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Local Zoo's Memorial to Famous Bird

taxidermynerd

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My local zoo (Brookfield Zoo in Brookfield, IL) is putting up a statue dedicated to Cookie, the Major Mitchell's cockatoo. He died in 2016 and was the last living animal from the original collection when the zoo opened in 1934.

Cookie was on display in the birds building (if you've been there, it's the building where reptiles are now, where the macaws are in the walk-in aviary) and in his later years, lived in the staff area, coming out every year for his birthday party! He lived to be 83, and he was believed to be the oldest member of his species alive in captivity. He was also one of the longest-lived birds on record and was recognised by the Guinness World Records as the oldest living parrot in the world.

Here's the zoo's page on the statue unveiling- Chicago Zoological Society - Cookie Cockatoo Statue Unveiling
And the Wikipedia page on Cookie the Cockatoo- Cookie (cockatoo) - Wikipedia
 

Lady Jane

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Well that is wonderful. Hope you get a photo for us.
 

taxidermynerd

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Well that is wonderful. Hope you get a photo for us.
I most certainly will! I'm not sure if I'll be going to the unveiling (crowds+anxiety+IBS=not good) but sometime soon we'll be going! I'll be sure to take some really good pictures!
 

macawpower58

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I used to love seeing Cookie's birthday posted each year. So sad when he passed.

I'm glad he got a memorial.
 

Meggie

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My local zoo (Brookfield Zoo in Brookfield, IL) is putting up a statue dedicated to Cookie, the Major Mitchell's cockatoo. He died in 2016 and was the last living animal from the original collection when the zoo opened in 1934.

Cookie was on display in the birds building (if you've been there, it's the building where reptiles are now, where the macaws are in the walk-in aviary) and in his later years, lived in the staff area, coming out every year for his birthday party! He lived to be 83, and he was believed to be the oldest member of his species alive in captivity. He was also one of the longest-lived birds on record and was recognised by the Guinness World Records as the oldest living parrot in the world.

Here's the zoo's page on the statue unveiling- Chicago Zoological Society - Cookie Cockatoo Statue Unveiling
And the Wikipedia page on Cookie the Cockatoo- Cookie (cockatoo) - Wikipedia


I remember seeing Cookie as a kid! It's so wonderful that they are honoring his memory with a statue!
 

Birdbabe

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That's wonderful!
 

Lwalker

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What a lovely memorial.
 

SandraK

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Didn't see this until now but I believe I have a photo of Cookie from 2015 when the AFA held its conference in Chicago (i.e. Rosemont).

P1030013.JPG
 

Sweet Louise

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It is very cool. Isn't Rosie the oldest on AA? How old is she? I loved the pics posted of her during the contest a few weeks back. And thank you for posting a pic of the memorial for Cookie.
 

WallyLoopey

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Wow, so interesting! How cool for it to be local for you!
 

EllaMay

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Beautiful memorial!
 

zoo mom

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It's beautiful.
 
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