Bears at Como Zoo frolic in the wildflowers

23.7.2025 by Molly Merrow

In the neighborhoods of St. Paul, Minnesota, there is a landscaping trend that has folks planting wildflowers in place of their lawns. It is fun to drive around to see all the gorgeous wildflowers in the yards, sometimes called “pocket prairies.” It is easier to maintain, and good for the environment. Bees and butterflies are drawn to such a habitat.

This year, Neil, Nan and Kulu have their own “pocket prairie” yard too, in the left side of their habitat, filled with sunflowers, coneflowers, beebalm, lavender and more. I suspect that the planting is with wildflowers native to Minnesota. The bears have created paths through the flowery wilderness, and seem to really enjoy their wild garden, which is unlike anything I have seen in other zoos as bear habitat. Como Zoo, which offers free admission and requests donations, is well known as a botanical garden too, and has a way of surprising us with novel ways to use plants.

Nan, Kulu and Neil

Como Zoo is home to three very different polar bears, and they all get along very well. This year their meadow has become a wildflower paradise, perfect for roaming, holding wrestling matches, rolling around and napping. As always there is a dig pit at the bottom of the hill and the hillside is covered with spectacular wildflowers this season, as tall as the bears.

Neil in flowers

The two older bears hold records for their age.

Neil and Nan

Neil, 29 years old and the oldest male polar bear in human care, was born in Louisville, along with his brother Buzz. The twin brothers lived happily together for many years, in San Diego, Detroit, and at Como Zoo. Buzz, the dominant brother, passed away a few years ago.

Nan, the oldest female polar bear in a US zoo, is 30 years old, and was born in the wilds of Alaska. She has lived in Tacoma, many years in Toledo, more recently in Brookfield Zoo, and for the past few years in Como Zoo, to keep Neil company after his brother died. Nan is the mother of Nikita, born in the Toledo Zoo in 2006, the same year that Crystal gave birth to twins Aurora and Anana. Nikita is currently living in Salt Lake City.

Nan on the hill with Neil and Kulu

Kulu, a young male just five years old, was born in the Columbus Zoo to Aurora. Her twin sister Anana helped raise Kulu after a certain age, and Kulu spent most of his playtime with his aunt, while his mother napped. His father is Lee.

Having these three bears at Como, the keepers say, is rather like having a teenager move into a home for old folks. Kulu learns adult bear behavior from Neil and Nan, while the older bears enjoying having a lively youngster running around to keep them young. In case anyone is wondering, Nan is the dominant bear, definitely in charge of both the guys.

Kulu with a green toy and Neil

Kulu and Nan

Nan is quite spritely for her age, and often climbs the polar bear shaped “Pride Rock” as in the Lion King, and swims and plays with Kulu. Often they have a tussle, as Kulu, now a young adult, challenges Nan in a playful way.

Neil is showing his age and is slowing down. His arthritis keeps him from swimming much, and he lags behind the others. Still, he attempts to climb Pride Rock with a few steps, and occasionally cools off in the shallow pool. He wanders around the meadow with the others, looking for a snack left behind by the keepers, or maybe a soft place to take a nap. Sometimes Kulu sneaks up behind Neil in the wildflowers and sniffs at his very dirty rear end, then as Neil turns around, Kulu runs away!

Kulu in the flowers

Neil and Nan

The bears might spend their mornings wandering in the wildflowers on the left side, chasing each other around on the right side of their habitat which is kept trimmed back, and forage for snacks left by the keepers. During the hot summer afternoons, they might swim in one of their two pools, or enjoy their air conditioned bedrooms. Summertime, and the livin’ is easy at Como.