Spring activities start at Cosley Zoo
As soon as the ground starts to thaw, Cosley Zoo in Wheaton begins preparing for one of its busiest seasons: spring.
The staff is getting ready for the crowds by freshening up the duck pond, reopening the Nature Play area and caboose, and offering daily activities that can't be done during the doldrums of winter at the zoo, 1356 N. Gary Ave., Wheaton.
Duck and chicken feedings, a favorite among younger visitors, are resuming. Duck feeding is offered from 10 to 10:30 a.m. and 3 to 3:30 p.m. daily from March 26 to April 3 and April 16 to Oct. 10, weather permitting. Chicken feeding is offered 11;30 to 11:45 a.m. and 1:30 to 1:45 p.m. daily March 26 to Oct. 31, weather permitting. Both activities are $1 per serving.
"We do a complete cleaning of the duck pond every spring (and fall, for that matter)," Education Manager Natasha Fischer said. "While we are working on the pond, each duck must be temporarily relocated to a behind-the-scenes area. Keepers take advantage of this opportunity to do a detailed health check on the ducks."
While the pond receives much attention, the rest of the zoo is cleaned up too, according to Lead Zookeeper Jenny Theuman.
"Springtime is a great time for some sprucing up around the zoo," she said. "There's lots of raking and removing errant straw, hay, or shavings that become visible after the snow thaws. It's also a great time to replace weathered perching and materials in the animal's habitats."
The zoo's thorough animal care and well-kept habitats helped it earn accreditation from the Association of Zoos & Aquariums for the fourth consecutive time last September.
Guests can check up on the zoo's two bobcats at Bobcats Backstage, a special close look at these animals, which were saved from extinction.
"Participants spend half an hour behind the scenes in the bobcat exhibit with the bobcat trainers, where they will watch a training session and learn more about a conservation success story," Fischer said.
"Bobcats were previously on the brink of extinction in Illinois, but are now found throughout the state due, in large part, to restrictions on hunting and trapping, plus an emphasis on habitat restoration."
Bobcats Backstage also shows off the zoo's accredited enrichment program.
"Similar to the benefits of active play (in humans), animals experience play through enrichment," Theuman said. "Enrichment is any activity that encourages the animals to act naturally. We offer them daily and during visiting hours so guests can experience how amazing our Illinois native wildlife really are."
Because of this, Bobcats Backstage is one of the zoo's most well-loved offerings.
"This program frequently receives rave reviews from participants who are looking to add a unique and interactive experience to their zoo visit," Fischer said.
Bobcats Backstage is available 11 to 11:30 a.m. daily. Sign up in the Wild Side Gift Shop on-site or call (630) 665-5534. The cost is $10 for Cosley Zoo members and $12 for nonmembers.
While the animals always provide plenty of stimulation, there's something to be said for active play, too, and the zoo's Nature Play area is perfect for that. Now open for the season, it's home to logs, stumps, and boulders suitable for kids to climb, jump, and explore.
It's also home to a Little Free Library, where anyone can take a book or return a book any time they wish, similar to a take-a-penny-leave-a-penny tray.
The zoo's library was built by Girl Scout Junior Troop 368 from St. Michael Parish School "to bring animal-themed books to the 0-7 age group while working on early childhood reading enrichment," according to littlefreelibrary.org.
A lifetime of reading can start with regular library visits and a lifetime of conservation can start with Party for the Planet and Turtle Day, two of the zoo's spring events.
"Party for the Planet is the largest combined Earth Day celebration in North America," Fischer said. "Over 100 AZA-accredited facilities will be hosting events to celebrate our planet. Our event (from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 23) will feature representatives from area businesses and conservation organizations who will be here to chat with visitors about actions we can take to protect our natural resources."
Party for the Planet is free with regular daily admission, and so is Turtle Day, which is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 21. The event allows guests to learn about and visit with several turtles and tortoises.
"We'll also feature the zoo's efforts to help wild populations of the Illinois endangered Blanding's turtle and offer turtle-themed activities for guests to participate in," Fischer said.
To learn more about Cosley Zoo's many spring programs and events, contact cosleyzoo.org or (630) 665-5534.