Boo at the Zoo promotes 'orangutan friendly' candy

Boo at the Zoo, the annual trick-or-treat party at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, won’t be giving your kids Snickers, Three Musketeers or M&Ms this year because those treats aren’t considered “orangutan friendly.”


...So the zoo, in its cafes and special events like Boo at the Zoo, is boycotting Hershey’s and Mars, companies that are not members of the international Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil. Instead, kids who attend Boo at the Zoo will get lots of candies from Nestles, which has joined the roundtable group and has pledged to get its palm oil from more sustainable sources. Members of the roundtable group must do mitigation efforts, including reforestation and sourcing from plantations that haven’t displaced habitat.


Click here to read more.

New Critters in ARV...Welcome Rock Hyraxes!

Have you noticed strange creatures climbing around the bottom of the Colobus monkey exhibit in African Rift Valley? If so, you have spotted our three new rock hyraxes!

Hyraxes are small, rodent-like animals with long bodies and short legs. Native to Africa, the rock hyrax lives in rocky, shrub-covered areas and feeds on plants. The hyrax's wide mouth and sharp teeth enable it to take large bites of grass and quickly fill its stomach, ensuring they spend less time on land exposed to predators. Hyraxes also wedge themselves between rocks to avoid predators. So if it looks like they are stuck, not to worry, they are just exhibiting their natural protective behaviors.

Considered the closest living relative to elephants, rock hyraxes have a prominent pair of long, pointed tusk-like upper incisors. They also have a rubbery texture on the bottom of their feet to help them climb on rocks.

You can visit our rock hyraxes on your next visit to African Rift Valley during regular Zoo hours.

LINES ARE SCARY: SKIP THEM ON A FREE BOO SHUTTLE!

-- Boo at the Zoo opens tomorrow at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. --

Purchase your Boo at the Zoo tickets on the shuttle and skip the line at the front gate. You’ll also get a coupon for free giraffe crackers! Shuttles depart from the Sears parking lot at Broadmoor Towne Center on Southgate Road every 15 to 20 minutes. Shuttle service begins at 4:30 p.m. and runs continuously until the event ends.

Boo at the Zoo will delight those looking for a not-too-scary adventure the weekends of Oct 22 – 24 and 29 – 31, 5:30pm to 8:30pm each night (last admission sold at 7:30 p.m.), and is a fun way for families with young children to trick-or-treat and enjoy Halloween festivities in a safe and unique environment. Boo at the Zoo will be open regardless of weather.

Opening Weekend Special Discount

The Zoo and local Wendy’s restaurants are teaming up to offer a special discount opening weekend. Visit your neighborhood Wendy’s, then save your receipt to receive $2 off admission Oct 22 – 24. No other passes or coupons accepted.


Orangutan-Friendly Candy




Safe trick-or-treating continues to be a big draw for parents, and Boo at the Zoo won’t disappoint. Quality Nestle chocolates and candies will be handed out at 30 Spooky Treat Stations throughout the Zoo. The Zoo supports Nestle and other companies committed to the use of sustainable palm oil and orangutan conservation in Indonesia and Malaysia.

Pricing

$15 Ages 3 - 65
$9 Zoo Members
$13 Military, Over 65 Senior Discount

Kids under age 3 free. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Mountaineer Sky Ride/Boo Combo Pricing
$18 Ages 3 - 65
$12 Zoo Members
$16 Military, Over 65 Senior Discount

Mountaineer Sky Ride Only
$5 Adults
$4 Ages 3 – 11
Zoo members receive $1 off Mountaineer Sky Ride admission prices.

The popular haunted house and ghostly graveyard both return this year to offer frightful fun for all members of the family, and be sure to check out the “Zooper Heroes” animal show at the Lodge at Moose Lake. Take the Mountaineer Sky Ride to Swamp Monster’s Slime Factory, featuring the mad scientists from Science Matters. Little spooks will enjoy the creepy bat cave, lighted pumpkin path, and Boo carousel. Select animal exhibits will also be open, including African Rift Valley, Loft, Monkey Pavilion, Lion's Lair, and Aquatics.



This year’s Boo at the Zoo sponsors include Toyota of Colorado Springs, Liberty Toyota, Comcast, The Gazette, Wendy’s, KLite 106.3, Y96.9, My 99.9 and The Colorado Springs School.

Do You Love Animals?

Just two months from the start of their new mobile giving campaign, The Smithsonian’s National Zoo has raised nearly $4,000 in text message donations towards their animal conservation efforts!

Please help the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo as we race to raise money for conservation effort and animal care RIGHT here in Colorado Springs! Whether we are your "home town" zoo, or a favorite destination when you visit Colorado, every dollar helps! It's easy a right at your finger tips!




BE SURE TO OPT IN WHEN IT PROMPTS YOU OR YOUR GIFT WILL NOT COUNT!

Please help us by donating $10 (which will be added directly to your next cell phone bill) today!


Click here to read all about our text to give campaign.

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.

Scout Programs Available: Badges Earned Upclose

Whether your group is interested in spending a few hours, a day, or a whole night, we have just the right scout program for you! There are a variety of programs available for Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts that offer the opportunity to complete most of or all of the necessary requirements for several conservation, nature and animal-related badges.



Our prescheduled workshops make it convenient to join in on program fun with other Scouts groups too! Online registration is coming soon for these prescheduled programs.



Visit our website for more details or to register:

E-mail or call 719-633-9925, ext. 127

Note: Reservations are required at least 14 days in advance for Scout Badge Workshops. A $25 non-refundable deposit is due at time of registration. Refunds will not be given for any cancellation unless it is made by the Zoo. Please see registration policies for more information.

Limited Edition of New Conservation Wolf Stamp Available

The New Mexico Wilderness Alliance is pleased to offer a limited edition of the first Conservation Wolf Stamp sold in the United States.


The Mexican wolf is the most endangered wolf in the world, with a total population of less than 50 in the wild in 2009.

The Mexican Wolf Stamp is a conservation project created by the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance. The concept is similar to the Duck Stamp sold by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, except no hunting will be related to the sale of the Mexican Wolf Stamp.

Instead a Wolf Conservation Fund, administered by the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance, will raise money for the conservation of the Mexican wolf by funding projects in the U.S. and Mexico for Mexican Wolf Recovery.

The cost is $20 (+$2 for S/H) for a 3x5 inch stamp, designed by New Mexico artist, Virginia Maria Romero. Stamps can be ordered online by going to www.nmwild.org.

Proceeds Will Fund Wolf Recovery Projects

Bring the Zoo to YOUR birthday party!

How do you make an October birthday party really spooky?



Add some real, live creepy animals from the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo‘s “Zoo On the Move”! Our tarantula, scorpion, fruit bats, and other amazing creatures are sure to make your party extra special! Each visit includes four zoo animals and opportunities to see each one up close and personal. After a party with us, you’ll be finding these animals lot less scary!



But don’t stop at October, we can bring animals to any party including work events and Christmas parties! Contact 719-633-9925 Ext 127 or e-mail outreach@cmzoo.org. Or check out www.cmzoo.org and click on the explore and learn tab.

FOLLOW US on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube

Did you know that the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is telling amazing stories EVERYDAY?



You can see animal photos, watch videos, hear all about programs and even WIN tickets just by following us on Twitter or liking us on Facebook!

See exclusive Cheyenne Mountain Zoo video on our YouTube Channel as well!

So what are you waiting for! Check us out today!