Wish List

Klipspringers will jump at the opportunity to nibble on some alfalfa cubes. These crunchy grass morsels are the preferred treat for the growing dwarf antelope family after a day of rock climbing in the Dry Thorn Forest habitat at Regenstein African Journey. Spring a buck for this klipspringer snack!

Although the American beavers at Pritzker Family Children’s Zoo can nibble through branches with their teeth, keepers lend a helping hand by providing pruned twigs from trees and brush around the zoo. Make a salad for these aquatic mammals with some fresh browse today!

In its native habitat of western Mexico, the venomous Rio Fuerte beaded lizard feasts on birds, eggs, other lizards, and small invertebrates. To ensure the resident beaded lizards receive ample protein, keepers feed these amphibians quail eggs, a savory enrichment item, as part of their specialized diet. A quail egg is a hard treat to beat—help the beaded lizards enjoy this tasty meal today!

In honor of International Seal Day, supply these blubbery residents with enrichment sure to please! Buoys floating along the water’s surface in Kovler Seal Pool encourage the seals to investigate and play. Whether used alone as a toy or in combination with other toys and food, these buoys are jacks-of-all-trades for seal fun and games!

The African painted dogs receive a steady supply of rabbits—a favorite prey item—for meals and enrichment. These canines don’t care to share, so be sure to supply a heaping helping of hares!

Keepers pack habitat floors with mulch in Regenstein Center for African Apes to provide cushion and comfort for the gorillas and chimpanzees! As they age, these great apes experience arthritis much in the same way as humans. Mulch and other squishy natural materials cushion their joints while they walk, run, and play. Select a share of spongy mulch for our gorillas today!

Nothing beats getting a little help scratching an itch. Supply the ponies at Farm-in-the-Zoo with a strong bristled brush and keep their beautiful coats well groomed!

Celebrate Japanese macaque Iwaki’s birthday with intriguing new enrichment! A tipsy tom—an oblong-shaped, wobbling plastic device—provides hours of fun and fine-motor skill development. Give the gift the entire troop will enjoy!

All across zoo grounds, Horticulture staff will plant approximately 3,500 tulip bulbs to brighten zoo grounds in preparation for spring! Help us purchase some bulbs today, and prepare to enjoy beautiful blooms when warm weather arrives!

Fresh leaves and plants are the perfect treat for the black-and-white colobus monkeys. Supply these lucky acrobatic herbivores with a nourishing meal of leafy and delicious browse!

Rhino play time requires some heavy-duty toys. Made with durable plastic, boomer balls encourage long-lasting exercise and play. Treat the rhinos to a burly boomer ball!

Lincoln Park Zoo’s resident aardvark Paatsy has been enjoying brand new substrate. Animal Care staff took advantage of the zoo’s closure by removing the old substrate bucket by bucket, and resurfacing the habitat with 21 tons of new, clay-rich soil. The Regenstein African Journey keepers certainly went the extra mile to ensure Paatsy’s utmost comfort, so pitch in to support the substrate upgrade!

Dense foliage and greenery are utilized to enhance habitats for the residents at Lincoln Park Zoo. In fact, ferns are a versatile plant utilized to create naturalistic environments for various animals across the zoo. Fish, turtles, and amphibians swim among live aquatic ferns, while silk ferns create nesting and perching areas for the aviary species in McCormick Bird House. Help purchase new ferns to greet warmer spring weather.

The Chilean flamingo flock’s dazzling pink plumage certainly makes them stand out in a crowd. The signature pink coloration is a result of consuming krill—small shrimp-like crustaceans that contain beta-carotene. Give the flourishing flock the opportunity to ‘brine’ and dine with delicious krill!

The Madagascar hissing cockroach earned its name from the loud, snake-like hiss it produces through unique breathing holes. The hissing sound not only startles away predators, but also signals intruders that they are infringing on the cockroach’s territory. At Lincoln Park Zoo, we supply these brawny beasts with a specially formulated diet to provide essential protein, nutrients, and fiber. Supply the cockroaches with tasty tidbits!

African penguins enjoy a wide variety of fishy snacks—capelin, herring, and anchovies are among their favorites! The penguins satisfy their natural hunting instincts by “fishing” for live fish in their pool at Robert and Mayari Pritzker Penguin Cove. When they make a successful catch, they’re enhancing their diet with the fat and protein they need to flourish. Want to give the colony a special treat? Go fish!

Golden-headed lion tamarins, an endangered species native to Brazilian rainforests, feast on veggies, fruits, and insects. Green beans provide the resident tamarins at Lincoln Park Zoo with essential nutrients and, when scattered throughout their habitat, serve as an excellent foraging opportunity. Go green and supply these primates with nutritious green beans!