Lincoln Park Zoo
A free-admission zoological park and conservation organization in Chicago's Lincoln Park.
Last updated August 21, 2026
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Overview
Lincoln Park Zoo is a 35-acre zoological park in Chicago, Illinois, and one of the oldest zoos in the United States. Founded in 1868, it began when the Lincoln Park Commissioners received two pairs of swans from New York City's Central Park commissioners. The collection expanded through further gifts and purchases, eventually developing into a major urban zoo with approximately 1,100 animals representing roughly 200 species. The zoo remains notable for offering free admission, a model that makes it an accessible civic institution as well as a visitor attraction. The zoo occupies land owned by the Chicago Park District. Since 1995, the Lincoln Park Zoological Society has managed the institution under a lease arrangement, administering operations, fundraising, capital improvements, education, and conservation activities. The zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and, since 2019, has also been an accredited arboretum. Its work extends beyond animal display to field conservation, behavioral research, public science, youth education, community programming, and habitat restoration. Its collection includes big cats, bears, African and Asian primates, penguins, reptiles, hoofed mammals, birds, and species native to North America. Major modern exhibits include Regenstein African Journey, the Regenstein Center for African Apes, Regenstein Macaque Forest, Robert and Mayari Pritzker Penguin Cove, Walter Family Arctic Tundra, and the Pritzker Family Children's Zoo. These facilities generally emphasize naturalistic landscapes, behavioral enrichment, research, interpretation, and conservation breeding rather than traditional rows of concrete enclosures. Lincoln Park Zoo has played a role in notable conservation history. In the late nineteenth century, its American bison herd contributed animals to a United States government effort to support the species' recovery in Yellowstone National Park after severe population decline in the wild. In the modern era, the zoo has supported studies of apes, macaques, local wildlife, and other species, while using public programming to connect urban residents with biodiversity. The institution has also adapted its educational work to Chicago communities. It operates camps, school programs, family activities, and community initiatives, including gardening and environmental programs serving Little Village and North Lawndale. During the COVID-19 pandemic, some programming moved online or was modified for digital delivery. The zoo has used technology and citizen science in projects such as wildlife monitoring with motion-sensitive cameras and public identification through the Zooniverse platform, developed with technological assistance from the Adler Planetarium. Capital redevelopment has been a recurring feature of the zoo's history. The Pride of Chicago campaign, announced in 2016, sought $125 million to fund several exhibit projects and the renovation of the historic Lion House. That work culminated in a substantially redesigned lion exhibit in 2021. Lincoln Park Zoo therefore operates both as a historic public landscape and as a contemporary conservation and education organization, combining free public access with professional zoological standards and scientific programs.
History
Lincoln Park Zoo was established in 1868 when New York's Central Park commissioners sent two pairs of swans to Chicago's Lincoln Park. Other animals soon followed, including a puma, elk, wolves, eagles, and peafowl. In 1874, the zoo purchased its first animal, a bear cub from Philadelphia. The bear became famous locally for escaping and wandering through Lincoln Park at night. The institution expanded during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. An American bison was born at the zoo in 1884, at a time when the species was close to extinction in the wild. In 1896, the federal government acquired animals from the zoo's herd for shipment to Yellowstone National Park as part of a recovery effort. Cy DeVry directed the zoo from 1888 to 1919, organizing the collection, adding structures, and acquiring the zoo's first elephant and monkeys. A Lion House opened in 1912, followed by the Primate House in 1927. From 1944 to 1962, director Marlin Perkins led the zoo. Known nationally through television programs including Zoo Parade and Wild Kingdom, Perkins also organized a citizens' support group that became associated with the Lincoln Park Zoological Society. During the 1970s and 1980s, the zoo underwent major redevelopment, replacing many older facilities with more naturalistic habitats. The Great Ape House opened in 1976, and later became the basis for more specialized ape facilities. The original Primate House was renovated and reopened as the Helen Brach Primate House in 1992. In 1995, the Lincoln Park Zoological Society assumed management of the zoo from the Chicago Park District, which retained ownership of the land. The organization became responsible for administration, fundraising, and improvements. The Kovler Sea Lion Pool reopened after renovation in 1999, while zoo administration moved into a nearby former Chicago Academy of Sciences building. The modern redevelopment period included Regenstein African Journey, opened in 2003 on the site of the former Large Mammal House. Its indoor and outdoor habitats interpret African rainforest, river, savanna, and kopje environments. The Pritzker Family Children's Zoo opened in 2004, and the former Great Ape House was rebuilt as the Regenstein Center for African Apes in 2005, adding larger, more naturalistic habitats and research space for chimpanzees and western lowland gorillas. In 2010, the zoo transformed the adjacent South Pond into Nature Boardwalk, an ecological landscape designed with Studio Gang Architects. The deteriorating Kovler Penguin-Seabird House closed in 2011. Subsequent redevelopment produced Regenstein Macaque Forest in 2014 and Robert and Mayari Pritzker Penguin Cove in 2016. The latter introduced an outdoor habitat for African penguins together with breeding and chick-rearing facilities. The 2016 Pride of Chicago campaign supported these projects, the Walter Family Arctic Tundra, and the renovation of the historic Lion House. The new lion-focused facility opened in 2021 after work constrained in part by the building's landmark status. The zoo has continued combining exhibits with conservation science, public education, citizen science, and community programs. In 2019 it gained arboretum accreditation. In 2023, its long-standing burr oak, estimated to be over 250 years old, was removed because of poor health; grafted scions were subsequently grown at the Morton Arboretum.
- 2023
Historic burr oak removed
[1]The zoo removed a centuries-old burr oak because of poor health and preserved its genetic material through grafting.
- 2021
Renovated Lion House opens
[1]The renovated historic facility reopened with a focus on lions.
- 2019
Arboretum accreditation
[1]Lincoln Park Zoo became an accredited arboretum.
- 2016
Pritzker Penguin Cove opens
[1]The outdoor African penguin habitat opened with behind-the-scenes breeding space.
- 2014
Regenstein Macaque Forest opens
[1]The zoo opened a Japanese macaque habitat incorporating a hot spring and research facilities.
- 2010
Nature Boardwalk opens
[1]South Pond was redesigned as an urban ecological habitat and public learning landscape.
- 2003
Regenstein African Journey opens
[1]A 60,000-square-foot indoor and outdoor African-themed complex replaced the former Large Mammal House.
- 1995
Zoological Society assumes management
[1]The Lincoln Park Zoological Society took over administration and improvement responsibilities from the Chicago Park District.
- 1927
Primate House opens
[1]A new Primate House opened and later became associated with the zoo's historic gorilla and ape collection.
- 1912
Lion House opens
[1]The zoo opened a dedicated Lion House, later renovated several times.
Products and positioning
A free, urban, conservation-focused zoo that combines accessible public recreation with animal care, scientific research, environmental education, and community engagement.
zoo exhibit · 2003
Regenstein African Journey
A large indoor and outdoor complex opened in 2003 that interprets African rainforest, river, savanna, and kopje habitats. It has housed or displayed species including giraffes, black rhinoceroses, meerkats, aardvarks, African painted dogs, crocodiles, pygmy hippos, and African fish. The exhibit uses natural light, large viewing panels, and mixed land-water settings to present animal behavior and habitat relationships.
zoo exhibit and research center · 2005
Regenstein Center for African Apes
Opened in 2005, this facility provides indoor and outdoor habitats for chimpanzees and western lowland gorillas. Its design incorporates climbing structures, vegetation, waterfalls, moats, skylights, and enrichment features. It also houses the Lester E. Fisher Center for the Study and Conservation of Apes, linking visitor interpretation with behavioral research and conservation work.
ecological exhibit · 2010
Nature Boardwalk
A South Pond restoration and public landscape opened in 2010. Designed with Studio Gang Architects, it incorporates native wetland vegetation and habitat for local wildlife, presenting urban ecology as a visible part of the zoo experience rather than treating the zoo as a collection of enclosed animal buildings.
zoo exhibit · 2014
Regenstein Macaque Forest
A Japanese macaque habitat opened in 2014. Visitors can view the troop from elevated and ground-level perspectives, while the landscape includes a hot spring feature associated with the species' winter behavior. The exhibit also functions as a research setting for studying macaque behavior.
zoo exhibit · 2016
Robert and Mayari Pritzker Penguin Cove
An outdoor African penguin habitat opened in 2016 as part of the zoo's redevelopment program. It includes swimming and viewing areas as well as protected spaces for breeding and raising chicks. Indoor penguin encounters complement the outdoor exhibit and provide educational context about the species.
zoo exhibit
Walter Family Arctic Tundra
A replacement for the former Robert R. McCormick Bear Habitat, designed to give polar and grizzly bears more land, natural grass, underwater viewing, and a maternity den. The project was intended to support improved animal welfare and potential breeding management while offering visitors more varied views of the animals.
family exhibit · 2004
Pritzker Family Children's Zoo
Opened in 2004, this facility focuses on wildlife native to eastern North America and encourages children to connect local habitats with conservation. It includes amphibians, reptiles, birds, beavers, river otters, black bears, and red wolves, along with interpretive displays and play elements.
Marketing campaigns
- 2016Pride of Chicago
United States
A $125 million fundraising campaign supporting new and renovated habitats, including Regenstein Macaque Forest, Pritzker Penguin Cove, Walter Family Arctic Tundra, and the Lion House redevelopment.
Outcome. Supported a multi-project capital redevelopment program, including the Lion House reopening in 2021.
Brand decisions
2016
Launch a major capital redevelopment programStrategyBackground
The zoo sought to modernize several aging or constrained facilities while improving animal habitats and visitor interpretation.
Action taken
It announced the Pride of Chicago campaign with a $125 million fundraising target and included renovation of the historic Lion House.
Aftermath
The lion-focused renovation opened in late 2021, alongside other completed habitat projects.
fundraising target. 125 million United States dollars (2016 campaign announcement)
2014
Redevelop bear habitatGeneration changeBackground
The zoo announced that the Robert R. McCormick Bear Habitat would be replaced with a larger and more functional facility.
Action taken
Construction proceeded on Walter Family Arctic Tundra, with expanded land, underwater viewing, and a maternity den for polar and grizzly bears.
Aftermath
The new habitat became part of the zoo's Pride of Chicago capital program.
2011
Replace the aging Penguin-Seabird HouseStrategyBackground
The existing building closed after concerns about its deteriorating condition, generating criticism from some Chicago residents.
Action taken
The zoo pursued replacement facilities and later developed an expanded West Gate project including African penguin habitat.
Aftermath
Robert and Mayari Pritzker Penguin Cove opened in 2016.
Sources2 sources
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