I have been privileged enough to volunteer with Polar Bear International (PBI), a non-profit organization dedicated to conserving polar bears through research and education for the past several years. I just returned from visiting the town of Churchill, Manitoba to experience the wild polar bears. My role while I was there is to go on…
The Bat Flower Is Blooming!
Come check out the Bat Flower or Tacca chantrieri in the Palm Dome! Known for its black color, this flower can grow up to 12 inches across and has long ‘whiskers’ that can go grow as long as 28 inches! The Bat Flower is native to tropical regions of Southeast Asia including Thailand, Malaysia, and southern…
Celebrate Polar Bear Week at Como November 2-8!
November 2-8 is Polar Bear week at Como and we are celebrating in a big way with our four Polar Bears! Join us every day at 10:30 for Bear programs! Como Zoo has managed polar bears as a part of its animal collection for over forty years. The current bears include the nearly 19 year-old…
Beautiful Fall Colors in the Japanese Garden!
With the unseasonably warm weather we’ve been having, the Charlotte Partridge Ordway Japanese Garden is open later than usual and is offering breathtaking views! KMSP-TV
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…
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…
New Addition in the North Garden!
We have a new addition to the North Garden, a Ma’afala Breadfruit Tree! We believe we are the northernmost Conservatory to feature this variety of Breadfruit Tree!With this addition the National Tropical Botanical Garden in Hawaii receives a net licensing fee and, in turn, gives half of that fee to the Samoan government where the…
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…
Harpist Soothes Gorillas, Orangutans With Music
Teri Tacheny, a harpist, has a loyal following of fans who appreciate her soothing music. Every month, gorillas, orangutans and monkeys amble down to hear her play at the Como Zoo in Minnesota.
Great video of our new Polar Bears from WCCO!
Meet Suka and Sakari in this new video from our friends at WCCO!
Como Zoo Welcomes Not One, But Two Baby Zebras!
In the overnight hours of Saturday and Sunday, a baby zebra was born at Como Zoo. When the zookeepers arrived Sunday morning they discovered the foal up, walking strong and closely shadowing his mother, Thelma. The birth of the foal was not a surprise. “Thelma was getting very big, we knew it was a matter…
Come See Our 2014 AAS Display Garden Landscape Design!
For the third year in a row Como Park Zoo and Conservatory is participating in the All-American Garden Landscape Design Contest! The Marjorie McNeely Conservatory received a third place award in 2012 and we are hoping that our 2014 garden display will once again be recognized. Our display is located in front of the Visitor…
New Fall Schedule!
As summer comes to end. we have updated our schedule for the fall season. We are still open until 6:00PM through September. Our winter hours will go into effect on October 1st when our hours will be 10:00AM-4:00PM. Fall schedule 10:30 Bear Program 11:00 Zookeeper Talk 11:30 Gorilla Program (Weekends Only) 12:00 Story Time 1:00…
Como Accepts the #IceBucketChallenge!
The Como Park Zoo and Conservatory and Como Friends happily accepted the #ALSIceBucketChallenge nomination from our zoo pals at the Minnesota Zoo and we would like to nominate our friends at the Lake Superior Zoo, the Henry Vilas Zoo, and the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum! The Minnesota Zoo challenged us to the #IceBucketChallenge! Challenge Accepted!…
2014 American Garden Award Gardens are in Full Bloom!
Como Park Zoo and Conservatory has planted all of the entries in the 2014 American Garden Award program and they are ready for viewing and voting. The Marjorie McNeely Conservatory is one of thirty-two prestigious public gardens participating in the nation’s only flower popularity contest, the American Garden Award. This is a unique opportunity for…