Perspective on Zoo Camp

Check out the article written for the Denver Post by local student reporter!

Thank you for the 'shout out' Taylor!

Have you registered to run?

Registration is officially underway for the upcoming Run to the Shrine scheduled for Saturday, August 8, 2009 at 7:00 am!

Run as an individual, family or relay team! All the details and registration information can be found on our website.

We look forward to galloping with you August 8!

Baby Budgie

Photo and post by Ashley Arimborgo

’Parakeet’ is another name for a Budgerigar, and the term that most people are familiar with. What most people probably don’t know is how they look when they are newborns since parakeets use nests in trees to brood their young until they know how to fly. The young budgie in this photo is about 2 weeks old and what looks like small white needles on its’ skin are actually the beginning of feathers. They should start looking like full feathers in another week or two and the young bird will fledge (begin flying) as soon as the feathers grow out.

The Budgie Buddy house at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is lucky to maintain a steady population of free flighted birds year-round thanks to the dozens of nest boxes that have been placed throughout the exhibit. Stop by next time you visit to see how our birds are doing and for just a dollar you can feed them and have a wonderful family experience!

Camping in Bear Country

When you camp in Colorado’s great outdoors, you’re heading into country that’s long been home to black bears. Before you head into the wilderness, learn more about how to enjoy the outdoors without creating problems for yourself or these intelligent and resourceful animals.

If you want to avoid problems for yourself and the bears, make sure there’s nothing to attract bears to your camp. Here are some tips from the Colorado Division of Wildlife. To learn more, be sure to join us for the Camping Safety Demonstration at the Grizzly Exhibit in Rocky Mountain Wild during Teddy Bear Days on July 18 and 19.

From the Colorado Division of Wildlife:
Stash Your Trash. Use bear-proof containers when available. If they’re full, double bag trash and lock it in your trunk or RV. Never leave trash outside.
Store Attractants Safely. Store food, beverages and toiletries in air tight containers and lock in your trunk. Many bears have discovered that coolers, bags and boxes are full of food; never leave them in your tent or anywhere a bear could see, smell or reach.

Keep a Clean Camp. Bears are attracted to odors of all kinds and will investigate anything interesting in hopes of finding food.
Keep a Clean Tent. Don’t bring anything with an odor into your tent—that includes all foods, bever¬ages, scented toiletries, gum, toothpaste, sunscreen, candles, and insect repellant. Don’t sleep in the clothes you cooked in; store them with your food.

Lock RVs and Vehicles. Close windows and lock your vehicle and RV when you leave your camp site and at night before you go to sleep.

Dakota

-Written by Megan Sanders, Animal Behavior Programs Manager

Last week, our beloved mountain lion, Dakota, left our Zoo family. She lived to be just shy of 20 years old, and boy did she live!

She has always been a cat that did everything with gusto. I have never met an animal that could turn a refrigerator box in to confetti as fast as she could. She had a “soft side” too. Some of my favorite memories here are working the late shifts and sitting with her a few minutes in the evening having a “chat”. She never failed to come over, blow a little puff of smelly cat breath in your face and then roll in the mulch, always stopping to give you that look of hers while she was upside down.

Dakota has absolutely left her mark on this zoo and on anyone who came into contact with her. A guest recently commented that “she was the prettiest Mountain Lion” they had ever seen. She showed a generation of kids just how it looked and felt to see a cat stalk you, and passed that talent on to the 4 cougars who now stalk in the Rocky Mountain Wild exhibit. She initiated more keeper talks and conversation through her playing and her training, I can only imagine the far reaching impact she may have had.

Most guests know her by name and those that don’t know her by reputation. I can’t even count the number of times I have been asked for directions to the “grandma cat”, “the old lady” or the “log cat”… Dakota and her log…it’s a beautiful thing. That was her throne from which she surveyed the comings and goings of peafowl, guinea fowl, wallabies and the occasional raccoon. I was happy to find her in her favorite log this morning and have one last “chat” while we watched the wallabies shift out for the day.

Dakota taught me so much and defined my career in many ways. I am the trainer that I am today because of her. She was a patient and willing pupil and because of that she allowed me to grow along with her. I was proud and humbled to share one last session with her this morning.

My love and respect goes out to everyone who has worked with, taken care of, stopped to talk to and “fairy god-mothered” Dakota throughout her life. I know we did right by her up to the very end and I think, in some way, she knew that. She was an amazing animal and I know that she is up there, healthy and robust, rolling in fields of cat mint, eating steak and having a good fly when the mood strikes!

I’ll miss you Dakota. Thank you for all you gave me. Be at peace old girl.

Country and Americana Music Fans!

Join us this Thursday, July 9 from 7-9 pm for the Country Night at the Mountaineer Sky Ride! Have a beer provided by Bristol Brewing Company and enjoy chef Beau’s Gumbo, grilled garlic bread and corn on the cob! Then visit with outreach animals and boot scoot and yee haw to hoppin’ Americana folk sounds of Jason Bennett and The Legend Band!

Meet CMA Artist, Candice Crain, who will be making a special appearance and signing autographs part of the evening's festivities!

For more information about the Mixer Series, visit cmzoo.org.

Pawnee Montane Skipper Conservation

Thank you to Zoo employees Della and Chuck who, in conjunction with Wild Connections, helped close an “off highway vegetation” trail on National forest lands and reseeded with native grasses.

They hiked in over a mile with tools and seeds. Great work! Click to learn more about butterfly conservation and be sure to vote for your favorite Quarters for Conservation project in the kiosks at admissions plaza!

Rumors Confirmed!

The rumors have been confirmed! A giant Panamanian Golden frog has taken residence downtown at the corner of Pikes Peak and Tejon! Thank you to all our loyal readers, guests and members who alerted us to this amazing phenomenon!

Head downtown to see this terrific site for yourself, then enjoy a scoop of Panamanian Golden Fudge at Josh & John’s! 50% of proceeds go to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo!

This Just In! Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is awesome!

Check out this fantastic article by Colorado Kids reporter Taylor Kelly, age 10, from Castle Pines North!

Celebrate the 4th at the Mountaineer Sky Ride!

Spice up your red-white-and-blue celebration by viewing the city’s fireworks displays from the Summit of the Mountaineer Sky Ride from 7-10 pm! This locale will bring a new point of view to your Independence Day celebration! Bring your own blanket and savor the All American BBQ menu available for purchase from 7-9 pm. Beer and wine will be available for purchase as well!

We’re sorry, outside food, beverage and/or coolers, and camp chairs are not allowed on the Sky Ride. CAPACITY IS LIMITED. Please arrive early to ensure a spot. For more details, visit cmzoo.org.