Brookfield Zoo tourists received threat call for visitors, had to close zoo
On Tuesday evening, after receiving word of a “potential threat,” visitors to the Brookfield Zoo took shelter inside the zoo.
An anonymous caller to a distress hotline at 5:15 p.m. expressed a desire to hurt zoo visitors and herself.
The Brookfield Police Department received the call and responded with the Riverside Police Department.
Following the issuing of the shelter in place’ order, authorities began evacuating the park.
Zoo visitors took shelter until 7:30 p.m.
Visitors and employees were able to leave the zoo without incident, according to zoo officials.
Chief Mike Pendola, head of security for the Chicago Zoological Society, which runs Brookfield Zoo, said, “Our main priority is the safety of our guests, staff, and animals,” “We regularly conduct training exercises at the zoo with neighboring police jurisdictions. We are extremely grateful for the partnership and incredible collective response we received to this situation. We find comfort in knowing that our well-trained police officers and partners provide for a very safe environment at Brookfield Zoo.”
