The Flamingo Habitat at Lincoln Park Zoo has seen some major changes lately. To spur reproduction, renovations to the habitat have included denser vegetation (which flamingos prefer) and a flatter, muddier mix of soil (easing the building of nest mounds). And it worked: the zoo has flamingos laying eggs for the first time in its 140-year history. The first flamingo egg was spotted in late June, cracking soon after, and nine more eggs have appeared since. As of July 14, the eggs are still safe, but keepers at the zoo don’t know if they will survive through the 30-day incubation period, nor if the eggs are even fertile. Offspring are expected to start hatching in about two weeks. more ›