St. Patrick’s Day festivities kicked off a day early at Brookfield Zoo last week, where seals, camels, lemurs, orangutans and gorillas got shamrock-shaped and green-colored treats.
Stories by Alex Ruppenthal
Photos: Lincoln Park Zoo Welcomes New Polar Bear Talini
The 14-year-old female polar bear who recently arrived in Chicago is expected to mate with 8-year-old Siku, who has lived at the zoo since 2016.
How 11,000 Citizen Scientists Helped Unlock Decades of Biological Data
From kindergartners to college professors, citizen scientists helped Field Museum researchers examine more than 100,000 plant samples that could hold clues to key scientific questions.
Rare Comet Moth Emerges From Cocoon at Notebaert Nature Museum
A brightly colored moth rarely seen in the U.S. (and bigger than a human hand) emerged from its cocoon Friday at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum – but you better get there fast if you want to see it.
Group Calls for End to Garbage in Chicago River
The Chicago River is cleaner today than it has been in generations, but “cleaner” is a relative term. One local advocacy group wants the city to aim for a trash-free river.
Master Beekeeper Program Buzzes Into Chicago
Want to become a certified beekeeper? A new six-course program covers the history and economics of beekeeping, taxonomy of insects, botany, pollination and what to expect during your first year.
Lincoln Park Zoo Assists in Arrest of Notorious Elephant Poachers
How local scientists played a key role in the arrest of three well-known elephant poachers in the Republic of Congo.
UChicago Students Creating App to Fight Air Pollution in India
Air pollution kills more than one million people every year in India. A team of Chicago students are now developing an app they think will give Indians the tools needed to confront the deadly problem.
Sniff Test: Study Incorporates Smell into Virtual Reality
A new study by researchers at Northwestern University could help tech developers incorporate smell into virtual reality systems, adding a new wrinkle to technology that has, thus far, focused primarily on visuals and audio.
A Word of Caution for Eager Chicago Gardeners: Wait
A recent warm-weather spell might make it tempting to dig into your garden. But with another cold spell likely, Chicago Botanic Garden’s Boyce Tankersley says it’s too early to break out the garden shears.
Climate Activists Knock Chicago’s Continued Investment in Fossil Fuels
A new investment strategy calls for Chicago to redirect funds toward companies that prioritize environmental responsibility and social causes, but local climate activists say the plan falls short.
Chicago Looks to Ban Future Manganese Operations
A brain-damaging pollutant found at high levels near thousands of Southeast Side homes would be banned at future industrial sites under a new ordinance introduced by city officials Wednesday.
Lawmakers Push for Transparency in Illinois Fracking Law
Recently introduced legislation would update Illinois’ fracking law to increase protections for land owners and require more information from oil and gas companies applying for fracking permits.
Illinois EPA Ditches Plan to Hold Public Meetings on VW Settlement
Despite a commitment from the state’s top environmental official, Illinois EPA will not hold public meetings to gather input on the state’s plan for spending $107.8 million in Volkswagen settlement money.
Shedd’s New Exhibit to Showcase ‘Underwater Beauty’ With 100 Species
Get a glimpse of life beneath the waves and see the “vibrant beauty of marine life” found in waters across the globe at the Shedd Aquarium this spring.
Study: Chicago Could See 80,000 Electric Cars by 2030
Chicago could see a significant increase in electric cars by the end of the next decade, but drivers will need the city to install thousands of new charging stations to keep those cars on the road.
Do Stingrays Like Being Touched? New Research Says ‘Maybe’
A first-of-its-kind study involving nearly 60 stingrays at Shedd Aquarium indicates that the animals do not suffer from their interactions with humans – and might even enjoy it.
Heavy Rain Causes Flooding, Sewer Backups in Chicago Area
Melting snow and more than 2 inches of rain have caused flooding and sewer backups in and around Chicago.
Emanuel, Mayors Send Letter to EPA Opposing Repeal of Clean Power Plan
Mayor Rahm Emanuel joined 230-plus mayors Tuesday in formally opposing the Trump administration’s proposed repeal of the Clean Power Plan, which aims to reduce carbon emissions that contribute to climate change.
Combined Rain and Melting Snow Poses Flooding Risk in Chicago
A forecast of heavy rain, unseasonably warm temperatures and melting snow presents a flooding risk for Chicago. MWRD offers tips to prevent basement backups and reduce strain on local water systems.
Illinois Idling on Spending Plan for Volkswagen Settlement Money
Legislation filed this week would give Illinois officials a deadline for deciding how the state will spend $108.7 million from a national settlement with Volkswagen over the German automaker’s emissions scandal.
Photos: Animals at Brookfield Zoo Get Valentine’s Treats
Date or no date, single or taken, animals at Brookfield Zoo experienced Valentine’s Day with the best kind of gift: food.
Adler’s Popular ‘What is a Planet?’ Exhibit Returns This Week
Starting Friday, planetarium visitors will have another chance to explore the ever-evolving way humans view the universe.
Orangutan Undergoes Emergency Appendectomy at Brookfield Zoo
Ben, a 40-year-old orangutan at Brookfield Zoo, underwent an emergency appendectomy last month after veterinary staff discovered a ruptured appendix.
Forgotten, But Not Gone: Sea Slug Brains Show Traces of Lost Memories
Two Chicago-area researchers have uncovered what they think is the first piece of physical evidence showing that forgotten memories could still live on inside our brains.
