Comments on: Miami Zoo Finds a Use for Mounds of Animal Waste

By: Nancy

Nancy — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 17:11:57 +0000

This Pooh sounds like a good idea for zoos and for the landscape end of it, but shouldn’t we be careful
with using animal pooh for vegetable gardens???

Also, Where can I find the facts on the ink they use these days in the different paper products. I know nothing shiney should be used but what about the soft color pictures they are putting in the newspapers
now? Ink used on prints from the computer? Color print on paper towels? etc. Thanks. N

By: Happy Friday :: Something Positive in Miami « Welcome to The Green Scene!

Happy Friday :: Something Positive in Miami « Welcome to The Green Scene! — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 16:51:13 +0000

[...] Check out the article here. [...]

By: Judy

Judy — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 00:06:23 +0000

I agree with Cityslipper. They should have done this long ago.
At the Louisville Zoo in Kentucky where the mix is called Zoo Poopy Doo, the product consists of hoof stock manure from animals including elephants, rhinos, camels and giraffes. This is blended with hay, straw and wood shavings.

The product was first introduced at the Louisville Zoo by Assistant Director Mark Zoeller. Experts at the zoo say it gets its appeal by improving the aeration of the soil and increasing root penetration and water retention, which together reduces crusting of the soil surface.

Last April the Zoo celebrated its novel recycling technique in the form of Zoo Poopy Doo by holding festival sale Saturdays honoring the exotic fertilizer. The sale Saturdays that extended into May were held in the parking lot of the zoo where interested persons could support the zoo and recycling for $30 a scoop.

At the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle where they have been offering the product since the early 1990’s their reference to endangered feces is simply Zoo Doo

By: giovanni tomaine

giovanni tomaine — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 17:29:00 +0000

I would love to have someone deliver me zoo poop. To my worm farm. Special-tworms.com

By: Melissa

Melissa — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 17:07:27 +0000

For zoos that DON’T have a composting program (and I agree with cityslipper that is a mystery), local gardeners can benefit. My dad used to get a truckload of elephant poo from his local zoo a couple of times a year.

Funny thing was, the elephant’s name was Bunny & when he told people those giant – um – clods were “Bunny poo,” he always got the wierdest looks. Grew amazing veggies, though!

By: Gennifer

Gennifer — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 16:34:08 +0000

With it being collected on site wouldnt that create a rodent or pest problem? Disease also would seem to be a factor. Otherwise it sounds like a good plan.

By: Allen Nyhuis

Allen Nyhuis — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 04:03:34 +0000

Of course this is a great idea, but I just can’t get into “poop stories”.

Allen Nyhuis, Coauthor: America’s Best Zoos

By: cityslipper (writing problems)

cityslipper (writing problems) — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 14:59:54 +0000

This news was bewildering and sad. I was truly astonished to learn that any zoo ever trucked poop to a landfill. Why composting wouldn’t be designed into the facility in the first place is a mystery. Thank goodness the Miami Zoo figured out this would save them money and bother. Let’s hope the compost gospel reaches other zoos and all embrace it. Even if a zoo doesn’t compost on-site, there must be entrepreneurs who would truck poop away for free–or even pay to truck it for use in their own sustainable gardening businesses.