Mexican Gray Wolf featured on "Expedition Wild" October 4

Once common in Mexico and parts of the United States, the Mexican gray wolf hasn’t been seen in the wilds of Mexico since 1980. It has also been on the list of threatened and endangered species in the United States for decades. The Mexican wolf’s decline came as a result of intensive predator removal efforts between the late-1800s and mid-1900s. Read more on the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo website.

Just an FYI the show Expedition Wild will air on the channel NatGeoWild on October 4th that will, in part, feature the Mexican wolf. Casey Anderson and his film crew from Expedition Wild came to the Sevilleta Wolf Management Facility and filmed a wolf pup capture/health exam as part of a piece they are doing on wolves. Our understanding is the majority of the information presented is on gray wolves, finishing with the "future" of wolf recovery being the Mexican wolf program.

Don't miss it!

For more information on the series/show click here.

October Family Programs

Family Programs: What a great way to kick off the Halloween season early!!

Night Fliers- SATURDAY, October 2nd, 1-2 P.M.

These mammals only come out at night but you won’t find them on the ground, they take to the night sky! In this class we will explore the different types of bats that live all around the world as well as visit our bats that live right here in our Zoo.

Egyptian Fruit Bat

Creepy Crawlers- SATURDAY, October 23rd, 1 P.M. OR
SUNDAY, October 24th, 1 P.M.

Are you scared of critters like millipedes and spiders? Learn more about these "creepy crawler" creatures and you will find that they are not so scary after all.

Marshmallow the tarantula.


Millipede

Programs are $20 for members (includes family of 4; additional children are $7 each). Non-members are $35 (including Zoo admission). To register call 633-9925 ext. 127, email edprograms@cmzoo.org or visit www.cmzoo.org.


Whether you're a mob of meerkats or a flock of geese, there is something for your family to do at the Zoo! Each month there's a special topic you'll explore and as a family through up close animal encounters, and special activities to learn more about our wonderful world and the animals that live here.

No Child Left Inside Weekend

Join us Friday-Sunday, September 24-26!



This weekend was created to provide close, fun family-friendly activities to help you enjoy the benefits of nature with your children. The goal is to help families build a tradition of spending time together outside, experiencing the wonder of nature – for their own health, preservation of the beauty of Colorado, and the future of our planet.

Join us at the Zoo for a family Moonlight Safari on Friday night or sign up for our family program on Saturday or Sunday to learn more about red river hogs! On Saturday, we’ll also have some interpretive talks by students at PPCC going on throughout the day.

Check out the National Parks Agency website for the full list of local activities.

RSVP on Facebook

First Annual BIG CAT BONANZA at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

WHAT: First Annual Big Cat Bonanza
WHEN: Sunday, September 26
TIME: 10:00am - 3:00pm
WHERE: Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

Did you know that Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is home to three of the world’s most endangered cats?

Snow Leopards: estimated wild population- between 3,000 – 5,000
Amur Leopards: estimated wild population- 35
Amur Tigers: estimated wild population- 260



These cats are disappearing at an alarming rate due to poaching, habitat and prey loss, and conflicts with humans. This year Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, the Quarters for Conservation Program and YOU are helping to save these amazing species from disappearing forever!

Join us on Sunday, September 26th from 10:00a – 3:00p as we celebrate our first ever “Big Cat Bonanza”! This fun-filled day will highlight the amazing conservation work being done by Snow Leopard Trust and the Amur Leopard and Tiger Alliance (ALTA); and supported by our own Quarters for Conservation program. The day’s events will feature many cat-themed activities for kids of all ages, special animal talks and demonstrations, and educational displays on what makes these cats so unique and special! Activities will include:

* Cat adaptation activities!
* Face painting!
* Crafts!
* Special dance performances!
* A mini-market of items handmade in Mongolian Snow Leopard habitat!
* Yarn spinning demonstrations!
* And much, much more!

Activities will be happening in the Lodge and Moose Lake, the Loft and in front of the leopard and tiger exhibits. All activities are FREE with zoo admission!



Come join us and other cat lovers on September 26th from 10:00 – 3:00 and be a part of the feline fun!

RSVP on Facebook

Have Your Event at the Zoo

The Zoo is a venue like no other! Available for company picnics, parties, receptions, family gatherings and reunions, you can rent the entire Zoo or enjoy a selected site.

Wildthings Catering, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo's official caterer, can do all the planning for you! An expert catering staff can create the perfect menu and arrange any rentals you may need.



Gazette Pick Winner 2010!
BEST CATERER
Wild Things Catering at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
"Yes, the catering company is operated at the zoo, but the culinary team is something to take notice of. Not only have they won top prizes at the premier Chefs Gala, they have a new restaurant, the Grizzly Grill, in the park sure to become a destination dining experience."

Catering Menu Online
Birthday Parties
Entertainment Extras

Text to Support the Zoo...it's so easy & makes a HUGE difference!

What is your favorite animal?
Otter, Grizzly Bear, Tiger?

With more than 700 animals, the cost to feed and care for our animals exceeds $1.4 million annually.

Donations are our lifeline. Governed by a volunteer board of community leaders, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is recognized as an independent, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. As one of only a handful of accredited zoos in the country that does not receive local or regional public tax support, nearly 100 percent of the Zoo's income is generated from earned revenues, membership dues, donations, corporate sponsors and grants. Your support is critical to our future.

Now you can use Your Cell Phone to Contribute to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo!!!

We are all about CONSERVATION, EDUCATION and FAMILIES. But we can’t do it alone! We hope you’ll support the Zoo’s vision of Every Kid, Every Time, Goosebumps! With each visit, every kid, of any age, will have an experience for a lifetime. For us, every penny counts!

Text ‘CMZGive10’ to 20222 to contribute $10 via your cell phone to support our important work today!

A one time donation of $10 will be added to your mobile phone bill or deducted from your prepaid balance. Messaging & data rates may apply. All charges are billed by and payable to your mobile service provider. Service is available on most carriers. Donations are collected for the benefit of the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Annual Fund by the Mobile Giving Foundation and subject to the terms found at www.hmgf.org/t. You can unsubscribe at any time by replying STOP to “20222”; Reply HELP to “20222” for help.

View the Mobile Giving Foundation Privacy Policy.

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Tahoma Antler Watch

We were finally able to weigh Tahoma and he is now......drum roll please..........1,110 lbs!!!!! He is doing well and has managed to get a lot of the velvet off his antlers by rubbing them on logs, tree trucks and his barn. He will even let his keepers assist in some of the velvet removal. We have also noticed that his dewlap, the flap of skin under his jaw, is beginning to swell. When he goes into full rut, about a month from now, he will dig a urine wallow and dip his dewlap in it. Bull moose do that to advertise that they are looking for a mate and also to let other bull moose know they are around.


Tahoma earlier this summer, before the velvet began to shed.


Tahoma’s antlers now, shedding the velvet in Fall 2010.

Watch this short video of Tahoma rubbing his antlers on a log.

Khalid Joins the Giraffe Herd

Please join us in welcoming Khalid, a two-year-old male giraffe who came to us from Oakland Zoo. Khalid has big shoes to fill with plans to eventually take over Mawimbi’s role as the Zoo’s top breeding male. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo has the most prolific giraffe breeding program in the world (192 births at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo since 1954!).

Khalid’s keepers train him on a daily basis helping him acclimate to the various indoor and outdoor exhibits within African Rift Valley. His favorite treats include bananas, carrots and apples. Khalid spends much of his time in the north giraffe yard (near the meerkat exhibit) socializing in a small group with one or two females. Within a couple of weeks he will be introduced to the main giraffe yard. If you are looking for him, he is a lanky giraffe with smaller ossicones (the horns on the head) and a lighter face.

Be sure to visit Khalid and the rest of the giraffe herd in African Rift Valley during regular Zoo hours.

To learn more about giraffes, check out our Giraffe Facts and visit our Giraffe Cam online.


Mawimbi in 2008