Zoo News
Zoo News

KARE 11's Simply Science previewing the Zoo's newest exhibit

The Minnesota Zoo new exhibit, Faces of the African Forest opening May 29, was featured on KARE 11's Simply Science.

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Zoo Day at CapitolMinnesota Zoo Visits the State Capitol

The Minnesota Zoo visited the State Capitol to thank legislators for their support, introduce them to animals and educate guests about the environment, and talk to them about its future plans.

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Star Tribune article


South China TigerMinnesota Zoo Director of Conservation Discusses South China Tigers in TIME Magazine

Ron Tilson, director of conservation at Minnesota Zoo, co-author of a new edition of the encyclopedic Tigers of the World, talks about the reintroduction of the South China tiger, the rarest of the world's five surviving subspecies, back into its natural habitat.

Read TIME article


Fox 9 segmentJason Matheson Feeds Sharks at the Minnesota Zoo

Jason Matheson trades his cozy Buzz couch and laptop for waders and a bucket of chum to feed some hungry sharks at the Minnesota Zoo Aquarium.

Watch FOX 9 segment

 


RhinoMinnesota Zoo biologist working to save rhinos from poaching, extinction

MPR Interview; Jeff Muntifering hopes to save black rhinos from extinction by using economic development to keep poachers at bay.

Read and listen to MPR interview

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ZoomobileMinnesota Zoo visits Hartley Elementary

The Minnesota Zoo brought rainforest animals to Harltey Elementary Friday

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Birthday celebrationNew at the Minnesota Zoo

Looking up at crocs and playing where the monkeys play: That's the Minnesota Zoo's newest attraction, opening in May.

Read article on StarTribune.com

Learn more about our new exhibit

 


Birthday celebrationThe February, 2010 issue of Minnesota Business Magazine features Lee Ehmke on the main cover

 

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Creatures From DR. Suess?Sea Dragons
Minnesota Zoo Reveals New Sea Dragon Exhibit

Arguably the most mysterious and visually interesting creatures of the sea, two species of sea dragons now have a brand new home inside Discovery Bay at the Minnesota Zoo. It is approximated that between just 5–15 zoos/aquariums in the United States currently have sea dragons on exhibit.

The Minnesota Zoo hasn’t exhibited sea dragons since 2008 in order to design and create a much larger and more decorative exhibit than the previous one – an exhibit where both weedy and leafy sea dragons could be exhibited together.

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Sea dragons are classified as “near threatened” and might become threatened in the near future. They are only found in a small region of the world located in the temperate waters off southern Australia, where the habitat is similar to the kelp forests off the California coast.

The two species of sea dragons are close relatives of seahorses, with extra decorative fins that help them blend with the floating seaweed in which they live. They swim slowly with nearly invisible movements of their fins but mostly go with the flow of the water among the plants they resemble.

Interesting Sea Dragon Facts:

  • They feed on small animals called mysid shrimp – they may suck in a few hundred per day!
  • They have very simple digestive systems with no true stomachs, so they feed throughout the day to compensate.
  • Female sea dragons don’t give birth – males do!
  • Sea dragons came perilously close to disappearing in the 1990s due to pollution and habitat loss.

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Minnesota Zoo Announces Birth of a White-Cheeked GibbonBaby Gibbon
Not yet on exhibit

The Minnesota Zoo is excited to announce the birth of a white-cheeked gibbon, born in the early morning on December 27. This is the second offspring for mom, “Tia.”

Zookeepers are bottle-feeding the infant and they hope to reunite her with either mom or dad “Bailey” in the future. She appears healthy and seems to have a good appetite. Since her birth, the animal care staff has been providing 24-hour care to ensure her health.

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Read article on StarTribune.com

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Baby Gibbon

Gibbon babies, like human babies, are completely dependent on mom in the early months of life. For that reason, the new baby gibbon will not be on exhibit for several months to ensure proper feeding, rest, and care.

The Minnesota Zoo is a participating member of the white-cheeked gibbon Species Survival Plan (SSP). This is our 10th Gibbon born here. She is the first female white-cheeked gibbon born in North America since 2006 and the fourth since 2002.

White-cheeked gibbons are one of eleven species of gibbon and critically endangered. These long-armed apes are made for life in the trees, suspending their bodies and swinging easily from one hold to another. Instead of grasping, their hands form a loose hook around branches, allowing them to move swiftly through the canopy.

Learn more about Gibbons

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IAAPA AdMinnesota Zoo Honored for Marketing Efforts at International Attractions Convention

The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) has awarded the Minnesota Zoo Brass Ring Awards for its marketing efforts promoting this past summer’s seasonal exhibit, Africa! The awards were given at the annual convention in Las Vegas this week.

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In the attractions category with attendance between one and two million visitors, the Zoo received Brass Ring Awards for integrated marketing campaign of the year as well as online advertising.

See samples of our ads

The Brass Ring Awards highlight originality, creativity and excellence in marketing among professionals in the attractions industry.

“It’s a great honor to be recognized by your peers,” noted Bill Von Bank, Minnesota Zoo director of sales and marketing.  “These awards complement the positive feedback from our guests.”

Creative elements for the Zoo’s Africa! marketing campaign were developed by Minneapolis-based ad agency Preston Kelly.

Since 2007, the Minnesota Zoo has received 10 Brass Ring Awards.

IAAPA is the premier trade association for the attractions industry worldwide, representing zoos, aquariums, museums, family entertainment centers and amusement parks.

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AllieMinnesota Zoo Expecting Dolphin Calf

“Allie” due in summer 2010

The Minnesota Zoo’s Atlantic bottlenose dolphin “Allie” is expecting a calf in the summer of 2010. The pregnancy was confirmed during an ultrasound this morning.

Read more on our Blog


Birthday celebrationMinnesota zoo volunteers celebrate a shared birthday: one's 90, one's 100

2 men celebrate birthdays at zoo they've given thousands of hours to.

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Bears and PumpkinMinnesota Zoo Grizzly Bears Destroy 500-Pound Pumpkin

The Minnesota Zoo’s grizzly bears took less than ten minutes to destroy a 500-pound pumpkin that was presented to them today inside their exhibit as part of an early Halloween treat.

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Bears “Haines” and “Kenai” took an extra special interest in the pumpkin, clawing and ripping it apart while “Sadie” – content to let the boys do the hard work – showed up at the messy grand finale.

Bears and Pumpkin

“Pumpkins are just one example of ‘enrichment’ used at the Minnesota Zoo to stimulate animals’ senses while encouraging a wide range of natural behaviors,” said the Zoo’s Northern Trail Supervisor Diana Weinhardt.

In the past, pumpkins presented to the bears were substantially smaller – allowing them to claw and smash them as their own unique way of “carving.”

The large pumpkin, grown at the Zoo’s Wells Fargo Family Farm exhibit by Zoo Volunteer Bob Erickson for the past 5 months, was transported ahead of time via a bobcat to the bears’ exhibit inside Russia’s Grizzly Coast. A pumpkin’s weight is estimated by its measurements.

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KARE 11 segmentSustainable fish and seafood

The Minnesota Zoo has teamed up with seven restaurants in the Twin Cities to educate people about sustainable fish and seafood.

Watch KARE 11 segment


KenaiMinnesota Zoo’s Multi Million Dollar Exhibit Receives National Awards

The Minnesota Zoo is excited to announce that its new, multi million dollar exhibit – Russia’s Grizzly Coast – has received top honors in the exhibit design and marketing excellence categories from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)

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Russia’s Grizzly Coast and the Central Plaza have transformed the Minnesota Zoo,” said Zoo Director/CEO Lee Ehmke. “Not only is it the first major exhibit ever developed with a specific focus on the Russian Far East, but it has set a new bar for our Zoo in terms of drama, beauty, educational impact and conservation relevance. We are pleased that our professional peers have recognized this project’s excellence.”

Russia’s Grizzly Coast has led to record-setting attendance and positive ‘buzz’ surrounding the Minnesota Zoo since it opened last year. It is the Zoo’s largest exhibit initiative since it opened in 1978. The $24 million exhibit features state-of-the-art technology that creates an authentically immersive experience, one reflective of the Russian Far East region with grizzly bears, sea otters, Amur leopards and wild boars.

Additionally, the Zoo’s marketing campaign for Russia’s Grizzly Coast also received top honors.

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Read article on StarTribune.com


Zoo's new LookA Grand New Vision for the Zoo

The Minnesota Zoo's director plots a new course on the heels of record success with "Grizzly Coast."

Read article on StarTribune.com


Zoo's healing touch on TV

Program provides comfort to children in hospital

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Minnesota Zoo staging animal escape drill

The Minnesota Zoo, with September being National Preparedness Month, will join with law enforcement for the first time and conduct an animal escape drill.

Read article on StarTribune.com

Watch WCCO news report

YouTube Video


Brookfield DolphinsThree dolphins from Chicago check in at the zoo

Three dolphins from Chicago's Brookfield Zoo arrived in Apple Valley Sunday to stay until their 20-year-old enclosure in Chicago is refurbished.

Read article on StarTribune.com


Double the moose cuteness at Minnesota Zoo

Newborn twin moose went on exhibit Wednesday at the Minnesota Zoo. Will be on exhibit Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Read article and watch video on StarTribune.com


Woodland AdventureNew Woodland Adventure Playground at Zoo

The Minnesota Zoo's 4,800-square-foot nature-based playground, Woodland Adventure, opens to the public July 11.

Read article on TwinCities.com


Tiger in the Wild graphicMinnesotans stalking the big cats.

Asia's wild tigers are in big trouble -- their numbers are dwindling faster than ever. Halfway around the world, two Minnesotans are separately trying to help turn that trend around.

Read Star Tribune article


BearMinnesota Zoo Bears Tackle Tent during “Bear Awareness Week”

Enrichment activity setup to demonstrate safe camping in bear territory

 

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Apple Valley, MN – May 16, 2009: The Minnesota Zoo’s three grizzly bears demonstrated the importance of bear-proofing campsites this morning as part of “Bear Awareness Week.” ZookeepersBears and Tent setup a mock campsite inside their exhibit – and it didn’t stay neat for long!

After bears “Sadie,” “Kenai,” and “Haines,” were let into the exhibit, they took a brief pause and then headed straight for the tent and a food-filled backpack that was hanging from a tree. The threeyear- old bears ripped the tent apart, ate the food inside – and later ripped the bottom of the backpack so all the food items dropped to the ground.

Tips for Safe-Camping in Bear Country (source: MN DNR)

  • Use dehydrated and freeze-dried foods sealed in plastic (to reduce odors).
  • Avoid burning unused food.
  • Leave a clean camp, with no litter or food scraps around.
  • Bears and Tent
  • Do not keep food or cooking equipment in the tent.
  • Clean all dishes and utensils after each meal. Dispose of dishwater away from the site.
  • Do not put food or food containers in latrines.
  • Clean fish away from the campsite. Bury fish entrails or leave on a visibly exposed rock near the shoreline for scavenging birds to clean-up.
  • Store food out of bears reach. (Note: Some bears have learned how to pull food packs out of trees).

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SwanThe Comeback of the Trumpeter Swan.

KARE 11 Simply Science Segment

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Aventure PassVisit your Library and Check Out a Museum

The Minnesota Zoo is proud to participate in the Museum Adventure Pass program, a partnership between the Twin Cities metro public libraries and museums and other attractions in the Twin Cities. Sponsored by Macy’s Gives, this program provides library users the chance to “check-out” 20 different Twin Cities attractions. The Zoo is offering complimentary passes for two people through this program. Parking and additional admissions are extra.
To learn more visit www.melsa.org/museumadventurepass.


Cars for CourageWe are a Cars for Courage Drop-off Site

The Zoo has become a permanent vehicle drop-off site for Courage Center’s Cars for Courage program.

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The Zoo has become a permanent vehicle drop-off site for Courage Center’s Cars for Courage program. Cars can be dropped off from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily. To schedule a drop off, contact Cars for Courage at (763) 520-0540 or toll-free at 1-888-440-CARS, or e-mail at janinet@courage.org.

Donating to Cars for Courage is easy, and eliminates the hassle and cost of trading or selling a used vehicle. Plus, donors can get a tax deduction for the fair market value of their vehicle. Cars for Courage is an essential source of income for Courage Center, a 75 year-old nationally-known rehabilitation and resource center for people with disabilities. Each year Courage services helps more than16,000 people with disabilities receive the tools, training, and services they need to become more independent.

MORE INFORMATION : 763-520-0540, 1-888-440-CARS (2277), www.courage.org

About Cars for Courage:
When you donate your vehicle to Cars for Courage, you are allowed a tax deduction for the fair market value, just as you would with a cash gift. Courage Center provides donation receipts and available book value information. Vehicles must be in good, sellable condition and are sold for the highest possible return. Proceeds support Courage Center’s services for people with disabilities to live more independently.

About Courage Center:
Courage Center is a nationally-known, not-for-profit rehabilitation and resource center for people with physical disabilities, brain injuries, speech or vision impairments, or hearing loss. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Courage Center offers comprehensive, life-long services to people of all ages. Courage Center’s wide-ranging services are designed to empower people with disabilities to reach their full potential in every aspect of life.

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