Como Friends

Como Friends We inspire community generosity in support of Como Park Zoo & Conservatory so it thrives.

We hope to see you at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory to celebrate World Giraffe Day, today and tomorrow!
06/20/2026

We hope to see you at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory to celebrate World Giraffe Day, today and tomorrow!

Today we honor Juneteenth—a celebration of freedom, resilience, and the ongoing pursuit of equality.On June 19, 1865, mo...
06/19/2026

Today we honor Juneteenth—a celebration of freedom, resilience, and the ongoing pursuit of equality.

On June 19, 1865, more than 250,000 enslaved Black Americans in Texas finally learned they were free, over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth reminds us not only of liberation, but of the strength, courage, and determination of those who built new lives, reunited families, pursued education, and fought for civil rights in the face of immense challenges.

As we commemorate our nation’s second Independence Day, we reflect on our shared history, celebrate the contributions of African Americans, and recommit ourselves to the work of justice, equity, and opportunity for all. Source: National Museum of African History & Culture

According to folklore, the Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) was used as a secret floral marker by abolitionists and freedom seekers along the Underground Railroad. Similar to other plant-based signaling traditions, different flowers were allegedly placed on porches or along paths to communicate the safety of a location or day.

Who is new at Como Zoo!You gotta be puffin’ kidding me—three new puffins at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory! Along with Com...
06/19/2026

Who is new at Como Zoo!

You gotta be puffin’ kidding me—three new puffins at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory! Along with Como’s cute new baby sloth, visitors will find three puffin-tastic additions to the colony in the Aquatic Animals Building: Fiona, Loonette, and Rico. We know you’re probably puffin’ curious about how to tell them apart, so we asked aquatics keeper Julie Yarrington to give us the beak-down.

“Fiona, who has brown, brown, and green bands, is very brave and not shy. We even got her to jump on a scale to weigh herself!”

“Loonette, who has pink and blue bands, is a great eater! She’s more shy, but very curious with enrichment items.”

“Rico, who has yellow, teal, and black bands, is a very cool dude. He likes to stay in the water and swim over to eat from us.”

Fun fact: On land, puffin groups are usually described as a “colony.” But around the world, there are a host of other collective names including circus, whirl, raft, burrow, puffinry, and even “an improbability” of puffins.

Did you know your support helps our Aquatics Keepers and Veterinary Team carefully introduce new puffins to established habitats? Through health assessments, behavioral monitoring, and gradual introductions, they ensure each bird can safely join the colony while minimizing stress and supporting the well-being of both new and resident puffins. Thank you! https://bit.ly/3OepWdk

06/18/2026

Shop for Father’s Day at Como Friends Gift Shop

Does your dad like to lounge all day like Como’s sloths? Or does he prefer to stand around and survey the yard like Como’s flamingos? Or does he like to rock-n-roll as an ode to the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory’s infamous co**se flower Horace? No matter what species of dad you have, you’ll find something fun for Father’s Day at the Como Friends Gift Shop, where Como Friends members always enjoy 15 percent off every purchase. From soaps, to socks, to our unrivaled collection of apparel, every gift you buy helps to protect the animals and plants you love at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory.

06/18/2026

Thank you, Dan from Blaze Credit Union and Annie, for your unwavering support and partnership. We are so grateful to have community members like you by our side. Your generosity helps make everything we do at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory possible.

Join us at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory on Saturday, June 20, and Sunday, June 21, to celebrate World Giraffe Day—an ann...
06/18/2026

Join us at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory on Saturday, June 20, and Sunday, June 21, to celebrate World Giraffe Day—an annual event established by the Giraffe Conservation Foundation to honor the world’s tallest animal on the longest day of the year.

At Como Zoo, we’re proud to celebrate our giraffe herd—Skeeter, Zinnia, and Ivy—while raising awareness about the "quiet extinction" facing giraffes in the wild. Over the past 35 years, giraffe populations have declined by nearly 30%, leaving only about 140,000 giraffes across Africa. World Giraffe Day highlights the challenges giraffes face, including habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and poaching, while also recognizing the progress conservation efforts have made.

This fall, Senior Keeper Jill Erzar will travel to the Serengeti on a Como Friends-funded Conservation Champions trip to assist Taasisi Asilia ya Pori - Wild Nature Institute with the world’s longest-running demographic study of giraffes, including research on climate impacts such as rainfall patterns, birth and death rates, and giraffe movement.

Our Nature Walkers will be bagging browse with visitors at the feeding station from 10 a.m.–12 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. And, be sure to stop by the Como Friends Gift Shop to pick up your very own ossicone headband.

By learning more, sharing their story, and supporting conservation efforts, you can help ensure future generations continue to marvel at these incredible animals. Collectively, The Association of Zoos and Aquariums raised more than $1.5 million for giraffe conservation in 2025, helping fund critical field programs, but there is still much more to do. https://bit.ly/3OepWdk

Sponsoring an animal is a meaningful way to support the care of Como Zoo's reticulated giraffes and help provide exceptional animal care, education, and conservation support. https://bit.ly/4rWXiMB

Tickets to one of the most magical events of the season are going fast—purchase your tickets to Sunset Affair today! Thu...
06/17/2026

Tickets to one of the most magical events of the season are going fast—purchase your tickets to Sunset Affair today!
Thursday, July 16 | 5:30 PM – 10:00 PM

Experience fabulous food and drinks, fascinating encounters with Como Park Zoo & Conservatory's experts and educators, and wild and whimsical auction items curated just for Sunset Affair. Reserve your tickets today! https://bit.ly/3P6Lg56

Supporting the magic of Como is the mission at Sunset Affair, the sizzling summer gala that activates all the amazing things happening throughout the year at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory. Through Como Friends’ Fund-A-Mission, you can help to support some of the coolest things on Como’s wish list, including the construction of new false-bottomed pools for the pinnipeds and polar bears—essential baby gear to support young cubs and pups as they learn to swim. Double your impact thanks to a match from the Manitou Fund. https://bit.ly/4vHDi1V

Thank you to our sponsors! https://bit.ly/4v0eIcA
McGough, Travelers Insurance, Hoagland Law, Quartersawn Design Build, Xcel Energy Minnesota, Ascentek, Bartlett Tree Experts, Honeywell, Old National Bank, Stinson LLP, D'Amico Hospitality, Dolan Printing, Gunderson's Jewelers, Manitou Fund

All Summer LongHigh season is officially here at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, with a calendar full of fun and fascinati...
06/17/2026

All Summer Long

High season is officially here at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, with a calendar full of fun and fascinating public programs, free concerts, and face-to-face experiences you won’t want to miss. Whether you’ve got just an hour to drop in or a full day to play, check out this roster of what’s happening and when to make the most of your summer days. https://bit.ly/4aNcdSL

Happy Birthday to Bogo and Ruby!Bogo, born on June 16, 2011, and Ruby, born June 16, 2022, are two of four bison in Como...
06/16/2026

Happy Birthday to Bogo and Ruby!
Bogo, born on June 16, 2011, and Ruby, born June 16, 2022, are two of four bison in Como Park Zoo & Conservatory’s bison habitat. Ruby arrived as a part of the Minnesota Bison Conservation Herd program, a collaboration between the Department of Natural Resources and the Minnesota Zoo, which is working to protect the genetic diversity and future health of the state's growing bison herds at Blue Mounds State Park, Minneopa State Park, and Spring Lake Park Reserve bison Prairie.

American bison are an iconic keystone species whose massive herds historically sustained Native American cultures and sculpted the Great Plains. Today, they are deeply woven into the nation’s heritage—recognized as the national mammal of the United States—they are essential for restoring the biodiversity and health of grassland ecosystems. Source: National Park Service

Two of Como Park Zoo & Conservatory's Hoffmann’s two-toed sloths, Sago and Ziggy, just welcomed a new baby, born on May ...
06/16/2026

Two of Como Park Zoo & Conservatory's Hoffmann’s two-toed sloths, Sago and Ziggy, just welcomed a new baby, born on May 6. Mother Sago and her new baby can now be seen snoozing away in the Primates Building in the enclosure they share with Como Zoo’s saki monkeys. “The baby is very food motivated, and has already eaten solid food, which is something you might get to see if you’re visiting during feeding times,” says primate keeper Mike Marazzi. “We’ve been giving Sago and her baby some extra TLC, making sure they’re getting extra calories to help milk production. The baby is interested in eating everything mom is eating, so you might see the baby working to nibble some crumbs off of mom.” Celebrate Como’s New Baby Sloth with an Animal Sponsorship. https://bit.ly/4rWXiMB

No bigger than a grapefruit—and nearly as slow moving—
Como Park Zoo & Conservatory's new sloth is the cutest new arrival this year. While keepers won’t know the baby’s s*x for quite some time, you can help get him or her off to a great start in life by becoming an animal sponsor. For a limited time, Como Friends is featuring a specially priced sloth sponsorship package that includes two cuddly sloth plush, a certificate of sponsorship, and an animal fact sheet. A fun way to get a little closer to Como’s wild and precious animals and plants, order yours today, and help all of Como’s animals thrive! https://bit.ly/4rWXiMB

And there's even more reason to celebrate! On June 22, celebrate Ziggy's 5th birthday. Be sure to stop by the Primates Building and wish Ziggy a happy birthday while welcoming Como's newest little sloth to the family!

Address

1225 Estabrook Drive
Saint Paul, MN
55103

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 6pm
Saturday 10am - 6pm
Sunday 10am - 6pm

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