Wheaton’s Cosley Zoo plans fundraising events

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Zack the guard cat takes his job in the Cosley Zoo gift shop very seriously. Zack, like many of the animals at Cosley Zoo, is a rescue. His presence creates an opportunity to talk with children and adults about the many animals that depend on humans to survive. Even in the gift shop, the Wheaton zoo puts its mission up front in the window, if Zack has anything to say about it. | Submitted

Updated: November 16, 2011 1:45AM

The gift shop at the Cosley Zoo in Wheaton has a guard cat. His name is Zack. He takes his job very seriously.

“Zack likes to get in the window and watch,” said Kathy Worby, a gift shop staff member. “But he’s not allowed on the other side of the counter. Today, he’s lost his privileges.”

Zack suffered the indignity of lost privileges pretty well. He sat for photos in the chair behind the counter.

“Push him closer, please,” a pair of women visiting from Japan begged. The camera shutter clicked. “He looks like my old cat.”

A little girl in glittering tennis shoes rose up on her toes to see over the gate. “Kitty!” she called and wiggled her fingers across Zack’s fur.

Zack, like many of the animals at Cosley Zoo, is a rescue. His presence creates opportunities to talk with children and adults about the many animals that depend on humans to survive. Even in the gift shop, the zoo puts its mission up front — in the window, if Zack has anything to say about it.

“Cosley Zoo is a place to teach kids to love nature,” says Sue Wahlgren, the zoo’s director. “Simple contact has an impact. Touching a chicken. Petting a rabbit. We help maintain a connection to animals and nature for everyone in the community.

“The experience of a small zoo is different. It’s more intimate. A big zoo is a day trip. Cosley is a zoo you can visit for lunch.”

Wahlgren is justifiably proud of Cosley Zoo. Less than 10 percent of animal parks across the country achieve accreditation by the national Association of Zoos and aquariums. This honor requires strict animal care, educational outreach and conservation efforts. Held to the same standard as larger and better endowed zoos, such as Brookfield and Lincoln Park, Cosley has been consistently accredited since 2000. But it hasn’t been easy.

Tough choices are created by two sets of needs — caring for the physical and mental welfare of the animals while providing an educational recreation space. During the last several years, the zoo has taken turns improving the parking, pig and poultry areas. They’ve added restrooms, a concession stand, and a small medical clinic for the animals. All of this while joining together with zoos around the Great Lakes in a major conservation effort to save the Blanding’s Turtle.

“Any zoo person will tell you, the reason they work here is to care for the animals and teach the people who visit,” Wahlgren says.

Last year, 120,000 people visited Cosley Zoo. Close to half of those visitors come from outside the county, with 45 of the 50 states represented as well as many foreign countries. Even though the zoo recently began charging a small admission fee to non-resident adults, attendance numbers are holding steady. Visitors seem to recognize that quality animal care comes at a price.

“We are always looking to raise the level of care at the zoo, but we also want to be sustainable,” Wahlgren says.

The Wheaton Park District provides some financial assistance by organizing regular fundraisers. June saw the Cosley Run for the Animals. On July 21, the zoo partnered with Harris Bank and Malloy’s Wine & Spirits for the Cosley Zoo Uncorked event, an evening wine tasting. Ticket sales benefit the zoo, as well as wine sales.

“It’s a joy to work with Cosley Zoo,” says Jeff Sukowski, the new general manager for all three Malloy’s. “I’m a local retailer, and I know the zoo’s a real asset to our area.”

In addition to the sampling, Malloy’s has pledged to donate $1 for every bottle of wine sold that evening.

On Aug. 1, Arrowhead Golf Club also will host the Mike Williams’ Cosley Classic Golf Outing, an annual fundraiser that’s been raising money for the zoo for almost 30 years.

“Years ago, everyone lived a little closer to the farm,” Wahlgren says. “Cosley Zoo is here to help raise our next generation as stewards of the environment. We’re guarding the future for our children.”

Zack steps carefully into the front window of the gift shop and watches the children enter the zoo. He seems to approve.

Submitted by Wheaton Park District