"Spring Forward" with us on March 8!

You can help the Zoo spring into action to celebrate our frog friends around the globe! After setting your clocks forward for Daylight Savings Time, celebrate this special Leap Day at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.

Join us Sunday March 8 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Lodge at Moose Lake for special frog and amphibian-based activities and games for the whole family. You'll have the opportunity to partake in the "Metamorphosis Matching" game and play "Frog Jump" to find out who is the better jumper - you or the frog! See special demonstrations and make educational frog crafts as well.

Then visit the Loft to see the Zoo’s real frogs and amphibians and talk with education department members about the world’s amphibian crisis…and what you can do to help.

It'll be a hoppin' good time!

Preschool March Madness!

Preschoolers, come to the Zoo for a crazy-good time! We will learn about animals that are full of surprises! You'll go "mad" over these special animals and their amazing abilities.

Register via our website or contact 633-9925 x. 127.Classes from March through June are now posted!

Orangutan Baby Arrival

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is proud to introduce a male Sumatran orangutan, born in the early hours of Thursday, February 19 in the Zoo’s Primate World exhibit. The orangutan baby is the second offspring for 21-year-old mother Sumagu and 18-year-old father, Baka.

Primate World animal staff was delighted upon arriving at work on the morning of February 19 to see female orangutan Sumagu cradling her newborn while in her exhibit space. There was evidence of the birth occurring during the night, but the baby orangutan appeared to be dry, so the newborn was already some hours old when keepers observed the two together.

The baby was observed nursing and Sumagu was being very maternal and protective of her baby. As long as Sumagu continues to perform her motherly duties and stays attentive to her new son, there should be no reason for animal and vet staff to intercede at this time.

To learn more about all of the orangutans at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, visit the Animal Highlights section of our website. To find out what you can do to help these very special and endangered animals, visit the Palm Oil Crisis section of our website.

ECO CELL

Recycle your cell phones at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo! To support Year of the Gorilla conservation efforts, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is a drop off location for recycled cell phones.

An ore called Coltan (columbite-tantalite) is a source of the element tantalum which is an essential coating for components of cell phones. This ore is often found in the Congo in the middle of endangered gorilla habitats. These animals are being killed by rebel bands mining this ore. The U.N. has reported that in the past five years, the eastern lowland gorilla population in the Congo has declined 90%. Reducing the demand for Coltan will help save these animals and their habitat.

Bring your cell phones to the admissions gate at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and receive a $2 admissions ticket discount. Each recycled phone goes to ECO-CELL, the premiere cell phone recycling program for environmentally minded fundraisers.

Special Thanks

Many a tails wagged at last weekend’s fundraiser held at Bear Creek Dog Park! Participants enjoyed sunny weather along with homemade dog treats baked by Cheyenne Mountain Zoo keepers.

Proceeds from the event benefit the African Wild Dog Conservancy, a runner up in Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s Quarters for Conservation program.

Many thanks for all the donations and a special thanks to the dog biscuit chefs helping to make the event a huge success!

Earth Tones

The Center for Biological Diversity is offering free endangered animal ring tones through rareearthtones.org as a way to improve conservation efforts around the world.

Each animal on the site’s download page now links to its very own profile page where you can learn more about how it lives and why it may need your help to survive. Take a look and have a listen.

Love is in the air

The Zoo is certainly an exciting spot to bring your Valentine. Over the years our gates have seen many a date - from first dates to parent dates - and quite a few proposals. A select and lucky few have even experienced the ultimate wedding experience at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.

Lately, signs of Cupid’s work can be spotted all over the Zoo. From African Lions snuggling to peacocks pluming to giraffe tongues twining, love is definitely in the air.

You and your loved ones are invited to spend Valentine’s Day with the animals this Saturday. We’re open during regular business hours from 9am to 5pm. The Mountaineer Sky Ride will be open during regular Zoo hours as well.

Those of you looking for an extra special way to celebrate can make reservations for the Romantic Ride Through the Sky or The Mating Game. We still have a few reservations available.


Can’t make it to the Zoo on the 14th? Show your love by giving the gift of becoming a Zoo Parent! By sponsoring Snow Leopard, Kali, you’ll get your very own cuddly plush snow leopard, a personalized adoption certificate, invitation to Parent’s Day in August and much more. See our website for details.

We hope to see you this Saturday! Check back next week to see fun pictures from our Valentine’s weekend events.

For the Love of the Dogs

Visit with Cheyenne Mountain Zoo zookeepers and their pets at Bear Creek Dog Park this Sunday, February 15 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm and pick up some homemade dog treats!

Donations will benefit the African Wild Dog Conservancy.

New Frog Species Discovered!

See photos of the frogs and salamanders that Conservation International discovered in the wilds of Colombia on the Daily Green.

Malaika’s First Look

Malaika, 22-year-old African Elephant, is getting used to her new home. Last weekend she ventured into the elephant yard for the very first time with long time residents Lucky and Kimba.

Three elephants in the yard is an amazing site to see!

Explore!

Growing cubs, 90 pound Zoya and 133 pound Billy Ray (aka Grom), have been busy exploring their new environment! You can see them in the Asian Highlands exhibit Thursday through Sunday during normal Zoo hours.

Curious as to how “Billy Ray” got his name? Read his history here.

Giveaway!

Win a romantic "Ride Through the Sky" on Valentine's Day and soar above the clouds with your sweetheart! As part of this romantic couple’s package you’ll enjoy a dreamy ride on the Mountaineer Sky Ride then indulge in chocolate covered strawberries and a glass of champagne at the Summit! This amazing couple’s package sells for $18 but you can win a package here!

The first commenter who can leave the correct answer to the following question will win a "Ride Through the Sky" package! Winner must be 21 years of age or older.

What special Valentine’s Day animal adoption gift package is Cheyenne Mountain Zoo currently offering?

Tumani's Birthday Party

Thank you to all of our friends and members who so graciously attended Tumani’s 2nd birthday party, gifts in hand! So many caring people brought donations of cereal, cups and frozen veggies for the gorillas. To see Tumani enjoying her very own “bran muffin” cupcake see the Gazette’s video.


Keepers decorated the gorilla habitat with streamers,
bran muffin cupcakes and a special sign made by our Preschool Class!

And a big congratulations goes to News First’s Andy Koen, winner of the Great Gorilla Media Challenge! Andy unpeeled a banana and drank a cup of water with his thumbs taped to his hand faster than any other competitor!


Winner Andy Koen with fellow media participants,
Kirk Speer and Andrea Brown.

(Unlike monkeys, gorillas and humans have opposable thumbs, making tasks such as peeling a banana much easier than for a monkey. You can try this activity at home – just tape your thumb to your hand and try performing simple every day tasks! Those opposable thumbs sure come in handy!)

We greatly appreciate all the media who came out to support Tumani, Year of the Gorilla and Cheyenne Mountain Zoo!


Fox 21’s Craig Coffey, Meaghan Collier,
Joe Cole and Stephanie Pytlinksi

"The Mating Game"

Do you feel the stirrings of a wild animal inside when thinking of your Valentine? Then do something extraordinarily wild with your main squeeze for the Valentine’s weekend this year! It’s a whole new perspective of “the birds and the bees”!

Join us on Saturday, February 14 for an evening of romance beginning at 6:00 p.m. with cocktails; followed by an elegant buffet dinner with entrees of Grilled Salmon, Roast Pork Tenderloin and Chicken Provencal; complete with a dazzling array of side dishes; champagne and a full bar; in the Zoo’s exclusive Lodge at Moose Lake (dubbed “the Love Lodge” for the evening).

The romantic dinner is followed by delectable desserts and “The Mating Game,” a delightfully tongue-in-cheek multi-media presentation from the Zoo’s animal keepers about animals’ mating habits and techniques when they’re in “luurve.”

$80 per couple.
Members receive a 15% discount! Member price: $68 per couple.
Reservations required. Guests must be 21 and over.

For more information and reservations for this wild night of passion at the Zoo call 575-0536 or visit our website.

Happy Groundhog Day!

Visit our Prairie Dog exhibit located beyond the south window of the Lodge at Moose Lake during regular Zoo hours.