Zoo Sells Reindeer Droppings As Christmas Ornaments

[ER]

(And, hey, extra points to the zoo for not calling them 'holiday ornaments' huh? lol)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/28/AR2008112801046.html




Ill. zoo creates ornaments from reindeer droppings

The Associated Press
Friday, November 28, 2008; 8:21 AM

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. -- The Christmas ornaments for sale at the Miller Park Zoo's gift shop are partly manufactured by reindeer. Honest!

Staffers make decorations out of droppings from the zoo's two reindeer, Ealu and Rika. The droppings are dried, then clear-coated and either painted or rolled in glitter.

Zoo marketing director Susie Ohley has named the products "magical reindeer gem ornaments," and each comes with a label of authenticity. They cost $5 at the zoo gift shop.

Staffer Katie Buydos, who makes jewelry as a hobby, donated wire and beads, saying, "Susie asked me to bring some creativity to the table."

Some folks are surprised at the size of the "gems," which are only about as big as marbles. "Reindeer are so big," zoo maintenance worker Sheldon Williams said. But the droppings are "just a big pile of small."

[ghouck]

Moose turds are sold in many forms as a novelty in AK. Earrings, on stirring sticks, as well as a few other places. I always thought it was a bit weird.

Also, when I was in the Army and at the NCO Academy, I met a guy that would EAT moose turds if they were sufficiently dried out.