The rare animal Netflix made famous — only in Chicago
Brookfield Zoo Chicago is the only place in the U.S. to see a pangolin up close—and its leading global efforts to save them
Brookfield, IL—A new Netflix documentary is bringing long-overdue attention to the pangolin—one of the world’s most endangered and heavily trafficked mammals. While many viewers may be learning about this unique, armor-scaled animal for the first time, Brookfield Zoo Chicago has quietly been at the forefront of global efforts to protect and understand pangolins for nearly a decade.
Brookfield Zoo Chicago is the only place in the country where the public can see a pangolin up close. Guests can learn about the only mammals known to be covered in scales at the Zoo’s Habitat Africa! The Forest, where this species listed as Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) calls home. Behind the scenes, the Zoo’s expert animal care and veterinary teams care for 13 of these elusive mammals—including babies or “pangopups”—unlocking essential insights into their care, diet, behavior and reproduction. In fact, Brookfield is one of the only institutions worldwide to successfully breed second-generation pangolins in human care.
These discoveries are helping shape pangolin conservation across the globe. Dr. Jennifer Watts, the Zoo’s director of nutrition, developed the “modern pangolin diet” based on the Zoo’s extensive experience caring for adult pangolins and their pups. Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s work is pioneering new standards in husbandry and veterinary science for a species that has historically struggled to survive in human care.
“Caring for pangolins provide valuable yet unknown insight into their natural history, health and nutrition,” said Mark Wanner, Brookfield Zoo Chicago associate vice president of animal care and conservation and chair of the North American Pangolin Consortium. “As the most heavily trafficked and poached mammals in the world, pangolins face an urgent risk of extinction. This knowledge and the skills to care for pangolins are essential to help them survive and thrive, where in situ at rehabilitation centers in their native range or at accredited institutions like Brookfield Zoo Chicago, in hopes of staving off or ideally avoiding extinction.”
While Brookfield Zoo Chicago is not affiliated with the documentary, its leadership in pangolin care is gaining international attention. As a founding member of the North American Pangolin Consortium, the Zoo works closely with global partners to protect pangolins in the wild and educate the public about their species.
More information about the species is available at brookfieldzoo.org/pangolin, while the Zoo’s conservation efforts are highlighted at brookfieldzoo.org/savethepangolin.
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Media Note: Photos and b-roll of pangolins are available for download here, with credit to “© Brookfield Zoo Chicago” for media use only. Journalists interested in interviews should contact Zoo PR Director Julianne Olivo in advance at julianne.olivo@brookfieldzoo.org or 708-688-8351.
About Brookfield Zoo Chicago: Connect. Care. Conserve.
Since 1934, Brookfield Zoo Chicago has been a global leader in animal well-being and conservation, inspiring conservation leadership by connecting people with wildlife and nature. The Zoo is a private nonprofit organization that operates on 235 acres of land owned by the Forest Preserves of Cook County and is home to more than 3,500 animals representing over 500 species—including many of Earth’s most endangered. Brookfield Zoo Chicago was the first zoo in the world to be Humane Certified™ by the American Humane Society for the care and welfare of its animals, and is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums, and ArbNet. For more information, visit www.brookfieldzoo.org or follow @BrookfieldZoo on Instagram, Facebook and Threads.
