On Wednesday, June 26th, Como Zoo’s tight-knit family troop of western lowland gorillas made their first public appearance in Como Zoo’s public habitats in more than a year, following treatment of a complicated medical condition that’s kept the six-member family troop in a habitat space located behind-the-scenes of Gorilla Forest. For more than a year,…
Surveying AIS on Minnesota’s Lakes!
I have completed my training and am officially an Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Detector for the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center (MAISRC)! So now what? Well, now I must complete a minimum of 25 volunteer hours this year. Volunteer Options There’s lot of options for how to complete your volunteer time. They highlighted citizen…
Como Zoo Releases One of North America’s Most Critically Endangered Amphibians Back into the Wild
A Toad’ally Awesome Thing Is Happening At Como Zoo! On Monday June 17th, as part of Como Zoo’s behind-the-scenes species preservation and conservation efforts, 3,288 Wyoming Toad tadpoles were placed in oxygenated water and shipped overnight for release near the Mortenson Lake National Wildlife Refuge outside Laramie, Wyoming. Another 288 will be allowed to…
Como Park Zoo and Conservatory Delivers Missing Information Critical to Sustaining Biodiversity
Despite volumes of data currently available on mankind, it is surprising how little we know about other species. A paper published this week in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) – using data recorded by Como Park Zoo and Conservatory in collaboration with other zoos and aquariums worldwide – confirms that…
AIS: From Novice to Knowledgeable!
For the last month, I have been working to transform from a nervous person who doesn’t know anything about identifying fish and plants to a competent volunteer for the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center (MAISRC). This process had two main parts: online training and an in-person workshop. Both parts focused on 11 aquatic invasive…
So You Want To Do Some Conservation?
I have been working at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory in different education roles since 2017. Thanks to Como Friends support of my Conservation Champions project, I am starting a new adventure with the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center! In my time at Como, I’m very familiar doing things like… …teaching a program while holding…
Come Visit Our Newest Residents!
Two recently orphaned puma (also known as mountain lion and cougar) cubs from different locations in Northern California are now playing, bonding, and calling Como Zoo home. Visitors can now visit the active pair in their exhibit inside the newly renovated Cat Building, The pumas arrived from California to Como on October 30th after being…
Getting Married? Check this out…
Weddings and Receptions at Como. The perfect setting for your perfect day.
Como Harbor on the Horizon
Como Harbor, a $20.38 million reinvention of Como Zoo’s seals and sea lions habitat, is coming into view. Since the official groundbreaking last spring, the heart of Como’s campus has been dug up and dismantled to make room for a transformative, year-round aquatic habitat that promises to dramatically improve the care Como Zoo can provide…
Kid Conservation Champs
By saving energy at home you can protect and preserve the animals and plants you love in their natural habitats. Xcel Energy has a bold vision for the future. They’re increasing renewable energy and reducing carbon emissions with a goal to deliver energy you can count on to be cleaner, safer and less expensive. [Directed…
Meet Penelope!
Thank you to the thousands who came to Como over MEA weekend and voted! Penelope received 43% of the vote! Penelope born Tuesday morning, October 2, is the 8th calf born to Daisy and the 22nd giraffe birth at Como Zoo in the last 24 years. Como’s current herd consists of Daisy, Clover, Skeeter (father)…
Monitoring Polar Bear Movement
September of 2010 was my first trip to Churchill, the polar bear capital of the world. I was invited as part of Polar Bear International’s keeper leadership camp, now called the Climate Alliance. Polar Bears International (PBI) is a non-profit polar bear conservation organization. Their focus is on research, education, and advocacy programs that address…
Zookeeper Melanie’s Work with Project Puffin
Project Puffin, June 7-23 2018, Matinicus Rock, ME This summer, I was fortunate to participate in Project Puffin through the National Audubon Society. Project Puffin began in 1973, working for seabird restoration off the coast of Maine, with a focus on restoring native puffin populations. Puffins and other seabirds were hunted heavily in the 19th…
Rescuing Marine Mammals in California
April 26 This April and May, Zookeepers Becky and Julie will be heading to Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Institute (CIMWI), in Santa Barbara, California, to help rescue and rehabilitate sick, injured, malnourished, orphaned, entangled and oiled marine mammals. CIMWI is an all-volunteer run organization, so Becky and Julie will actively participate in all aspects of…
Rehabbing Penguins in South Africa
As a Conservation Champion, I spent two weeks in Cape Town, South Africa with the South African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB). African penguins are endangered and have breeding colonies at approximately 28 sites between Namibia and South Africa. In fact, the number of African Penguin breeding pairs has declined from 80,162…
