A different kind of herd to show up at O’Hare today

A herd of goats and sheep — and a donkey named “Jackson” — are returning to O’Hare International Airport on Friday.

A herd of goats and sheep — and a donkey named “Jackson” — are returning to O’Hare International Airport on Friday.

The program, now in its sixth year, brings a herd of about 30 animals to help manage the vegetation at O’Hare, airport officials said.

“The herd provides a sustainable way of clearing overgrown vegetation that could otherwise obstruct aircraft takeoff — supporting safe levels of green space for the local ecosystem while cutting down on emissions. The grazing herd will be on hand through most of this summer,” the city’s Department of Aviation said.

Jackson the donkey grazes across one of 35 acres that a herd of sheep and goats will also maintain at O’Hare Airport this summer.