Maxine, a bottlenose dolphin at Brookfield Zoo, died June 2 after suffering an acute bacterial infection, the zoo announced Tuesday.
Stories by alex ruppenthal
Do Mice Prefer Chicago or its Suburbs? Lincoln Park Zoo Explores
Jun 11, 2018 | Alex Ruppenthal
When it comes to picking a place to live, many Chicago-area mice tend to be city dwellers rather than suburbanites, according to initial results from an ongoing study by Lincoln Park Zoo.
Studio Gang’s $9M Bridgeport Boathouse Wins River Org’s Top Award
Jun 8, 2018 | Alex Ruppenthal
A recently completed boathouse along the South Branch of the Chicago River got top honors this week from the nonprofit group Friends of the Chicago River.
99-Million-Year-Old Beetle Discovered by Field Museum Researcher
Jun 7, 2018 | Alex Ruppenthal
A tiny black speck contained within fossilized resin turned out to be the remains of an insect so ancient that it lived among dinosaurs.
UChicago Study: Earth Might Have Supported Life Earlier Than Thought
Jun 6, 2018 | Alex Ruppenthal
A study of rock minerals from northern Canada provides evidence that the Earth might have supported life hundreds of millions of years earlier than thought, according to research led by UChicago scientists.
Machine Built in Chicago to Probe Mysterious New Particles
Jun 5, 2018 | Alex Ruppenthal
A machine developed at the Illinois Institute of Technology will help scientists search for elusive new particles that could reshape physicists’ understanding of how the universe operates.
Brookfield Zoo Staff Examine New Way to Measure Animal Welfare
Jun 5, 2018 | Alex Ruppenthal
A set of proteins long used to evaluate the well-being of humans can also serve as a marker for the welfare of animals in zoos and aquariums, according to a new study.
Brookfield Zoo Welcomes Newborn Western Lowland Gorilla
Jun 4, 2018 | Alex Ruppenthal
The latest member of Brookfield Zoo’s four-generation family of western lowland gorillas was born June 1, the third offspring of Koola, the newborn’s 23-year-old mother.
Illinois Sues EPA Over Regulation of Harmful Landfill Emissions
Jun 1, 2018 | Alex Ruppenthal
The EPA has failed to implement a 2016 regulation aimed at reducing landfill emissions of methane and other pollutants, according to a lawsuit filed this week by Illinois and seven other states.
Illinois Bill Would Help Agencies Donate Leftover Food
May 31, 2018 | Alex Ruppenthal
Lawmakers recently approved a bill that would help state agencies donate leftover food in an effort to reduce waste and feed hungry residents.
Illinois Lawmakers Approve Ban on Sale of Ivory
May 30, 2018 | Alex Ruppenthal
A growing number of states are taking up bans on the sale of ivory in an effort to curb elephant and rhinoceros poaching and undermine the $20 billion-per-year enterprise of wildlife trafficking. Illinois could be next.
New Brookfield Zoo Exhibit Highlights ‘Amazing Arachnids’
May 29, 2018 | Alex Ruppenthal
Get a close-up look at 100 live eight-legged critters – aka arachnids – including spiders, scorpions, tarantulas and more at Brookfield Zoo.
Bill to Boost Urban Agriculture in Illinois Heads to Rauner’s Desk
May 29, 2018 | Alex Ruppenthal
Legislation that could help break up food deserts in Chicago and other cities across the state passed the Illinois Senate last week and now awaits the signature of Gov. Bruce Rauner.
Dinosaur-Killing Asteroid Wiped Out Forests, Too, Study Finds
May 29, 2018 | Alex Ruppenthal
A research team with a Chicago connection has uncovered new evidence about the devastating impact of the dinosaur-killing asteroid that struck Earth about 66 million years ago.
Bill to Legalize Industrial Hemp Clears Illinois Legislature
May 24, 2018 | Alex Ruppenthal
The state is one step closer to legalizing the production of industrial hemp after a 106-3 vote in the Illinois House this week.
Chicago Places 8th in New Ranking of Urban Park Systems
May 24, 2018 | Alex Ruppenthal
This is Chicago’s first year cracking the top 10 of the ParkScore Index, an annual ranking of park systems in the nation’s 100 biggest cities.
Lincoln Park Zoo Welcomes New 2-Year-Old Giraffe, Finely
May 23, 2018 | Alex Ruppenthal
A new zoo resident born in downstate Peoria stands about 9 feet tall. Guests can see the 2-year-old giraffe Finely at the zoo’s Regenstein African Journey exhibit.
Field Museum Archaeologist Solves Clues to 12th Century Shipwreck
May 18, 2018 | Alex Ruppenthal
After taking a fresh look at a treasure trove of cargo recovered from the dark sea floor in the 1980s, researchers make new discoveries about a centuries-old shipwreck.
Special Exhibit Showcases 150 Years of Lincoln Park Zoo
May 17, 2018 | Alex Ruppenthal
“From Swans to Science: 150 Years of Lincoln Park Zoo” takes visitors on a journey through the zoo’s 150-year history, which started with a gift of four swans in 1868.
Brookfield Zoo Rhino Has Life-Saving Surgery, 2nd CT Scan
May 16, 2018 | Alex Ruppenthal
Following a historic diagnostic procedure last month, Layla, a 2,300-pound eastern black rhinoceros, underwent life-saving surgery last week to relieve an infection.
Field Museum Researcher Identifies New Shrew Species in Philippines
May 15, 2018 | Alex Ruppenthal
A mole-like mammal known as the Palawan moss shrew was recently discovered in the Philippines by a team of researchers – including one from Chicago.
Shedd’s New Penguin Chick Hatches Just In Time For Mother’s Day
May 15, 2018 | Alex Ruppenthal
A new Magellanic penguin chick hatched Saturday at Shedd Aquarium, just hours before Mother's Day.
‘You Have to Protect Us’: Residents Speak Out About Manganese Pollution
May 14, 2018 | Alex Ruppenthal
About 100 Southeast Side residents attended the first public meeting addressing exposure to neurotoxic manganese since the city became aware of it in 2016. “How are you going to keep us healthy?” one resident asked.
Máximo the Titanosaur to Debut June 1 at Field Museum
May 14, 2018 | Alex Ruppenthal
The enormous dinosaur cast replacing Sue the T. rex at the Field Museum will be here in just a few weeks. And the new resident now has a name.
PETA Awards CPD After Officer Saves Chicken Stuck Inside Plastic Bag
May 10, 2018 | Alex Ruppenthal
A “chicken in distress” call last month led to an unusual rescue effort in Lincoln Park – and an award for the Chicago Police Department.
EPA to Test Soil for Manganese on Southeast Side
May 9, 2018 | Alex Ruppenthal
A week ago, test results from soil samples collected at two dozen Southeast Side homes revealed high levels of manganese. Now, the EPA will conduct further testing in the area.