Zoo News

Remembering Pickles (2011–2026)

We are saddened to share that Pickles, our beloved ostrich, was humanely euthanized on February 12, 2026, surrounded by her zookeepers.

Approximately one month ago, Pickles developed a severe limp with no identifiable cause. Our veterinary and animal care teams pursued extensive diagnostics and treatment options to support her comfort and recovery. Despite these efforts, her mobility declined and her quality of life began to diminish. After careful and compassionate evaluation, the decision was made to humanely euthanize her to prevent further suffering. Necropsy results are pending.

Pickles arrived at Como Zoo in 2012 and quickly became a distinctive presence. Senior Zookeeper Jill reflected on her life:

“Pickles lived a full life. She arrived at Como Zoo in 2012 where she was introduced to Olive, her partner in crime for 10 years. During the summers, she cohabitated with the giraffes and occasionally Ulysses, our male zebra. She would meander the habitat, often saying hello to the giraffe calves, picking through piles of leaf litter, or playing with Ulysses’ tail.”

Jill also shared:

“She would knock on the window or stop and stare at her beautiful reflection for a while. She loved to sit under the sprinkler, especially on warm days. In the winter, she spent her days watching — and maybe judging — the visitors while exploring her world. Pickles had a calm presence in the barn, was always curious about what we were doing, and had an affinity for musical enrichment like her jingle bells.”

Reflecting on Pickles’ impact, Jill added:

“Pickles was a fantastic ambassador for large dinosaurs — oops, I mean ostriches — everywhere. She was curious and engaging with the public and her zookeepers alike. The barn doesn’t feel or sound the same without her. I’ll miss her crazy hairdo and the way she always looked like she was up to no good.”

“I’ll especially miss the relationship between Zookeeper Tami and Pickles. They had a wonderful bond, and my heart goes out to Tami for the loss of such a special animal.”

Pickles created meaningful connections with guests and inspired curiosity about wildlife and conservation. She will be deeply missed by her animal care team and by the many visitors who came to know her over the years.

Val-LEAF-tine’s Scavenger Hunt: Find Como’s Hidden Hearts

Love is growing all around you at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory. This Valentine’s season, guests are invited to discover the beauty of heart-shaped leaves and flowers during a special self-guided scavenger hunt in the Conservatory.

Throughout our lush gardens, you’ll find a variety of plants with naturally heart-shaped foliage and blooms—from the vibrant Anthurium and elegant Cyclamen to the striking Philodendron gloriosum and charming Heart Fern. These unique shapes are one of nature’s many ways of showing love, and now you can explore them up close.

Using the display posters as your guide, wander through the Conservatory and see how many hidden hearts you can find. This activity is perfect for visitors of all ages and offers a fun way to slow down, observe closely, and appreciate the incredible diversity of plant life.

Event Details:

• Location: Marjorie McNeely Conservatory & Como’s Exhibit Gallery
• Dates: Now through February 22
• Cost: Como is free; donations appreciated!
• Activity Type: Self-guided scavenger hunt

Whether you’re visiting with family, friends, or someone special, this limited-time display is a wonderful way to celebrate Valentine’s season while connecting with nature.

Come explore, discover, and find the hidden hearts waiting for you.

🐧Waddle Into Action Weekend! February 21 & 22, 10am – 3pm powered by Xcel Energy

Join us for Waddle Into Action, a fun, family friendly conservation weekend celebrating Como’s beloved African penguins while connecting visitors to global efforts to protect these remarkable birds in the wild.

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Registration for Camp Como now open!

We look forward to you joining us for the 2026 season of Camp Como! Online registration will open Wednesday, January 14th, 2026 12:00pm. Find camp dates, descriptions, and more here, and start planning your summer at Como! Click HERE for more information and to register.

Winter Carnival Orchid Show January 24 & 25, 2026 – Tickets Now On Sale!

***PRE-PAID ADMISSION TO THE WINTER CARNIVAL ORCHID SHOW IS REQUIRED TO ENTER THE CONSERVATORY ON JANUARY 24 AND 25.*** Those coming just to visit the Conservatory’s gardens will still need to purchase a ticket for this weekend.

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“Wolves & Wild Lands” Traveling Exhibit Extended Thru January 19

Back by popular demand! Como Park Zoo & Conservatory is excited to welcome the return of the traveling exhibit “Wolves and Wild Lands ”, now open in Como’s Exhibit Gallery through January 19.

This compelling exhibit, created by Ely, Minnesota’s International Wolf Center in partnership with Outhouse Exhibit Services, Inc., explores the fascinating relationship between wolves and humans—past, present, and future.

Did you know that wolves once roamed nearly every habitat in North America, from mid-Mexico to the polar ice pack? Over time, human expansion and habitat loss have reduced both their territories and prey. Yet today, dedicated conservation efforts are helping pave the way toward coexistence and understanding.

“Wolves and Wild Lands” tells these stories through an immersive display of six preserved taxidermy specimens—five wolves and one coyote—each presented within its unique natural and cultural context. Engaging graphics highlight the regional environments that shaped each species and the challenges they face in the modern world.

Visitors will meet:

• Arctic Wolf

• Mexican Wolf

• Coyote

• Red Wolf

• Rocky Mountain Wolf

• Great Plains Wolf

Through these powerful displays, the exhibit invites guests to consider how humans and wolves share the land—and what it will take to ensure their survival in the 21st century.

Adding to the experience, volunteers from the International Wolf Center will be onsite in Como’s Exhibit Gallery November 15 & 16, and again on December 6 & 7 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. to answer questions, engage with guests, and share educational materials. Visitors will have the unique opportunity to explore hands-on biofacts, including pelts, skulls, and tracks, and deepen their understanding of wolves’ vital role in our ecosystems.

Come experience the stories, science, and spirit of these remarkable animals. “Wolves and Wild” is now open in Como’s Exhibit Gallery through January 4.

This program was funded in part or in whole with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008 which dedicated funding to preserve Minnesota’s art and cultural heritage.

A Valentine’s Evening Like No Other ~ SOLD OUT!

Celebrate love with an unforgettable evening of elegance, romance, and wintertime magic. Como Park Zoo & Conservatory invites you to experience an exclusive, after-hours Valentine’s Dinner inside the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory, where candlelight, lush gardens, and refined cuisine come together for a truly extraordinary night. This sought-after experience is offered on three nights only—February 13, 14, and 15—and reservations sell out every year.

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Noon Year’s Dance Party! – December 31, 2025 and January 1, 2026

A family event to ring in the “Zoo” year that is so fun, we’re doing it twice! On December 31 and January 1 Como Park Zoo & Conservatory will be filled with dancing, games, special animal enrichment, and a KidsDance DJ!

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Holiday Flower Show, Visits from Santa, & Other December Events

All Is Not Quiet At Como Park Zoo & Conservatory 

 

The Holiday Flower Show, now open in the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory, is a visual sensation to behold featuring hundreds of poinsettias. This year the Holiday show will include a variety of poinsettias including ‘Prestige Maroon’, ‘Jubilee Red’, and ‘Green Envy’. Variegated foliage, red kalanchoe, and pink euphorbias will accompany the poinsettia display.

 The Holiday Flower Show tradition began in 1925 and continues to be the most anticipated flower attraction at the Conservatory today. The Holiday Flower Show will run through January 4, 2026. 

 Click to watch the Live GardenCam

 

Flurry of Activities In December

Storytime with Santa!
Wednesdays, December 10 & 17 – Noon
Santa will be visiting Como for Storytime on December 3, 10 & 17.  Join us in the Visitor Center at 12:00pm, and 12:15pm to hear Santa read ’twas the Night Before Christmas.  He’ll want to know if you’ve been naughty or nice!

 

Little Explorers Thursday! – Santa visits December 18 to read Twas the Night Before Christmas.
Thursdays December 4, 11 & 18, 10am – Noon
Little Explorers is perfect for the 1–3-year-old (but every age is welcome) to see story time, play games and many other fun activities. Different theme each week! An ASL interpreter will be here most Thursdays interpreting the 11:00 Zookeeper Talk, and the 11:30am Blaze Sparky & Friends: Aquatic Encounters.

Santa needs a break from his workshop, so we invited him to visit Little Explorers on Thursday, December 18, for an encore reading of ’Twas the Night Before Christmas. Story times are 10:30 AM (with ASL interpretation) and 11 AM . Bring your littles to Little Explorers; stay for a classic holiday story and a great photo op with Santa

(there will be no Little Explorers on Christmas Day and New Years Day). 

 

Sensory Friendly Morning
Saturday, December 6, 9AM
Como Park Zoo and Conservatory is an energetic, colorful place full of sensory stimuli, and we know this environment can be overwhelming for some guests. This is a time designed for individuals on the autism spectrum and their families to explore the zoo without the crowds. Como strives to provide a positive, welcoming experience for every visitor. This program was funded in part or in whole by the Legacy Amendment.

 

Artist, Photographer, & Family Photo Hours
Sunday, December 7, 8am – 10am  $5 per person
This exclusive morning session offers a special opportunity to capture the beauty of the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory before it opens to the public. No registration required. $5 cash per person at the door. Bring your tripods, cameras, paint sets, or easels and enjoy a peaceful, creative experience surrounded by lush gardens and vibrant seasonal displays. It’s the perfect time to take family photos, senior portraits, or artistic shots in a serene setting.

• No registration required
• $5 cash per person, paid at the door
• Enter through the Historic Entrance of the Conservatory
• Please bring your own camera or art supplies

 

Photos in the Gardens with Santa! Bring your camera!
December 7th 8AM – 10AM $5 per person
Santa visits the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory as part of our Artist, Photographer & Family Photo Mornings! This is the perfect opportunity to use the beautiful setting of the many gardens inside the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory as a backdrop for holiday family photos.

• No registration required
• $5 cash per person, paid at the door
• Enter through the Historic Entrance of the Conservatory
• Please bring your own camera 

 

Senior Strolls & Sunset Senior Strolls
December 9   4:30pm – 6pm December 16 9am – 10am
Senior Strolls and Sunset Senior Strolls are special times set aside just for those 55-and-better.  This is an opportunity to visit the Conservatory for a leisurely walk before or after our busy normal business hours.  This event is a great opportunity for Seniors to enjoy a less crowded experience that encourages being active and social with some adult learning to spice it up. This program was funded in part or in whole by the Legacy Amendment.

 

Red Cross Blood Drive
December 17th 9:00AM – 3:00PM
We are pleased to host a blood drive at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory. Sign-up now by clicking HERE!

 

“Wolves and Wild Lands”
Now through January 19th, 10AM – 4PM
A traveling exhibit from Ely, Minnesota’s International Wolf Center, in partnership with Outhouse Exhibit Services, Inc, entitled “Wolves and Wild Lands in the 21st Century” is now open in Como’s Exhibit Gallery. 

The exhibit is comprised of six preserved taxidermy specimens: 5 wolves and a coyote, each presented in its human and natural-history context, along with graphics providing regional information that impacts each of these animals. Species included are Arctic Wolf, Mexican Wolf, Coyote, Red Wolf, Rocky Mountain Wolf, and the Great Plains Wolf. This exhibit was funded in part or in whole by the Legacy Amendment

 

 

Holiday Shopping in Garden Safari Gifts
Everyday, 10am – 4pm
Garden Safari Gifts combines the best of both the zoo and conservatory by featuring botanical soaps and lotions, distinctive jewelry, adorable stuffed animals, fun interactive children’s gifts, live plants, bonsai, apparel items and more!  Buy that perfect holiday gift for that someone special.

 

 Daily Schedule:

• 10:30am – Polar Bear Program
• 11:00am – Zookeeper Talk: Different topic daily
• 11:30am – Blaze Sparky & Friends Aquatic Encounters in the Aquatics Building
• 12:00pm – Story Time
• 1:00pm – Meet a Gardener: Different topic daily
• 1:30pm – Gorilla Program
• 2:00pm – Fish Chat in Tropical Encounters
• 2:30pm – Blaze Sparky & Friends Aquatic Encounters in the Aquatics Building
• 3:00pm – The Art of Bonsai in the Bonsai Pavilion

 

Remembering Ulysses, Our Plains Zebra

We are saddened to share that Ulysses, our 25 year old Plains zebra, passed away in the overnight hours between November 9 and 10.

Ulysses was born on April 13, 2000, at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and came to Como Zoo in January 2002. Over his 23 years here, he became one of the most familiar and recognizable residents at Como. If you’ve visited in the last 20 years, chances are you’ve met Ulysses. He roamed between both African Hoofstock habitats and made friends with whatever species he was living with at the time, including giraffe, tortoise, and ostrich. Keepers often joked that he was the “surrogate weird uncle” to many giraffe calves through the years.

Uly weighed around 550 pounds, enjoyed carrots and yam, and loved to nap in the sunshine. He sired ten offspring during his lifetime continuing his legacy beyond Como. Uly was the second oldest male Plains zebra in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) population.

A necropsy will help us better understand the cause of his passing, but for now our focus remains on supporting one another and the animals in our care.

Ulysses was part of Como for more than two decades, and his calm nature and steady presence made him a favorite among visitors and staff alike. He will be greatly missed.

🦓 Thank you for helping us remember Ulysses.

Celebrate Polar Bear Week with Us — Friday, November 7

As part of Polar Bear Week, we’re hosting a special event on Friday, November 7 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Polar Bear Lodge!

Visitors of all ages are invited to stop by and explore hands-on activities that celebrate polar bears and the people working to protect them. You can:

• Create your own piece of art on our Action Pledge Wall & Collage
• Explore real polar bear artifacts at our Biofact Table
• Try your hand at our fun Polar Bear Fishing Activity
• Write letters to our zookeepers or polar bear researchers at @PolarBearsInternational
• Watch a dynamic looping video presentation about polar bears and conservation

We’ll also share messages about empathy, wellbeing, and coexistence, reminding us that small actions can make a big difference for polar bears and their Arctic home.

💡 Special guests from Xcel Energy will join the celebration in the Polar Bear Odyssey exhibit area, right next to the Lodge! Stop by their table to learn about energy conservation, pick up a free LED lightbulb, and grab some fun giveaways while supplies last.

And don’t forget to explore even more during Polar Bear Week! Check out @PolarBearsInternational’s live webcasts, chats, and Polar Bear Cams from Churchill, Manitoba, to see wild polar bears waiting for the sea ice to return. Learn how you can make a difference for these incredible Arctic animals at pbears.org/polarbearweek.

🐾 Follow Como Park Zoo & Conservatory on Facebook as we share stories, photos, and fun facts about our own polar bears—Neil, Nan, Kulu, and Astra—throughout Polar Bear Week!

Join us to celebrate, learn, and take action for polar bears!

#PolarBearWeek #SaveOurSeaIce @PolarBearsInternational

Last Call for Mold-A-Rama Magic at Como

For generations, visitors to Como Park Zoo & Conservatory have delighted in the simple joy of watching a Mold-A-Rama machine create a souvenir right before their eyes. Warm, colorful, and instantly nostalgic, these molded figures have been a favorite part of many family visits through the decades.

From gorillas and lions to sea lions and polar bears, Como’s Mold-A-Rama machines have captured memories in plastic since the 1960s. After disappearing for a time, they made a comeback in 2007, bringing back cherished memories for guests who remembered them from childhood and introducing a new generation to their magic.

Now, after nearly two decades back at Como, the Mold-A-Rama machines will soon be packing up and heading south. The company that owns and operates the Mold-A-Ramas has decided to relocate them to a region with a longer peak season and higher year-round attendance. While this was not a decision made by Como, we completely understand the company’s business choice and remain deeply thankful for the nostalgia and joy these machines have provided to our visitors for so many years.

“We are so grateful for the joy these machines have brought to our visitors,” said Katie Hill, President of Como Friends, the nonprofit organization that supports Como Park Zoo & Conservatory and oversees both the Mold-A-Rama machines and Como’s gift shop. “The Mold-A-Ramas have been a beloved part of the Como experience, and we know how special they’ve been for families who grew up with them.”

Visitors still have a short time to stop by and mold one last memory before the machines move on. Each purchase supports Como’s animals, gardens, and mission to keep Como free and accessible 365 days a year.

The machines will be removed Wednesday, November 5th. Come relive the Mold-A-Rama magic one more time—and take home a piece of Como history before it’s gone.