Como Welcomes Baby Zebra!

Hello Autumn, and hello baby zebra!

Como Zoo is happy to announce the successful birth of a zebra foal to Grant’s Zebra “Thelma”. Mom and baby are both doing well, enjoying the first day of Autumn. The baby zebra was born sometime during the overnight hours, September 21 to September 22 (today). When the zookeepers arrived this morning, they discovered the foal up, walking strong, and closely shadowing its mother, Thelma. The gender of the baby is still unknown.

Thelma and her foal, along with Grant zebra Minnie and her foal Aurora who was born in May, can be seen by the public in the outdoor Zebra and Kudu exhibit daily from 10am-4pm.

The gestation period for zebras ranges from 10-12 months. A newborn zebra’s stripes will turn from brown to black sometime between the first 9-18 months of life. Como is home to Grant’s Zebras, which are commonly found in the grassy plains of eastern Africa including the countries of Kenya and Ethiopia.

Father, Ulysses, sired the newborn. Como’s zebras are part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP) breeding population.

Sponsor the Baby Zebra! Sponsoring an animal makes a great gift – that keeps giving back. Animal sponsorships are a unique way to help Como Park Zoo and Conservatory with its wildlife conservation efforts. They support enhanced habitats and efforts to maintain the best care possible for the animals, including the zebra, at Como Zoo. To purchase, visit Garden Safari Gifts at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, call 651-487-8229 or go online to comofriends.org.

Check out #ComoLive for short videos, quizzes, puzzles and crafts!

While we were (and still are) navigating the Covid-19 pandemic we created this space for challenging, fun, learning opportunities you could do from home to keep engaged virtually with all the happenings at Como. After two years, Como Live came to an end on March 31st, but our vast archive of videos, quizzes, puzzles and crafts can all be found here.

If you’ve watched a Como Live episode we’d appreciate your feedback! Please fill out a five question survey by clicking HERE.

If you like these videos, check out our Adventures With Ashley videos by clicking HERE!

Thursday, March 31: The Final Episode of Como Live!

Today is the final episode of #ComoLive! Here is a special video montage highlighting some of our favorite memories from #ComoLive over the last two years! Whether you’ve watched one or one hundred, we thank you! We have enjoyed bringing plants and animals virtually into your home during the pandemic! As a reminder, you can always check back here well into the future to watch any episodes you may have missed or to re-watch your favorites.

Monday, March 28: Walk The Palm Dome!

Take a break and enjoy a quiet stroll through the Palm Dome on today’s episode of Como Live! A few interesting plants will be highlighted on this virtual garden walk. Learn more at 1:30pm on Facebook.

See if you can identify a few of the plants in the palm dome ahead of the virtual stroll by doing this quiz HERE.  

Thursday, March 24: Spring Flower Show!

Spring is here! It’s time for the Spring Flower Show in the Sunken Garden, and the show change is happening all this week. Learn more about the process and get a preview of the Spring Flower Show on today’s Como Live at 1:30 on Facebook.

Prepping your garden for spring? Try your hand at an upcycled garden décor piece by watching this video from HGTV HERE

Monday, March 21: What’s Growing In The North Garden?

Check out what’s growing in the North Garden on today’s Como Live at 1:30pm on Facebook! Today we’re going to focus on different spice plants. Watch and learn more about what spices these plants produce just like what you have in your own kitchen!

How well do you know your spices? See if you can identify them with this quiz HERE.

Thursday, March 17: Patty’s Birthday!

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day! We are celebrating Patty, the white-faced saki monkey’s birthday on today’s episode of Como Live at 1:30pm on Facebook! Hear a zookeeper talk about these primates, and also get a sneak peek at the newest addition, baby Sterling, who was born in January.

Want to test your knowledge on saki monkeys? Try this crossword HERE. Stumped? Check out the answers HERE.

Monday, March 14: Spring in the Greenhouse

Spring in the greenhouse means lots of fun, new plants and plugs are arriving for the outdoor gardens and flower shows! Check out what’s new with this special plant “unboxing” episode of Como Live at 1:30pm on Facebook!

Looking for what to do in your garden this spring? Check out this growing calendar from the University of Minnesota Extension HERE

Thursday, March 10: Gorillas On The Line!

Looking for more ways to help gorillas? Learn more about our special Gorillas on the Line Campaign on today’s Como Live. Gorillas on the Line…Answer the Call is a yearly global mobile phone recycling challenge organized by the Gorilla SAFE (Saving Animals From Extinction) engagement team with participants from across the country and around the globe.

You can also check out “10 Ways to Be a Hero For Gorillas” HERE.

Monday, March 7: Celebrating International Women’s Day

Tomorrow, March 8^th, is International Women’s Day. This day is set aside to reflect on progress made over the years, celebrate accomplishments of women, and look to the future. We are celebrating by highlighting some of the exceptional women that work here across all our departments. Learn more about how they are actively supporting sustainability on today’s episode of Como Live at 1:30pm on Facebook.

The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow.” Learn more by checking out the International Women’s Day website HERE

Thursday, March 3: World Wildlife Day!

Today is World Wildlife Day! World Wildlife Day was created by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to celebrate and raise awareness of the world’s plants and animals. This year’s theme for World Wildlife Day is “Recovering Key Species for ecosystem restoration.” Learn more by checking out the World Wildlife Website HERE

We are joining the celebration by highlighting our giraffes on today’s Como Live! Listen to a zookeeper talk about what Como has done for giraffe conservation efforts at 1:30pm on Facebook.

You can also check out other conservation projects that Como has participated in by watching this video HERE:

Monday, February 28: Polar Bears Day!

Yesterday was #InternationalPolarBearDay! We are continuing the celebration on today’s episode of Como Live. Join us for a zookeeper talk about our polar bears at 1:30pm on Facebook.

International Polar Bear Day is celebrated annually by #PolarBearsInternational and coincides with he time that wild polar bear moms and cubs are in their dens. This day focuses on the need to protect denning bears in the Arctic. Check out this Maternal Den Study video HERE.

Learn more and get involved by checking out the International Polar Bear Day’s website HERE.

Thursday, February 24: Take A Virtual Stroll With Us!

Eagerly waiting for spring to arrive? Spend the afternoon with the beautiful blooms of the Winter Flower Show. Enjoy a quiet afternoon stroll through the garden on today’s episode of Como Live at 1:30pm on Facebook.

How well do you know the plants in the Winter Flower Show? Try your hand at this word scramble HERE. Stumped? Find the answers HERE.

Monday, February 21: Sensory Plants

We have many different species of ambassador animals here at Como, but did you know that we also have ambassador plants? Check out some of our sensory plants behind the scenes and up-close on today’s episode of Como Live at 1:30pm on Facebook.

Have you ever wanted to create your own sensory garden? Get some tips from Kew Gardens HERE.  

Thursday, February 17: Sneak Peak Behind-the-Scenes!

Springtime is just around the corner at the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory, and that means bulb-production is in full-swing for our Spring Flower Show! Get a sneak peek at what’s going on behind-the-scenes in the greenhouse on today’s episode of Como Live at 1:30pm on Facebook.

Did you know that you can start growing bulbs indoors in the wintertime? Check out this guide from the U of M Extension all about how to do it in your own home HERE.

Monday, February 14: Happy Valentine’s Day!

We are celebrating Valentine’s Day on today’s #ComoLive! Today will be a special animal and plant filled segment, celebrating Cupid the penguin’s birthday, AND announcing the winner for Como’s Cutest Plant Competition for 2022! Be sure to tune in at 1:30pm on Facebook. You don’t want to miss today’s episode!

Looking for some last-minute Valentine’s Day cards? Check out some fun animal-themed printouts HERE.

Thursday, February 10: 2022 Cutest Plant Contest! Vote Now!

It’s time for Como’s Cutest Plant Competition of 2022! The Marjorie McNeely Conservatory’s horticulture staff have some fabulous contestants, and YOU will get a chance to vote on your favorite! Check out the entries on today’s Como Live at 1:30pm on Facebook. Then, vote for your favorite by clicking HERE

Monday, February 7: Coffee?

We are answering the question, “Where does coffee come from?” on today’s Como Live! Learn more about the coffee plant in our North Garden by tuning in at 1:30pm on Facebook.

Want to learn more about different kinds of coffee? Listen to this TEDx talk about Coffee HERE.

Thursday, February 3: Birds of Tropical Encounters

Check out the birds that call Tropical Encounters their home on today’s Como Live! Listen to a zookeeper talk about the birds and their care at 1:30pm on Facebook.

Want to do some virtual bird watching? Cornell Lab of Ornithology has some great live bird cams. Check out a fruit feeder bird cam HERE and a boreal bird cam HERE

Click HERE for September 2021 – January 2022 videos and activities

Click HERE for June – August 2021 videos and activities

Click HERE for February – May 2021 videos and activities.

Click HERE for November – January 2021 videos and activities.

Click HERE for August – October 2020 videos and activities.

Click HERE for April – July 2020 videos and activities

Summer of Sparky Statues In Place Throughout The Twin Cities!

21 Sparky Statues are dispersed through-out the Twin Cities.
Click HERE for locations & HERE for a printable map!

Como Park Zoo and Conservatory is excited to announce the Summer of Sparky – Making a Splash.  Twenty-one custom Sea Lion statues, hand-painted by local artists, are popping up throughout the Twin Cities featuring water conservation messaging and weekly events.

Funded by The Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund Legacy Amendment, these 6’ tall, 300 pound, vibrant and colorfully painted “Sparky” statues are at high visibility locations around the Twin Cities, at local businesses and organizations including the Science Museum of Minnesota, Minnesota Children’s Museum, CHS Field, Rice Park, Harriet Island, Minnehaha Park, and the Minneapolis RBC Gateway.

“Summer of Sparky” is in celebration of the return of the beloved SPIRE Sparky the Sea Lion shows at Como Zoo’s new, Como Harbor, a preeminent seals and sea lions’ habitat.  One aspect of the Summer of Sparky campaign is to bring awareness to ocean conservation. Each statue will be painted to convey a different conservation message. From images of puffins and otters all the way to creatures of the deep, the artists have each created a unique design that highlights a part of ocean conservation that is meaningful to them.

The 21 hand-painted statues delivered from California to St. Paul compliments of Logix Transportation, a subsidiary of Berger Moving & Storage, will be prominently displayed across the Twin Cities beginning June 13th and will educate and inspire residents and the millions of tourists that visit the Twin Cities each year to protect and preserve our natural world.

Baby Zebra Now Has A Name!

“Aurora” Wins in a Landslide!
With a nod to the new women’s soccer team, “Aurora” garners 50% of the vote

During last weekend’s Como Quest event, attendees had the opportunity to vote on three names for Como’s baby zebra.  The votes have been tallied and we are thrilled to announce that the name Aurora is now bestowed onto the little female zebra. Aurora, which is a nod to Minnesota’s women-led and community-owned pre-professional women’s soccer team, ran away with the vote amassing 50% of the total votes. The other names presented were Subira getting 25% of the votes, and Izara with a matching 25% of the votes.

Como’s current herd now consists of Ulysses, Thelma, Minnie, and Aurora.

Aurora was born to Minnie on May 24th. Ulysses sired the foal. Aurora is Minnie’s fourth offspring. Como’s zebras are part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP) breeding population.

The gestation period for zebras ranges from 10-12 months. A newborn zebra’s stripes will turn from brown to black sometime between the first 9-18 months of life. Como is home to Grant’s Zebras, which are commonly found in the grassy plains of eastern Africa including the countries of Kenya and Ethiopia.

The baby zebra is available for sponsorship. Sponsoring an animal is a unique way to help Como Zoo with its wildlife conservation efforts. Donations support enhanced habitats and efforts to maintain the best care possible for the animals at Como Zoo.

There will be no recount.

Photo credit: Susannah Baudhuin, Como Friends

It’s A Girl! Como Zoo Welcomes Baby Zebra

Como Zoo is happy to announce the successful birth of a female zebra foal to Grant’s Zebra “Minnie.” Mom and baby are both doing well, enjoying the oohs and aahs of visitors. The baby zebra was born sometime during the overnight hours, May 23rd into May 24th. When the zookeepers arrived this morning, they discovered the foal up, walking strong, and closely shadowing its mother, Minnie.

The birth of the foal was not a surprise. “Minnie was getting very big; we knew it was a matter of days before her baby would make its appearance,” said Jill Erzar, Senior Zookeeper at Como Zoo. “There were no complications and mother and baby appear to be doing great.”

Minnie and her foal can be seen by the public in the outdoor Zebra and Kudu exhibit daily from 10am-6pm.

The gestation period for zebras ranges from 10-12 months. A newborn zebra’s stripes will turn from brown to black sometime between the first 9-18 months of life. Como is home to Grant’s Zebras, which are commonly found in the grassy plains of eastern Africa including the countries of Kenya and Ethiopia.

Father, Ulysses, sired the newborn. This is Minnie’s fourth offspring. Como’s zebras are part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP) breeding population.

The chance to help name the foal will be included as part of an extraordinary new event, “Como Quest”, on June 4 & 5. Como Friends latest event, Como Quest, is a family friendly adventure that is a mission through the Zoo grounds. Como Quest is a wild exploration designed for multigenerational fun, as kids and adults work together to unlock conservation clues, collect rewards, and uncover exciting new secrets about animals, plants and the planet we share. Teams will also vote to name the new baby foal. With an interactive smart phone app and an adventurous spirit, your team of treasure hunters will dig deep into Como’s amazing animal and plant collections, while supporting the best care possible for the animals and plants and free admission that is so important to our community. For information and tickets for Como Quest go here: https://comofriends.org/events/como-quest/

Sponsor the Baby Zebra! Sponsoring an animal makes a great gift – that keeps giving back. Animal sponsorships are a unique way to help Como Park Zoo and Conservatory with its wildlife conservation efforts. They support enhanced habitats and efforts to maintain the best care possible for the animals, including the zebra, at Como Zoo. To purchase, visit Garden Safari Gifts at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, call 651-487-8229 or go online to comofriends.org.

Photo credit Susannah Baudhuin

Lil’ Explorers Is Back! Free Fun for the Lil’ Ones

Lil’ Explorers is a FREE program from 10:00AM-noon on Thursdays in the Visitor Center in the Winter and on the zoo grounds in the Summer. Perfect for the 1-3 year old (but all ages are welcome) to meet animal and plant visitors, see story time, play games and many other fun activities. Different theme each week!

FOR THE FULL SCHEDULE OF WEEKLY THEMES CLICK HERE!

Lil’ Explorer Thursdays is funded in part by the Minnesota State Arts Board through the arts and cultural heritage fund as appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the Legacy Amendment

Como Bids Farewell to its Oldest Sea Lion

It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of a beloved member of our Como Zoo family: Sealia, better known as CC, Como’s oldest sea lion. CC passed away at the age of 31 on Saturday, April 16, 2022. The average life expectancy of a sea lion is 15-25 years. Millions of people, young and old, had been enthralled and educated by this California sea lion as she starred in the “Sparky Show” from 2002 up until her retirement in 2015. She was the sixth sea lion to take on the coveted Sparky role and the first female Sparky.

CC was born at Como Zoo and was the Grand Dame of Como Harbor, the new seal and sea lion habitat that opened in June of 2021.  When she wasn’t making waves in Como Harbor, she would be soaking in her “hot tub”, which was a kiddie pool filled with warm water refreshed several times a day by her keepers.  “CC was very smart” said Senior Zookeeper Allison Jungheim. “She had her own preferences for trainers, fish, sleeping locations, and much more. She had her keepers wrapped around her flipper, who were always willing to cater to her wishes.”

CC had a wide range of behaviors for which she had been trained. Having been Sparky VI, she had showy behaviors like ball balance, flipper stands, and speed swims as well as husbandry behaviors such as toothbrushing, voluntary vaccinations, and voluntary blood draws. These husbandry behaviors helped her live to be one of the oldest sea lions in Association of Zoo & Aquarium (AZA) institutions.  As one of the first animals to participate in the operant conditioning training program when it was established by Como zookeepers, she was an avid learner and mostly eager participant in training sessions.

Over the past several weeks zookeepers and Como’s Vet had been monitoring CC and her declining health. CC had gone off food several weeks ago and was not interested in participating in training sessions. Bloodwork showed decreased kidney function and a possible systemic infection.  Despite zookeeper and veterinary support and treatment, her condition continued to decline. Como’s zookeeper staff and veterinary team made the difficult decision to humanely euthanize CC on Saturday April 16, 2022 surrounded by her keepers. She was a beloved ambassador of her species and will be deeply missed by all who knew and cared for her, including her fin-footed friends Subee, Poppy, Niko, Kash, Kilian, Stan, and Wally.

“Como Zoo is proud of the great work we do with our animals, and this animal’s long life is a result of the amazing care by zookeepers and veterinary staff, as well as the Zoo industry embracing and learning more about geriatric animals in captivity” said Michelle Furrer, Como Park Zoo & Conservatory Manager.

“Great medical care, carefully formulated diets, and comfortable housing for all Como’s animals contribute to the excellent health and lifespan of our animals.”

While many associate the “Sparky Show” with a seal, it has actually been a sea lion that has been the star of the educational performance and attraction at Como Zoo since 1956 when Archie Brand brought his traveling sea lion show permanently to Como Zoo. Sea lions, such as CC have external ear flaps, are able to rotate their hind flippers beneath them to walk on all four flippers and use their front flippers to propel themselves through the water. By comparison, seals have no external ear flap, move on land much like an inchworm, and use their back flippers to swim.

The SPIRE Sparky Show will resume on May 7^th in the KSTP Amphitheater. This reimagined show will highlight all 7 animals that call Como Harbor home each adopting the role of “Sparky” on any given day as they get to know each other, the habitat, and their adoring fans.