The Como Zoo in St. Paul, MN Has Reopened - We Went

[MineralMan]

Today was a limited reopening, reserved for small groups of Friends of Como members who donate to keep St. Paul's free zoo in operation. It's a compact zoo, with large habitats for a limited number of animals. Tomorrow, it reopens for the general public, who will be restricted in numbers admitted. Everyone is limited to a one-way walking circuit around the exhibits. Masks and social distancing are required and there are docents everywhere to remind people of that.

As a free zoo, which also offers a greenhouse conservatory and a "pollinators" area full of butterflies, it is a favorite destination for families in St. Paul, and it's easily accessible by public transit. It has always been free, and is supported by donors and by a number of bequests over the years it has been open.

It was wonderful to visit it again, and the animals, too, seemed glad to see us. Here's one of the polar bears, in its recently enlarged habitat. It chose to sit in the window and watch the visitors today:

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. I'd always enjoyed the Como Zoo, though I haven't been there for awhile.

When I was a kid we lived in Falcon Heights, and on quiet mornings we could hear the lion roar, "Whooof! Whooof!" And when I was studying for the bar exam years later I'd go there to unwind by watching the big cats. They used to have a pair of jaguars named Mick and Bianca. It's much improved since I was a little kid.