Saturday, May 31, 2014

Love At First Scent Mark

Como Zoo welcomed a new blue-eyed black lemur into the collection this week and he is a big hit with exhibit mate Thurman.  Thurman has been alone for several months after her previous mate passed away and while zoo staff waited for word from the lemur SSP (species survival plan) on who she was recommended to breed with.  Eugene is 15 years old and came from the Oakland Zoo.  Tuesday was his first day on exhibit and introductions between the two have gone very well.  They are interested in each other and appear to be a compatible pair.
The lemurs are on display daily in the Primate Building.  You can most often find them curled up in a ball together as seen in the picture.

Thurman (on left) and Eugene snuggle up in the Lemur exhibit

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

New Book Chronicles Minn. Woman Life as Foster Mom to More than 200 Animals

A new book chronicles the life of Arlene Scheunemann, who was a foster mom to more than 200 wild animals.

Scheunemann worked at the Como Zoo and Conservatory in St. Paul. She started her work adopting animals when her husband brought a lion cub home in 1968.

KSTP sat down with Lori Nelson, Scheunemann's biographer and author of "Zoo Mom," Sunday morning.

The books are being sold at the zoo's gift shop. Como Zoo is one of the only free zoos left in the country.