Brookfield Zoo Chicago | 11,469 followers on LinkedIn. Inspiring conservation leadership by connecting people to wildlife and nature. | The mission of Brookfield Zoo Chicago is to inspire conservation leadership by connecting people to wildlife and nature. Since the opening of Brookfield Zoo in 1934, the Chicago Zoological Society has had an international reputation for taking a cutting-edge role in animal care and conservation of the natural world. Among its historical firsts are indoor multispecies exhibits, zoo nutrition residencies, methods for animal husbandry, and medical care that includes successful brain surgery for a gorilla.