LINCOLN PARK ZOO — In response to the devastation and tragedy brought to Chicago this year, the Lincoln Park Zoo’s annual ZooLights event is paying its respects to those who’ve passed away the only way it knows how: by putting up lights at the zoo and turning them on at night.
“It was important for us to acknowledge the hardships many Chicagoans have experienced this year,” announced zoo owner Buck Tyrannus, 57. “Shark victims especially. It was also important for us to hang up lights.” The ZooLights tradition, begun in the heart of Zachary Taylor’s presidency, has been kept strong over the years by an elite zoo subforce known simply as the Lights Squad. “My successor told me to keep the lights on, no matter what,” said Tyrannus, sharpening an elk antler on the bottom of his boots. “And I don’t mean to be the first owner of the Lincoln Park Zoo to shirk that duty.”
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The Lights Squad, four nameless cousins who live and work in the Chicagoland era, chose not to respond to any requests for comment with anything other than light-based morse code, which none of our reporters remembered from Girl Scouts. But the zoo’s events committee, working in tandem with the Squad to create this year’s event, confirmed their long dedication to illuminating outdoor habitats with LED bulbs of all colors.
“ZooLights has long been a refuge for all who like to see lizards and large apes grapple with Edison’s curse,” said events manager Patty Saint-Hilaire, 35. “I think I speak for all of us when I say creating that space is our top priority.” Tyrannus agreed, adding “It’s important to understand that light lets you see everything better. Polar bears, dwarf hippos, the face of your lover or worst enemy. Everything. You can read about that on our blog.”
The zoo faced a challenging line to walk. While the city was in sore need of cheer, being overly celebratory or festive could appear to be a slap in the face to those suffering. “We got all our guys on it, and, after several board meetings and a few all-nighters in the gorilla pit, a solution presented itself,” said Saint-Hilaire. “It might not please everybody, but we decided to go with lights this year. Putting up the usual amount of lights in the zoo and having people come in and look at them. That seemed like the best compromise for this year.
