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Porcupines and bonding and reps, oh my!

By Graham Johnson
Rep. Liz Reyer feeds Aspen, a North American porcupine and a Minnesota Zoo animal ambassador, before zoo officials present a $10 million bonding request March 5 to the House Capital Investment Committee. (Photo by Michele Jokinen)
Rep. Liz Reyer feeds Aspen, a North American porcupine and a Minnesota Zoo animal ambassador, before zoo officials present a $10 million bonding request March 5 to the House Capital Investment Committee. (Photo by Michele Jokinen)

A four-legged testifier stole the show Thursday at the House Capital Investment Committee.

Aspen, a North American porcupine, is one of the Minnesota Zoo’s ambassadors, named for one of her favorite foods, the leaves of the aspen tree.

Naturalist Alexandria Tasa was quick to dispel the widespread myth that porcupines can shoot their 30,000 protective quills, “which is why we’re able to come here today.”

Along with zoo officials, Aspen was at the State Capitol urging support of the zoo’s $10 million bonding request. Gov. Tim Walz proposes $4 million in his bonding recommendations for asset preservation.
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