Wish List

In the wild, red river hogs forage for a variety of grasses and fruit—and they use their strong teeth to dig for roots. At Lincoln Park Zoo, keepers bury food in trays to encourage foraging behavior among the precocious pigs. Buy a special feeding tray for the red river hogs today!

As temperatures drop, many people and animals prefer to spend time inside. However, Canada lynx like Buttercup and Thistle are right at home in the cold. These predators are native to coniferous forests of Alaska and Canada, and even have large snowshoe-like paws that allow them to hunt atop wintry landscapes without sinking into snow. Give Buttercup and Thistle the perfect winter picnic with a helping of bones and other meaty delights.

Lincoln Park Zoo is thrilled to have recently confirmed that African lioness Zari is pregnant and expecting another cub­—or cubs—this month. Keepers are diligently monitoring Zari to make sure that she has everything she needs throughout her pregnancy. This includes a specially crafted diet of bones, rabbits and a mix formulated with added vitamins and minerals to offer complete nutrition. Show your support for Zari and purchase a share of savory snacks!

As part of their nightly routine, the western lowland gorilla family at Regenstein Center for African Apes will gather different materials like wood wool and blankets to create the perfect nest for sleeping. Sturdy hammocks provide elevated resting and sleeping spots, simulating treetop nests used by the species in the wild. Buy the gorillas some swinging beds for much-deserved downtime!

For Lincoln Park Zoo’s black bears, it’s not much of a question—they can’t resist sticky, sweet honey! Keepers use this sticky treat to encourage natural exploratory behaviors. Charm the bears with a spread of sweet honey!

Charles, one of Lincoln Park Zoo’s resident gray seals, celebrates his ninth birthday this month! Keepers spoil seals with special treats on their birthdays, like sugar-free gelatin cake molds filled with squid and other fish. Supply the gelatin needed to create these fishy treats for the seals!  

Mirrors are a popular enrichment item for many species at the zoo. For the red pandas living at Pepper Family Wildlife Center, a mirror is the perfect enrichment item to encourage exploration and play. Give these curious mammals something to reflect on this new year with a new mirror.

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. Mix a salad for these semiaquatic mammals with some fresh browse today!

The Jamaican iguana pair at Regenstein Small Mammal-Reptile House enjoys an abundance of fruits and vegetables in their diet. Keepers present produce skewered on kabobs to foster natural foraging behaviors. Help Animal Care staff deliver a magical meal with pristine presentation for the iguanas!

Prehensile-tailed skinks are arboreal reptiles that feed mainly on leaves and insects among the trees. At Lincoln Park Zoo, zookeepers dust insects with a fine calcium powder for supplemental nutrition. Contribute a collection of creepy crawlers for the skinks to snack on!

At Lincoln Park Zoo, keepers give the giraffes a variety of special feeders that encourage them to forage for food throughout their habitat while also promoting a natural feeding posture. The NibbleNet—a mesh bag filled with treats or grain—offers opportunities to engage in natural feeding behaviors such as slow feeding and grazing. Provide a NibbleNet to the long-necked ruminants today!

To create an exciting challenge for Asian small-clawed otters, keepers at Regenstein Small Mammal-Reptile House put fish—like herring, smelt, and trout—inside grape vine balls, requiring them to "fish'' pieces of their meal out with their dexterous paws. Provide Namiko the otter with a fishy feast that makes mealtime a delight!

While the pygmy hippopotamus looks tiny in comparison to its much larger cousin, this semiaquatic mammal is no pipsqueak! Adult pygmy hippos can reach 6 feet in length and weigh up to 600 pounds. At Lincoln Park Zoo, the hippos love to poke and explore durable enrichment items that float in the water and roll on land, like extra-large buckets! Celebrate the joys of playtime with some new toys for the pygmy hippos today!

To encourage Lincoln Park Zoo’s resident cinereous vultures, Linda and Grimm, to scavenge and problem-solve, keepers hide food within small paper boxes—combining an enriching experience with mealtime! The vultures use their beaks to rip open the boxes and access the goodies within, such as rats or other meat. Keepers tout these boxes as the vulture’s favorite way to hunt for lunch. Share an enriching experience with Grimm and Linda today when you chip in for new paper boxes!

Give the resident polar bears Siku and Talini a gift that will really make a splash! Keepers provide the bears with large, durable balls that can be pushed around on land or played with in the pool. Don’t drop the ball; select a toy for the polar bears in the new year!

The nocturnal Madagascar hissing cockroach is one of the largest species of cockroaches in the world, reaching 2–3 inches at maturity. At Lincoln Park Zoo, we supply these brawny beasts with a specially formulated diet that provides essential protein, nutrients, and fiber. Supply the cockroaches with tasty tidbits!