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Guests of the zoo apparently saw the photo and flooded the zoo with complaints of racism on its Facebook page, calling for the employee to be fired. The photo has been shared thousands of times across social media.

Although the woman, identified as Shana Latrice, has removed her Facebook page and put her Instagram account on private, NBC Chicago reports that she responded to the criticism with a post that said, "I know what I am & racist is not one of em."

The Brookfield Zoo has responded saying the employee no longer works there and hopes that guests will not "let the actions of one individual overshadow the longstanding good work of the Chicago Zoological Society."

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Fans celebrate in the stands after Cape Verde defeated Eswatini in a World Cup qualifying soccer match at Estádio Nacional in Praia, Cape Verde, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, to clinch their qualification for the 2026 World Cup. (Cristiano Barbosa/AP)

Credit: AP