Keeper Blogs

Sparky’s Green Initiative draws attention from KSTP-TV!

Creature Feature Featured on KARE-11

And then there were three…

Yesterday we introduced the Grant’s Zebras in hopes they will breed. The male Ulysses has watched the two females Thelma and Minnie for a year or two from his exhibit across the visitor path at the hoof stock area as they ran together in a display with the lesser kudu, crowned cranes, and yellow-billed stork. After making some minor changes to the yard to ensure a safe introduction, the three of

RibbitZibit & Tropical Encounters on KARE-11

Getting my ducks in a row for Summer

Nothing says Spring like ducklings. This past week we got in 4 ducklings of various breeds. They will participate in the Creature Feature show this Summer which highlights animals’ natural behaviors in a story type format. Initially the ducklings were anxious when I was around, scurrying away and peeping at me. Now though, they perk up at the sound of my voice and look up at me. Come see them

Answer the call of the wild: donate your cell phone!

KSTP Phone-a-Thon

Next week on Wednesday, 13 April, KSTP and Como Friends will host a phone-a-thon for Como Zoo. Call in to sponsor an animal at the Como Zoo and help support your favorite zoo resident. Your contribution will be used to enhance animal habitats and maintain the best care possible for all of Como Zoo’s animals. Animal sponsorships are available in many affordable price ranges. This year two

TOAD’ally Awesome Amphibians on KARE-11

Office Visit

Yesterday I had a special visitor to my office. The conversation was pretty one sided and I ended up doing most of the talking, she just hung out under my desk and ate fish!It was as you can tell by the picture an African Penguin. BJ is our resident Penguin Ambassador and charms people young and old with her visits to schools, libraries, and more. The zoo keepers take her out so she can interact

Gorillas in the snow

The gorillas ventured out to their outdoor exhibit today despite the snow being hip deep in parts. This opportunity is possible because of the warm March weather we are currently enjoying. Both Togo and Schroeder made their way around the perimeter picking up hand-fulls of snow to eat and munching on the diet the zoo keepers scattered in the yard. After getting some fresh air and brain freeze

Prickly but adorable!

The Animal Support Building zoo keepers welcomed some new additions into the zoo collection on February 28th; Baby Hedgehogs! These little cuties are actually born with quills, but they are soft to make for an easier delivery for Mom. The quills start to harden shortly after birth. They will stay with Mom for 4-6 weeks before they start venturing out on their own and will be used by the education

Good Question! How do zoo animals sleep at night?

WCCO-TV was out last night to do a fun story on zoo animal sleeping habits. Check it out!

Day #9 on the Tundra With Zookeeper Sara **WARNING** A bit graphic!

Sara, one of our zoo keepers, is in the Arctic right now with Polar Bears International. She has been sending me great, quick reports & pictures. This is from day 9: "Once in a lifetime viewing today, we saw a male polar bear eating a seal carcass on the shores of the Hudson Bay. Three other bears caught the scent, a female who was not successful in eating any and 2 males who took turns

Zoo Keeper reports & pictures from the Arctic

Sara, one of our zoo keepers, is in the Arctic right now with Polar Bears International. She has been sending me great, quick reports & pictures I want to share. These are from Friday – Sunday: Day 5The bears hunkered down today in day beds they made in the kelp. One guy took a short break from his nap to stretch a bit and play with the kelp, tossing it in the air and catching it on his paw, and

Our Teen on the Tundra’s Final Blog Entry

10/16/10 Today is my last day on this amazing and life-changing trip. Its extremely hard to have to say goodbye to all the wonderful friends I’ve made and to the tundra that has been my home for the last week. We’re flying out of Churchill to Winnipeg, and then back to our own states, territories, and countries. Its very solemn today, we all reminisced on the wonderful week we’ve had as