As the Hamill Family Play Zoo prepares to celebrate its 25th year at Brookfield Zoo, children took turns peppering zookeepers with questions during a “Kids Press Conference” on the lawn in front of the building.
Four boys and four girls spent a half-hour asking a wide range of questions to a panel that included:
• Jennifer McGee, director of wildlife experiences
• Nancy Kauffman, director of hoofed mammals care and conservation
• Raquel Ardisana-Penney, associate director of carnivore and small mammal care and conservation
The children asked 17 questions covering topics like “do animals sweat” (yes), “why do bats sleep upside down” (because their strong back legs permit it), “why are porcupines spiky” (protection), and “do lions get their hair combed” (they groom each other in the wild).
Public relations director Julianne Olivo moderated, moving from child to child with a microphone. Each question was answered — some with help from Google on a phone.
Izaax Warner, 10, of Niles, Michigan, asked what animal represents the median height for all animals and whether any fish clean the teeth of other fish. The panel said bears probably best represent median animal height and that cleaner wrasse fish clean the teeth of other fish.
After the Q-and-A, Warner was asked if he wants to become a zookeeper.
“I don’t know yet,” said Izaax, a fifth-grader this fall. “I’m going to do something where I can answer a lot of questions. Maybe a teacher or something.”
Izaax said he likes animals “because they all have unique ways of living.”
“For example, alligators are long and mighty. Giraffes are tall and mighty but not good at some things. Lions have their weak points and their strong points,” he said.
His grandmother, Holly Hertel of South Bend, said, “I’m pretty proud of him because I never would have thought to ask what he said.”
Kauffman said there may be future zookeepers in the group.
“It’s cool to see kids excited about conservation. That’s the reason we’re here. It’s important that we connect people with animals because if they don’t care what’s in their backyard, they won’t care what’s across the globe,” she said. “They had great questions. I’m still curious, so it’s great to see kids being curious and wanting to know more. It’s heartwarming. The best part of the job is interacting with guests.”
The Hamill Family Play Zoo gives kids a chance to pretend to be zoo directors and offers close experiences with some animals.
Ardisana-Penney has fond memories of visiting the play zoo, which is near the south entranceway.
“I was probably on the older end, but I had younger cousins and lived in the area. We were excited when it opened,” she said. “My older sister was a youth volunteer here with me. She’s actually a veterinarian now.”
Ardisana-Penney, 37, thinks those experiences helped lead her to a career working with animals at the zoo.
The 25th celebration will include visits with animal ambassadors — animals brought in that kids can pet and learn about up close. The mix includes chickens, corn snakes, a sloth, guinea pigs, and rabbits, some at the play zoo and some at the nature stage northwest of the zoo’s large fountain, Olivo said.
The celebration also offers free ice cream cones. The first 300 kids age 12 and younger on Saturday and Sunday will receive vouchers for ice cream from Rainbow Cone, a Chicago tradition available at the zoo.
The Hamill Family Play Zoo opened on June 14, 2001.