Zoo gets calls on April Fools’ Day

MINOT, N.D. – It’s happened for many years when April Fools’ Day comes around some unsuspecting person gets a message to call Mr. Lyon or perhaps ask for another name. But when they make that call they find out they are calling Minot’s Roosevelt Park Zoo and asking for one of its inhabitants.

“We do get calls,” said Jennifer Kleen, executive director of the Greater Minot Zoological Society. She said they get around “a handful of calls but it’s the signature of the day.”

Besides Mr. Lyon she said they’ve had calls for Mr. Don Key, Mr. Al Gator and Mr. Baer.

Some have called, asking for Harry (Hairy), a name that can lead to various animals, Kleen said.

In years past, callers have also asked for Mr. Fox, Mr. G. Raffe, Mr. Wolf, Mrs. Ella Phant, and Mrs. Teresa Llama.

She said all zoo staff members answer the phone saying, “Roosevelt Park Zoo,” so often people figure out right away that they’ve been fooled.

When a staff member answers such a call, she said it is easy to tell by the look on their face it is a caller asking for one of the zoo’s animals.

April Fools’ Day was early this year for one person from a local business who called the zoo recently and asked for Mr. Lyon. Another person called this week and asked for Harry.

One of the years with the highest number of April Fools’ Day calls was in 1982 when the zoo received 196 such calls.

Zoo gets calls on April Fools’ Day

Follow us on Google News

Follow us on Flipboard

Trending Slider

North Dakota declares Get Home Safe Day to emphasize workplace safety across agriculture and energy industries

Bismarck Veterans Memorial Public Library celebrates successful Summer Reading Kickoff with community partners and local families

North Dakota driver survives violent rollover crash on Highway 41, horse being towed in trailer also sustained injuries during the crash

North Dakota Highway Patrol investigates after vehicle crashes into school bus, driver arrested for driving under the influence amid alleged distraction by cellular device

Gov. Kelly Armstrong issues statement after federal officials decide future of Dakota Access Pipeline, says its continued operation would support affordable energy prices and national energy security

Officers and staff honored during Bismarck Police Department 2025 annual employee awards ceremony

Follow us on News Break

Categories

Zoo gets calls on April Fools’ Day

Related posts

Baby went missing for days, untiI her dad opened the door and reaIized Pit BuII had the chiId”!

Minot churches plan Easter services amid return from pandemic

Efforts to clean up litter in the Magic City

The deadline is approaching for produce growers to register for a free training session, state officials say

Bismarck Citizen Academy attendees learn about long-term city planning

Baɓy girI was in terribIe danɠer, then her doɠ did the unthinkabIe!

Follow us on Google News

Follow us on Flipboard

North Dakota declares Get Home Safe Day to emphasize workplace safety across agriculture and energy industries

Bismarck Veterans Memorial Public Library celebrates successful Summer Reading Kickoff with community partners and local families

North Dakota driver survives violent rollover crash on Highway 41, horse being towed in trailer also sustained injuries during the crash

North Dakota Highway Patrol investigates after vehicle crashes into school bus, driver arrested for driving under the influence amid alleged distraction by cellular device

Gov. Kelly Armstrong issues statement after federal officials decide future of Dakota Access Pipeline, says its continued operation would support affordable energy prices and national energy security

Officers and staff honored during Bismarck Police Department 2025 annual employee awards ceremony