Cosley Zoo

01/14/2025

Happy teeth out Tuesday with Reece’s the goat!
Photo caption: Reece’s the goat rests her head on stall door, showing her teeth.

01/11/2025

Today we are highlighting our two Canada Lynx! Canada lynx are perfectly adapted to thrive in snowy environments, showcasing an array of specialized traits designed for harsh winters. Their large, fur-covered paws act like natural snowshoes, distributing their weight and allowing them to glide effortlessly across deep snow. Thick, insulating fur keeps them warm in freezing temperatures, while their long legs enable them to navigate through drifts with ease. Sharp retractable claws and keen eyesight aid them in pursuing prey like snowshoe hares, even in dense forests or low-light conditions. At Cosley Zoo, our lynx, Poppy and Sage, embody these incredible adaptations, conquering snowy terrain with grace and agility. Whether bounding through drifts or perching atop frosty logs, they demonstrate the resilience and beauty of this remarkable species.
Photo caption 1: Poppy and Sage sit in the snow in their outdoor habitat.
Photo caption 2: A lynx pawprint in the snow.

01/09/2025

Trees that are not sold during our Festival of Lights get recycled a few different ways. One of the cutest ways is for our two North American Porcupines to enjoy as a midday snack!
Video caption: Sable, one of Cosley Zoo's North American Porcupines chews on a tree branch.

01/08/2025

Our spring animal care internship application is now open! Join our animal care team in providing daily care for animals throughout the zoo. Application deadline is January 15.

Photo caption: an intern walks the donkeys back to the barn. -

01/04/2025

Today is National Bird Day, a time to appreciate the incredible diversity of bird species that share our world and reflect on the importance of bird conservation. At Cosley Zoo, we take pride in caring for a variety of native Illinois birds, including the magnificent purple martin, the vibrant Baltimore oriole, and the majestic great horned owl.
National Bird Day is a reminder of the challenges birds face, from habitat loss to pollution. At Cosley Zoo, we participate in conservation programs to protect native bird populations. You can join us by planting native species in your yard, and reducing the use of harmful pesticides. Come visit us at Cosley Zoo to learn more about our native bird species and the incredible role they play in Illinois’ natural ecosystems.
What’s your favorite Illinois bird? Share in the comments below!
Photo 1 caption: Shimmer the purple martin sits on a branch in the aviary habitat.
Photo 2 caption: Ori the Baltimore oriole participates in a training session.
Photo 3 caption: Miles the great horned owl sits on a branch in his habitat.

12/31/2024

Cosley Zoo has come a long way in 50 incredible years—thanks to you! Since opening in 1974, we’ve transformed from a small park with a few animals into a nationally accredited zoo known for science-based education, impactful conservation efforts, and exceptional animal care. Watch the video below to learn more about Cosley Zoo's journey.

Celebrate our anniversary with us one more time by making a tax-deductible donation to support Cosley Zoo’s mission for the next 50 years: https://bit.ly/3forDn0

Thank you for being a friend of Cosley Zoo!

12/22/2024

Have you ever considered becoming a volunteer with Cosley Zoo? Cosley Zoo is offering a virtual volunteer open house next Sunday, January 5, 2025, to share about the volunteer opportunities that we have available for adults. The open house will be held via Zoom starting at 1:30pm. Please register for this event on our website. We can’t wait to see you there!

12/19/2024

Trees & Greens are on Sale!

Today through December 30, All trees and greenery are 30% off. Festival is open through December 30 (limited hours on holidays).

12/15/2024

Applications are open now through February 3, 2025 for the Interpretive Volunteer position at Cosley Zoo! Interpretive volunteers help to connect our visitors to our animal residents and to the nature all around us. For more information, or to apply, please visit https://bit.ly/416vNW5.We can’t wait to have you join the volunteer team!

12/14/2024

Have you stopped by to pick out your tree? We want to see your photos! Share photos of the decorated tree that you picked out during Festival of Lights OR photos of your family dressed up in your best holiday wear when you were picking a tree for a chance to win a prize. Photos can be shared in the comments.

12/14/2024

Planning on coming to Cosley Zoo's Festival of Lights on December 21st? Swing by the Kiebler Room between 4 and 7 p.m. to decorate cookies with the Cosley Zoo chapter of the American Association of Zookeepers! Suggested donation is $1 per cookie. We hope to see you there!

Planning on coming to Cosley Zoo's Festival of Lights on December 21st? Swing by the Kiebler Room between 4 and 7 p.m. to decorate cookies with us! Suggested donation is $1 per cookie. We hope to see you there!

12/11/2024

Thank you, Naperville Community Television (NCTV17) for highlighting our Festival of Lights event! The full video can be viewed here: https://bit.ly/3Vyw2WG

The 41st annual Festival of Lights is underway at Cosley Zoo in Wheaton, bringing some seasonal shine to the zoo up until Christmas Eve.

12/09/2024

Meet Kristy M., a Cosley Zoo visitor. Kristy and her family have been visiting Cosley Zoo since 2015 at which time Kristy also began undergoing multiple surgeries on her leg. During her zoo visits, Kristy really enjoyed the animals while being pushed around in her wheelchair. Despite the surgeries, in 2019 Kristy’s left leg was amputated. Fast forward to 2024 and Kristy not only continues to visit the zoo frequently but is up and walking with her prosthetic leg. Her visits include enjoying time with the animals with the company of her two daughters (ages 1 & 2). Kristy said “Cosley Zoo was always a comfort place for me and there’s nothing better than getting to share that with my daughters now!”

12/07/2024

There’s something for every animal lover in the family! From plushies and books for the kids to sweatshirts and coffee mugs for the adults, get your holiday shopping done at the Wild Side gift shop.

12/06/2024

🎅🎄 Visit Santa at the Zoo! 🎄🎅

Join us for a festive day of crafts, delicious refreshments, and of course, a special visit with the jolly man in red himself with our annual Santa's Craft Corner event! 🎁✨

📅 Dates: Saturday, Dec 7 & Saturday, Dec 14
⏰ Time: 10 AM - 2 PM
📍 Location: Kiebler Room (second floor of the large barn, only accessible by stairs)

Bring your camera to snap those priceless holiday memories! 📸

🎟️ Admission: $20 per household (pay at the door – cash, Visa, MasterCard, Discover accepted). No advanced registration required!

Don't miss out on the fun—Santa's waiting to meet YOU! 🦌🎅 See you there!