Lincoln Park Zoo rescues four piping plover eggs after storms submerge nest

Four endangered piping plover eggs were rescued after summer storms submerged their nest in Waukegan, wiping out the chance for natural hatching and threatening the Great Lakes population.

According to a press release by the zoo, around 1 a.m. on Friday, June 12, a local piping plover team contacted Lincoln Park Zoo to begin the urgent transport of the four rescued eggs to the city facility.

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Upon arrival, staff immediately evaluated and monitored the eggs before placing them in an incubator, marking the start of emergency care.

Zoo coordinates captive rearing for survival

The zoo has long served as a critical stopover location for the Piping Plover Recovery Program, even hatching chicks for reintroduction to Montrose Beach, according to the announcement.

Despite difficult odds, the eggs began the hatching process and were moved to the University of Michigan Biological Station via the Detroit Zoo for captive rearing and hand-rearing.

The zoo did not comment on whether the transferred eggs will be returned to the Chicago area once hatched. 

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With more storms expected, Lincoln Park Zoo remains in close contact with conservation partners to ensure emergency intervention if needed at any piping plover location.

To learn more about the zoo’s conservation efforts worldwide, visit lpzoo.org.