Talk about ‘egg-citing’ news! Lincoln Park Zoo and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) are thrilled to announce the successful hatching of an endangered Great Lakes piping plover chick. The chick has been re-introduced to its ‘famous’ parents, Monty and Rose at Montrose Beach. As an endangered species, Great Lakes piping plovers Monty and Rose…
For decades, primates (monkeys, apes, and lemurs) have been used in the entertainment industry, appearing as “actors” and props in television shows, movies, advertisements, street performances, photographs, and music videos. These appearances negatively impact both individual animal welfare and the conservation of primates at large. Research conducted through the Lester E. Fisher Center for the…
Each spring, the eastern massasauga rattlesnake emerges from the hole that it hibernates in all winter long, ready for sunshine and food to kick-start its growth and reproduction for the year. This creates the perfect opportunity for scientists to study this illusive, threatened species. Every year, the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake Species Survival Plan® (SSP), the…
For the first time in its 152-year history, Lincoln Park Zoo temporarily closed for an extended period. Since then, our concept of “normal” operations has completely changed. Due to the pandemic, the zoo closed to the public from March through June 2020 and again from January 2021 until late February this year. As the City…
Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo is an urban oasis teeming with life. This serene, prairie-style wetland surrounded by a meandering boardwalk and native plants and trees is the perfect place for Chicagoans to connect with nature in the heart of the city. Four Midwest native species of milkweed are already present around the boardwalk,…
The Urban Wildlife Information Network (UWIN) created by the Urban Wildlife Institute at Lincoln Park Zoo combats our biodiversity crisis by making cities part of the solution. This global network of urban ecologists collects data on urban wildlife that can ultimately reduce human-wildlife conflict in some of the most heavily populated areas on Earth. Since…
Urban Wildlife Institute scientists have been in the field studying the relationship between Chicagoland’s urban mammals and tick-borne disease risk, with a purpose to better understand how urban sprawl affects the transmission of disease between wildlife and humans. Did you know that public health risks from tick-borne disease are increasing in the United States, particularly…
In a room filled with warm light and optimistic keepers, an egg the size of a quarter lies silently in an incubator, a crack forming along its top. After years of planning, 23 days of incubation, and 36 hours of hatching, a tiny, pink bird with darkened eyes emerges from its shell. A Guam kingfisher—a…
Spring is in the air and so are the birds! Spring migration has begun, and birds are busy on their journey. Every year, millions of birds die after crashing into closed windows during their trip. How can you help ensure that migrating birds have a safe passage? Check out the tips, below, and be a…
Since pandemic restrictions have been in place, there have been various articles about rats circulating social media platforms. There have also been emails from local community organizations and aldermanic offices that have been about the Chicago Rat Project. This project asked residents across our city about rats to help us understand the experiences and feelings…
