Neil and Buzz Celebrate Sweet 16

About two dozen humans showed up at the Como Zoo on Friday morning to help the zoo's polar bears celebrate their 16th birthdays. But if they thought Neil and Buzz would share the "cakes" they got to mark the occasion, they were disappointed.

Zoo staff rolled out two huge treats—more giant popsicle than cake—and slathered them with syrup, honey and lard to get the attention of the polar bears, who then spent the better part of the morning gnawing and clawing at the sweet treats.

Michelle Furrer, director and campus manager at the zoo, said the cake took about two weeks to make—each of the 16 layers had to be frozen separately—and included: Grape Koolaid, blueberry yogurt, blueberries, cranberries, strawberry Koolaid apple rings, cereal bars, carrots, pears, fish, fruity snacks, peanut butter, apples, marshmallow, Mars bars, cinnamon.

The brothers were born in Kentucky, moved to the San Diego Zoo before they were a year old, and came to Minnesota in 2001. They've been here ever since, except for a short trip to the Detroit Zoo while their new home—the Polar Bear Odyssey—was under construction.

According to the zoo's website, the Polar Bear Odyssey exhibit—which opened last June—"emulates a Hudson Bay ecosystem complete with a river-washed stream, rocky cliffs and evergreen plantings."