![]() ![]() Other additions included a new polar bear exhibit, a new show amphitheater for the Sparky the Sea Lion Show, and the conversion of Monkey Island to Seal Island. In 1982, the zoo opened its new Aquatic Animal building to the public. The 1980s marked the beginning of new buildings at the zoo, which started in 1980 with the opening of the Large Cats exhibit. In 1976, a new Master Plan was developed to revitalize the zoo, and the State Legislature granted the zoo $8.5 million for the redevelopment process. ![]() In 1974, the zoo's favorite Galapagos tortoise, Toby, was moved to the Honolulu Zoo, where he still lives today. In January 1972, zoo keepers were forced to shoot Whitey, a male polar bear, to save a midnight visitor who fell into the bear grotto. In 1969, the zoo was saved once again by citizens who rallied to raise funds for the zoo. With this, many people thought that Como Zoo would close, but, in 1969, the zoo built its original primate house where the one now stands, and brought in two new lowland gorillas named Don and Donna. In 1966, the Metropolitan Zoo Report of the Citizen's League decided that Como Zoo could not become a major zoo facility, so planning for the Minnesota Zoo began. The 1960s brought what seemed to be the end of Como Zoo. In 1959, Casey the gorilla arrived at the Como Zoo and the Como Mobile Zoo started visiting local schools. Also, in 1958, the first Siberian tigers to be raised successfully in captivity were born at Como Zoo. Small children were allowed to ride on Toby's back. In 1958, Toby, a Galápagos tortoise comes to live at the zoo. In 1957, a number of endangered animals joined the zoo including Siberian tigers, gorillas, and orangutans. Along with this many repairs were brought to the zoo, which brought new animals such as ostriches, jaguars, seals, llamas, baboons and monkeys. In 1956, through the efforts of a rich Minnesotan business man, Archie Brand's Seal Show arrived at the zoo. Soon after a Citizen Volunteer Committee was formed to help save the zoo. In 1955, the city officials recommended the closing of Como Zoo because the zoo and city did not have the funds to support the zoo. The 1950s brought even more changes to the zoo including Rabbitville which later was expanded into a Children's Farm Zoo. In the 1940s, the zoo expanded once again to include paved parking lots, a Kiddie Zoo, and a raccoon pit which later became prairie dog hill. Along with these changes came many exotic animals from the Longfellow Gardens zoo, which closed in 1934. Monkey Island was built in 1932, followed by the bear grottos, and the Main Zoological building in 1936. The 1930s brought exotic animals to the zoo. Her cage was built out of old iron arches already at the zoo. In 1926, Como Zoo received the donation of an American black bear named Peggy. The conservatory was used as a warm winter home for the animals. Also, in 1915, the Como Park's Marjorie McNeely Conservatory was built. In 1915, the zoo received a donation of two bison from the future Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota Thomas Frankson. The zoo also received donations of pets, such as a parrot, two Mexican red birds and a monkey. In 1902, the animal collection at Como Zoo was expanded to include animals native to Minnesota such as elk, moose, foxes, and two cebus cattle. Como Zoo is a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).Ĭomo Zoo was founded in 1897 when the city of Saint Paul received a donation of three deer and provided a simple fenced in pasture for the animals. Founded in 1897, when the then mayor of Saint Paul wanted a place for his deer to be, the zoo is located within Como Park, in Saint Paul, Minnesota. ![]()
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