🫎 Safety first! Even in the wild. For decades, the Forest Preserves of Cook County has removed the antlers of our elk that live at Busse Woods as needed. This ensures the safety of the two male elk, who may otherwise try to assert their dominance using their antlers during the mating season. For the last four years, we have partnered exclusively with Brookfield Zoo Chicago, which provides veterinarians, including resident vet Dr. Eliza Baker, who make sure the elk are healthy and taken care of.

Did you know that the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County is working to protect endangered species right in your own backyard? Through the use of head-start programs, the District helps to boost the populations of the Federally Endangered Hine's Emerald Dragonfly and the State Endangered Blanding's turtle. By giving the young of these species a head-start early in their life cycle, they are able to bypass the dangers of life in the wild, giving them a much higher chance of survival as an a