Wednesday,

August 9, 2017 at 3:24:09 PM Central Daylight Time

Subject: Its A Baby Bonanza At Como Zoo!

Date: Wednesday, August 9, 2017 at 3:21:39 PM Central Daylight Time
From: Como Park Zoo and Conservatory
To: Melissa TurInen

Media Release
August 9, 2017
Contact: MaK Reinartz
maK.reinartz@stpaul.gov
651.487.8294 (o)
651.248.9836 (c)

Giraffe, Dalls Sheep & Emperor TamarinsOh My!

With all there is to see and do, its no wonder Como Park Zoo & Conservatory has
been nominated as 'Best Minnesota Attraction' by USA TODAY 10Best Readers
Choice 2017.

Meet Violet, Como Zoos Baby Giraffe

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Como Zoos baby giraffe now has a name: Violet. The new baby female, born July 21st, is the 7th calf
born to Clover and the 21st giraffe birth at Como Zoo in the last 24 years. Violet weighs 150 pounds
and stands 5 11 tall. Comos current herd currently consists of Clover, Daisy, Skeeter (father), Prince,
and Violet.
The photo of Clover giving birth to Violet was quite the social media sensation with over 6,800 Likes
and 706 "Shares" on Facebook.
The honor of naming the new giraffe was part of an auction at Como Friends Sunset Affair Gala. Nora
McNeely Hurley, the daughter of Marjorie McNeely, was delighted and honored to name the baby
giraffe. Nora dedicated the naming to her brother Greg McNeely, who has a true passion for giraffes
and served on the Como Friends board for many years. Id like Greg to be to be the honorary
Godfather to Violet in recognition of his dedication to the Como Zoo and Marjorie McNeely
Conservatory said Hurley. I chose the beautiful name Violet with love of a sister in honor of a
brother, and in support of a place we keep close to our heart as a family.
Violet made her public debut this past weekend, and can be seen daily inside the giraffe exhibitthat is
if Clover allows. Clover and Violet do have the option to roam their indoor exhibit or stay behind the
scenes. Clover is often more apt to stay behind the scenes than the other giraffes at Como Zoo.
The giraffe is the tallest of all land-living animal species. They can be as tall as 18 feet tall and have a
prehensile (used for grasping) tongue as long as 18 inches. During the first two years of a giraffes life,
it doubles in height, often standing over 12-feet tall. Giraffe gestation lasts between 14 and 15 months,
after which a single calf is born. Like human fingerprints, the markings or spots of a giraffes coat are
unique to each individual. Reticulated giraffes are native to the dry savannahs and open woodlands of
sub-Saharan Africa.

Como Zoo Welcomes Baby Dalls Sheep!

A snowy white female baby Dalls sheep was welcomed into the world last Wednesday, August 2nd and
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A snowy white female baby Dalls sheep was welcomed into the world last Wednesday, August 2nd and
is now prancing about in her home at Como Zoo. The yet-to-be named baby can be seen scampering
around the exhibit she shares with her mother Storm, her father Thunder and her one-year-old
sister, Rainy.
Dalls sheep are most notable for the males (known as rams) massive curled horns. Females (known as
ewes) also carry horns, but theirs are shorter and more slender, and only slightly curved. Until rams
reach the age of 3 years, they tend to resemble the ewes quite a bit. After that, continued horn growth
makes the males easily recognizable. Horns grow steadily during spring, summer, and early fall. In late
fall or winter, horn growth slows and eventually ceases. This start-and-stop growth results in a pattern
of rings called annuli which are spaced along the length of the horn, and can help determine age. The
typical gestation period for a Dalls sheep is 175 days and yields one baby.

Como Zoo Welcomes Baby Twin Emperor Tamarins

Zookeepers made an exciting discovery during their rounds Tuesday morning. Lara the emperor
tamarin had given birth to two babies during morning check. The babies are clinging well but will be
off exhibit for a few days so they can gain strength and bond.
This is the 5th and 6th babies born to parents Lara and Roger. The gender of the twins is not yet known
and can take several weeks to determine with absolute certainty. Along with Lara and Roger, the
unnamed twins join brothers Luke and Chewbacca (Chewy) at Como Zoo.
After birth it is a male, usually the father, who will carry the babies on his back for the first 6-7 weeks.
The fathers do the majority of the care-taking, usually only handing the infants over to the mother for
nursing. Siblings often help the father carry the infants.
Typically, the gestation period lasts 140-145 days; yielding usually two, sometimes 3 young. Emperor
tamarins are quite rare in zoos, with only 28 individuals currently in U.S. zoos. E
Emperor tamarins are usually between 9-10.5 inches in body length with a tail length of around 15
inches. Adult Tamarins weigh about 1 pound full-grown; the twin babies weigh approximately 40
grams, about the size of a mini candy bar. Their most distinct physical feature is their long, white,
drooping mustache.

And Last But Not Least, The Baby Reindeer Now Also
Has A Name: Forest!

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Also, the chance to name the baby reindeer was a part of the recent auction at Como Friends Sunset
Affair Gala. The family that won chose Forest as a tribute to their Grandmother and the family home
that the children and grandchildren grew up in.
#
Como Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). AZA is Americas leading
accrediting organization for zoos and aquariums, and accredits only those institutions that have
achieved rigorous, professional standards for animal welfare and management, veterinary care, wildlife
conservation and research, education, safety, staffing and more. With only 200 accredited members,
AZA is building North Americas largest wildlife conservation movement and is your link to helping
animals in their native habitats.
Sponsoring an animal makes a great gift that keeps giving back. Animal sponsorships are a unique
way to help Como Park Zoo and Conservatory with its wildlife conservation efforts. They support
enhanced habitats and efforts to maintain the best care possible for the animals, including the primates,
at Como Zoo. To purchase, visit Garden Safari Gifts at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory or call 651-
487-8229.

Como Park Zoo and Conservatory

Matt Reinartz Marketing & Public Relations Manager
1225 Estabrook Drive, St Paul MN 55103

Visit the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory website for more information

Questions? Contact Us

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