Como Zoo joins April Fool's fun

April 1, April Fools’ Day, marks the beginning of summer hours at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory in St. Paul - and it's also one of the busiest days for phone calls.

Last year, Como received more than 300 prank calls, with the most popular request for Mr. Lion. In an effort to thwart the onslaught of April Fools' Day prank phone calls from unsuspecting callers, Como Park Zoo and Conservatory has set up April Fool Hot Lines. Four special phone numbers, each with a pre-recorded message letting the caller know they have been fooled and also offering special discounted sponsorship packages pertaining to that specific animal, will be available to pranksters:

Mr. Lion, 651-487-8266

Mr. Fox, 651-487-8267

Mr. Wolf, 651-487-8268

Ms. Anna Conda, 651-487-8270

"It happens every year" said Michelle Furrer, director of Como Park Zoo and Conservatory. "Pranksters will leave messages for their friends or co-workers asking them to call 'insert animal here', and then leave the zoo's phone number. Once people realize they've been tricked they will usually hang up, but some need it explained to them that they have called a zoo and there is no one here named Ellie Fint."

While Mr. Lion is the most popular, other calls come in for Mr. Bear, Sally Mander, G. Raffe, Ray Coon, Perry Keet, and Don Key, with a few asking for Casey, the popular Gorilla that used to call Como Zoo home for many years and now makes his home at the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans.

Staring April 1, Como Park Zoo and Conservatory will be open everyday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., through September 30. No foolin’!

Tags: april fools, news, updates, zoo