Saturday, May 24, 2008

Lincoln Park Zoo Gets A Little Greener

"At the Lincoln Park Zoo, leafcutter ants go organic.

They have to: Using their powerful jaws, which vibrate a thousand times a second, the Central and South American insects shear off pieces of leaves to create a life-sustaining fungus -- a fungus that wouldn't grow if the vegetation contained certain artificial chemicals.

Now, what's good for the army of ants is good for the two-legged visitors to Lincoln Park.

This weekend, the zoo debuts a special cafe that serves only organic, sustainable or locally grown eatables. Even forks, spoons, knives and cups are made of biodegradable, cornstarch-based plastics."


Read the article