Local Context
When we think of wildlife we think of large animals that require vast areas to roam, but in fact wildlife come in all shapes and sizes. Very few people know that Chicago does in fact have wildlife, albeit at a much smaller scale. However, size does not matter as this urban ecosystem is still crucial the survival of these species. The Lincoln Park zoo has acknowledged this and has its own urban wildlife institute that “studies the interaction between urban development and the natural ecosystem to develop scientific standards for minimizing conflict between these overlapping areas” (Urban Wildlife Institute). In other words, the zoo finds ways to help man and nature coexist in the big city. Like I said before, zoos are excellent ways to help educate people about wildlife. However, in recent years there has been a decrease in budgets going towards the zoos in the city of Chicago. In 2009, both Brookfield and Lincoln Park had to let go staff and shorten funding for special programs. Lincoln Park had a “$7.6 million loss in its endowment fund”, pushing the zoo to “cut more than $1 million out of its $21 million annual budget” (Lincoln Park Zoo to trim $1 million from budget, cut staff). Brookfield zoo had cut eleven jobs and close two animal exhibits in order to close a “$1.3 million budget shortfall” (Brookfield-Zoo-lays-off-11-workers,-will-close - Chicago Sun-Times). While neither of the jobs cut were in animal welfare or public safety it is alarming to know that with our current economic state it is difficult to operate at full capacity and offer what a good zoo should offer, that is why it is crucial that we invest more in these ever important facilities that offer places for wildlife conservation and awareness.