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April 18th, 2024

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Weird Science

News of the Weird

By News of the Weird

Published Oct. 7, 2021

Weird Science

Animal behavioral scientists at the University of Auckland in New Zealand, responding to the critical problem of livestock waste, have trained calves to urinate in a MooLoo -- a special pen with an AstroTurf surface, the Associated Press reported.

Perhaps you didn't know that urine mixed with feces makes ammonia, which is an issue for the environment, or that cows produce an impressive amount of urine in a day: about 8 gallons.

About the potty-training endeavor, the study's senior author, Lindsay Matthews, said, "The cows are at least as good as children, age 2 to 4 years, at least as quick."

Researchers lured the cows into the pen with a sweet treat and then rewarded them when they urinated.

If, after training, they went outside the MooLoo, they got a squirt of cold water.

Next up: No. 2. [Associated Press, 9/13/2021]