Brookfield Zoo Chicago Hosting Birthday Celebration for Lucky, a 50-Year-Old Rescued Dolphin and Cancer Survivor
Guests can decorate pictures, sign a birthday card, and more at the Zoo
BROOKFIELD–From September 6-8, Brookfield Zoo Chicago is hosting a birthday celebration for a 50-year-old dolphin named Lucky, one of the oldest male bottlenose dolphins in human care at a facility accredited by the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums. During the celebration, zoogoers can sign a birthday card and color pictures for Lucky, sing “Happy Birthday” during select Dolphins in Action presentations at Seven Seas, enter for a chance to meet a dolphin, and more. The celebration aims to honor Lucky’s tenacity as a rescue animal and cancer survivor and illuminate the ways in which guests can help marine animals in the wild.
“Lucky has been a beacon of inspiration for our animal care specialists and guests alike, embodying resilience in the face of ocean pollution and personal health challenges,” said Mark Gonka, associate director of marine mammal care and conservation at Brookfield Zoo Chicago. “As a powerful ambassador for his species, we invite guests to join us in celebrating this remarkable birthday milestone. We hope they leave with a renewed sense of commitment to conserving our oceans and protecting dolphins like Lucky in their natural habitats.” To celebrate Lucky’s birthday, guests can:
See Lucky in the spotlight during select Dolphins in Action presentations at Seven Seas and sing him “Happy Birthday” during the 11:30 a.m. presentations taking place September 6-8.
Sign a birthday card and watch a new video about Lucky’s story in Seven Seas’ underwater viewing area.
Take a chance to win a special visit with the residents of Seven Seas by donating $10 or more to Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s Annual Fund. (Must be 18 years old to enter and 8 years old to participate. Additional details below.*)
Color dolphin flukes (a dolphin tail) at Hamill Family Play Zoo to bring home or wear. Guests visiting September 1-5 can help create decorations, too, by coloring dolphin cut-outs at the Play Zoo that will be hung in Seven Seas’ underwater viewing area as birthday decorations. (Note: coloring activities will be subject to staffing availability.)
Symbolically adopt Lucky on-site or online during his birthday celebration through the Zoo’s Animal Adoption program – a limited-time opportunity.
Purchase a special Lucky plush animal in the Zoo’s gift shops or online.
In 1977, Lucky was rescued off the coast of Galveston, Texas, after being found entangled in a beach seine net, which was used for trout and shrimp fishing along the shoreline. Named because his rescuers felt he was lucky to be alive, Lucky was taken to a zoological institution for medical attention and to recover from his injuries. Due to the extent of his injuries and his young age, he was deemed non-releasable back to the wild. He soon became an ambassador for his species.
Lucky arrived at Brookfield Zoo Chicago in 1990, where he inspired the Zoo’s guests to better protect bottlenose dolphins in the wild. He also temporarily joined other accredited facilities over the years. In 2021, while at a facility in Florida, Lucky was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma – a common type of skin and oral cancer that originates from cells found on the surface of the skin, the lining of hollow organs, and the respiratory and digestive tracts. Brookfield Zoo Chicago is one of only several zoos in North America to have a CT scanner on premises. Lucky was flown back to Chicago where the Zoo’s veterinary team conducted a full-body CT scan to assess his condition. Soon after, veterinarians and animal care specialists began administering cancer treatments to Lucky via cryotherapy, which uses a topical cold application to freeze and destroy abnormal tissue.
Today, Lucky’s veterinary team and animal care specialists continue to monitor and assess his health and wellbeing, collecting data on his body condition, system functions, diet consumption, locomotion ability, cognitive awareness, and his socialization behaviors with the Zoo’s other dolphins. He receives treatments and care for other health challenges that come with age, such as arthritis and cataracts, to maximize his comfort and wellbeing. He also continues to receive life-saving treatments for his cancer, which is localized to his throat, tongue, and mouth. A sign of his tenacity, Lucky has maintained his playful and active nature throughout his rescue, rehabilitation, cancer treatments, and aging. Funds donated during Lucky’s birthday celebration and beyond help support the care of all animals at Brookfield Zoo Chicago, including Lucky, along with the Zoo’s efforts to conserve animals in the wild through programs such as Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s Sarasota Dolphin Research Program—the world’s longest-running dolphin conservation research program. For more information about Lucky’s birthday celebration, visit BrookfieldZoo.org/LuckyCelebration.
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