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Como Zoo
Minnesota's first zoo opened in St. Paul in 1897 with three donated deer in a fenced-in pasture. More than 100 years later Como Zoo continues its mission of animal conservation, education, and family entertainment.
Como Zoo began with a gift of three deer to the City of St. Paul in 1897. By 1902, foxes, elk, and two Cebu (Zebu) cattle joined the deer. Two bison donated by future Lieutenant Governor Thomas Frankson made their debut in 1915. An American black bear, donated by a local citizen in 1926, required the first cage. It was built from iron archways found in the park and covered with strong wire mesh.
The first major improvements came in the 1930s when the Works Progress Administration (WPA) began federally funded construction projects at the zoo. Workers built the Bear Grotto and Monkey Island habitats as well as a barn. The main zoological building, completed in 1937, housed most of the zoo's animals.
The City of St. Paul recommended closure of Como Zoo in 1955, but action on the part of local citizens saved it. Attendance increased when Archie Brand brought his trained sea lion act to Como the following year. The "Sparky the Sea Lion Show” has been a hit with generations of visitors since 1956. A giant Galapagos tortoise named Toby became popular with small children starting in 1958.
John A. Fletcher became the zoo's first director in 1957. During his tenure, wildlife conservation became an important part of the zoo's work as it acquired endangered animals such as gorillas, orangutans, and Siberian tigers. Como's program of loaning great apes to other zoos for breeding and its success in hand-raising Siberian tiger cubs in the late 1950s set an example for other zoos.
In 1966 a metropolitan zoo study determined that Como could not be developed into a major urban zoo. Concerned that the zoo might close, the public again rallied to save it.
In 1976 the Minnesota State Legislature provided funding for the development of a master plan for the zoo’s renovation. The Metropolitan Council approved the plan the next year. Its goals included the careful selection of animals and a breeding program to help preserve them. The zoo planned new support facilities for recreation, conservation, research, and education. The plan included accessibility improvements for visitors with disabilities, energy efficiency, and a multi-use design to maximize public use.
In the 1980s, the master plan led to better habitats for large cats, primates, and African hoofstock, like zebras and giraffes. The Aquatic Animal Building, completed in 1982, met federal regulations for obtaining and caring for marine animals. It houses the zoo's polar bears, harbor seals, and sea lions. It features exhibit space for penguins, sea puffins, and freshwater fish. The renovation of Monkey Island into Seal Island created a better home for seals and sea lions. Como Zoo received its first Association of Zoos and Aquariums accreditation in 1985.
The Como Park Zoo & Conservatory Visitor Center, with a café and classrooms and space for meetings and events, opened in 2005. It serves as the primary entrance for both the zoo and the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory. In 2006, the visitor center unveiled its Tropical Encounters exhibit—an immersive recreation of a Central/South American rainforest. It was the first exhibit to feature animals from Como Zoo and plants from the conservatory.
Polar Bear Odyssey, a 15-million-dollar habitat for the zoo's polar bears, opened in 2010. The expanded environment gives the bears more room to roam and prompts natural behaviors. From a year-round viewing station, visitors learn about climate change and its impact on Arctic animals.
Gorilla Forest opened in June 2013 with seven gorillas on exhibit. It is the largest all-mesh gorilla habitat in North America, with 13,000 square feet of outdoor space. The exhibit area lets the apes climb and play and gives visitors the opportunity to observe their social behavior.
A giraffe feeding station opened in 2015 offering a close-up view of the animals. Como Zoo successfully breeds reticulated giraffes and welcomed its twentieth calf in 2017.
In 2018, the zoo is carrying out an $18.5 million renovation of its sea lion and seal habitat, including Sparky's performance space. The project will be completed in 2019.
Bibliography
Chhith, Alex. "Como Zoo Welcomes Two New Polar Bears." St. Paul Pioneer Press.
http://www.twincities.com/2014/09/21/como-zoo-welcomes-two-new-polar-bears/
Como Park Zoo & Conservatory.
http://www.comozooconservatory.org/
"Gorilla Forest Exhibit at Como Zoo." YouTube video, 3:41. Posted by "City of Saint Paul Communications Services," June 11, 2013.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaOtfXp07rc
Metropolitan Council for the Twin Cities area. A Proposal for a Twin Cities Area Metropolitan Zoological Garden: Report of the Metropolitan Zoo Advisory Committee to the Metropolitan Council. St. Paul: The Committee, 1968.
MinnPost. St. Paul's Como Zoo Takes in Duluth's Displaced Polar Bear and Seals.
https://www.minnpost.com/two-cities/2012/06/st-pauls-como-zoo-takes-duluths-displaced-polar-bear-and-seals
Millerbernd, Anne. "Two Como Zoo Polar Bears Set to Leave." Minneapolis Star Tribune.
http://www.startribune.com/two-como-zoo-polar-bears-set-to-leave/294376931/
Nelson, Tim. "So Long, Sparky: Como Zoo Sea Lion Show Heads for Hiatus." MPRnews.
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2017/09/01/stpaul-como-zoo-sparky-sea-lion-show-hiatus
"Polar Bear Odyssey – Final Update!" YouTube video, 3:54. Posted by "comozooconservatory," May 4, 2010.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjMvC6TF2Cw
Rafferty, Rafferty, Mikutowski, and Associates. Como Zoo Master Plan, 1978. St. Paul: The Associates, 1978.
Director's office subject files, 1967–2006
Minnesota State Zoological Board
State Archives Collection, Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul
http://www2.mnhs.org/library/findaids/gr00046.xml
Description: Correspondence, reports, and background materials documenting the zoo's relationship with the federal and state governments. Includes substantial files dealing with Como Zoo, Duluth Zoo, Oxbow Park Zoo (Rochester), and others.
Related Resources
Primary
"Como Friends Insider." Saint Paul, MN: Como Friends, 2016–
Periodicals Storage, Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul
Description: Quarterly newsletter produced for the Como Friends organization.
Pamphlets Relating to Zoos in Minnesota, 1957–
Pamphlet Collection, Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul
Description: Pamphlets and printed ephemera relating to the facilities, animals and programs of zoos in Minnesota, particularly the Como Zoo in Saint Paul, the Minnesota Zoo, and the Duluth Zoo.
St. Paul Department of Parks, Recreation & Public Buildings. Safety Guide for Keepers Saint Paul Como Zoo. [St. Paul]: The Department, [1963].
Secondary
Nelson, Lori. Zoo Mom: The Life Story of Arlene Scheunemann. St. Paul: Casey II Publishing, [2014].
Warner, Edythe Records. The Tigers of Como Zoo. [N.p.]: Voyageur Press, 1980.
Web
Como Friends.
https://comofriends.org/
Gadban, Timothy V. "A Chronological Illustrated History of Como Park, Saint Paul, Minnesota."
http://www.district10comopark.org/uploads/history-como_park-small.pdf
KSTP-TV Archive
Moving Images Collection, Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul
http://collections.mnhs.org/cms/largerimage.php?irn=10346997&catirn=10475647
Description: KSTP film footage, "Polar bear at Como," July 20, 1957.
KSTP-TV Archive
Moving Images Collection, Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul
http://collections.mnhs.org/cms/largerimage.php?irn=10394650&catirn=10476039
Description: KSTP film footage, "Monkeys at Como Park," May 29, 1952. (Shows several monkeys arriving at the zoo and being released in the Monkey Island habitat.)
KSTP-TV Archive
Moving Images Collection, Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul
http://collections.mnhs.org/cms/largerimage.php?irn=10394654&catirn=10476043
Description: KSTP film footage, "Scenes of Como Park Zoo – inside & out," January 1, 1952.
KSTP-TV Archive
Moving Images Collection, Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul
http://collections.mnhs.org/cms/largerimage.php?irn=10393773&catirn=10479808
Description: KSTP film footage, "Como Zoo gets new truck," January 6, 1958.
KSTP-TV Archive
Moving Images Collection, Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul
http://collections.mnhs.org/cms/largerimage.php?irn=10347122&catirn=10480065
Description: KSTP film footage, "Como Zoo," February 22, 1958.
KSTP-TV Archive
Moving Images Collection, Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul
Description: KSTP film footage, "Como Zoo many from morgue stories," March 5, 1958. (Kids' farm zoo footage; peacock, sea lions, tiger, two litters of tiger cubs, leopard.)
http://collections.mnhs.org/cms/largerimage.php?irn=10395338&catirn=10480126
KSTP-TV Archive
Moving Images Collection, Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul
Description: KSTP film footage, "Bear for Como Zoo," March 7, 1958. (Himalayan, or "Moon Bear" arrives at Como Zoo, apparently with donors.)
http://collections.mnhs.org/cms/largerimage.php?irn=10395348&catirn=10480135
KSTP-TV Archive
Moving Images Collection, Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul
Description: KSTP film footage, "Como Zoo leopard," March 15, 1958.
http://collections.mnhs.org/cms/largerimage.php?irn=10396404&catirn=10480177
KSTP-TV Archive
Moving Images Collection, Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul
Description: KSTP film footage, "Como Zoo," May 27, 1958. (Tigers, alligator being moved to monkey island.)
http://collections.mnhs.org/cms/largerimage.php?irn=10396471&catirn=10480571
KSTP-TV Archive
Moving Images Collection, Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul
Description: KSTP film footage, "Como Zoo," May 29, 1958. (Some kind of monkey being moved to Monkey Island. Shows WPA plaque embedded in the "island's" stonework.)
http://collections.mnhs.org/cms/largerimage.php?irn=10396486&catirn=10480586
Lebens, Nancy. "At Como Zoo, Endangered Gorilla Population Gets One Baby Larger." MPRnews.
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2017/10/23/como-zoo-gorilla-birth
"More Room Needed at the Como Park Zoo." St. Paul Globe, January 6, 1903.
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn90059523/1903-01-06/ed-1/seq-5.pdf
"News and Comment." Willmar Tribune, February 14, 1912.
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn89081022/1912-02-14/ed-1/seq-6.pdf
"Saint Paul: Week's Record in Minnesota's Capital." St. Paul Appeal, January 27, 1912.
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83016810/1912-01-27/ed-1/seq-3.pdf
Related Images

Polar bears Buzz and Neil
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Buffalo (American bison) at Como Zoo
Buffalo (American bison) at Como Zoo with zookeeper John Petro, St. Paul, 1928. Photo by St. Paul Daily News.
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Children from Phyllis Wheatley House visiting Como Zoo, 1934.
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Animal cages at Como Zoo
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Polar bear at Como Zoo
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Monkey health care at Como Zoo
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Animal house at Como Zoo
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Monkey Island at Como Zoo
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Aerial view of Como Park
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Baby gorilla in the Gorilla Forest exhibit, Como Zoo
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Giraffe at the giraffe feeding station at Como Zoo
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Polar bears Buzz and Neil in their habitat at Como Zoo
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Turning Point
State funding approved in 1977 leads to a master plan for improvements in animal habitats and visitor resources at Como Zoo.
Chronology
1897
1930s
1937
1956
1957
1958
1976
1980s
1997
2005
2010
2012
2013
2017
Bibliography
Chhith, Alex. "Como Zoo Welcomes Two New Polar Bears." St. Paul Pioneer Press.
http://www.twincities.com/2014/09/21/como-zoo-welcomes-two-new-polar-bears/
Como Park Zoo & Conservatory.
http://www.comozooconservatory.org/
"Gorilla Forest Exhibit at Como Zoo." YouTube video, 3:41. Posted by "City of Saint Paul Communications Services," June 11, 2013.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaOtfXp07rc
Metropolitan Council for the Twin Cities area. A Proposal for a Twin Cities Area Metropolitan Zoological Garden: Report of the Metropolitan Zoo Advisory Committee to the Metropolitan Council. St. Paul: The Committee, 1968.
MinnPost. St. Paul's Como Zoo Takes in Duluth's Displaced Polar Bear and Seals.
https://www.minnpost.com/two-cities/2012/06/st-pauls-como-zoo-takes-duluths-displaced-polar-bear-and-seals
Millerbernd, Anne. "Two Como Zoo Polar Bears Set to Leave." Minneapolis Star Tribune.
http://www.startribune.com/two-como-zoo-polar-bears-set-to-leave/294376931/
Nelson, Tim. "So Long, Sparky: Como Zoo Sea Lion Show Heads for Hiatus." MPRnews.
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2017/09/01/stpaul-como-zoo-sparky-sea-lion-show-hiatus
"Polar Bear Odyssey – Final Update!" YouTube video, 3:54. Posted by "comozooconservatory," May 4, 2010.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjMvC6TF2Cw
Rafferty, Rafferty, Mikutowski, and Associates. Como Zoo Master Plan, 1978. St. Paul: The Associates, 1978.
Director's office subject files, 1967–2006
Minnesota State Zoological Board
State Archives Collection, Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul
http://www2.mnhs.org/library/findaids/gr00046.xml
Description: Correspondence, reports, and background materials documenting the zoo's relationship with the federal and state governments. Includes substantial files dealing with Como Zoo, Duluth Zoo, Oxbow Park Zoo (Rochester), and others.
Related Resources
Primary
"Como Friends Insider." Saint Paul, MN: Como Friends, 2016–
Periodicals Storage, Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul
Description: Quarterly newsletter produced for the Como Friends organization.
Pamphlets Relating to Zoos in Minnesota, 1957–
Pamphlet Collection, Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul
Description: Pamphlets and printed ephemera relating to the facilities, animals and programs of zoos in Minnesota, particularly the Como Zoo in Saint Paul, the Minnesota Zoo, and the Duluth Zoo.
St. Paul Department of Parks, Recreation & Public Buildings. Safety Guide for Keepers Saint Paul Como Zoo. [St. Paul]: The Department, [1963].
Secondary
Nelson, Lori. Zoo Mom: The Life Story of Arlene Scheunemann. St. Paul: Casey II Publishing, [2014].
Warner, Edythe Records. The Tigers of Como Zoo. [N.p.]: Voyageur Press, 1980.
Web
Como Friends.
https://comofriends.org/
Gadban, Timothy V. "A Chronological Illustrated History of Como Park, Saint Paul, Minnesota."
http://www.district10comopark.org/uploads/history-como_park-small.pdf
KSTP-TV Archive
Moving Images Collection, Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul
http://collections.mnhs.org/cms/largerimage.php?irn=10346997&catirn=10475647
Description: KSTP film footage, "Polar bear at Como," July 20, 1957.
KSTP-TV Archive
Moving Images Collection, Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul
http://collections.mnhs.org/cms/largerimage.php?irn=10394650&catirn=10476039
Description: KSTP film footage, "Monkeys at Como Park," May 29, 1952. (Shows several monkeys arriving at the zoo and being released in the Monkey Island habitat.)
KSTP-TV Archive
Moving Images Collection, Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul
http://collections.mnhs.org/cms/largerimage.php?irn=10394654&catirn=10476043
Description: KSTP film footage, "Scenes of Como Park Zoo – inside & out," January 1, 1952.
KSTP-TV Archive
Moving Images Collection, Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul
http://collections.mnhs.org/cms/largerimage.php?irn=10393773&catirn=10479808
Description: KSTP film footage, "Como Zoo gets new truck," January 6, 1958.
KSTP-TV Archive
Moving Images Collection, Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul
http://collections.mnhs.org/cms/largerimage.php?irn=10347122&catirn=10480065
Description: KSTP film footage, "Como Zoo," February 22, 1958.
KSTP-TV Archive
Moving Images Collection, Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul
Description: KSTP film footage, "Como Zoo many from morgue stories," March 5, 1958. (Kids' farm zoo footage; peacock, sea lions, tiger, two litters of tiger cubs, leopard.)
http://collections.mnhs.org/cms/largerimage.php?irn=10395338&catirn=10480126
KSTP-TV Archive
Moving Images Collection, Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul
Description: KSTP film footage, "Bear for Como Zoo," March 7, 1958. (Himalayan, or "Moon Bear" arrives at Como Zoo, apparently with donors.)
http://collections.mnhs.org/cms/largerimage.php?irn=10395348&catirn=10480135
KSTP-TV Archive
Moving Images Collection, Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul
Description: KSTP film footage, "Como Zoo leopard," March 15, 1958.
http://collections.mnhs.org/cms/largerimage.php?irn=10396404&catirn=10480177
KSTP-TV Archive
Moving Images Collection, Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul
Description: KSTP film footage, "Como Zoo," May 27, 1958. (Tigers, alligator being moved to monkey island.)
http://collections.mnhs.org/cms/largerimage.php?irn=10396471&catirn=10480571
KSTP-TV Archive
Moving Images Collection, Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul
Description: KSTP film footage, "Como Zoo," May 29, 1958. (Some kind of monkey being moved to Monkey Island. Shows WPA plaque embedded in the "island's" stonework.)
http://collections.mnhs.org/cms/largerimage.php?irn=10396486&catirn=10480586
Lebens, Nancy. "At Como Zoo, Endangered Gorilla Population Gets One Baby Larger." MPRnews.
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2017/10/23/como-zoo-gorilla-birth
"More Room Needed at the Como Park Zoo." St. Paul Globe, January 6, 1903.
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn90059523/1903-01-06/ed-1/seq-5.pdf
"News and Comment." Willmar Tribune, February 14, 1912.
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn89081022/1912-02-14/ed-1/seq-6.pdf
"Saint Paul: Week's Record in Minnesota's Capital." St. Paul Appeal, January 27, 1912.
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83016810/1912-01-27/ed-1/seq-3.pdf