Zoo News

“Zooticulture” in Tropical Encounters ~ FOX-9 Video

With a heavy heart, we say goodbye to Daisy

It is with heavy hearts that Como Zoo announces the passing of a beloved member of its reticulated giraffe herd, Daisy. 

Daisy, 23, suffered from severe degenerative arthritis which, for a large herbivore who spends 20 hours a day on her feet, can be crippling. It was apparent that it had affected her mobility, her ability to rest, and that she was in pain. Como’s animal care staff and veterinary staff worked together on a pain management plan to keep Daisy comfortable for as long as possible to manage her degenerative arthritis. Daisy was considered geriatric for a giraffe, and her quality of life had steadily declined to a point that the difficult decision was made to humanely euthanize her early this morning, Thursday, March 9, 2023. These decisions are never easy and are made after exhaustive discussions and all options are considered. At the end, Daisy was surrounded by those who loved and knew her best.

Daisy came to Como Park Zoo and Conservatory from San Diego Wild Animal Park in October 2002 at almost 3 years old on a breeding recommendation from the Species Survival Plan (SSP). Daisy had eight calves in her lifetime, many of which are living around the country in other AZA Accredited zoos.

“Daisy was a strong, beautiful matriarch – quick to judge and slow to accept her human coworkers” said Senior Zookeeper Jill Erzar. “She was a fierce and protective mother who would do anything to keep her calves safe. She was an extraordinary ambassador for giraffe, helping us connect visitors to her wild counterparts by telling her story.”

“The entire Giraffe SSP shares Como’s heartbreak over this sad event” stated Amy Schilz, Giraffe Species Survival Plan Coordinator. “Como Zoo has provided excellent care and welfare for Daisy that has allowed her to live a long life. At 23 years old, she has far surpassed the life expectancy of female giraffes in the Species Survival Program”.

As the matriarch of Como Zoo’s giraffe herd, and after almost 20 years at Como, she touched the hearts of staff, volunteers, and the public. She will be extremely missed by all. Como’s herd now consists of female Clover and male Skeeter.

Music Under Glass Final Sunday – February 26 4:30-6:30

Join us in the tropical gardens, and beat the “winter-blahs” as live, local musicians play blues, bluegrass and ballads from 4:30-6:30pm. The concerts are free and beer and wine will be available to purchase. No reservations required. These concerts are standing room only. Because of fire code regulations, there are no chairs set-up.

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A PolarPalooza Weekend! February 18, 19 & 20

Como’s the cool place to be this Presidents’ Day weekend for “PolarPalooza”, 10am – 4pm February 18, 19, & 20.

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Tickets on sale now for the Winter Carnival Orchid Show!

***A SEPARATE, PRE-PAID RESERVATION AND ADMISSION TO THE WINTER CARNIVAL ORCHID SHOW IS REQUIRED TO ENTER THE CONSERVATORY ON JANUARY 28 AND 29.*** Those attending the Orchid Show may attend the zoo after. Those attending the zoo may not attend the Conservatory without a pre-paid ticket. Those coming just to visit the Conservatory’s gardens will still need to purchase a ticket for this weekend.

Click HERE To Purchase Tickets. Advanced Purchase Required 

During the Saint Paul Winter Carnival, all things cold are celebrated. One event stands out and gives attendees a way to escape to the tropics without even getting on a plane; the Winter Carnival Orchid Show at the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory on January 28 and 29, 2023, from 10am – 4pm.

Now in its 48th year, the Winter Carnival Orchid Show has become the premier winter event for orchid lovers throughout the Midwest. Hundreds of orchid plants owned by the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory, the Orchid Society of Minnesota members, as well as individual and commercial orchid growers, will transform the Conservatory into a tropical wonderland where instead of King Boreas, orchids rule. Besides witnessing the beautiful plants and displays, vendors will be offering plants and other wares.

Come see orchids in a tropical setting, learn about orchid culture from our outstanding members and vendors, and have the ability to purchase quality orchids from our excellent vendors. Orchid plants and orchid-related items will be for sale from the following vendors: Arnold J. Klehm Growers Inc., Deerwood Orchids, New World Orchids, and Sophie’s Orchids.

Special MLK Weekend Activities! Three Fun Filled Days for the Old & Young, January 14-16

Three Big Happenings at Como This Weekend! Immerse yourself in the Tropics, enjoy a new flower show, and groove to live music!

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Como Says Goodbye To Amanda

It is with great sadness that we share the news that one of Como’s most loved animals has passed away. Our female hybrid orangutan, Amanda, was humanely euthanized at the age of 46 on Saturday morning. 

A team of specialists from the University of Minnesota and our dedicated zoo staff recently immobilized Amanda to try to find the cause of her recent discomfort and inappetence. A mass within her body was discovered that ultimately caused chronic damage to her kidneys. Unfortunately the mass, located within her lower abdomen, was determined to be difficult to remove and her prognosis for recovery and improvement was extremely poor. The difficult decision was made to humanly euthanize her.

Amada came to Como Zoo from the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville, TX when she was 3 years old.  With her large personality she made connections to our visitors and was the subject of countless photographs capturing her exceptional beauty. Amanda was known for her intelligence, playful personality, love of painting and listening to music, and she was a frequent participant in the regular animal enrichment programs.  Amanda served as an incredible ambassador for orangutans in the wild and orangutan conservation, inspiring many to get involved with research and programs that worked to protect orangutans.

“Amanda was curious, mischievous, engaging, and smart. We lost a beautiful soul”, said Megan Elder, Como Zoo Primate Zookeeper, Orangutan Species Survival Coordinator, and International Orangutan Studbook Keeper. “It’s crushing for me, my co-workers, and all that knew her, cared for her, and loved her. It’s no exaggeration to say she inspired generations. It’s hard to imagine Como without her”.

In honor of the long, inspirational life of Amanda, Mayor Carter has officially declared Monday, December 19^th 2022, Amanda the Orangutan Day in Saint Paul.

Orangutans, a critically endangered species, belong to the family Hominidae, which includes all four great apes: gorillas, chimpanzees, bonobos and orangutans. The three species of orangutans are found only in Southeast Asia: the Bornean orangutan native to the island of Borneo, and Sumatran and Tapanuli orangutans native to the island of Sumatra. Overpopulation, logging, agriculture, conversion of forests to unsustainable oil palm plantations, and other human activities are rapidly destroying forest environments required by orangutans for survival

The median life expectancy for orangutans is 28 years; in zoos, orangutans are now living in to their 40s and 50s because of the evolving field of zoo medicine, which includes geriatric care.

*Hybrid orangutan is an orangutan derived from interbreeding between any of the three Orangutan species: Bornean (Pongo pygmaeus), Sumatran (Pongo abelii) and Tapanuli (Pongo tapanuliensis)

PHOTO CREDIT JACKIE SCHERER PHOTOGRAPHY

We would love if you would share your memories of Amanda below and share any photos you may have to comomarketing@stpaul.gov.

Get Inside the Holiday Flower Show courtesy of FOX-9