(Courtesy of Navy Pier)

Jack-o’-lanterns, papermaking, a “Frankenstein”-inspired play and a Halloween-themed run usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

Brookfield Zoo recently welcomed a new pair of lions. (Jim Schulz / Chicago Zoological Society)

Brutus and Titus, 4-year-old brothers, arrived at their new home in mid-March. Learn more about the African lions during a Facebook Live chat on Thursday.

(Photo courtesy of the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum)

Scaly creatures, a Dia de Los Muertos celebration, graveyard performances and a beer-centric conference usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

Sabiena, one of Brookfield Zoo’s two newly adopted California sea lions, is examined by members of the zoo’s medical team on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2019. (Jay Shefsky / WTTW News)

The population at Brookfield Zoo is growing. Last week, the zoo adopted two California Sea Lions – both with health issues. We meet Carolyn and Sabiena as they get physical exams at the zoo.

Snowflake, a 7-foot-long albino American alligator, will reside at Brookfield Zoo through September. (Kelly Tone / Chicago Zoological Society)

Snowflake, a 16-year-old American alligator, is estimated to be one of just about 100 albino alligators in existence. 

Chicago Zoological Society veterinary staff position Hudson, Brookfield Zoo’s 12-year-old male polar bear, in preparation for a CT scan. (Jim Schulz / Chicago Zoological Society)

Pair of Brookfield Polar Bears Involved in Artificial Insemination

Hudson, a 1,000-pound male polar bear at Brookfield Zoo, underwent a historic checkup this week when he received a CT scan and had semen collected, which was used to inseminate two female polar bears. 

A North American river otter born in February at Brookfield Zoo had to be euthanized after his health declined. (Jim Schulz / Chicago Zoological Society)

Staff made the decision to euthanize the North American river otter pup after his health declined over the weekend. “This was an enormously hard decision to make,” said Bill Zeigler of the Chicago Zoological Society.

A North American river otter born in February at Brookfield Zoo will be relocated to a zoo with otters of a similar age. (Jim Schulz / Chicago Zoological Society)

Staff at the zoo are caring for the pup because his mother was unable to provide him with proper nourishment. His arrival in February marked the zoo’s second successful birth for this once-endangered species.

(Courtesy of Macy's)

Lush plants, show tunes, hot coffee and cold beer usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

Valentino, a small African antelope, was born Thursday at Brookfield Zoo. (Cathy Bazzoni / Chicago Zoological Society)

The tiny African antelope born on Valentine’s Day was euthanized Tuesday, according to zoo officials, who identified a birth defect that affected the animal’s ability to swallow normally.

(Chicago Botanic Garden / Facebook)

Blooming orchids, an outdoor beer fest and a massive bike ride usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago. 

Valentino, a small African antelope, was born Thursday at Brookfield Zoo. (Cathy Bazzoni / Chicago Zoological Society)

A tiny African antelope that belongs to one of the smallest species of its kind in the world received a name befitting his Feb. 14 birthday.

An animal care specialist at Brookfield Zoo measures the girth of a dolphin. (Courtesy Chicago Zoological Society)

Unlike the industry serving health-conscious humans, there are no books, infomercials or 12-week programs to help dolphins optimize their diets. But there is an app for that, thanks to new research by animal welfare specialists.

Apache, foreground, a 7-year-old old male Mexican wolf recently arrived at Brookfield Zoo to be paired with 2-year-old Ela. (Jim Schulz / Chicago Zoological Society)

Zoo officials say they’re hopeful that 2-year-old Ela and newcomer Apache, 7, will have a successful breeding season this winter and produce a litter of wolf pups in the spring.

A group of Mexican wolves at Brookfield Zoo (Jim Schulz / Chicago Zoological Society)

They are one of the most successful packs within the nationwide Mexican Wolf Recovery Program, but nine of the 10 wolves will leave Chicago for new homes as part of a plan to help save the endangered species.

Layla, an eastern black rhinoceros at Brookfield Zoo (Courtesy Chicago Zoological Society)

The 2,300-pound rhinoceros, Layla, logged an important milestone this week, celebrating her eighth birthday just months after overcoming a near-deadly infection.