On the heels of welcoming Astra the polar bear last week, Como Park Zoo & Conservatory is excited to introduce two new residents: Khomas, a 7-year-old male weighing 825 pounds, and his son Keanu, a 1-year-old estimated at 550 pounds.

The duo arrived from Franklin Park Zoo in Boston and are Hartmann’s Mountain Zebras, a hardy subspecies native to the rugged, rocky regions of southwestern Africa. These zebras are known for being well-suited to cooler climates—which means guests may see them outdoors longer into Minnesota’s shoulder seasons. They’re also typically taller and heavier than the Plains zebras many visitors are used to seeing.

Khomas and Keanu have joined Ulysses, Como’s longtime 25-year-old Plains zebra, in the zebra yard—giving visitors a rare opportunity to see both species side by side. Their introductions went beautifully. Keepers observed calm, curious behavior, along with eating and even rolling in the sand—clear signs of relaxed, content zebras.

“We introduced the zebras right away because, in theory, all three males are unbonded and naturally seek to form a herd,” said Senior Zookeeper Jill Erzar. “It’s been wonderful to see how smoothly the introductions have gone and how comfortable they already seem in their new surroundings.”

Guests are invited to come meet Khomas, Keanu, and Ulysses—especially during MEA Break, when many families visit Como for a fall adventure.

Looking ahead to spring, the zebras will be joined by cranes, nyala, and tortoises, creating a lively, mixed-species habitat inspired by the African grasslands.