Talk about animal attraction -- more than 2.3 million guests visited the Brookfield Zoo in 2012, setting an all-time high attendance record, zoo officials announced on Friday. Zoo memberships also were at a record high level, as was December attendance, helped by the temperate weather.

"We appreciate the continued support from the community and our loyal members who enjoyed the zoo in 2012," said Stuart Strahl, Ph.D., president and CEO of the Chicago Zoological Society, which manages Brookfield Zoo, in an email. "We value the opportunity to help our guests develop a personal connection with the animals in our care and inspire people to conserve wildlife and their habitats."