Today, I got to experience a once in a lifetime opportunity that most 17-year-olds don’t usually get to experience on a regular basis. Originally, I thought that I was going…
AIS Outreach at the Minnesota State Fair!
I’m so close to finishing my minimum number of volunteer hours as an AIS Detector through MAIRSC (Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center) for my Conservation Champions project funded by…
A First For Como!
Como Zoo welcomes a baby puffin, the first ever tufted puffin chick to hatch in Como’s history of exhibiting puffins that dates back to 1987. The yet unnamed puffin chick…
Snow Leopard Cub Now Has A Name!
Significant, Successful Breeding Plan Achieved Como Zoo’s snow leopard cub now has a name: Asha! Asha, which means hope in Sanskrit and other Himalayan region languages, was selected by the…
With a heavy heart, we say goodbye to Denali
We have some sad news to pass along. This morning, August 5th, Denali, the male eastern timber wolf, was euthanized due to failing health and age related issues. Denali came…
Fish, Fish and More Fish!
Hey readers! This month I’ve been continuing my volunteer efforts as an AIS Detector through MAIRSC (Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center) for my Conservation Champions project funded by Como…
Como Zoo Welcomes (ANOTHER) Baby Zebra!
Second Baby Zebra Born In Less Than Two Months Como Zoo is happy to announce the birth of its second Grant’s zebra (Equus quagga boehmi) foal in less than two…
Awwww….New Pictures of Baby Snow Leopard!
Significant, Successful Breeding Plan Achieved Taken July 9 Como Zoo has a new resident – a snow leopard cub. This was the first pregnancy for the cub’s four-year-old mother, Alya,…
Zookeeper Julie Returns to California to Save Sea Lions
In May of 2018 I volunteered at Channel Islands Marine and Wildlife Institute (CIMWI) for 11 days. CIMWI is a part of the Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…