Cool off at Cosley Zoo's wind machine

This summer, Cosley Zoo guests can cool off and get a taste of high-speed prairie winds with the zoo's new Wild Illinois Winds machine, which the zoo received in May.

"This is a fun way to feel an element of nature that impacts animals and their habitat - wind," Cosley Zoo Director Sue Wahlgren said.

Children and adults alike can enjoy the wind machine for $2 per session. As they stand in the tubelike machine, winds of 78 mph will whip around them and give them a one-of-a-kind experience.

"That's about the speed of an F1 tornado," Wahlgren said. "While adults and children can both enjoy the experience, parents will particularly enjoy watching their children as they squeal with delight when they feel the wind."

Revenue collected from the wind machine will support education and wildlife conservation efforts at Cosley Zoo.

For more information about Cosley Zoo, contact www.cosleyzoo.org or (630) 665-5534.