Como Zoo Unveils Plans For Sparky The Sea Lion's Habitat

ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) -- Como Zoo unveiled its plans Thursday to update Sparky the Sea Lion's Habitat. The changes are being prompted by new federal requirements for keeping marine mammals.

It's also the only way the zoo will be able to keep Sparky and the other sea animals there.

The new exhibit will provide a year-round indoor and outdoor habitat for the animals that meets the new requirements.

"To see my boys enjoying it as much as I did was fantastic. The transformation this zoo has gone through over the years has been amazing and I look forward to seeing this next stage happen. Hopefully soon," Matt Nelson said.

The "Sparky Show" has been around since 1956 and is one of Como's most popular attractions.

Nearly 500,000 students visit the exhibit each year.