Persuading a teenager to become a lifeguard has never been easy. The job comes with life-or-death responsibility yet often pays less than flipping burgers or folding sweaters. But as outdoor pools in the Chicago area get ready to open for the summer, many for the first time in two years, recruitment is proving harder than ever. Numerous park districts say they’re well behind their lifeguard .
Persuading a teenager to become a lifeguard has never been easy. But as outdoor pools in the Chicago area get ready to open for the summer, many for the first time in two years, recruitment is proving harder than ever.
Randall Oaks Zoo s oldest animal dies
Updated 12/27/2020 5:09 PM
The oldest animal at Randall Oaks Zoo in West Dundee, a 20-year-old deer named Pepper, has died.
The zoo announced Pepper was euthanized on Dec. 19 after suffering from a variety of ailments in recent months, including age-related arthritis. The zoo said fallow deer in the wild live to an average age of 16.
Pepper arrived at River Oaks from the Santa s Village Azoosment Park in 2004 and shared living quarters with his favorite companion, a goat named Pumpkin.
According to the zoo, Pepper quickly became one of the most-popular animals for visitors and the staff at Randall Oaks, and was known for his friendly smile.
Randall Oaks Zoo mourns the loss of its oldest animal, Pepper, the fallow deer Pepper, a 20-year-old fallow deer, first arrived at Randall Oaks Zoo in 2004. Courtesy of Randall Oaks Zoo
Updated 12/23/2020 6:24 PM
The staff at Randall Oaks Zoo is mourning the loss of its oldest animal, a fallow deer named Pepper, that was humanely euthanized Saturday after a severe decline in health. Pepper was a long-time resident who has lived at the West Dundee zoo since 2004. Pepper was nearly 20 years old. Fallow deer live on an average of 16 years in the wild.
The zoo staff said at 20 years, Pepper was struggling with age-related arthritis and other ailments in recent months. Pepper began showing signs of age this past year and was given the best care to make sure he was comfortable until the end.