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Radio Extra: Zoo Workers Smash Ice Each Morning So Birds Don't Get Eaten

By  Jon Hansen and Paul Biasco | February 6, 2015 4:08pm 

 Lead keeper of birds Chris Fuehrmeyer breaks up ice in the zoo's Hope B. McCormick Swan Pond.
Lead keeper of birds Chris Fuehrmeyer breaks up ice in the zoo's Hope B. McCormick Swan Pond.
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DNAinfo/Paul Biasco

LINCOLN PARK — Wading out into icy waist-deep water doesn't sound like a fun morning activity.

But, for some zoo staff at the Lincoln Park Zoo grabbing a sledge hammer and putting on the waders is a thrill.

At 9 a.m. every morning, it's the bird department's job to make sure the surface of the Hope B. McCormick Swan pond is clear of ice.

On this DNAinfo Radio Extra, Paul Biasco says that ice layer prevents the many ducks, swans and bird species that swim there from being able to dive under for protection:

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