Lincoln Park Zoo Welcomes Two Trumpeter Swans

Chicago (September 23, 2026) – Sound the horns, two new residents have arrived at Lincoln Park Zoo! A male and female trumpeter swan pair is now on view at the zoo’s Hope B. McCormick Swan Pond.

The pair, named by the Lincoln Park Zoo Women’s Board in honor of its 50^th anniversary, are Dolly and Dean. The names honor the late Dolly Parton and her husband Carl Dean. Like Dolly’s lifelong commitment to giving back to children of all backgrounds, the Women’s Board is instrumental in helping Lincoln Park Zoo provide a free, family-oriented zoo experience for Chicago youth that is fun, focused on conservation, and accessible to everyone.

Lincoln Park Zoo’s history with swans goes far back, with the arrival of two swan pairs marking the beginning of Chicago’s free zoo back in 1868. 108 years later, the Women’s Board was founded in 1976. Since then, the board has been a leading fundraising force for Lincoln Park Zoo, contributing more than $42 million to a wide range of capital projects, animal habitats, and science and education programs.

“Swans and the Women’s Board both play a huge part in the history of Lincoln Park Zoo, so it felt like an obvious choice to invite our current board members to name the newest swan pair,” said Sara Irmen, Vice President of Development. “We’re excited to see Dolly and Dean out on their pond, greeting zoo guests just like the first swan pair did over a century and a half ago.”

Trumpeter swans are the largest swan species in the world, measuring up to 5 feet long with a wingspan of 6.6 feet. They spend a lot of time preening their iconic white plumage, as well as waterproofing their feathers with the help of an oil-secreting gland at their tail base. Trumpeter swans generally mate for life, spending time in pairs or family groups. These pairs stay together year-round and migrate together.

Trumpeter swans were hunted to near extinction in the 20^th century for their meat, skin, and feathers. There were just 69 individuals left in the wild in 1935. Thankfully, conservation efforts have helped the species rebound and they are now at little risk of extinction. Over the years, Lincoln Park Zoo has released more than 40 swans into the wild as part of a reintroduction program to further boost local populations.

About Lincoln Park Zoo

Lincoln Park Zoo inspires communities to create environments where wildlife will thrive in our urbanizing world. The zoo is a leader in local and global conservation, animal care and welfare, learning, and science. A historic Chicago landmark founded in 1868, the not-for-profit Lincoln Park Zoo is a privately-managed, member-supported organization and is free and open 365 days a year. Visit us at lpzoo.org.