Zoo News Archives - Page 10 of 13 - Como Zoo Conservatory

Say Bonjour! and Hallo! to Como Zoo’s Newest Residents

Say Bonjour! and Hallo! to Como Zoo’s Newest Residents

Como Zoo Welcomes Two Young European-born Snow Leopards

Como Zoo is thrilled to welcome two young European-born snow leopards; Moutig, a male recently imported from France and Alya, a female from Berlin, Germany. Moutig, the three-year-old male, made his public debut in early March, leaping around the rock formations and vocalizing at the lions he can see from his habitat. His partner, Alya, born May 2014, is expected to make the move outdoors later this spring, and if nature takes its course, the pair could have kits as early as 2018. “What’s going to be fun about this particular pair of cats is that they’re so young and playful,” says Como Zoo senior keeper and animal registrar Jo Kelly. “Moutig especially is a very curious cat–visitors are going to love watching him leap.”

With genetic lines not well represented outside of Europe, the pair were part of a trio of young snow leopards selected for placement in North America through a rigorous selection process that attracted applications from zoos around the country. Como Zoo was eventually chosen to receive the breeding pair, while a third snow leopard went to the Milwaukee Zoo. Minnesota’s cold climate played a part in the selection, but so did Como Zoo’s 60-year history raising and breeding these endangered cats. “We’ve had snow leopards at Como as far back as 1957, with twelve births, and a lot of success getting large cats to participate in their own health care,” Kelly says about Como’s operant conditioning training program. “Our cats will open their mouths and present their hips for voluntary vaccinations–the sorts of behaviors you could never train your house cat to participate in.”

Their trans-Atlantic travel plan required nearly 10 hours of air travel and countless hours of coordination with zookeepers in Germany, France and St. Paul across language barriers. “This was really a three-year process, with so much paperwork and so many details to work out in multiple languages, that it’s remarkable that it all went so well,” says Kelly. “Thank goodness for Google Translate.”

Snow leopards range across two million square miles of wild habitat and twelve countries, but very few human beings will ever encounter one face to face. Reclusive and crepuscular, these magnificent cats live in the shadows of mountain ranges from Afghanistan to China to Mongolia, making it a challenge for researchers to know just how many of these endangered cats still survive in the wild. Current estimates from the Snow Leopard Trust suggest that there may be as few as 3,900 wild snow leopards left in the world.

Sponsor the snow leopards! 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 snow leopards, 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.

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Como Spotlight: Zookeeper Megan, Studbook Keeper for Orangutans and Crowned Lemurs

Como Spotlight: Zookeeper Megan, Studbook Keeper for Orangutans and Crowned Lemurs

Can you explain what it means to be the Studbook Keeper for Orangutans and Crowned Lemurs?
I’m basically the genealogist for these species in zoos- regionally for Crowned lemurs (Eulemur coronatus) and internationally for Bornean, Sumatran, & hybrid orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus, Pongo abelii, and Pongo sp.). It is my job to track all of the individuals living in zoos with the goal of being able to trace each individual’s lineage all the way back to the wild so we know how they are all related within the population. I record births, transfers, and deaths – and report this data in annual publications on behalf of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) and the World Association of Zoos & Aquariums (WAZA).

How long have you been in these roles?
I have been the N. American Crowned lemur Studbook Keeper for 10 years and the International Orangutan Studbook Keeper for 8 years. I also serve as the Species Coordinator for Crowned lemurs and the Vice Chair for the Orangutan Species Survival Plan (SSP).

What has been the most rewarding part of being in these roles?
The most rewarding part of this work is being involved in ex-situ conservation for these endangered & critically endangered primates. The data that I collect is used to make breeding and transfer recommendations within our N. American region and globally. It’s the equivalent of match.com for zoo animals and it brings me great joy to enter new births!

Why are these roles so important?
We aren’t pulling individuals of these species from the wild (and we don’t want to!) so we need to ensure genetically healthy, demographically stable, self-sustaining zoo populations for generations to come. Whereas some species are suitable for release back to the wild (such as Como’s successful Wyoming toad program), others can’t be and serve as prime ambassadors for their species. It is by making connections to animals – and sometimes specific individuals – we hope to educate and inspire our visitors to care about their conservation and survival in the wild.

Anything else you would like to add?
Como Zoo does not currently house Crowned lemurs… but we do house a member of the same genus, Eulemur. Come visit our Blue-eyed Black lemurs (Eulemur flavifrons), “Eugene & Thurman”, in the Primate Building!
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Photo of Crowned Lemurs courtesy of Hogle Zoo

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Pokémon Spotted Everywhere!

Pokémon Spotted Everywhere!

PokemonGo with Skeeter — *Thanks Autumn & Ashton for the photo!*

There are new species at the Zoo. We didn’t expect them and we don’t know much about them yet, but now that they are here we’ve noticed many Zoo guests searching for them in exhibits around the Zoo. You guessed it, there are Pokémon everywhere- it’s just another fun reason to visit the Zoo!

Real, live, wild animals are still our focus, but if these digital visitors are here to stay we’re saying “game on”!

Share the fun, tag your Pokémon screenshots on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with #comozoo or @comozoo.

Don’t forget to check out the amazing real life species on exhibit while you are here, they have some pretty amazing adaptations and you can screenshot them too.

We care about your safety and the safety of all our wildlife. If you’re searching for characters on your next Zoo visit, please be safe and pay attention to your surroundings. Follow the guidelines listed below to ensure your Zoo visit is a fun AND safe one.

Play Safe!

If you’re searching for characters please:
RESPECT ALL BARRIERS.
DO NOT ENTER EXHIBITS OR RESTRICTED AREAS.
BE SAFE AND STAY ALERT.
PAY ATTENTION ON PATHWAYS AND WATCH WHERE YOU’RE GOING.
BE COURTEOUS AND RESPECTFUL TO OTHER ZOO GUESTS.
LISTEN TO STAFF INSTRUCTIONS.

Enjoy your visit!

Como Zoo Welcomes Baby Dall’s Sheep!

A snowy white female baby Dall’s sheep was welcomed into the world on Saturday, June 4th at Como Zoo. The baby lamb named “Rainy” can be seen scampering around the exhibit she shares with her mother “Storm” and her father “Thunder”.

Dall’s sheep are most notable for the males’ (known as rams) massive curled horns. Females (known as ewes) also carry horns, but theirs are shorter and more slender, and only slightly curved. Until rams reach the age of 3 years, they tend to resemble the ewes quite a bit. After that, continued horn growth makes the males easily recognizable. Horns grow steadily during spring, summer, and early fall. In late fall or winter, horn growth slows and eventually ceases. This start-and-stop growth results in a pattern of rings called annuli which are spaced along the length of the horn, and can help determine age. The typical gestation period for a Dall’s sheep is 175 days and yields one baby.

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 primates, at Como Zoo. To purchase, visit Garden Safari Gifts at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory or call 651-487-8229.

**thanks zookeeper Jill for the photos!

Como Friends Praises Governor Dayton’s Bonding Proposal

Como Friends Praises Governor Dayton’s Bonding Proposal

Today Como Friends stands with our two million annual visitors to thank Governor Dayton for making a key investment in public infrastructure at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory. The $14.5M investment in asset preservation for Minnesota’s free zoo will ensure that hundreds of thousands of children from around the state will continue to enjoy the educational opportunities Como provides through up-close encounters with threatened and endangered wildlife. Preserving the seals and sea lion exhibit will continue Como’s fiscally-sound strategy of updating existing assets for future generations. We are excited to work with the Minnesota Legislature to fully fund this important statewide asset.

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Como Friends Background

Como Friends is the nonprofit fundraising partner of Como Park Zoo and conservatory. It has been the driving force behind more than a decade of improvements that have elevated the care Como Zoo can provide for more than 1,000 animals, preserved the historic integrity of the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory, and transformed the campus with expanded education and conservation programs, immersive new habitats and growing horticultural displays. The successful public/private partnership forged by Como Friends has invested in visionary capital projects and annual programs and improvements all so Como Park Zoo and Conservatory can better serve a 21^st century audience.

Meet “Franklin,” Como Zoo’s Baby Emperor Tamarin!

Como’s Facebook Fans Have Spoken

Facebook Fans Choose Franklin For Baby Emperor Tamarin Name

Como Zoo turned over the naming rights of its baby Emperor Tamarin to Facebook fans and the fans have responded. With the contest ending at noon (CDT) today, and with 45% of the votes, the name “Franklin” is now bestowed upon the little male Emperor Tamarin. The other names offered in the online contest were “Benjamin” with 35% of the votes and “Frederick” with a respectable 20% of the votes.

The baby Emperor Tamarin was born on March 31 to first-time parents Lara and Roger.

Emperor Tamarins have a gestation period of 140-145 days. Newborns usually weigh around 30-40 grams at birth. The father helps with the birth by receiving the young and cleansing them. Like most primates, infants are born with the ability to cling tightly to the body of an adult, specifically the father. The newborn will ride on the back of the father for about 6-7 weeks before gradually venturing farther out on their own.

Emperor Tamarins inhabit the the tropical forests and forest margins of the Amazon. They are found in Brazil, Peru, and Bolivia. Dense, lowland forests are their preferred habitat.

Emperor Tamarins wre named by a Swiss Zoologist who thought the tamarin’s mustaches made them look like the 19th century German Emperor Wilhem II. Although the name was at first a joke, it stuck, and the species was given the scientific name, Saguinus imperator.

The baby Emperor Tamarin 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.

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Baby Gorilla Makes Public Debut!

Baby Gorilla Makes Public Debut!

After months of anticipation, the wait is finally over. Baby Arlene, the Western Lowland Gorilla, will be seen clinging to her mom, Dara, in the indoor exhibit of the Primate Building at Como Zoo on Friday, May 8. The female gorilla was born in the evening hours of Sunday, February 22, 2015, to first-time mother Dara inside the day room of the Gorilla Forest exhibit.

“Dara is a fantastic mother,” says Como Zoo senior keeper Allison Jungheim. “Right from the get-go she knew how to hold the baby properly, and she’s got a very nurturing way about her. When she’s holding the baby, she’ll tap her fingers, and bounce her up and down a little. It’s a very human-like way to soothe a baby.”

Mother and baby have spent most of March and April in behind-the-scenes bedrooms bonding and establishing a successful pattern of breastfeeding. First-time father Schroeder, the 29-year-old silverback, is never far from their side. “He’s become Dara’s 500-pound shadow. He’s always checking in with her, and when she moves, he moves,” says Jungheim. “As the baby grows it’s going to be really fun to see how he plays with her.”

As a tribute to the late Arlene Scheunemann, often referred to as Como’s “Zoo Mom,” the baby is named “Arlene”. Beginning in 1968 and spanning 45 years, Arlene Scheunemann was mother to four human children and foster mom to over 200 wild animals in her home.

Mother’s Day weekend is a great time to come and see all the new life at Como this season, from the tiny Emperor tamarin born on March 31 to first-time mother Lara, to the nearly sky-high Skye the giraffe, born in November.

*NOTE Arlene and the family troop may not always be on exhibit due to the weather or as circumstances dictate.

Photo credit Jackie Scherer

Healthcare for Polar Bears!

Last week Como Zoo became only the second zoo in the country to obtain a voluntary blood sample from a Polar Bear! Como Zoo is home to two 19-year-old male Polar Bears who have been involved in a training program even before they arrived at the zoo in 2002. Over the past year zookeepers have been working this voluntary blood draw behavior, with both of our Polar Bears, and on Wednesday we were able to obtain a blood draw sample from Neil. Drawing blood from these large animals is usually done when they are anesthetized. However, The process of being tranquilized is stressful for the animals and staff. This new method of drawing blood voluntarily during a training session will open the door for more advanced medical care, as well as possible research opportunities.

While a lot of training does happen behind the scenes, the “blood sleeve” is in the Ecolab training station which can be viewed by the public. This blood sleeve was a new approach also, the only other successful zoo obtained blood from the hind paw; we obtained blood from the front paw. Neil was asked to place his paw into the sleeve, leaving access to the top of his paw. He was trained to allow his paw to be shaved, scrubbed with alcohol, and finally pricked with a needle. Neil’s trainer Julie Yarrington said “surprisingly the hardest part for Neil was getting over the strong alcohol smell, he did not even seem to notice the needle sticks!”

While the blood draw is important to Neil’s health care it also allows us to possibly participate in more research projects that require regular sampling. With many wild polar bear populations struggling, the need for more polar research is increasing. Wild polar bears are difficult to access, let alone obtain regular sampling, and researchers are hoping bears in Zoos can help in their plight. With more training advancements, like voluntary blood draws, the captive bear research is more attainable and appealing.

Over 25 species of animals participate in Como Zoo’s Operant Conditioning Training Program and many of our training advancements go unnoticed by zoo visitors. We always strive to accomplish more with our training program, with our main goal being better medical care for these animals and that starts with getting better diagnostic voluntary samples. Como Zoo will continue to explore more ways to teach these animals to participate in their own health care to lessen their stress and maximize our ability to care for them.

-Zookeepers Julie and Allison

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Como paw draw 2

Introducing Kemala!

Introducing Kemala!

Thanks to the Public’s Contributions, Como Zoo’s Baby Orangutan Now Has A Name

In a naming ceremony held today, Como Zoo’s baby Sumatran orangutan, born on January 7, 2015, was dubbed Kemala. The name came as a result of a month long voting contest that ended at noon today. Kemala (pronounced Key-mala) means magic stone in the bahasa Indonesia language.

Como Zoo had selected three names for the baby, Aanjay, Cinta, and Kemala. The public was invited to vote for the name they liked best using their pennies. The name with the most votes, in this case most pennies, was chosen as the baby’s name. Kemala was the clear choice. The contest in total raised nearly $2,000.

Local businessman Johannes Marliem also presented a check for $10,000 to Como Friends, the non-profit partner of Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, to offset the cost of medical and delivery costs for baby Kemala and her mother Markisa. The preservation of the little red haired orangutan is crucial to Indonesian-born Johannes Marliem. The species is native to Indonesia and Marliem has seen first-hand the critical need to financially support the work that is being done in Minnesota, and around the world, to preserve this beautiful animal.

This is mom Markisa’s second birth via Caesarean section. The newborn was delivered at the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center by Dr. Micky Trent, DVM, Veterinary Medical Center Surgeon and lead veterinarian for Como Zoo, with the consultation of an extensive pre-appointed medical team comprised of human obstetricians, neonatologists, and veterinary anesthesiologists.

C-sections are very rare in that there are only about a dozen recorded within the International Orangutan Studbook that has tracked more than 1,200 births in captivity throughout history.

According to Orangutan.org, Sumatran orangutans are listed as critically endangered and Bornean orangutans are listed as endangered. Both of these species of orangutans could be extinct within 10 to 20 years. Work to help preserve this species is particularly critical right now.

Como partnering with Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery and asked visitors to bring in new, unused requested items that in-turn will be donated to the Crisis Nursery. The Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery is a 501(c)3 organization that works to end child abuse and neglect and create strong, healthy families through a 24 hour crisis helpline, crisis counseling, overnight residential child care, home visiting, and parent education and support groups. Last year the Crisis Nursery answered 4,500 crisis calls and sheltered 2,300 children.

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Como Park Zoo and Conservatory Background

For over 100 years, Como Zoo and Marjorie McNeely Conservatory in St. Paul, Minnesota has charmed, educated and entertained millions of children and adults while fostering an appreciation of the natural world. The Como Park Zoo and Conservatory is open 365 days; 10am-6pm from April 1-September 30 and 10am-4pm from October 1-March 31. Admission to both the Como Zoo and Marjorie McNeely Conservatory is always free and a voluntary donation is appreciated. For more information, visit www.comozooconservatory.org.

Como Friends

Como Friends inspires community generosity to advance Como Park Zoo & Conservatory as a destination where people from all walks of life can gather, learn and enjoy the natural world. In the last decade, Como Friends has contributed over $35 million for capital improvements, program investments and endowment to Como Zoo and Marjorie McNeely Conservatory.

Baby Orangutan Makes Public Debut

While the naming contest for the baby orangutan goes on until February 16, the public will now have the opportunity to put a name with the face.

WHAT: Public debut of baby orangutan at Como Zoo. Markisa, a 28 year-old Sumatran Orangutan, gave birth, via Caesarean section, to a female infant, on January 7, 2015. The newborn was delivered at the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center by Dr. Micky Trent, DVM, Veterinary Medical Center Surgeon and lead veterinarian for Como Zoo, with the consultation of an extensive pre-appointed medical team comprised of human obstetricians, neonatologists, and veterinary anesthesiologists.

VISUALS: Orangutan mother, Markisa, and her 29 day-old baby clinging tightly to her.

WHERE: Como Park Zoo & Conservatory public exhibit in the Primate Building.

WHEN: Thursday, February 5^th 10:00 – 4:00pm.

Como Zoo is asking the public to vote for the name of the baby orangutan with their pennies. The public is encouraged to vote online by donating money as a way of voting for their favorite of the following three names.

Aanjay (pronounced On-jay) meaning unconquerable

Cinta (pronounced Chin-tah) meaning love

Kemala (pronounced Key-mala) meaning magic stone

The public is invited to a “Baby Shower”, February 14-16 where Como will be celebrating all the new babies, including baby zebras Melee and Ruckus, and Skye, the baby giraffe. The President’s Day weekend will be filled with free, family fun activities, make-and-take crafts, games, trivia contests, special zoo keeper talks, and opportunities to meet some of Como’s furry and feathered animal ambassadors. On Monday, February 16^th at 2:00pm the winning name for the baby orangutan will be revealed.

Como is partnering with Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery and asking visitors attending the President’s Day weekend Baby Shower to bring in new, unused items that will in-turn be donated to the Crisis Nursery. Items requested by the Crisis Nursery are:

-Children’s Shoes / sandals

-Boys Pants / Shorts

-Children’s Toothbrushes

-Kleenex

-Office / copier paper

-Dry Erase markers (fine or medium point)

-AA and AAA Batteries

Founded in 1983, the Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery is a 501(c)3 organization that works to end child abuse and neglect and create strong, healthy families through a 24 hour crisis helpline, crisis counseling, overnight residential child care, home visiting, and parent education and support groups. Last year the Crisis Nursery answered 4,500 crisis calls and sheltered 2,300 children. To learn more visit www.crisisnursery.org.

Markisa and Baby

Como Park Zoo and Conservatory Named the Best Family Attraction in Minnesota!

We are extremely proud to announce that we have been recognized as the best family attraction in Minnesota by Vacation Home Rentals , a TripAdvisor company! Attractions were chosen by positive traveler reviews, amount of fun for all (or most) ages, and bang for your buck.

For more information and to check out the best attractions in other states click HERE.

Como Zoo Mourns the Death of Infant Gorilla

It is with a very heavy heart that we announce the passing of the baby gorilla that was born at Como Zoo to first-time mother Alice on Wednesday, November 19.

Since the baby’s birth, he and Alice were under zookeeper watch and care around the clock. The baby had appeared as if he was doing well through Saturday evening. He had a strong grip and was vocal. Alice was showing positive signs of maternal instinct, had been observed nursing and cradling the baby. Despite best efforts to monitor and record the baby’s food intake, many times Alice would cradle her baby to her chest with her back towards the observing zookeepers making it difficult to determine when and if nursing was indeed taking place. To prevent undo stress on new mothers, and allow them the necessary time to bond with their baby, it is imperative that zoo staff and veterinarians not intervene unless absolutely necessary.

On Sunday morning it was apparent that the baby was weak and his health failing. While the intervention process was happening the baby was set down by Alice and the zookeepers were able to retrieve him without the need to immobilize Alice. Resuscitation efforts on the infant were quickly preformed but were unsuccessful. A necropsy will be performed in an attempt to determine the cause of death. Preliminary hypothesis is that the death may be due to complications with food intake.

“The entire Gorilla SSP shares the Como Zoo’s heartbreak over this sad event” stated Dr. Kristen Lukas, Director of Conservation & Science at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, and the Chair of the Gorilla Species Survival Plan. “It is always difficult to lose a young one but we fully understand the significance of this particular birth for Como Zoo and are very sorry for your loss.”

Out of 437 gorilla births at Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) institutions since 1980, 26% of males and 20% of females did not make it to their first birthday. In wild-living western gorilla populations, mortality rates in the first year of life have been reported up to 42% and in mountain gorillas, first-time mothers have 50% higher infant mortality rates than second-time mothers.

Baby News Update! Ultrasound Video of Baby Gorilla

Alice, a 12-year-old gorilla, will soon give birth to the first member of her species born in Como Zoo’s more than 100-year history. The first-time mother has entered her birth window, which officially began on October 18, and continues into early December.

But it is Dara, Como’s other pregnant gorilla that is providing us with great shots of her fetus via ultrasound video. As part of a daily training session with the gorillas, Dara, whose birth window is between December 18 and February 1, 2015, recently presented her belly to the zookeepers in order to get this rare video. The baby gorilla can be seen moving in Dara’s womb with features what are thought to be either arms or perhaps legs visible.

“This ultrasound shows that the baby is doing well and the pregnancy is progressing as it should,” said Senior Zookeeper Jo Kelly.

Alice (12) and Dara (11) both recently came to Como Zoo as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Gorilla Species Survival Plan (SSP).The Gorilla Species Survival Plan (SSP) serves 52 zoos across the United States to help guide the management of the gorilla population. Although their primary role is in population management, the SSP is ultimately interested in the health and well-being of all gorillas, including those living outside accredited zoos and in the wild. Western lowland gorillas are highly endangered due to loss of habitat, poaching, and disease.

Gorilla Forest at Como Zoo is home to seven gorillas: three bachelor males—Jabir, Samson, and Virgil (all 15 years-old), and a family group consisting of soon-to-be father Schroeder, Alice, Dara and another female, Nne (pronounced E-nee) who is 26.

Como Zoo Announces Gorillas (yes, plural) Are Expecting!

Seventeen months ago Gorilla Forest opened to the public with seven gorillas; six that were new to Como Zoo. Today, Como is excited to announce the pregnancy of not one, but two of the gorillas. According to recent pregnancy tests, two of Como Zoo’s female gorillas, Alice and Dara, each received plusses. Alice has been positive on three separate pregnancy tests and is close to her birth window of October 18 to December 2. Dara has also tested positive three times and her birth window is between December 18 and February 1, 2015. This is the first pregnancy for both gorillas. Longtime Como Zoo denizen Schroeder (28), who is considered genetically valuable to conservationists, will be the first-time father of both. This will also be the first gorilla births in Como’s 55 year history of caring for gorillas.

“We wanted to test the females multiple times. Even with just one positive indication from the pregnancy test, we weren’t 100-percent sure that Alice and Dara were pregnant,” said Jo Kelley, Senior Zookeeper. “It isn’t as easy as the test suggests.”

A gorilla gestation is approximately eight months. At birth, baby gorillas weigh between 4 and 5 pounds. It is important for mom and baby to bond shortly after birth and for the baby to begin nursing. The mortality rate for infant gorillas in the first several months is 40 percent.

Gorilla mothers are very protective of their babies. A gorilla mother will carry the baby on her chest for the first three months. At about 6-months-old the baby will move to ride on the mother’s back and begin playing and moving around on the ground close to mother. “Gorillas are very family oriented,” said Kelly. “Mom will let other family members see the baby and they will take their cues from mom as to how close they can be.” When the baby is older, and able to move around on its own, other family members, including dad, will play with the baby.

Gorilla Forest at Como Zoo is home to seven gorillas: three bachelor males—Jabir, Samson, and Virgil (all 15 years-old), and a family group consisting of Schroeder, Alice, Dara and another female, Nne (pronounced E-nee who is 26).

Positive!

Meet “Ruckus,” Como Zoo’s Baby Zebra!

Como’s Facebook Fans Have Spoken

Facebook Fans Choose Ruckus For Baby Zebra Name

Como Zoo turned over the naming rights of its baby zebra to Facebook fans and the fans have responded; nearly 3,000 times. With the contest ending at noon (CDT) today, and with 42% of the votes, the name “Ruckus” is now bestowed upon the little male zebra. The other names offered in the online contest were ZigZag with 33% of the votes and Mayhem with a respectable 25% of the votes.

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

Ruckus was born to Thelma on September 7 and Melee was born to Minnie on July 27. Ulysses sired both foal.

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.

Ruckus