LINCOLN PARK — Wading into icy, waist-deep water doesn't sound like morning fun.
But for some staffers at the Lincoln Park Zoo, grabbing a sledgehammer and putting on the waders is a thrill.
At 9 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.
That ice layer prevents the many ducks, swans and bird species that swim there from being able to dive under for protection.
"The ducks can dive and avoid predators in that way, so that's really important, because we do get hawks and things around the area," said Andy Van Laan, the Lincoln Park Zoo manager of birds.
The waterfowl also need to be able to stay in the water to regulate their temperature, as the water is warmer than the air temperature most of the winter.
Van Laan said the zoo hasn't had any predatory attacks this winter, and credited his team's hard work in making sure the ice is clear.
The pond has a water circulation system, but the bitter cold each night still freezes most of the water's surface.
Paul Biasco says workers are at the zoo very early in the morning:
Chris Fuehrmeyer, whose job it was to smash the ice one recent morning, said she looks forward to it.
Donning heavy-duty waders and gloves, Fuehrmeyer said she actually works up a sweat doing the task.
"It can be addicting," she said.
Two snow white trumpeter swans are home at the pond, as well as hooded mergansers, Northern pintails and Ruddy ducks. Wild mallard that aren't part of the zoo's collection also frequent the pond.
"We've got a lot of people at the zoo that are working in really cold-weather jobs down at the antelope and zebra areas and all outdoor areas," Van Laan said.
He said some crew get to the zoo as early as 2 a.m. to start shoveling and prepare the grounds.
"This winter is a lot better than last winter," Van Laan said. "That was one of the worst winters in my life. We did get that big snow the other day, but we are handling it OK."
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