Magazine and News

Thanks to the multitude of green open spaces as well as its location along a migratory bird flyway, Chicago has tremendous biological diversity—from flying squirrels to coyotes and more. But in cities like this, large swaths of concrete, shifted food...

To further the conservation and ecological understanding of the state-endangered black-crowned night heron, researchers at the Urban Wildlife Institute are studying the wild colony that has been nesting at Lincoln Park Zoo and the surrounding park since 2010.   Now, with...

There’s a new face at Pepper Family Wildlife Center! Lincoln Park Zoo has welcomed a 5-year-old female red panda from Franklin Park Zoo. The new arrival, Nisha, joins resident male Xiaobo (3 years old) as recommended by the Red Panda...

Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo is an urban oasis teeming with life. This serene, prairie-style wetland surrounded by a meandering boardwalk and native plants and trees is the perfect place for Chicagoans to connect with nature in the heart...

Summer in Chicago brings blooming flowers and sunny days, along with a spike in temperatures. What goes into caring for species at the zoo during the warmest months of the year?  Every day of the year, Lincoln Park Zoo prioritizes...

Connecting children with nature is more challenging than it has ever been, as kids spend less time outdoors than they used to and more time with digital screens. But it’s also more important, in today’s urbanizing world, to foster a...

Spring and summer bring warm, sunny days and blooming flora, along with an increase in the miniscule, insect-like creature—the tick.   Many common myths surround this infamous parasite, including:  You can feel a tick bite you. Ticks have highly-specialized mouth parts...

Spring is well on its way to turning into a fun, active, sensational Chicago summer. At Lincoln Park Zoo, that means blooms are flourishing everywhere—thousands of different plants, mixed together to create a riot of color that beautifies the grounds...

As the summer sun sets, the tall savanna-like grasses at Pepper Family Wildlife Center rustle in the wind. Jabari lounges on Pride Rock, enjoying the cool air rushing through the overhead vent. He peers out into the distance, looking upon...

A legacy continues… In 2020, Lincoln Park Zoo said goodbye to 34-year-old eastern black rhinoceros Maku due to age-related health issues. An ambassador for his species, Maku helped sustain the population of critically endangered black rhinos through his six offspring...