ticket add-on, VR Experience: Ultimate T. Rex, animal encounters (Penguin $50, Moon Jelly $100, Otter $150, Kangaroo $160), and feeding adventures.
5. Donations: Direct donations supporting conservation efforts and animal care programs. Monthly giving options available.
6. Retail and Food Service: Gift shops, food concessions, and catered events managed by partner SSA. Employee discount program available.
7. Women's Board Fundraising Events: Signature events including Whirl Gala (over $1.5 million annually), Golf Outing Fore the Animals, Midsummer Night's Feast, Conservation Leadership Awards Dinner, Wines in the Wild, and Holly Jolly Gingerbread Party.
8. Animal Adoption Merchandise: Plush animal packages bundled with adoption certificates and photos for supporters of specific animals.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Brookfield Zoo Chicago operates a 235-acre zoological park and accredited aquarium providing in-person wildlife experiences including daily admission to animal habitats and exhibits, premium animal encounters (penguins, kangaroos, otters, giraffes, moon jellies), rides and shows (Dolphin Discovery, Carousel, Ferris Wheel, Motor Safari), seasonal themed events (Dinos After Dark, VR Experience), and supporting programs such as annual memberships, virtual animal adoptions, and corporate event hosting.

Product overview

Brookfield Zoo Chicago operates as a 235-acre zoo and accredited aquarium (The Living Coast) offering a unified portfolio of visitor experiences. Core attractions include Dolphin Discovery (live marine mammal presentations), rides (Carousel, Ferris Wheel, Motor Safari), and animal habitats (Great Bear Wilderness, Bramsen Tropical Forests, The Living Coast). The product suite combines standard admission-based experiences with premium add-ons including animal encounters (Penguin Encounter, Kangaroo Encounter, Moon Jelly Encounter, Otter Adventure, Giraffe Feeding, Flamingo Feeding, Shark Feeding, Reptile Encounter), themed experiences (VR Ultimate T. Rex, Dinosaur Discovery Tour, Dinos After Dark, Dinosaurs Wild Show), interactive play (Hamill Family Play Zoo, Hamill Family Wild Encounters), and seasonal events. Supporting services include animal adoption programs, annual memberships, college internships, volunteer opportunities, and corporate/event filming. The zoo serves as a private nonprofit organization operating on Forest Preserves of Cook County land, housing over 3,500 animals representing over 500 species.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Dolphin Discovery: Dolphin exhibit featuring bottlenose dolphin presentations and experiences
• Great Bear Wilderness
• The Living Coast
• Hamill Family Play Zoo
• Habitat Africa: The Forest
• Habitat Africa: The Savannah
• Women's Board

Products and services

• Dolphin Discovery

Quantifiable outcome

• First zoo in world to achieve Humane Certified status
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Oregon ZoocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 August 2025Female polar bear Amelia Gray transferred from Oregon Zoo to Brookfield Zoo Chicago to join Hope and Hudson with the goal of raising cubs. Transfer supports AZA cooperative breeding program to maintain sustainable and genetically diverse polar bear population in zoos.
• Polar Bear Population Alliance (PBPA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Brookfield Zoo Chicago helps lead the PBPA launched in 2025, bringing together accredited zoos to address urgent challenges of an aging and inconsistently reproducing polar bear population in zoos. Partners work with NGOs, federal agencies, scientists, and Native communities.
• Polar Bears InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrookfield Zoo Chicago is part of Polar Bears International's Arctic Ambassador Center network, supporting collaborative research, education, and action programs addressing challenges polar bears face in the wild.
• San Diego Zoo Wildlife AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership in polar bear maternal care research where San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance serves as lead zoo. Joint 2025 study on first 30 days of polar bear cub life with Dr. Lance Miller, Vice President of Animal Welfare Science, as co-author.
• Polar Bears International (Research)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative research partnership studying polar bear behavior, development, and conservation. Amy Cutting, VP of Conservation at Polar Bears International, noted bears in professional care help scientists learn about their species through voluntary care-focused behaviors.
• SSA (The SSA Group)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSSA manages food service concessions, retail gift shops, and catered events at Brookfield Zoo Chicago. All dining and retail opportunities are handled by this business partner.
• Fox CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFox College vet tech students may apply for spring term placement in the Zoo's veterinary hospital internship program.
• Joliet Junior CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoliet Junior College vet tech students may apply for spring term placement in the Zoo's veterinary hospital internship program.
• Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrookfield Zoo Chicago supports conservation action for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge coastal plain in Alaska, which recently reopened for oil and gas leasing, creating risks for polar bears during denning season.
• Sarasota Dolphin Research ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Randall Wells serves as Vice President of Marine Mammal Conservation. Zoo supports conservation training at the Sarasota Dolphin Research Program studying dolphin social lives and human activity impacts.
• Forest Preserves of Cook CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrookfield Zoo Chicago operates on 235 acres of land owned by the Forest Preserves of Cook County. Long-term land use partnership supporting wildlife conservation and public education.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Denver Zoo: AZA-accredited nonprofit zoo with similar species portfolio, conservation research partnerships, and mixed revenue model. Directly comparable in scale and operating philosophy (mission-driven nonprofit on protected land).
• Oregon Zoo: AZA-accredited zoo and active breeding-program partner — most recently transferring female polar bear Amelia Gray to Brookfield in 2025. Comparable species portfolio (especially polar bears and Asian elephants), similar metro-area nonprofit governance, and overlapping animal-welfare credentials.
• Saint Louis Zoo: Highly regarded nonprofit AZA-accredited zoo with comparable revenue scale, animal encounter portfolio, and conservation research programs. Operates with similar mixed model of admissions, memberships, premium experiences, and corporate philanthropy.
• Monterey Bay Aquarium: AMMPA-accredited nonprofit aquarium comparable on marine exhibits, animal encounter programming, conservation research, and donor-driven revenue mix. Overlaps with Brookfield's Living Coast aquarium habitat and marine conservation activities.
• Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden: Major AZA-accredited Midwest zoo with botanical garden (similar to Brookfield's ArbNet arboretum accreditation) and comparable educational, conservation, and seasonal event programming. Direct competitor in regional family entertainment and conservation grant funding.
• Shedd Aquarium: Chicago-based accredited aquarium and a fellow AMMPA member with a comparable animal encounter, marine mammal, and event-based revenue model. Operates as a close substitute for the zoo's The Living Coast aquarium habitat and Dolphin Discovery, often considered together by Chicago families.
• Lincoln Park Zoo: Another major Chicago-area nonprofit, AZA-accredited zoo operating since 1868 with similar mission of wildlife conservation, education, and free/paid mixed admission. Most direct geographic peer with overlapping visitor base and competitive overlap on family recreation, conservation programming, and corporate philanthropy.
• Smithsonian's National Zoo: AZA-accredited major U.S. zoo with comparable scale, conservation research output, and educational mission. Shares membership, donor, and grant-funding dynamics and competes for high-profile species transfers, research partnerships, and corporate sponsorship dollars.
• San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance: One of the largest AZA-accredited zoo operators globally, active research and breeding partner with Brookfield (joint polar bear maternal care research with Dr. Lance Miller). Comparable across conservation programming, wildlife health research, premium experience offerings, and large-scale nonprofit fundraising operations.

Broad incumbents

• Disney's Animal Kingdom: Operates a much larger theme-park-and-animal-hybrid venue with similar zoological credentials (AZA accredited) at substantially greater scale. Comparable across rides, themed experiences (Dinos overlays), premium encounters, and seasonal event programming, though a much larger incumbent in the family-outing category.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/brookfield_zoo
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/CZSBrookfieldZoo
• Facebookfacebook.com/BrookfieldZoo
• Instagraminstagram.com/brookfieldzoo
• TikToktiktok.com/@brookfieldzoo
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/brookfield-zoo

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Brookfield Zoo Chicago