That Tracks, A Lincoln Park Zoo Podcast

How does poop tell a welfare story? What is a great ape blood bank? Why does the zoo study cities? Tune in and find out!

Episode 7: The Science of Animal Happiness

How do you know if an animal you see at the zoo is thriving? Welfare scientist Jason explains.

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Episode 6: Wildlife Also Call Cities Home

Why does understanding urban wildlife matter? Ecologist Seth explains.

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Episode 5: Horticulture is an Art and Science

How does the zoo care for thousands of plant species? Horticulturist Katrina explains.

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Episode 4: Animal Care is Built on Trust

What is it like being a zookeeper? Keepers Cruz and Brittany explain.

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Episode 3: Veterinary Care is Complex

How does one care for hundreds of animals representing dozens of species? Lincoln Park Zoo’s lead veterinarian, Dr. Kathryn, explains.

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Episode 2: Conservation is About People

Bali mynas as canaries in the coal mine? Conservationist Sunny Nelson explains.

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Episode 1: Food Supports Animal Happiness

How do you feed 700+ animals? Nutritionist Siga Lapinskas explains.

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vulture chick after hatch
Animals & Gardens, Zoo News, New Arrivals
May 8, 2026
Vulture Chick Hatches at Lincoln Park Zoo
A cinereous vulture chick, the first for Leon and Virginia, hatched this week at the zoo and is being hand-reared behind the scenes.
sichuan takin
New Arrivals, Zoo News
April 8, 2026
New Arrivals: Porter and Taiyang, Sichuan Takins
The newest residents in the zoo’s South Loop area, near the alpacas and Grevy’s zebras, are Sichuan takin brothers.
Zoo News, New Arrivals
March 20, 2026
New Arrival: Eastern Black Rhinoceros Calf
We have big news! A rhino calf was born at Lincoln Park Zoo yesterday to Kapuki and Utenzi. They’ll be behind the scenes for a while as the calf meets developmental milestones.
qi red panda
Animals & Gardens, New Arrivals
February 17, 2026
New Arrival: Qi, Red Panda
Just in time for Chinese New Year, Qi the red panda has taken up residence at Pepper Family Wildlife Center! He is being paired with 8-year-old Nisha.
eastern massasauga rattlesnake and young
Zoo News, New Arrivals
January 29, 2026
New Arrivals: Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnakes
Nine eastern massasauga rattlesnakes were born at the zoo on January 12—a win for conservation of the species, as these snakes are endangered.
marlie black howler monkey
Animals & Gardens, Zoo News, New Arrivals
December 8, 2025
New Arrival: Marlie, Southern Black Howler Monkey
Marlie, a southern black howler monkey, has joined Otra at Helen Brach Primate House. Help us welcome him to Chicago!
Zoo News, New Arrivals
November 13, 2025
New Arrival: African Penguin Chick
The zoo has a new arrival, an African penguin chick born on October 1! Find out all about the hatch here, and then vote in the zoo’s naming contest!
Zoo News, New Arrivals
November 11, 2025
Name the New Penguin Chick!
Staff, volunteers, and zoo fans on social media have weighed in on their choices for the name of the African penguin that hatched on October 1. Now it’s your turn—vote now!
Lexi and Ash, brown bears
Animals & Gardens, Zoo News, New Arrivals
October 27, 2025
New Arrivals: Lexi and Ash, Brown Bears
Lincoln Park Zoo is excited to welcome two brown bears—the first to reside at Lincoln Park Zoo since 1979!
domestic goats touching heads
New Arrivals, Animals & Gardens, Zoo News
August 21, 2025
New Arrivals: Domestic Goats
Meet the new kids on the block, two domestic goat brothers named Parker and Lincoln.
three alpacas
Zoo News, New Arrivals
June 12, 2025
New Arrivals: Alpacas
It’s been a few years, but alpacas are back at Lincoln Park Zoo! A herd of six is the newest addition to Lincoln Park Zoo’s South Loop area.
north american river otter in greenery
Zoo News, New Arrivals
June 10, 2025
New Arrival: Tucker, North American River Otter
Tucker, a 6-year-old North American River Otter, is now making a splash at Pritzker Family Children’s Zoo.
lar gibbon JC
Zoo News, New Arrivals
April 28, 2025
New Arrival: Lar Gibbon (A Birthday Girl!)
Helen Brach Primate House is now home to a lar gibbon named JC, who has arrived to be a companion for white-cheeked gibbon Murray. Today is her birthday!
bur oak sapling
Animals & Gardens, Zoo News, New Arrivals
April 17, 2025
New Arrival: The Bur Oak Is Back—Sort Of! A Sapling Is Planted
The storied bur oak on the South Lawn came down two years ago—but now, a new sapling has been planted that’s a genetic clone.
three meerkats
New Arrivals, Zoo News
March 10, 2025
New Arrivals: Meerkat Mob
Just in time for spring, please welcome the new meerkat mob—Clover, Violet, and Dahlia!
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