Electric Safari 2011

Pasta for Christmas?

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the zoo
Not a creature was stirring, not even Tamu.
The stockings were hung by the exhibits with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

According to a tradition traced back to 1820, Santa Claus lives at the North Pole with Mrs. Claus, his nine reindeer and many elves. Each year on Christmas Eve, Santa and his elves pack the sleigh for a worldwide adventure, leaving toys for all of the good girls, boys and yes, even the animals here at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.

On Christmas morning when the keepers arrive, there are two special packages awaiting them. The packages aren’t for the keepers though; they are for the animals. A special food package may hold elk or deer hide, animal legs or even pasta to cook, and a large gift box (yes, it’s wrapped) is full of special items, including:

-         Burlap bags for the apes to use as toys. The bags usually end up over their heads at some point, mimicking what they would do with a large leaf in the wild.

-         Peanut butter & jelly is the favorite of most animals here at the zoo. The keepers will spread it on the walls within an animal’s exhibit or place it on a razor board (a hard plastic board with holes) and allow the animals to pick it out of the holes.

-         Sugar-free Gatorade or Kool-Aid is used to make ice treats for the animals adding a little flavor to their water.

-         Jell-O is given to all areas of the zoo for a special treat. Due to the red coloring, we stay away from cherry or strawberry flavors. We don’t want visitors to think our animals are injured.

-         Coconuts are given out to numerous animals including the primates, and they are the porcupine’s favorite treat.

-         Cereal is a great training tool, and rumor has it the animals love Raisin Bran.

-         Spices and perfumes are sprayed randomly in an animal’s exhibit to ignite their senses. When the animals approach the new scent, it is very intriguing to them and makes for a sometimes comical reaction.

These presents are used throughout the year for animal enrichment. In the wild, animals would spend many hours a day trying to find, collect and eat food.  At the zoo, they obviously don’t have to work quite as hard to “earn their living” but still have a lot of adaptations and energy that they need to use.  This is where enrichment comes in.  The items listed above are used for activities which provide mental and physical stimulation, with the goal of promoting species-appropriate natural behaviors in the animals under our care. We identify specific behaviors, such as foraging or grooming, and create toys or activities to encourage that behavior.  These activities challenge our animals’ bodies and minds to keep them active and engaged.
If you are interested in playing Santa Claus to the animals, check out the “Wish List” on the Electric Safari event page.  The list includes the items we are currently accepting. Plus, when you bring an item during Electric Safari, you’ll receive discounted admission.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night! 

“Oh, Christmas lights, keep shinin’ on…”

 Santa Claus is in the zoo, the scent of smoked almonds wafting out of Grizzly Grill and over one million plus twinkle lights are lit for our 21^st Annual Electric Safari event. The event runs December 16 through January 1, from 5:30 to 8:30pm each evening (closed Christmas Eve). For many individuals, Electric Safari is a family tradition, but for others this may be their first time.  

For those of you who have never been to Electric Safari, here are the zoo’s top five tips, based on Christmas songs, to help you enjoy the event.

1. “Baby its cold outside…”

We help cut the chill of the evening air with numerous heaters and fire pits placed along the Electric Safari trail, but weather here on Cheyenne Mountain is always changing, so be prepared.  Wearing layers is always the best way to go and don’t forget your hats, mittens and scarves!

2.  “Chestnuts roasting on an open fire…”

Nothing says Electric Safari like the aromatic smells coming from the Grizzly Grill, open nightly during Electric Safari. Make sure to stop by for hot chocolate, fresh roasted nuts and a variety of holiday baked goods.

3. “It’s Christmas Eve and these shoes are just her size…”

Just a reminder, we are America’s only mountain zoo. When planning your clothing for Electric Safari, please remember to wear comfortable shoes with good traction. The Electric Safari trail runs throughout the zoo and most animal areas are open for evening viewing.

 4.        “I want a hippopotamus for Christmas…”  

When arriving at Electric Safari, make sure to check the Animal Happenings schedule. We host numerous animal keeper talks and animal enrichment activities each evening, beginning at 6:00pm. If you missed one of the demonstrations, don’ worry! Create holiday magic by helping make items used during the animal enrichment activities in The Loft.

5. “Santa Claus is coming to town…”

Make sure to see Santa and Mrs. Claus in Primate World, from 5:30 to 8:15pm each evening through Friday, December 23. Beat the lines and make Santa Zone your first stop of the evening.

  

Zoo members receive FREE admission! General admission is $8.25 for adults and $5.25 for children age’s (3-11). Receive $2 off an adult admission or $1 off a child’s admission when you bring an item listed the animals’ wish list. Visit cmzoo.org/electricsafari for more event information. 

Meet the Snow Leopards

Have you ever wondered how snow leopards get their fur so soft and fluffy? Or how they make the most of their exhibit here at the zoo? We took your questions, posted on our Facebook page, straight to the leopards themselves (or maybe to their keepers), to get you answers.  Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is home to two snow leopards, a 3-year-old female named Kisa and a 3-year-old male named Bhutan.

Facebook Question: Wouldn't life for you be way better if your enclosure was larger ? :)

Answer: Actually, life is pretty great!  The enclosure you see me in is not the only area I live in.  All of us leopards rotate through the three leopard yards and the leopard building, so I get to be in a new area every day, which is very interesting! Sometimes the keepers give me access to multiple enclosures at the same time, which gives me a ton of space to play in!

Facebook Question: What do you want SantaCatPaws to bring you this year? I already know you been a great cat this year.

Answer: Well, you are right...I HAVE been a very good leopard this year! Santa always brings us lots of fun treats and toys for Christmas, but this year I hope he brings me some special meat treats, like deer hides or steak. Those are my favorite!

Facebook Question: Are you as soft as you look?
Answer: Thank you for noticing!  Yes, my fur is very soft on top and feels similar to rabbit fur.  My fur underneath, which is the fur that keeps me warm when it's cold outside, is thicker and more coarse, like sheep wool.


Facebook Question: Can you change your spots?
Answer: I can’t change my spots.  A leopards spots are very much like a human’s fingerprints - they are unique to each individual and never change.  Many people don't know this, but our skin is spotted just like our fur coats!

Facebook Question: Do you know that white is out of season after Labor Day?

Answer: Yes, we know snow leopards are very fashion forward!  But when you're this pretty, you can totally pull off white after Labor Day!

Here are a few more snow leopard facts. A snow leopard’s average height is two feet, average length is six to seven-and-a-half feet, and they weigh from 77 to 121 pounds. Female snow leopards weigh approximately 30% less than males. Snow leopards live for as long as 21 years in captivity. Their reclusive nature makes it hard to determine snow leopard lifespan in the wild. Eating wild sheep and goats, and smaller animals like rodents, hares, and game birds, is what makes up their daily menu. These cats can be found in the rugged mountains of central Asia. Their range spans from Afghanistan to Kazakhstan and Russia in the north, to India and China in the east. China is home to about 60% of snow leopard habitat. Snow leopards have already disappeared from certain areas of Mongolia, which is part of their historic range.  Due to the high demand for their coats, snow leopards are illegally hunted for the fur trade. Very rare in most of their range, an estimated 3,500 to 7,000 snow leopards are left in the wild, with 600 to 700 in zoos around the world.

An Easy Holiday Treat

White Bean and Prosciutto Bruschetta

Taste of the Wild Catering, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

Bruschetta:

2/3 cup dry white or cannellini beans, cooked and cooled

1 small clove garlic, minced

 2 - 3 green onions, sliced

2 - 3 oz Prosciutto, sliced thin and pulled apart into smaller pieces

3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 Tbsp lemon juice

Sea salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste

Crostini:

 1 baguette, sliced thin, toasted and brushed lightly with extra virgin olive oil

Mix all of the Bruschetta ingredients in a bowl. Spoon those mixed ingredients on top of the Crostine and serve at your next Holiday party.

Zoo Doo What?

A quick holiday breakdown: the New Year begins in 39 days and Christmas is in 32 days. Do you have your shopping done? And, Thanksgiving is followed by the one day of the year more people pay attention to the ads than we have animals in our zoo...Black Friday.

Black Friday is the busiest shopping day of the year. It’s estimated the amount of Black Friday shoppers will increase from 212 million last year to 224 million this year, spending an average of $385 per person. On-line sales are predicted to increase from $648 million in 2010 to $705 million this year.

But, these stats don’t help with the one person you don’t know what to get. Everyone knows a “person who has everything.” Not even the millions of ads, available 10 days before Black Friday, are helping with the gift ideas for this individual!

Don’t worry there’s no need to panic or run to Wal-Mart at 10:00pm on Thanksgiving Day. There is a solution right here in your own backyard. Just like Santa, we have been busy at the zoo (even the animals!) preparing gifts for this holiday season. Below is a list of our top five zoo gifts available today.

-         Zoo membership - Enjoy the zoo 365 days a year, a gift shop discount, discounts on zoo events and much more. There are five membership levels from which to choose, starting at $64.25. A zoo membership can pay for itself in as little as two visits!

-         Adopt-An-Animal – Have you always wanted to adopt an animal but just don’t have room for an elephant in your backyard? Each adoption gift directly supports the care of our animals, and with it comes a variety of special benefits only adoptive parents enjoy. There are six membership levels, starting at $30.

-         Zoo Doo – You’re probably picturing something and you are right - - it is what you’re thinking, animal poop. From our yard to yours, Zoo Doo is made from our big cat feces and is sold by the point. Gardeners swear by this all natural, deer deterrent to protect their plants and trees. 

-         Animal Art – We do have some pretty impressive artists at the zoo and, no, they aren’t on the staff. They live here. Art is available from the orangutans, elephants, ponies, and penguins. Everything from an original masterpiece to a more trendy “paw” print is available.

-         Behind-the-Scenes Tour – Go behind the scenes with a group of up to four friends or family members, for an up-close look at our incredible animals. Choose from our big cats to the animals in the African Rift Valley or design your own.

There are four ways to get your hands on one or more of these awesome gifts;

-         Visit http://www.cmzoo.org/supportZoo/donationProgram/gifts.asp

-         Ask a zoo team member the next time you’re here to visit.

-         Call 719-633-9925

-    Visit our zoo store – “Zoo to You Gallery.” The store is new this year and located at 214 1/2 North      
      Tejon Street in Colorado Springs - across from Acacia Park, next to CJ Kard.

Store hours:

December 3: 10am – 6pm

December 4^: 12pm – 5pm

December 7^: 4pm – 8pm

The holiday season is a time for giving, so why not purchase a gift that gives back to a great cause?

96 Yards of Waste

For many years the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo has been searching for composting opportunities in an effort to resolve the question…What do they do with all the poop?  As you can imagine we have literally tons of organic material, or in other words poop, which can be composted.  In the summer of 2011 Bestway Disposal announced it had started a composting sector for commercial businesses and after considering all aspects of what a disposal transition would mean for the Zoo we decided to join the movement. 

What is composting?  It is nature’s way of processing and recycling decomposed organic material and returning the nutrients from organic material back into the ground.  Composting creates a rick, dark soil fit for growing just about anything.  Compost helps reduce pest problems which ultimately reduces your use of pesticides; diverts material from landfills; it improves moisture retention in the soil; prevents the need to purchase soil conditioners; increases the nutrient levels in the plants you are growing and consuming; allows for children to learn about the cycle of life…the benefits are endless. 

So far Cheyenne Mountain Zoo has started composting in African Rift Valley (ARV) and Elephants.  By composting in ARV and Elephants we have eliminated all but one of our regular consumable waste bins along the ARV Road.  In those two areas we have gone from 96 yards of waste per week to 2 yards of waste; that’s approximately 680 tons of material being diverted from the landfill on an annual basis.  Future moves include expanding our composting efforts to other areas of the Zoo to include Hippos, Primate World, Commissary and Food Services. 

You may ask yourself, how can you make a difference?  Well, composting is easy.  All you need is a relatively flat location, a pile of organic waste to include nitrogen and carbon, water and a way to rotate or turn the pile.  For additional details on how to compost please visit websites on composting practices, speak with representatives at your local nursery, call your disposal service or chat with a landscaping company. 

The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo continues to strive for sustainability through conservation, recycling, composting and education.  Please visit our website to learn more about our conservation efforts.  


Written by: Mindy Carney

From BBQ to Black Tie...

Meet Kassy Boyd

Catering Manager, Taste of the Wild Catering
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

Kassy joined the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo team in June 2011. After graduating from Colorado State University, she moved to Denver and worked at the Denver Zoo for the concessionaire, KM Concessions & Service Systems Associates. Her positive attitude, willingness to learn, and desire to excel quickly advanced her into upper-management as the Catering Operations Manager. When the Catering Sales & Ops Manager position opened at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, she eagerly accepted the promotion and relocated to Colorado Springs.

As the face of Taste of the Wild Catering, Kassy is committed to making your event at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo a success. She operates a full-service catering department and manages the entire process, from facility and catering sales to setup and tear down on event day.

Managed by Service Systems Associates, Taste of the Wild excels at any and every event style, from BBQ to black tie. The Lodge at Moose Lake is centrally located inside the zoo - a spaciously cozy event space with spectacular views of Colorado Springs and versatility beyond your wildest imagination.

The Lodge at Moose Lake is still available for rental during Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s 2011 Electric Safari. Your guests will enjoy warmth and refreshment while taking in the over 1 million lights throughout the zoo. Groups can also “stray from the pack” on select December dates and rent the whole zoo for a more personal touch. Don’t miss out on this affordable opportunity for your guests to check this holiday tradition off their lists!

To book your holiday party, company picnic, summer wedding, or for general inquiries about Taste of the Wild Catering at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, contact Kassy at 719.314.0970 or email catering@cmzoo.org.

“All I Want for Winter is…”

Winter is upon us, and so is registration for Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s winter camps! There are two sessions to choose from, December 19-23 or 26-30. The sessions are five days long and run from 9am to 3pm daily.

This year’s theme is “All I Want for Winter is…” Children ages 6-10 will explore how we keep “hot” animals staying warm in the winter and how the “cool” animals enjoy the Colorado weather.  They will learn more about the different climates our animals are native to and how they adapt to those climates, as well as what type of acclimations they have made for Colorado.  We will spend some time learning about our Rocky Mountain natives and finally find the answer to the question, “Do the zoo’s bears hibernate?”  Each day will include time inside and outside, as well as some up close and personal time with animals right in the classroom. 

Each day’s program is different based on the daily schedule listed below.

v     “…Mountains with Snow”: Learn about the animals adaptations to survive the winter in the Rocky Mountain areas and how to track their movements in the winter.   Monday, December 19 and Wednesday, December 28

v     “…Different Places to Live”: Learn what makes a climate and investigate the types of climates the zoo’s animals are from. Tuesday, December 20 and Thursday, December 29

v     “…A Nice Heat Lamp”: Learn how we help keep our African Savannah animals comfortable in the winter.  Wednesday, December 21 and Monday, December 26

v     “…A Thick Fur Coat”: Learn about the adaptations all kinds of animals have to the colder times of the year, and the difference between the words adapt and acclimate. Thursday, December 22 and Tuesday, December 27

v     “…A Warm Place to Go”: Learn about what it really means to hibernate or migrate and which animals practice these techniques to cope with the cold weather, as well as some other special weather fighting techniques.  Friday, December 23 and Friday, December 30

Participants may register for all five days of a week, or any number of days during the week. 

Members: $40.25/day or $166.25 for one week.  Non-members: $45.25/day or $176.25 for one week.  Cost includes long sleeved youth t-shirt and take-home items made throughout the day/week. 

Registration is available via phone (719-633-9925 ext.127), mail, fax, or online at www.cmzoo.org. Just remember, registrations are not complete until a zoo camp health form is completed and returned. Forms can be printed off at http://www.cmzoo.org/docs/zoocamphealthform.pdf. 

We hope to see your child this December!

Don’t be scared… We have 10 tips for Boo at the Zoo!

1. Wear layers - You never know what the weather may be like here on the side of the mountain. Wear layers so you are prepared for anything.
2. Bring a flashlight - The zoo is lit for this event, but it’s always nice to have a little extra light.
3. Save money for hot chocolate - Bring a little extra money to warm up at the Grizzly Grill with a cup of hot chocolate.
4. Wear comfortable shoes - Don’t forget when you’re planning your costume, comfy footwear is a must for the terrain here at the zoo
5. Bring a bag - There is plenty of orangutan friendly candy for everyone during Boo at the Zoo! Don’t forget your reusable treat bag.
6. Skip the parking line - Use the FREE shuttle, leaving from the Broadmoor Fire Department. You can purchase your Boo at the Zoo tickets right on the shuttle.
7. Renew your membership - Don’t forget to renew your zoo membership before the event to take advantage of the special members-only admission discount.
8. Bring your Zeezo’s receipt – Remember to bring your Zeezo’s receipt during the first weekend to receive a $2 admission discount (valid Oct. 21-23 only).
9. Check your watch – Make sure to keep tabs on time so you don’t miss “Things That Go Bump in the Night” animal show performed nightly at 6:15, 7:15 and 8:00 at Lodge at Moose Lake.
10. Don’t forget to HAVE FUN! 

Summer Wrap up

Fall has officially begun, wrapping up the summer season here at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. In honor of school starting, shorter days, leaves turning and cooler weather, I wanted to take a look back at summer 2011.

Our summer started in May with our 3^rd Annual Run to the Shrine. This year, we increased attendance to 600 5K runners and 400 10K runners. Depending on your distance, the race began either at The Broadmoor or at the front gates of the zoo. Regardless of your starting point, it was definitely a tough race due to the 1,400-foot elevation gain. At the end of May, the zoo lost one of its long-time residents. Elson, our 16-year-old male African lion, was receiving end of life care, and was under anesthesia for treatment of a dental infection. It was during this procedure Elson’s heart stopped. Elson’s morning roar is still missed at the zoo, but his legacy lives on in his 13 cubs and at least seven grandcubs. These descendants live at Association of Zoos and Aquariums facilities all across the U.S.

In June we welcomed two new otters to Rocky Mountain Wild. They arrived from the Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley, MN, and brought our otter count to four meowters. I’m happy to report Enapay and Pivane are doing well. We also received a fourth African elephant. Jambo is 27 years old and weighs in at an estimated 8,500 pounds. Jambo is being introduced during daily “howdies” to her new friends Lucky, Malaika and Kimba.  All four ladies are enjoying their new elephant barn and have officially set up residence there. In the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Conservation Center, things started to heat up as the black-footed ferrets began mating. 11 kits born at the zoo this year were released in the wild.

July is one of our busiest months. Teddy Bear Days took place the second weekend of July and attracted more than 7,000 children to the zoo over the two days. Memorial Hospital for Children was a huge supporter of the Teddy Bear Clinic, where numerous stuffed friends were treated. More than 15 area businesses also set up fun booths for the children, including ice cream samples, prize wheels, face painting and giveaways.

August didn’t slow down as we hosted Moonlight on the Mountain. We welcomed more than 25 restaurants, five breweries and five wine shops to the zoo for the adults-only fundraising event. Even though the weather was less than appealing, more than 1,200 participated, making this the largest Moonlight on the Mountain in zoo history.  

We celebrated Military Appreciation Week September 12-18, offering admission discounts for all active and retired military and their families. We also introduced a new Komodo dragon named Boudreaux during a special reveal party. He is an 8-year-old, 89-pound Komodo dragon on loan to us from the Oklahoma City Zoo. Boudreaux loves getting massages from his keepers. The month ended on a positive note when Monkey Pavilion keepers were able to get both the Goeldi’s and Geoffrey’s marmosets to shift to their new outdoor exhibit, a feat months in the making.  

Don’t worry, there are still a lot of events coming up this year. Mark your calendars for Boo at the Zoo taking place at the end of October and Electric Safari in December.  

Four Years and Counting

Name: Allison Allum

Age: 17 years-old

Hometown: Monument, CO

Favorite Zoo Animal: Tahoma, the moose

Career Aspirations: I hope to become a veterinarian.

What’s your favorite part of Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (CMZ)? Enrichment! I love that all of the animals get to do fun and educational activities.

How long have you been a Junior Zoo Keeper? I have been a Jr. Zoo Keeper for four years.

What inspired you to become a Junior Zoo Keeper here at CMZ? I want to work with exotic animals someday. It’s also nice to tell my friends that I work at a zoo.

What animals are you working with? I get to work with the grizzlies, mountain lions, wolves, the porcupine, the moose, lynx, tigers, leopards, and snow leopards. 

What are some of the activities that you’ve gotten to help with? I’ve gotten to help with cleaning, preparing animal diets, feeding, training, and enrichment making.

Why should other individuals apply to be a Junior Zoo Keeper? Being a Jr. Zoo Keeper is a fabulous opportunity.

Do you have any Funny/Good Stories? During the summer there was a sign placed at the moose exhibit talking about Tahoma’s antlers. A guest misread the sign and started talking to a large group of people, explaining that this animal was a Tahoma and they are closely related to moose. Obviously, she was a little confused.J

“What is Boudreaux?”

 

I have been quite the secret at the zoo for the past week and I have caused quite a stir on Facebook. “What is Boudreaux?” they asked. Well, I’ll tell you what I am; I’m a Komodo dragon who is finally getting the opportunity to introduce himself to new zoo friends here in Colorado Springs.

Zoo – Please tell the world what your name means.

Boudreaux - My name is Boudreaux, a surname of French origin and a common name among Cajuns. No, I’m not Cajun; I’m from Oklahoma City, where I resided at the zoo. I’m actually just visiting for a couple of years and will return to the Oklahoma City Zoo when my new exhibit is complete.

Zoo – Can you please let us know more about where you are actually from?

Boudreaux - I, along with all of my relatives, am found on the island of Komodo and three nearby islands in Indonesia. If you’re wondering where these islands are located, they are in the lesser Sunda, halfway along the Indonesia archipelago, east of Bali and west of Timor.  We’ve inhabited this landscape for over a million years but have only been known to humans for the past 100 years.

Zoo – How can that be?

Boudreaux - You’re probably wondering how something like me can go unseen for a long period of time.  These islands only have small human populations. I like to think we pretty much rule the roost! Sorry, that was a chicken saying, not a Komodo saying.

Zoo – You are such a character! Well, Boudreaux, you look amazing. Can you tell us a little bit about your physique? For the people who haven’t seen you, of course.

Boudreaux - For those of you who haven’t come to see me yet, I’m 89 pounds and very handsome. Komodo dragons can actually reach up to 330 pounds and 10 feet long. We are considered to be the largest living species of lizard. Even though we can get very large in size, we are very physically fit and can run up to 11 miles per hour in short bursts, considered to be strong swimmers and can dive up to 15 feet at a time. Of course, the 11 miles per hour is really nothing compared to my new roommates, the hippos, who can run up to 30 miles per hour for short distances.

Zoo – Wow! I’m glad you’ve gotten to chat with your new roommates.

Boudreaux – It has felt like a blind date behind all of this paper. I haven’t gotten to see them but, I hear them chatting, even though a Komodo’s hearing isn’t the best. We have pretty good vision and are able to see up to 980 feet, but we have horrible night vision due to our retinas. Our best sense is our smell; not through our nose but through our forked tongues. We can smell up to six miles away when the wind blows just right.  

 

Zoo – So far how do you feel about your new keepers? Are you getting fed enough?

Boudreaux – I really love the keepers; they are doing a great job! You know, even though I’m only 89 pounds, I do have a very manly appetite. I’m fed a diet of five or more whole rats once a week, with a rabbit thrown in every once in awhile. I guess my neighbor, Shiva the python, will have to learn to share.  Rats are delicious, but are not our only food source. On the islands, we are considered the dominant predator and will eat anything, including carrion, deer, pigs, smaller dragons, and even large water buffalo, which can be up to 15 times our size.  If our prey does escape, they are still in dire straights. Our saliva contains 50 strains of bacteria and will eventually kill them within 24 hours. I’m a patient man and will follow the escapee up to six miles to eat my kill. Some of my relatives have been known to eat 80% of their body weight in a single feeding.  After I’m full, I love to lay out in the sun to help the digestion process and of course get a little vitamin D on these scales.

Zoo – Huh, well it’s probably a great time to wrap things up.

Boudreaux - No worries about all of these negative attributes; I’m a laid back Komodo that loves massages on a regular basis and plenty of human interaction.

Horses, Miniature Horses and Ponies, Oh My!!!

There is only one species of domestic horse, but there are over 300 different breeds. Domestic horses reach full adult development by the age of five and live an average of 25 to 30 years.  A female horse is referred to as a filly or a mare and a male horse is referred to as a stallion or a gelding, but all horses less than a year old are called foals. A horse’s height is measured at the highest point of the withers, where the neck meets the back. It’s expressed as the number of full hands (one hand is equal to four inches), followed by a decimal point, then the number of additional inches and the abbreviation "hh” for hands high. For example, a horse described as 15.2hh is 15 hands (60 inches) plus two inches, or a total of 62 inches.

While they are the same species, horses and ponies are not the same. An animal 14.2hh or more is usually considered a horse and less than 14.2hh a pony. Throw in the fact miniature ponies only grow to 30 inches and you can see there’s a huge difference between breeds. Other differences between a horse and pony include aspects of appearance, such as conformation and temperament. Ponies often exhibit thicker manes, tails, and overall coat. They also have shorter legs, wider barrels, heavier bone, shorter and thicker necks, and short heads with broad foreheads. They may be calmer than horses and have a high level of equine intelligence.

Meet Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s Herd

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is home to a herd of four ponies, three horses and two miniature horses.  They are part of numerous zoo programs, from summer camps to pony camps to zoo outreach. They even help raise money for the zoo through their art. Yes, our ponies can paint and their work is for sale. Call us at 719.633.9925 for more information. 

"Sunny" is a 14-year-old Shetland pony and miniature horse mix. His favorite treat is apple slices with honey drizzled on top. Sunny loves painting pictures and trying to get paint on his keepers. He enjoys interacting with zoo guests and has a laid back personality.

"Scout" is a 13-year-old Paint Arabian horse mix at a pony’s height - only 14.1hh. His favorite snack is apple wafer treats and he loves to be a part of pony camp for the younger campers. He is best known around the zoo for his bowing behavior.

"Jose" is seven years old and the youngest. He is a Polish Arabian horse standing 15hh, the tallest in the herd. His favorite behaviors are waving and smiling and he loves to chase “Sunny” around the yard. Jose has a very sweet and charming demeanor.

"Indigo" is a 13-year-old Fell pony. She is very smart, has an outgoing personality and loves training time if treats are involved, especially carrots. Her favorite behavior is picking up a muck rake and handing it to her keepers. We think she does this so she doesn’t have pick up her own manure. Indigo is currently up for adoption.

"Rockette" is a 15-year-old Welsh Shetland pony mix, the oldest pony in our herd. She loves attention and always has to know what is going on. She pokes her head over the tack shed barn door for extra treats and attention.

"Billy" is an eight-year-old Appaloosa mix. He loves giving his keepers kisses and is the clown of the herd; he is always playing with toys, feeders and buckets. Billy loves little kids’ shoes, especially the light-up kind. His favorite activity is knocking the grain out of a swing bucket.

"Ranger" is a 13-year-old Welsh pony and he’s missing his right eye because of an injury when he was young. He is shy, but loves playing hide and seek and tag with his keepers. He lets kids walk him back and forth from the barn during camp.

"Concho" is one of two new miniature horses. He is five years old and has a special coloring called silver dapple, which is a grayish-brown color with small circles of lighter color. His mane and tail are both flaxen, or blonde. He loves to follow keepers around the yard and is in pony training for summer 2012.

"Tito," the other new miniature horse, is four years old. He is the smallest in the herd and quite shy. Tito’s favorite treat is grain. He is also in pony training for summer 2012.

The next time you are at the zoo, visit our entire herd in the pony corral next to Lodge at Moose Lake. Rides are only $5.00 each; or you can purchase a frequent rider card of five rides for $20.00. 

A Token of Appreciation

Colorado Springs is home to three Air Force bases, the United States Air Force Academy and one Army base.  As part of a community with such a rich military history, we want to show those who sacrifice so much how grateful we are.

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is open 365 days a year and on each of those days, we offer a military discount on zoo admission with military ID. In addition, for families and individuals calling Colorado Springs home, we offer a $10.00 discount on any new or renewed membership at any level. To make it even easier to experience the zoo, once a year we celebrate Military Appreciation Week. Don’t miss this year’s Military Appreciation Week taking place September 12-18, 2011. We’re extending a $5.25 admission price to all active duty/retired military personnel and their families.

Beyond the military discounts, we are honored to be one of the hosts for Operation: Military Kids overnight events.  These overnights are for children of families with loved ones currently serving overseas, preparing for deployment of a family member or celebrating a family member’s return. It can be trying on not just the soldiers who are fighting, but for their children, too. This past year, we welcomed over 220 kids for an exciting evening at the zoo, including special animal demonstrations, flashlight tours and delicious meals.  

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is thankful for all our military men and women do for our country. We hope the zoo gives them the opportunity to gather as a family and spend some quality time together while experiencing the natural world. Thank you for your service! 

If you won't eat it, we won't feed it!

Name: Jamie Breitigan

Hometown: Anaheim, CA – This is where I spent most of my childhood and young adulthood.

Favorite Zoo Animal: I’m in awe of all the animals here at the zoo. The ones who make me laugh the most though are the grizzlies.

Worked at CMZ since: July, 2006

Job Description: Commissary Manager – I take care of ordering, preparing, delivering, and rotating all animal food and fulfilling all animal department supply orders here at the zoo. Plus all other duties as assigned.

What’s your favorite part of Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (CMZ)? I like the family feeling of the zoo and knowing we are a part of something bigger than us.

Why is your job important? I believe all of the jobs here are equally important. Mine is just one piece of the puzzle.  Of course I never want to run of food or they may decide to feed me to the animals.

Do you have any advice for people who are visiting the CMZ for the first time? Try to explore all parts of the zoo: the animals, the landscaping, the view, and all of the shows.

Do you have any Funny/Good Stories? I get here pretty early (5:30am) in the morning and sometimes it’s very dark, especially outside of the Commissary. One morning as I was getting out of the Commissary truck, I saw a wild mountain lion run in front of the truck’s headlights. I jumped right back in the truck and waited until she/he was gone and went on with my work. Very cool, right? Well, fast forward a year or so. Before I walk out of the Commissary to get to the truck I pull out my flashlight so I can see if there’s anything like a mountain lion outside of the building. I turned the corner and flashed up by the truck and all of a sudden I saw two shiny eyes looking back at me. I won’t tell you what I actually said… But you can bet I was high tailing it back inside. Well, I don’t like to be behind in my work schedule so I decided “I’m going to scare whatever this is away!” I went and cautiously flashed my lights up at it again ready to go blow for blow with whatever animal it was and low and behold it was a very innocent deer. Are you serious, a deer? Well I felt pretty foolish, but still alive and on time. 

Click here for Commissary video preview!