Snow Leopard Update

On March 3, 2010 our own Megan Sanders received an update from the Snow Leopard Trust letting us know that they just collared a brand new male Snow Leopard near the research camp! They are hoping to collar a female this year but this male looks like he may be young and in great shape. This is VERY EXCITING!!! He is known as M7 on the GPS maps.



The latest update from Jennifer Snell Rullman, Conservation Program Director at the Snow Leopard Trust (SLT) is as follows:

Update for March 15–19, 2010:
After several weeks of only hearing from one or two cats, we have recent location uplinks from four of the five collared snow leopards. Perhaps one of the most remarkable journeys depicted by this data is that of our newest cat we call M7. He is a real mover! He was fitted with his collar on February 16th and almost immediately took off on a NE path covering over 30 km in less than a week across extremely rugged terrain (meaning he may have had to walk up to 60 km from point to point when considering the actual terrain). This week was no different. After apparently hunting on the April 7th he stayed there until the 10th before moving further north. Once he hit the edge of the mountain range he was faced with a vast expanse of steppe/desert in front of him. He opted to turn back to the SW, nearly following in his own footsteps, until he reached and area we call “the badlands.” At this point it is very possible that he skirted this area, as the badlands is an area of low-lying sandstone-like formations we consider to be unsuitable snow leopard habitat (both Itgel and Saikhan have come close to, but seemingly avoided, the badlands as well). He finally turned again, walking back to the SE, covering more than 30 km in just two days. This lengthy and rapid movement pattern is similar to what Aztai exhibited in his initial days after collaring.

Three locations were received from Shonkhor, who appears to have set off on yet another one of his trademark expeditions. He has crossed the wide valley separating Toson Bumba and Tost mountains, and based on the uplink from him on the 12th of March, was near the south-western edge of Aztai's home range.

In contrast to M7 and Shonkhor’s long treks, Aztai continued patrolling the core of his home range.

Orjan also managed to replace Tsagaan's collar, which was running low on batteries, on the 12th of March when he was caught less than 200 m from the camp. Tsagaan seems to have grown in size since he was last caught. He now weighs 44.5 kg and his body length has increased by 4 cm, making him 124 cm long. Unfortunately, since his successful release we have not heard from the collar and so we are waiting to see if there is a malfunction with the collar or if he is holed up in an area where the signal can not reach the satellite. But as each day goes by we are more concerned that the collar has failed to turn on. Hopefully we will hear from his collar soon and then Orjan will head towards the Toson Bumba range where he will focus on replacing Shonkhor's collar and hopefully catching a female leopard. Given our capture history (5 males have collars on today); it is no exaggeration to say that catching a female will be more than welcome!

Below is the latest GPS map uplink from SLT. “The new collared cat (in blue) is truckin!!” said Megan Sanders when she saw the map.



We are hoping to get updates from Jennifer bi-monthly after April and we will keep you updated as we hear news from SLT. Stay tuned!

Pawnee Montane Skipper Butterfly Conservation

What is a Pawnee Montane Skipper you ask?

This butterfly is native to only one area of the Colorado Front Range. Its habitat is southwest of Denver, where the South Platte River drainage meets up with its north fork. It tends to inhabit dry, open Ponderosa Pine woodland with sparse groundcover at 6,000-7,500 feet. As of right now, it only has 37.9 square miles to call its home as noted by the Denver Water Department. This species’ roaming area was bigger in the 60’s and 70’s, but with the advancement of housing developments and the expansion of Denver’s boundaries, the skipper has lost its range and some of its food sources.

In June of 2002, the Hayman Wildfires charred 138,000 acres of land. This resulted in a 40% decrease in the skipper’s habitat. Two previous fires in 1996 and 2000, Buffalo Creek and Hi Meadow, wiped out an additional 10% of skipper habitat.

The skipper is classified as a federally threatened species. The recovery plan for the Pawnee Montane Skipper was placed into effect on September 2, 1998. The recovery plan includes monitoring its habitat and removal of less than 5% loss of skipper’s habitat to developments such as roads, housing, or recreational and a heavy planting project of the Blue Grama Grass and Prairie Blazing Star. Along with the planting of feeding plants, the project is also aimed at eradicating noxious weeds like Mullen, Knapweed, Russian and Canadian Thistle, Hound’s tongue, or any other noxious plant that will compete with the skipper’s nutrient plants.

While the Pawnee Montane Skipper Conservation effort will continue to receive basic ongoing support from the CMZ Conservation Fund, we still need your volunteer support with “boots on the ground” habitat restoration. To register, go to http://www.rmfi.org/contact.

In addition, there is another way that you can help. Local artist Carol Overbeck is designing and making jewelry featuring our local butterflies. The profits will go directly toward research and habitat restoration for the Pawnee Montane Skipper. If you want to make a difference for local conservation, these opportunities are for you. Please check out the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo website for details and future updates.

Endangered Species Day Art Contest

The nationwide Endangered Species Day Art contest provides students with an opportunity to learn about endangered species and express their knowledge and support through artwork. The contest is organized by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Endangered Species Coalition, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the Ogden Museum of Southern Art/ University of New Orleans.

Subject Matter
Artwork should highlight one or more land- and/or ocean-dwelling endangered species—mammal, reptile, amphibian, bird, fish, plant, and/or invertebrate (e.g., insect, spider, snail, coral, crustacean or clam)—found in the United States. Entrants are encouraged to depict species that are found in their region. Entrants may wish to choose from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Spotlight Species.
(See a list of all endangered species here.)

Judging
Winners will be chosen in four categories: K-Grade 2, Grades 3-6, Grades 7-9, Grades 10-12. From these, one national winner will be selected in 2010. Contest entries will be evaluated by a prestigious panel of judges, including artists and conservationists. Initial judging will be conducted by the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, a Smithsonian Affiliate.

Prizes
The contest’s grand prize winner will be honored with a special trophy designed by a gifted young artist, Meredith Graf of New Orleans, LA. The winner’s name will be engraved on the trophy’s base, which will be displayed in Washington, DC. The national winner will receive a round-trip flight to Washington, D.C. for him/herself and one guardian to attend a reception. Accommodations will also be provided. Prize is not redeemable for cash. All other expenses are the responsibility of the winner. Winners must be available for travel sometime in May. In addition, an exhibition of the students’ artwork and other promotions are planned.

The deadline for submission is March 26, 2010. See all the entry requirements and get your entry form.

For more details on the contest and general Endangered Species Day information, log on to www.endangeredspeciesday.org

SNEAK PREVIEW: Petrie Takes Flight in African Rift Valley’s “Wings of Africa”

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo's "Wings of Africa" bird show will be soaring to new heights with Petrie, the Abyssinian ground hornbill. You may have seen Petrie in years past engaging guests before and after the show on a keeper's arm. Well, Petrie has honed his flying skills over the last year and will make his free flight debut this May. Abyssinian ground hornbills spend much of their time on the ground searching for food, hence where their name comes from. Although they spend so much time on the ground, they are excellent flyers with an impressive wing span of up to six feet. Their feathers are mostly black but they have white flight feathers that are usually only seen when the birds are in flight. Keep your eyes open this summer for Petrie and all the birds of the African Rift Valley as they show you some of their unique natural behaviors in the "Wings of Africa" bird show.

Check out a sneak preview HERE.

Your Spring Break “Daycation” is Just a Short Drive Away!

From March 22 through March 26, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo will be rolling out all of its best fun and excitement for this year’s Spring Break celebration. Since school is out for many Colorado cities this week, we want to accommodate your family with a day of activities and animal fun. It’s truly a “daycation,” just a short drive from anywhere in the Pikes Peak region! Cheyenne Mountain Zoo invites everyone to America’s mountain Zoo to enjoy the sights and sounds of Spring Break with our renowned animal behavior shows, demos and special activities highlighted throughout the week. Check out the special schedule of Animal Happenings here!

Today’s Spring Break Giveaway of the Day is as follows:
• VISIT US ON FACEBOOK TODAY to receive a coupon for a FREE carousel ride between 10 – 11 a.m. Print out the coupon and bring it with you to the front entry for a free carousel ride ticket only between the hours of 10 – 11 a.m. Coupon must be redeemed at time of admission and must be used on Monday, March 22, 2010.

TODAY KICKS OFF SPRING BREAK GIVEAWAY DAYS!

It’s finally here…the day all school aged people wait for…SPRING BREAK! What better way to celebrate than with daily giveaways and GREAT prizes from Cheyenne Mountain Zoo?!

Visit the Zoo everyday this week for amazing Animal Shows. Click here to see the schedule.

Here’s how you can participate and WIN in Spring Break Giveaway Days…

Everyday giveaways ALL WEEK LONG:
• Comment on our blog any day this week for your chance to win 2 FREE Sky Ride passes! Blog comments must be unique and only one entry per person, per day will be entered. Winners will be chosen randomly and notified directly all week long.
• Win a Run to the Shrine t-shirt by being a blog follower, a facebook fan or twitter follower! Five winners will be chosen at random from all followers and fans during the week!

TODAY’S GIVEAWAY, Sunday, March 21, 2010
You will be entered to win a Run to the Shrine race registration valued at $30, a Run to the Shrine t-shirt, and 2 FREE Sky Ride passes by helping us get to 3,500 fans on facebook by April 1. Post this on your facebook page to be entered: “Become a fan of Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and you will be entered to win GREAT prizes all week long during our Spring Break Giveaway JUST FOR BEING A FAN. Re-post this message for your chance to win.”

Check our facebook, twitter and blog everyday to find more ways to WIN and SAVE at the Zoo!

SPRING BREAK…means FREE stuff from the Zoo!

What’s better than free schwag in a cute Zoo bag? How about a SPRING BREAK GIVEAWAY EVERY DAY at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (and you get a bag too)! Check out our FACEBOOK, TWITTER, BLOG everyday during Spring Break (March 21-27) to win free passes, fun prizes, get coupons, and personally connect with the Zoo! We want to hear from you!

SNEAK PREVIEW: "Win a Run to the Shrine t-shirt by being a blog follower, a facebook fan or twitter follower! Five winners will be chosen at random from all followers and fans during the week! Don't miss out!"

Grand Opening of the NEW Front Entry

The Grand Opening celebration included a special ribbon cutting ceremony and a visit from two of the Zoo’s special animal ambassadors, Amiga the Shetland pony, and Nyota, our Nigerian dwarf goat.

The new area includes seven gates with new digital technology for easier access to the Zoo. With the new admission gates complex, the admission improvements give the Zoo the opportunity to be more efficient and guest friendly, whether selling a non-member a ticket or whisking an existing member through a “member’s only” gate. The new admission area will now streamline the front end of guest’s Zoo visits, giving them more time on Zoo grounds with family and friends.



Each of the first 100 Zoo guests to arrive this morning were entered into a drawing to win a Behind-the-Scenes Zoo encounter with their choice of the Zoo’s Grizzly Bears, Hippos, or Elephants. Congratulations to the Rash Family who won! They will choose which experience they would like to do with a total of 9 friends. (A value of $250).

Our winners!

The Lions get a Special Treat

Yesterday was an exciting day for the lions at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo as they received a special treat from President, Bob Chastain. As carnivores, the lions excitedly devoured wild boar, which is a great treat in their regular diet. The following photographs are from the feeding session.

Zwena in the foreground and Jamila in the background…excited about their treat!


Elson approached the boar meat tentatively.


He did the “grab and run” as soon as he was close enough.


Lomela eating her own piece of boar.


This is a great picture of Elson enjoying the boar delicacy.


He proudly walked away thinking “that was so good.”


Lomela loving this special treat.


Lomela was very upset after another cub stole her meat. Angie watched her cubs from the background, as any proud mother would.

CELEBRATE NATIONAL WILDLIFE WEEK!

National Wildlife Week, National Wildlife Federation’s, longest running education event, is coming up March 15-21. Celebrate by making a difference in the life of a child and helping them to appreciate wildlife.

Studies show that spending time learning and playing outdoors boosts children’s health, creativity, and builds a conservation ethic. That’s why National Wildlife Week is part of National Wildlife Federation’s Be Out There movement to return to children what they don’t even know they’ve lost: a connection to the natural world.

What are we doing at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo?
Our largest program is our Quarters for Conservation program. It is an exciting initiative to greatly enhance our wildlife conservation work. Through the collection of quarters, we’ll provide funding for new and existing wildlife conservation projects. This program provides an opportunity to engage our staff and our community in the effort while also significantly expanding our contribution to wildlife conservation in our region and around the globe.

Working with students? Bring your class to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo for a one-of-a-kind educational experience. From in-depth tours to Zookeeper interviews, and Zoo overnights to in-school programs, we have something to satisfy the learner in everyone and connect your students to the WILD. Go on a safari led by an expert docent, work with the Zoo to customize your own tour, or get some face time with a Zookeeper.

Register online to receive your custom National Wildlife Week Educator Activity Guide and Family Activity Passport downloads featuring Wildlife Watch activities for your state, and more!

Get involved with the National Wildlife Federation and Cheyenne Mountain Zoo through various opportunities, such as:
• Including a child in your spring backyard habitat gardening
• Leading a planting day for a school
• Cultivating a child’s green thumb
• Visiting Rocky Mountain Wild at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
• Learn about animal conservation and local programs at the Zoo’s Loft
• Participate in Quarters for Conservation
• Finding out more ideas to make a difference
This March, encourage children to spend more time outside and take steps to protect the environment.

Spring Break Camp…there is still time to register!

There’s still time to sign up for Spring Break Camp!

March 22-26, 9 a.m.-3p.m.
Cost: $35.25 per day for Zoo members or $161.25 for the whole week; $45.25 per day for non-members or $171.25 for the whole week


Predators! (ages 6-9)
What special adaptations do predators have that enable them to be hunters? See how these interesting creatures fit into the food chain.

Junior Zookeeper (ages 10-15)
Get an inside look at zoos. Discover how we take care of exotic animals and how we help save endangered species from extinction.


Visit the website for details: www.cmzoo.org.

For more information or reservations, call 633-9925 ext. 127 or email edprograms@cmzoo.org.

Spring Cleaning…even our animals keep it clean!

Poe is a Raven and can be seen everyday at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in the Loft.

What do Giraffes Eat? Not just crackers…

Photo by guest, Rachael Wooten

While at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo you might think that the giraffes only eat crackers (a favorite treat, but not the bulk of their diet). Giraffes are the tallest of all animals living on the land, and are one of the most fascinating creatures in the world. Giraffes are herbivores, which mean that they eat no meat. Giraffes love to eat twigs of plants and will also eat plant leaves. Their long neck and very long tongue is useful in picking the best twigs and leaves off the very tall trees. Their tongue, which is around 18 inches long, is also very tough to withstand thorns that may be on the plants they are eating. They also have thick, sticky saliva that coats any thorns they might swallow. You may have felt it if you have ever fed the giraffes at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. Giraffes can eat 75-100 lbs of twigs and leaves in just one day! Giraffes also use their exceptionally long tongue to clean off any bugs and insects that are annoying them, but they don’t eat them.

When we asked the giraffe keepers at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo some of their favorite stories about guests feeding the giraffes here is what they said:

Jeremy, a keeper at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo for 6 years, said, “ A mom handed her kid a dollar and said “Go feed the giraffe.” So the little kid walked right up to a giraffe and hands the dollar him. The giraffe promptly ate the dollar.” Jeremy said, “That starts to make for expensive poop.” (As a side note, the giraffe was fine, but we recommend that you do not feed them dollar bills.)

Tell us about your experience feeding the giraffes for a chance to win giraffe crackers! For more GIVEAWAYS, COUPONS, and PRIZES, check out our Spring Break Giveaway Days online online at facebook, twitter, and right here on the blog!


Photo by guest, Rachael Wooten

Grizzly Grill Update

As most of you who visit the Zoo frequently know, the old Grizzly Grill is gone and a brand new building stands in its place. This beautiful new building is scheduled to open in the next few weeks (opening date TBA). We wanted to keep you updated and show you some of the progress as the artwork goes up and JE Dunn puts the finishing touches on the building construction. We are excited to open the brand new Grizzly Grill very soon!

Peacocks in Bloom

Check out more Zoo photos on Flickr.

Come visit the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo peacocks who are coming into full bloom. It is not unusual to see several peacocks “strutting their stuff” around the Zoo during your visit. Our peacocks roam free here on the mountain and provide wonderful photo opportunities at every turn. The peacocks keep their full plumage (feathers) from March through mid-July, so make sure not to miss this time of year to see their beautiful colors.

Fun Facts about Peacocks:
• Peacocks are large, colorful pheasants (typically blue and green) known for their iridescent tails. These tail feathers, or coverts, spread out in a distinctive train that is more than 60 percent of the bird’s total body length and boast colorful "eye" markings of blue, gold, red, and other hues.
• The term "peacock" is commonly used to refer to birds of both sexes. Technically, only males are peacocks. Females are peahens, and together, they are called peafowl.
• Peacocks are ground-feeders that eat insects, plants, and small creatures.
• The blue peacock lives in India and Sri Lanka, while the green peacock is found in Java and Myanmar (Burma).
• The peacock’s beak is, on average, an inch long in a full-grown bird.
• Peacocks have a crest, or crown, on top their head, making them appear even more regal.

CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN ZOO WINS “BEST OF SHOW” AT 2010 ADDY AWARDS

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo took home a total of eight achievement awards on Saturday, February 27 at the annual Pikes Peak Advertising Federation ADDY Awards. Included in the covey of awards was the Federation’s “Best of Show” award and trophy for the Zoo’s Non-Traditional Campaign which was unveiled through the summer months of 2009. America’s mountain Zoo also collected four Gold Awards, two Silver Awards and a “Best of Show - Radio” award for their summer Zoo Campaign.


The Non-Traditional Campaign from the summer of 2009 is remembered by area residents for the giant animal appliqués that periodically appeared on downtown high-rise buildings, shopping centers and even a Metro bus. The inspiration behind the animal placements was a demonstration of Cheyenne Mountain Zoo “coming off the mountain” and into the lives and the aesthetic lifestyle of the community. The Zoo did this in a variety of ways, from symbolic giant animals on buildings, to the ZOOM program where the Zoo took animal ambassadors to schools, senior centers, parties and other human gatherings. This interaction of the Zoo with the community helped and continues to help to make the Zoo’s mission a reality…to make the connection between people and wildlife and wild places through experiences that inspire action.


Inspired by the appearance of a giant Panamanian Golden Frog on downtown’s Chase Bank Building, a neighboring retailer even decided to dedicate a special product to the campaign. Josh and John’s Naturally Homemade Ice Cream announced that they would add a new flavor to their rotating menu of ice creams, Panamanian Golden Fudge. The conservation and community- conscious ice cream company also donated 50% of the proceeds from the sales of their Panamanian Golden Fudge ice cream to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Project.