As the holidays arrive, we are reminded of all the things we are thankful for. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo would like to thank all of our guests, donors and friends who support our efforts here in Colorado Springs as well as our worldwide conservation efforts.
Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving!
And just a reminder, we are open today from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm with the last admission at 3:00 pm. Click HERE to read about this weekend’s family events at the Zoo.
November 27, 2008
November 25, 2008
Family Weekend
By Sean Anglum,
Public Relations & Special Events Manager
A Griffon Vulture, one of the many birds seen in The Wings of Africa show
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is offering you the perfect alternative to football games and the shopping frenzy for this Thanksgiving weekend. A great place to walk off that turkey dinner – the Zoo is a wonderful destination to take your visiting family and friends.
This Thanksgiving weekend the Zoo is featuring a full schedule of animal behavior shows at various animal exhibit locations. These natural behavior shows began this summer at the Zoo, and have proven to be a big hit with guests. Animal keepers train with the animals in their charge to accentuate natural animal behaviors that help the keepers with their care efforts.
Natural behavior shows that are currently featured (weather permitting) at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo include Wings of Africa, Treetop Acrobats, Primates In Motion, Orangutans Are COOL, The Raven Show and Conservation in Your Own Backyard. Times and descriptions of these shows are available on the Zoo’s website, www.cmzoo.org.
So whether it’s a stroll through the Zoo to walk off some holiday calories, taking the relatives to a fun and fascinating local attraction, or the chance to just get away from the chaos of super-shopping and 24/7 football, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo awaits you on Thanksgiving weekend.
Be ready to gobble it up!
Public Relations & Special Events Manager
A Griffon Vulture, one of the many birds seen in The Wings of Africa show
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is offering you the perfect alternative to football games and the shopping frenzy for this Thanksgiving weekend. A great place to walk off that turkey dinner – the Zoo is a wonderful destination to take your visiting family and friends.
This Thanksgiving weekend the Zoo is featuring a full schedule of animal behavior shows at various animal exhibit locations. These natural behavior shows began this summer at the Zoo, and have proven to be a big hit with guests. Animal keepers train with the animals in their charge to accentuate natural animal behaviors that help the keepers with their care efforts.
Natural behavior shows that are currently featured (weather permitting) at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo include Wings of Africa, Treetop Acrobats, Primates In Motion, Orangutans Are COOL, The Raven Show and Conservation in Your Own Backyard. Times and descriptions of these shows are available on the Zoo’s website, www.cmzoo.org.
So whether it’s a stroll through the Zoo to walk off some holiday calories, taking the relatives to a fun and fascinating local attraction, or the chance to just get away from the chaos of super-shopping and 24/7 football, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo awaits you on Thanksgiving weekend.
Be ready to gobble it up!
November 21, 2008
The Grizzlies Weigh In
By Megan Sanders,
Animal Behavior Programs Manager
The weather is cooling off and CMZ’s resident Grizzly Bears are starting to show signs of the impending weather change. Over the past few months our keepers have been working very hard with “Emmett and Digger” teaching them to get on a scale so we can keep track of what their weight is doing. As growing bears it is important that they are gaining weight for the cold months ahead, and they are doing just that.
At “Digger’s” October weigh in he tipped the scales at a hefty 598 pounds (when arrived at CMZ he was just 429 pounds)! “Digger” is proving to be a fairly easy going bear getting on the scale without a second thought, as long as it is followed by a tasty snack.
“Emmett” on the other hand is a little more wary of the scale platform and on occasion decides he would rather just watch from afar. We never force him to do anything that he is uncomfortable with so on those “not so brave days” he just gets some treats for at least putting a foot on.
Many of our guests have asked us if our Grizzlies or other zoo animals will hibernate this winter. Hibernation is an instinct that many animals will continue to practice even in captivity if they live in cold enough climates.
Something that many people may not know about bears is that they are not a “true hibernator”. Instead they enter a state that is called Torpor, which basically means decreased physical and physiological activity. Unlike a “true hibernator”, during those winter months bears do still wake up to drink and forage. In captivity this just looks like a significant decrease in activity and food motivation. We have already started to notice our boys slowing down.
Over the summer, both bears were very food motivated and would train with the keepers as long as they would work with them. Over the past few weeks our once “snack happy” bears have even gone so far as to turn down food, and their tireless training sessions have been scaled back to accommodate their lower energy. So for now, some of their swimming sessions will most likely be replaced by a few extra naps. After all, they need to rest up so they can continue to delight us with their antics next spring!
Animal Behavior Programs Manager
The weather is cooling off and CMZ’s resident Grizzly Bears are starting to show signs of the impending weather change. Over the past few months our keepers have been working very hard with “Emmett and Digger” teaching them to get on a scale so we can keep track of what their weight is doing. As growing bears it is important that they are gaining weight for the cold months ahead, and they are doing just that.
At “Digger’s” October weigh in he tipped the scales at a hefty 598 pounds (when arrived at CMZ he was just 429 pounds)! “Digger” is proving to be a fairly easy going bear getting on the scale without a second thought, as long as it is followed by a tasty snack.
“Emmett” on the other hand is a little more wary of the scale platform and on occasion decides he would rather just watch from afar. We never force him to do anything that he is uncomfortable with so on those “not so brave days” he just gets some treats for at least putting a foot on.
Many of our guests have asked us if our Grizzlies or other zoo animals will hibernate this winter. Hibernation is an instinct that many animals will continue to practice even in captivity if they live in cold enough climates.
Something that many people may not know about bears is that they are not a “true hibernator”. Instead they enter a state that is called Torpor, which basically means decreased physical and physiological activity. Unlike a “true hibernator”, during those winter months bears do still wake up to drink and forage. In captivity this just looks like a significant decrease in activity and food motivation. We have already started to notice our boys slowing down.
Over the summer, both bears were very food motivated and would train with the keepers as long as they would work with them. Over the past few weeks our once “snack happy” bears have even gone so far as to turn down food, and their tireless training sessions have been scaled back to accommodate their lower energy. So for now, some of their swimming sessions will most likely be replaced by a few extra naps. After all, they need to rest up so they can continue to delight us with their antics next spring!
November 18, 2008
The Vanishing Frog
WORLD PREMIERE THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20 AT 8PM (ET/PT)
Animal Planet focuses worldwide attention on the deadly fungus that is destroying frogs and other amphibian populations around the world through a new multimedia project called THE VANISHING FROG. The film sends Animal Planet’s Jeff Corwin on a worldwide mission that uncovers clues on the frog’s deadly plight while also unifying viewers with a common cause of environmental protection of wildlife resources.
From the rocky streams of coastal Australia to the jungles of South America—and even to the American West, the world’s frogs are mysteriously vanishing at alarming rates. Frogs and their relatives have thrived on earth for more than 360 million years, but now they are under serious threat. Experts believe that as many as one-third to one-half of the planet’s mass extinctions- since the dinosaurs.
Why are amphibians in such dire straits? And can we take action to save them? Jeff Corwin, who has experienced the most mammoth of mammals, reptiles and marine life worldwide, will take on these large questions about these small amphibians in the documentary.
“The Vanishing Frog” documentary will cablecast this Thursday night on The Animal Planet channel. The time to watch for our local region is 6:00 pm, with the program repeated at 9:00 pm.
Animal Planet focuses worldwide attention on the deadly fungus that is destroying frogs and other amphibian populations around the world through a new multimedia project called THE VANISHING FROG. The film sends Animal Planet’s Jeff Corwin on a worldwide mission that uncovers clues on the frog’s deadly plight while also unifying viewers with a common cause of environmental protection of wildlife resources.
From the rocky streams of coastal Australia to the jungles of South America—and even to the American West, the world’s frogs are mysteriously vanishing at alarming rates. Frogs and their relatives have thrived on earth for more than 360 million years, but now they are under serious threat. Experts believe that as many as one-third to one-half of the planet’s mass extinctions- since the dinosaurs.
Why are amphibians in such dire straits? And can we take action to save them? Jeff Corwin, who has experienced the most mammoth of mammals, reptiles and marine life worldwide, will take on these large questions about these small amphibians in the documentary.
“The Vanishing Frog” documentary will cablecast this Thursday night on The Animal Planet channel. The time to watch for our local region is 6:00 pm, with the program repeated at 9:00 pm.
November 14, 2008
Eyeglasses Drive
The Andean Bear Conservation project in Ecuador is one of six projects Cheyenne Mountain Zoo supports through Quarters for Conservation. The Andean Bear Conservation Project protects Andean bears (also known as Spectacled Bears) from extinction through field studies and the rehabilitation and release of captive bears.
You can actively participate as our partner in these conservation efforts. For every pair of prescription eyeglasses or sunglasses donated (regular sunglasses count too), Cheyenne Mountain Zoo will set aside $1 towards Andean Bear rehabilitation and release. We’ll match your donations up to $1000!
Your donation is twofold. At the conclusion of the glasses drive on March 1 2009, collected glasses will be donated to the Colorado Springs chapter of The Lions Club. The Lions Club delivers glasses to people in need all over the world. One pair of donated glasses can mean a world of difference to someone across our planet. For some one pair of prescription glasses costs three to four months of salary. Some have never seen their children's faces clearly due to vision problems – problems easily corrected by one simple pair of glasses.
Though Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s Eyeglasses Drive, you can help people across the globe all while helping to save the South American Spectacled bear! A win, win!
Bring your glasses donation to the donation box at our front admissions gate or mail the glasses directly to the Zoo:
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Road
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
Thank you in advance for your valuable donation!
November 11, 2008
Rafiki & Tumani
By Heidi Genter, Animal Keeper - Primate World
Gorilla fathers are very involved in the lives of their offspring, both in the wild and in captivity. The silverback’s primary role is to protect his family and lead them to safe places to eat and rest, but he frequently becomes a playground and playmate for all the youngsters in the group. Our silverback, Rafiki, is a wonderful dad and loves to play with his 21-month-old daughter, Tumani.
What may look like rough wrestling and biting to us is play to them. At 475 pounds, Rafiki is obviously way bigger than Tumani, who probably weighs less than 30 pounds. He is very careful not to be too rough.
Gorilla babies love to be tickled, and when Rafiki is mouthing Tumani on her belly, that’s just what he’s doing. This results in a gleeful playface and laugh from Tumani. The best time to catch Tumani at her highest activity level is usually in the morning. As we head into winter, the gorillas spend more time inside and it is easier to watch Tumani’s antics.
Gorilla fathers are very involved in the lives of their offspring, both in the wild and in captivity. The silverback’s primary role is to protect his family and lead them to safe places to eat and rest, but he frequently becomes a playground and playmate for all the youngsters in the group. Our silverback, Rafiki, is a wonderful dad and loves to play with his 21-month-old daughter, Tumani.
What may look like rough wrestling and biting to us is play to them. At 475 pounds, Rafiki is obviously way bigger than Tumani, who probably weighs less than 30 pounds. He is very careful not to be too rough.
Gorilla babies love to be tickled, and when Rafiki is mouthing Tumani on her belly, that’s just what he’s doing. This results in a gleeful playface and laugh from Tumani. The best time to catch Tumani at her highest activity level is usually in the morning. As we head into winter, the gorillas spend more time inside and it is easier to watch Tumani’s antics.
November 7, 2008
Help Orphaned Orangutans
Help Cheyenne Mountain Zoo send unopened packages of baby bottles and silicone teats to BOSF Project Nyaru Menteng.
The Bornean Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOSF) Nyaru Menteng Project cares for over 600 orangutans displaced from the rainforest due to illegal logging, palm oil plantations, and the illegal pet trade in Indonesia. BOSF is the largest primate rescue project in the world and is the only organization actively rescuing wild orangutans as well as rehabilitating orphaned orangutans. BOSF is committed to protecting orangutans and their rainforest habitat and relies entirely on donations. Many of the project’s residents are orphaned as infants and need around the clock care from staff.
You can help Cheyenne Mountain Zoo support orphaned orangutans by donating packaged baby bottles and silicone teats. Bring your donations to the drop off box located in Primate World at the Zoo or drop them off at our admissions booth. Mail donations to: Cheyenne Mountain Zoo - Bottle Drive, 4250 Cheyenne Mtn. Zoo Rd., Colorado Springs, CO 80906. Donations are being accepted through December 2008.
For more information on orangutans and palm oil, visit our website.
November 6, 2008
Building Community
Lowes recently chose Cheyenne Mountain Zoo as a recipient of their Hero Program! Over the course of four days, staff members from Lowes donated their time to help demo and rebuild a roof in the side yard of the Pallas Cat exhibit. As part of being selected, Cheyenne Mt Zoo also received a generous donation for materials to help complete the project!
A BIG thank you to Mark McCracken and all of the Lowes volunteers for making this project possible!
Zoo staff works side by side the dedicated Lowes volunteers.
November 4, 2008
Quote of the Week
"If we learn, finally, that what we need to “manage” is not the land so much as ourselves in the land, we will have turned the history of American land-use on
its head."- Gaylord Nelson, Founder of Earth Day
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