O'Hare's grass gives burros, llamas, goats and sheep something to chew on (includes videos)

An assortment of burros, llamas, goats and sheep have been chewing on O'Hare International Airport's hard-to-reach landscape for two weeks now, and Tuesday morning the group of about 25 welcomed a new addition.

The baby lamb, a boy, was named O'Hare.

Chicago Department of Aviation officials said the project is part of the airport's sustainability effort. It is spending $19,500 on a two-year contract for the animals. Department Commissioner Rosemarie Andolino could not say how much the airport saves by using them instead of a landscaping service.

Similar programs have been used at airports in Seattle, San Francisco and Atlanta.

Andolino said the areas where the animals graze are virtually impossible for machinery to reach. She also said they serve a second purpose by shooing away other wildlife by gobbling up their habitat.


http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-ohares-grass-gives-burros-llamas-goats-and-sheep-something-to-chew-on-20130813,0,6445395.story