A different kind of herd to show up at O’Hare today

Goats, sheep and a donkey — about 30 animals in all — are being brought in to help manage the vegetation.

SHARE A different kind of herd to show up at O’Hare today
A group of sheep graze near a runway at O’Hare Airport.

A herd of goats and sheep — and a donkey named “Jackson” — are returning to O’Hare International Airport on Friday.

Provided photo

A herd of goats and sheep — and a donkey named “Jackson” — are returning to O’Hare International Airport on Friday.

The program, now in its sixth year, brings a herd of about 30 animals to help manage the vegetation at O’Hare, airport officials said.

“The herd provides a sustainable way of clearing overgrown vegetation that could otherwise obstruct aircraft takeoff — supporting safe levels of green space for the local ecosystem while cutting down on emissions. The grazing herd will be on hand through most of this summer,” the city’s Department of Aviation said.

A donkey eats grass near a runway at O’Hare Airport.

Jackson the donkey grazes across one of 35 acres that a herd of sheep and goats will also maintain at O’Hare Airport this summer.

Sun-Times file photo

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