Are the western gray kangaroos your favorite animals at Brookfield Zoo?

Curious, friendly, and active, Sydney is leaps and bounds ahead of the rest due to her engaging personality.

Now imagine having the opportunity to truly know her, and to play a key role in providing top-notch care for the animals of Brookfield Zoo by becoming Sydney's VIP Lead Patron.

What would this look like?
There are so many reasons to take part in this exclusive opportunity!

As Sydney's VIP Lead Patron, your family name will be on display at the kangaroo habitat at Brookfield Zoo for one year (beginning July 1, 2021). You will have special VIP access, allowing you to truly get to know this marvelous marsupial. This includes:

• A behind-the-scenes experience, with VIP parking, a cart tour and lunch for six.
• A Zoom chat or Birthday shout out with a member of Sydney's animal care team.
• Regular video and written updates - allowing you up close and personal (but safe!) face to face access.
• Additionally, you'll receive photos, cards, and name recognition in the Chicago Zoological Society's Annual Report.

You can help make a difference by sponsoring Sydney at the VIP Lead Patron level.

More about Sydney
Sydney is a very special kangaroo. On July 15, 2010, she was found outside her mother's pouch, lying on the ground. Keepers estimated that she was 6 or 7 months old - too early to be out on her own. The best option was for the keepers to finish raising her, so a pouch was made out of an old sweatshirt for her to live in while she was being bottle-fed and she continued to grow. As she became older and stronger, keepers gave her time outside and solid foods like small pieces of apples, bananas, sweet potatoes, and carrots. Finally when she was strong enough, she was re-introduced to the rest of the kangaroo mob.

Because she was hand raised by the keepers, Sydney is very comfortable around people. This means that lucky visitors have the chance to closely interact with her, and those who visit her in the kangaroo yard are amazed by her gentle personality.

Leading the Field in Animal Care and Welfare:
Caring for animals and their habitats is central to the Chicago Zoological Society's mission. Through your support, you can ensure that we remain a leader in animal care and welfare.

Please note: Participants in behind-the-scenes experiences are required to be a minimum of 6 years of age.

Under IRS guidelines, the amount of your contribution that is deductible for federal income tax purposes is limited to the excess of your payment over the value of the goods or services provided by the Chicago Zoological Society. The estimated fair market value of goods or services received in return for this contribution is $150.