Como Park Zoo and Conservatory New Gorilla Exhibit Coming

Blackduiker

I like the looks of this! I hope they follow-through with the CLR design, the same designers of LA's Campo Gorilla Reserve. At Campo, we got nowhere near the lush foliage inside the habitat, as originally shown in the layouts of the official LA Zoological Association's Zoo View magazine, published several years before Campo's completion. And that, after a $19,000,000 construction cost! But that could still be resolved, with the planting of a few trees here and there, along with better shade for viewing through the now glare-reflecting glass. Go Como!

I hope to make Minnesota one of my trips this year, and along with the Minnesota Zoo, I'd also like to squeeze in Como Park Zoo as well. If not this year, maybe next year after some of the construction is complete (Polar Bear Odyssey) hopefully. Thanks for sharing Zooplantman.
 
Blackduiker

You're correct Zooplantman, I mixed-up my great ape exhibits. But still wish the L.A. Zoo had stuck to the original design. CLR designed the other two prior great ape exhibits; Chimpanzees of Mahale Mountain and Red Ape Rain Forest.

Species Specific Project Examples
 
Como Zoo will definitely see an upsurge in attendance, as their next two projects feature polar bears and gorillas. Those are arguably two of the most popular all-time species found within zoos.
 
Como

2 million is expected this year at Como. Our advantage is that we are free, just ask for a $2. donation when people come in, but many people don't donate. In this economy it's a great deal. And with Polar Bear Odessy opening June 3rd better yet. We're small - just 13 acres, so easy to do with little kids in a short time. We've always had what I call the ABC collection - all the things in a kid's first picture book - except elephants...

Do stop Rob - Love your monthly plant updates - I end up passing them on to a lot of staff. We're just 30 minutes from the MN Zoo. With the Conservatory our plant collection is amazing... We have one of the top Bonzai collections in the country and part of the $ for upcoming exhibits is a new exhibit to show them off and create a new entrance to the Japanese Garden.
 
Vjsred said:
2 million is expected this year at Como. Our advantage is that we are free, just ask for a $2. donation when people come in, but many people don't donate. In this economy it's a great deal. And with Polar Bear Odessy opening June 3rd better yet. We're small - just 13 acres, so easy to do with little kids in a short time. We've always had what I call the ABC collection - all the things in a kid's first picture book - except elephants...

Do stop Rob - Love your monthly plant updates - I end up passing them on to a lot of staff. We're just 30 minutes from the MN Zoo. With the Conservatory our plant collection is amazing... We have one of the top Bonzai collections in the country and part of the $ for upcoming exhibits is a new exhibit to show them off and create a new entrance to the Japanese Garden.
Click to expand...

I'd love to! We have to get Como Zoo up to the point of being a serious alternative to the Minnesota Zoo! The two are so different in so many ways that they should both flourish. Besides, I've always had a soft spot for bonsai. :)
 
Does anybody know how many gorillas Como Zoo currently has, and how many the new exhibit will have capacity for? Are they planning to have both a bachelor group and a family troop as some other zoos seem to be doing (e.g., Los Angeles, Disney Animal Kingdom)?
 
Since Birmingham is getting rid of our lone gorilla Cenzoo I would if Como Zoo could be his eventual destination.
 
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