One of Brookfield Zoo’s newest tenants recently emerged from her mom’s pouch and can now be seen at the zoo’s Australia House.
Stories by alex ruppenthal
Durbin Co-Sponsors Bill to Bolster Environmental Justice Efforts
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin is among a handful of legislators behind a bill that would strengthen legal protections for communities disproportionately impacted by pollution and other environmental threats.
Obama Science Adviser: ‘Do Not Be Intimidated, Speak Truth to Power’
Scientists should respond to a “political climate of opposition to facts” by speaking out about their work, said John P. Holdren during a recent lecture on climate change at the Illinois Institute of Technology.
Dramatic Recovery of Illinois Sport Fish Traced to Clean Water Act
The remarkable comeback of 13 sport fish species in the Illinois River began just after implementation of the Clean Water Act, according to a new study by the Illinois Natural History Survey.
Zoos Celebrate International Sloth Day
Did you know it’s International Sloth Day? We check in with one of Lincoln Park Zoo’s experts to learn about these furry, slow-moving animals.
Study: 68,000 Illinois Residents Use Well Water High in Arsenic
More than 2 million Americans, including nearly 68,000 in Illinois, get water from wells with high levels of toxic arsenic, according to a new study by the U.S. Geological Survey and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Virtual Reality Submarine to Set Sail at Lincoln Park Zoo
A new experience coming this fall to Lincoln Park Zoo will allow visitors “dive” into the ocean and explore landscapes and wildlife at the North and South Poles or in deep ocean waters.
Astronomers Detect Colliding Neutron Stars in Historic Observation
An international team that includes Chicago astronomers recently observed the collision of two high-density neutron stars, a historic discovery that confirms decades of scientific work.
Young Angler Catches Rare American Eel at Chicago River Fishing Event
An American eel caught by a 5-year-old angler last week is possibly the first such eel ever recorded in the Chicago River, according to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
UChicago Poll: Most Americans Want Government to Address Climate Change
A new poll on climate and energy reveals surprising attitudes from Americans. We talk with the leader of the University of Chicago study group.
Obama Science Adviser to Give Lecture on Climate Change
President Barack Obama’s science and technology adviser will deliver a lecture on climate change this week in Chicago. John P. Holdren was the longest-serving science adviser in the history of the position.
Rare Herons Thriving But Keep Falling Out of Their Nests, Zoo Says
The black-crowned night heron is one of the rarest birds in Illinois. Lincoln Park Zoo now hosts a colony of more than 600 herons, but things have getting a bit crowded.
Tough Road Ahead for 4-Week-Old Beluga Whale Rescued in Alaska
Shedd Aquarium experts are among those caring for a whale calf rescued Sept. 30 in Alaska’s Cook Inlet. The calf belongs to a critically endangered population of beluga whales.
Group Plans to Sue EPA’s Pruitt Over East Chicago Coke Plant
Since 2010, the EPA has cited an East Chicago steelmaking facility six times for violations of the Clean Air Act. Now, a group representing nearby residents intends to sue EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt over the renewal of the company’s operating permit.
Guests Welcome at Lincoln Park Zoo’s New ‘Insect Hotel’
It looks like an art project, but a seven-floor structure at Lincoln Park Zoo is outfitted with logs, bricks, sticks and other materials to provide cozy spaces for insects to nest.
Half-Naked ‘Zebra’ to Protest Circus Opening This Week in Chicago
Dressed in little more than black-and-white body paint, a PETA supporter on Wednesday will urge passersby to skip performances this month by a circus company with a track record of mistreating animals.
Chicago Considers ‘Good Food’ Procurement Policy
Chicago could become the first U.S. city outside of California to adopt a policy requiring it to purchase food from sources that meet a set of health, environmental and fair labor standards.
Brookfield Zoo to Host International Symposium on Animal Welfare
More than 125 animal welfare experts from around the world will gather in October to share new research and best practices related to caring for animals in zoos and aquariums.
How Does an Aquarium Cut Water Use by 50 Percent in 5 Years?
Since embarking on a new sustainability initiative, Shedd Aquarium has cut annual water use by more than half, from 60 million gallons in 2012 to 28 million gallons today.
Report: Online Puppy Scams Target Thousands of U.S. Pet Buyers
A Chicago-area man who wanted to buy a dog for his daughter nearly fell victim to a West African-based scheme targeting thousands of hopeful pet owners. What the Better Business Bureau is saying about the scam.
Illinois Tree Climbing Championship Returns to Chicago
More than two dozen of the state’s best tree climbers will face off in challenges this weekend when a little-known event returns to Chicago after a decadeslong hiatus.
Chicago Installs New Mobile Cameras to Catch Illegal Dumpers
Fifteen new high-resolution security cameras will target those who illegally dump old furniture, tires and other waste across the city.
UChicago Study Reveals Tectonic Shift in Chronology of Earth’s History
A new study suggests that Earth’s tectonic plates began moving 3.5 billion years ago – about half a billion years earlier than previously thought.
Photos: Shedd Debuts Giant Sea Life Sculptures Made From Ocean Trash
Sea creatures made from flip-flops, beach toys, water bottles and other plastic garbage that washed ashore are part of a new exhibit illuminating the proliferation of pollution in the world’s waterways.
Brookfield Zoo to Unveil Statue of Beloved Cookie the Cockatoo
The colorful bird who lived to the ripe old age of 83 had a global fan base and seemed to enjoy being the center of attention. A year after his death, Brookfield Zoo is set to unveil a statue in his honor.
Why a Chicago Building Appears to be Cracked Like a Melting Iceberg
A public art installation along the Chicago River aims to bring the realities of climate change in Antarctica to Chicago.
