Brookfield Zoo’s oldest resident, Adelaide, turns 56

At Brookfield Zoo, birthdays are always special—but when you’re the zoo’s oldest resident, the celebration is extra meaningful! On March 23, Adelaide, a short-beaked echidna and beloved member of the zoo’s Australia exhibit, turned an impressive 56 years old. Animal care staff and delighted guests gathered to honor the occasion, presenting Adelaide with a nutritious birthday cake crowned with her favorite treat—wax worms!

As the crowd sang "Happy Birthday," Adelaide, with her signature slow and steady movements, investigated her festive meal. Though echidnas may not blow out candles, she certainly enjoyed her special dish, lapping up the wax worms with her long, sticky tongue.

Short-beaked echidnas like Adelaide hail from Australia and New Guinea and are among the planet’s most unique creatures. As one of only two mammals that lay eggs, they are part of an ancient lineage dating back millions of years. Their bodies are covered in spines and fur, and their powerful claws make them expert diggers. Unlike many other animals, echidnas have no teeth—they rely on keratinous spines in their mouths to grind up food.

Adelaide has been a treasured resident of Brookfield Zoo for decades, inspiring countless visitors with her resilience and charm. At 56, she continues to thrive under the care of the zoo’s dedicated team. Guests can visit Adelaide and her fellow echidnas in the Australia exhibit at Brookfield Zoo, located at 3300 Golf Road in Brookfield, Illinois.

Here’s to many more spiky, sweet birthdays for Adelaide!

(Brookfield Zoo, 3300 Golf Road, Brookfield, IL., brookfieldzoo.org)