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Wordless Wednesday (Almost)--Vintage Como Park Polar Bear

Vintage Como Park Polar Bear by Teri Eckholm REALTOR

 

2010 could be the year to move to a new home for many Twin Cities families. But, not only are people getting new digs, Como Park will be opening its Polar Bear Odyssey on June 3, 2010. The polar bears’ new home is a definite move up from their starter-home caves of days gone by. I took this photo in for a college photography class in the early 1980’s. This was even before the cement cave with the attached pool where you could see the bears swim right up to the glass.

 

Looking for MORE photos of Como Park? Check out these posts:

 

 

If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional REALTOR®, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet or FREE Homebuyers Success Packet.  I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.

 

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Comments

He looks like he slipped and fell on his rear.

Posted by Mike Sparks Georgetown Area Real Estate (Sparks Realty) almost 2 years ago

Mike--The bear is doing a trick for a marshmallow. He would sit up and hold his feet. The story we were told is that they were circus bears at one time and they would do tricks for apples or marshmallows. So we would hold up the treats and the bears did tricks. (I think giving treats was frowned upon but the bears enjoyed them!) This guy sat up...The kodiak would stand up and wave. It was a long time ago. I think these bears are long gone but it was fun way back when.

Posted by Teri Eckholm, REALTOR® Anoka&Washington Counties Acreage & Lakeshore Homes (REMAX Specialists) almost 2 years ago

Teri, That is a very COOL 1980's photo.  I wonder what he is doing now?  How long do polar bears live?

Posted by Marchel Peterson Spring TX Real Estate E-Pro (Results Realty) almost 2 years ago

This is an incredible photo.  I would love to see the polar bears.. what a gem at Como park.

Posted by Joan Whitebook Southern New Hampshire (BHG The Masiello Group) almost 2 years ago

Hi Teri,

He looks sort of funny just sitting up the way he is. I'd imagine that was a great exhibit.

Posted by Orange Co. Real Estate~Lynda Eisenmann, Broker-Owner, CRS,GRI,SRES, Brea, CA (Preferred Home Brokers) almost 2 years ago

We had a fun trip to Como Zoo a few years back.  I think it might be time to go again.  Do they still have the beautiful gardens?

Posted by Brenda Carus (Century 21 Zwygart Real Estate) almost 2 years ago

Teri, that is a most unusual shot of a Polar Bear! 

Posted by Maria Morton, Kansas City Real Estate (Prudential Kansas City Realty) almost 2 years ago

Now if he only had a Coke in in paw it would be worth Millions.

Posted by Terry+Bonnie Westbrook Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids Forest Hills MI Real Estate (Westbrook Realty Broker-Owner) almost 2 years ago

Teri ~ OMG he is so adorable. Want to huge him, but cute and dangerous!

Posted by Monique Hailer (CENTURY 21 New Millennium) almost 2 years ago

Teri,
Great shot, hehehe  I was laughing about the comment that Terry did, it seems like the coca cola bear ! :P

Posted by Aurora, CO Homes for Sale in Aurora, Colorado - Ray Saenz (United Property Brokers, Inc) almost 2 years ago

I'm impressed you still had the photo, but it is a great photo and hope they enjoy their new home in June.

Posted by George & Arlene Paukert (Road to Wealth, Inc.) almost 2 years ago

Hi Terri, What a great picture of the polar bear.  I have a dog who sits like that sometimes.  It's so funny when she does it.

Posted by Crystal Kilpatrick (Realty Austin) almost 2 years ago

Hi Terri, What a great picture of the polar bear.  I have a dog who sits like that sometimes.  It's so funny when she does it.

Posted by Crystal Kilpatrick (Realty Austin) almost 2 years ago

Marchel--Great question! I know that one polar bear was killed at Como Park to save someone who climbed into his area in the early 1970's. That bear is at the Science Museum of Minnesota in St Paul. I don't know for sure if they ever replaced the bears again but would guess they have. But according to another website, polar bears can live to their mid to late 30's so these could be the same bears that are currently there. I don't know for certain. If I had to guess, I would think they are different bears though.

Posted by Teri Eckholm, REALTOR® Anoka&Washington Counties Acreage & Lakeshore Homes (REMAX Specialists) almost 2 years ago

Joan--The old park was very cool but they have improved the grounds substantially since the 1980's to protect the animals.

Posted by Teri Eckholm, REALTOR® Anoka&Washington Counties Acreage & Lakeshore Homes (REMAX Specialists) almost 2 years ago

Lynda--This old exhibit was one of my favorite places to visit as a college student. I would ride my bike over from campus at least once a week to feed the bears and the ducks. One time all the peacocks flew off monkey island and chased us for peanuts. It has changed over the years but I loved the old zoo the best.

Posted by Teri Eckholm, REALTOR® Anoka&Washington Counties Acreage & Lakeshore Homes (REMAX Specialists) almost 2 years ago

Brenda--Of course they do...check out the links to the gardens.

Posted by Teri Eckholm, REALTOR® Anoka&Washington Counties Acreage & Lakeshore Homes (REMAX Specialists) almost 2 years ago

Maria--They loved to do tricks for spectators!

Posted by Teri Eckholm, REALTOR® Anoka&Washington Counties Acreage & Lakeshore Homes (REMAX Specialists) almost 2 years ago

Terry--I took this shot before the Coke bear made his debut but he could have been the inspiration...or model!

Posted by Teri Eckholm, REALTOR® Anoka&Washington Counties Acreage & Lakeshore Homes (REMAX Specialists) almost 2 years ago

Monique--He does look huggable from a safe distance...up close I think he would be a bit scary.

Posted by Teri Eckholm, REALTOR® Anoka&Washington Counties Acreage & Lakeshore Homes (REMAX Specialists) almost 2 years ago

George&Arlene--I have lots of photos from college and the 80s. Lots of animal photos as going to zoos was a favorite thing to do...Como was free.

Posted by Teri Eckholm, REALTOR® Anoka&Washington Counties Acreage & Lakeshore Homes (REMAX Specialists) almost 2 years ago

Crystal--How cute...You'll have to try to snap a picture of her to share sometime.

Posted by Teri Eckholm, REALTOR® Anoka&Washington Counties Acreage & Lakeshore Homes (REMAX Specialists) almost 2 years ago

Now that is one happy fellow!

your friend in Charlottesville Virginia!

Posted by Charlottesville Real Estate (Charles McDonald 434-515-1585) almost 2 years ago

Oh Teri this is absolutely adorable but I wouldn't hug him....:)

Posted by Jennifer Fivelsdal Rhinebeck Real Estate (Serving Dutchess| Columbia|Ulster Ctys (LIC. R.E. Broker JFIVE Home Realty LLC ) almost 2 years ago

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