I read with amusement the news item about a zoo in southern Michigan that is selling a composted mixture of manure produced by exotic animals. They sell it to farmers as fertilizer at $25 a load to zoo members and $30 for nonmembers (a load of crap?). Zebras, antelopes, giraffes and other animals contribute to the mix (the zoo is an equal opportunity employer). I think the zoo is on to something, but they did not go far enough. Here are some more ideas the zoo should try as fundraisers:
1. Coffee. Kopi Luwak is a rare gourmet coffee made from beans passed through the digestive system of monkeys named palm civets. The zoo should feed their monkeys those coffee beans. They could experiment with other exotic animals and coffee beans like turtles and hazelnut. Care to be the first to taste it?
2. Bird nests. Edible bird's nests are an expensive delicacy made by the White-nest Swiftlet and the Black-nest Swiftlet. The nests are rich in nutrients, which are believed to provide health benefits. There may be other birds that can produce a tasty nest. Professional tasters are needed.
3. Paper. Mentalfloss.com states that a company in Thailand uses elephant dung to make paper. They then make the paper into notebooks. Another company in Thailand makes paper out of panda dung. There is also a Welsh company that uses sheep dung to make paper. I wonder if the paper is scented.
4. Souvenirs. In Alaska, Maine, Colorado and Canada, moose droppings are made into souvenirs (Mentalfloss.com). Has anyone tried using buffalo or deer dung to make souvenirs? Probably not a good idea to set the souvenirs in direct sunlight.
1. Coffee. Kopi Luwak is a rare gourmet coffee made from beans passed through the digestive system of monkeys named palm civets. The zoo should feed their monkeys those coffee beans. They could experiment with other exotic animals and coffee beans like turtles and hazelnut. Care to be the first to taste it?
2. Bird nests. Edible bird's nests are an expensive delicacy made by the White-nest Swiftlet and the Black-nest Swiftlet. The nests are rich in nutrients, which are believed to provide health benefits. There may be other birds that can produce a tasty nest. Professional tasters are needed.
3. Paper. Mentalfloss.com states that a company in Thailand uses elephant dung to make paper. They then make the paper into notebooks. Another company in Thailand makes paper out of panda dung. There is also a Welsh company that uses sheep dung to make paper. I wonder if the paper is scented.
4. Souvenirs. In Alaska, Maine, Colorado and Canada, moose droppings are made into souvenirs (Mentalfloss.com). Has anyone tried using buffalo or deer dung to make souvenirs? Probably not a good idea to set the souvenirs in direct sunlight.
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