Jenyva sent this amazing video of wild vultures flying above her in Africa. It is truly amazing and beautiful!
Read all the blog posts from Jenyva and her vulture adventure.
January 31, 2011
January 26, 2011
Day 7 & 8 in Africa: Too Much Rain, Not Enough Vultures
by Jenyva Turner
24 January 2011
Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve, Gauteng province, South Africa
Catching vultures is not as easy as it might seem… and certainly not as easy as it was my very first day in Africa! We still need to capture 21 more vultures to reach our target sample size for our research project. The weather has not been cooperating with us. The rain grounds the vultures that need to be somewhat dry and require thermals to help them fly. The area has been receiving record rainfall in the last couple months. Not so good for catching vultures!
For almost a week, we have been trying to catch vultures in Mankwe Wildlife Reserve, but it has been too rainy. There was a break in the weather yesterday afternoon, so we threw our gear in the bakkie and rushed off to Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve (the site of the first capture), which is a little closer to Vulpro premises than Mankwe. We baited the capture pen with more carcasses and then left, hoping the birds would investigate. After about 3 hours the clouds started to roll in and it started to drizzle. The vultures seemed to have known the rain was coming and did not leave their pylon roosts. So we will try again tomorrow.
25 January 2011
We were on the road by 4 a.m. It’s raining again. Hopefully it will pass. As it became light we could see dozens (actually around 175) vultures roosting on the nearby pylons, but it was too wet and cold for them to leave just yet. We parked at a good vantage point on a ridge to watch and wait. After about 8 hours with periodic rainstorms, we started to see the vultures move, first one, than another. Once they started to move, we knew it would be quick so we jumped in the bakkie and raced our way to the bottom of the hide/pen area. Kerri and Walter snuck up the road behind the hide, hoping the vultures wouldn’t hear their approach. All would have been perfect had the sliding curtain that traps the birds in the pen hadn’t have come off its track when being quickly pulled shut.
Hugely disappointing… But on a positive note, I got to watch the vultures fly above me and thermal up in the sky. It was amazing to watch so many huge birds fly so effortlessly. I took lots of photos and video to be able to relive it all once I’m back home. I couldn’t help but think about our vultures at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and how they once soared free, high above the veldt of Africa.
24 January 2011
Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve, Gauteng province, South Africa
Catching vultures is not as easy as it might seem… and certainly not as easy as it was my very first day in Africa! We still need to capture 21 more vultures to reach our target sample size for our research project. The weather has not been cooperating with us. The rain grounds the vultures that need to be somewhat dry and require thermals to help them fly. The area has been receiving record rainfall in the last couple months. Not so good for catching vultures!
For almost a week, we have been trying to catch vultures in Mankwe Wildlife Reserve, but it has been too rainy. There was a break in the weather yesterday afternoon, so we threw our gear in the bakkie and rushed off to Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve (the site of the first capture), which is a little closer to Vulpro premises than Mankwe. We baited the capture pen with more carcasses and then left, hoping the birds would investigate. After about 3 hours the clouds started to roll in and it started to drizzle. The vultures seemed to have known the rain was coming and did not leave their pylon roosts. So we will try again tomorrow.
25 January 2011
We were on the road by 4 a.m. It’s raining again. Hopefully it will pass. As it became light we could see dozens (actually around 175) vultures roosting on the nearby pylons, but it was too wet and cold for them to leave just yet. We parked at a good vantage point on a ridge to watch and wait. After about 8 hours with periodic rainstorms, we started to see the vultures move, first one, than another. Once they started to move, we knew it would be quick so we jumped in the bakkie and raced our way to the bottom of the hide/pen area. Kerri and Walter snuck up the road behind the hide, hoping the vultures wouldn’t hear their approach. All would have been perfect had the sliding curtain that traps the birds in the pen hadn’t have come off its track when being quickly pulled shut.
Hugely disappointing… But on a positive note, I got to watch the vultures fly above me and thermal up in the sky. It was amazing to watch so many huge birds fly so effortlessly. I took lots of photos and video to be able to relive it all once I’m back home. I couldn’t help but think about our vultures at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and how they once soared free, high above the veldt of Africa.
January 25, 2011
Day 6 in Africa: Engineering and Innovation for the Vultures
Dangers to Cape Vultures in Africa
By Jenyva Turner
23 January 2011
Hartbeespoort, North West Province, South Africa
Sadly, vultures in the wild are facing many different threats. Vulpro is working to find ways to protect the vultures from these various threats through research and education.
The number one threat to vultures in the Mageliesberg region is electrocution and collisions with power lines. Oftentimes these birds do not survive, and if they do survive they are brought to Vulpro for rehabilitation. Sometimes they can be released, and sometimes they cannot. Non-releasable vultures can be used for education or display in reputable zoos. The zoos in South Africa are filled to capacity with non-releasable vultures. Therefore, zoos like Cheyenne Mountain Zoo have imported Cape vultures to provide professional care for them and to allow them to be ambassadors for their species. The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s 3 Cape griffon vultures were imported from South Africa in 2004. They too were injured in collisions with power lines and could not be released. They are now helping people realize how incredible vultures are, how important they are to our environment, and how we need them. Our pair has just recently laid an egg, so they may also be contributing to the success of the captive population in North America.
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Cape Vulture, on display daily in African Rift Valley.
Vulpro is working with South Africa’s main power supplier, Eskom, to develop bird-friendly power lines to lessen the dangers of electrocution and collision.
Eskom test enclosure.
Vultures often use pylons as roosts and as a result, become injured.
Vultures resting on pylons.
Eskom engineers are developing various pylon designs to prevent injury (see photos below). They are testing these designs out on Kerri’s captive birds in a specially-designed test enclosure. The observations made watching birds interact with the pylons helps engineers become more effective.
Test pylons:
By Jenyva Turner
23 January 2011
Hartbeespoort, North West Province, South Africa
Sadly, vultures in the wild are facing many different threats. Vulpro is working to find ways to protect the vultures from these various threats through research and education.
The number one threat to vultures in the Mageliesberg region is electrocution and collisions with power lines. Oftentimes these birds do not survive, and if they do survive they are brought to Vulpro for rehabilitation. Sometimes they can be released, and sometimes they cannot. Non-releasable vultures can be used for education or display in reputable zoos. The zoos in South Africa are filled to capacity with non-releasable vultures. Therefore, zoos like Cheyenne Mountain Zoo have imported Cape vultures to provide professional care for them and to allow them to be ambassadors for their species. The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s 3 Cape griffon vultures were imported from South Africa in 2004. They too were injured in collisions with power lines and could not be released. They are now helping people realize how incredible vultures are, how important they are to our environment, and how we need them. Our pair has just recently laid an egg, so they may also be contributing to the success of the captive population in North America.
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Cape Vulture, on display daily in African Rift Valley.
Vulpro is working with South Africa’s main power supplier, Eskom, to develop bird-friendly power lines to lessen the dangers of electrocution and collision.
Eskom test enclosure.
Vultures often use pylons as roosts and as a result, become injured.
Vultures resting on pylons.
Eskom engineers are developing various pylon designs to prevent injury (see photos below). They are testing these designs out on Kerri’s captive birds in a specially-designed test enclosure. The observations made watching birds interact with the pylons helps engineers become more effective.
Test pylons:
January 24, 2011
Day 4 in Africa: Helping One Vulture at a Time
By Jenyva Turner
21 January 2011
Hartbeespoort, North West Province, South Africa
Today was Vulture Capture #2, this time with rehabbed, non-releasable and releasable, Cape vultures at the Vulpro center. The vultures came to Vulpro for a variety of reasons. Some were injured in power line collisions and had broken wings that didn’t heal well enough to be released; some came in severely malnourished and needed proper nutrition; others had been caught in fences or were victims of the Muti trade (traditional cultural medicine).
We did much of the same testing as in the previous capture, but this time a focus was on whether or not the birds had been exposed to poisons or heavy metals. It was interesting to learn that the vultures that routinely come in from Thabazimbi (NW of Magaliesberg region) are usually underweight and weak- it’s not from power line collisions or obvious poisoning like in other regions. Today’s blood tests will hopefully help us determine whether or not there is a calcium deficiency or some other deficiency affecting the vultures’ diet in that region or if the vultures had been poisoned in some way. DDT is sprayed in that region and the vultures could have been affected by that. Of the 10 birds we caught up to test, 7 are strong enough to be released. I hope the weather clears up a bit so that I can be a part of such an amazing experience!
Vulture catch-up in the morning.
After the capture this morning, we set off to Pretoria to meet veterinarians and vet students at the Faculty of Veterinary Sciences at the University of Pretoria. They did a check up on a vulture that was found on Christmas Day, caught in a fence with a couple severe holes in its right wing. The injuries were healing nicely, but needed a few stitches. The veterinary department at the University of Pretoria provides a lot of medical care for Vulpro and is a great partner in Vulpro’s conservation work.
Check up on the vulture's healing wing.
While we were there, they gave us a black-shouldered kite that was found caught in a glue trap. Its wings were covered in the nasty glue. Treatment involves the completely simple and brilliant act of powdering the feathers with baby powder to cut the stickiness of the glue. The bird will then preen the glue out on its own. It’s much better than having to cut the feathers and wait for months for them to grow back. So we brought him back to Vulpro and let him out in one of the raptor enclosures until he is ready to be released.
Black-shouldered Kite.
Right when I was releasing the kite into its new enclosure, a wild Cape vulture flew into the field with the vulture enclosures. He caused quite a stir amongst the captive vultures as they all ran over to the side where he landed and to check him out. He was likely drawn in because of their food.
Vulture visitor.
Walter Neser of Vulpro is testing out a camera that mounts on the back of a vulture and takes video of the vulture’s activities. The perfect candidate for this is a 4 year old, hand-raised, female Cape who they are training to fly. She looks at Walter as a mate and she lets him touch her and pick her up and she follows him everywhere. It’s so fun to watch! We fitted her with the camera to see how the harness fit and we will start working with her in a couple of days as well as some of the other vultures and raptors who are good training candidates. I’m very excited to explore the possibilities!
It was a great variety of things to do today and helpful insight into the lives of Kerri and Walter and all they are doing to help save vultures and other raptors in Africa. It’s truly an inspiration to be here working with them!
21 January 2011
Hartbeespoort, North West Province, South Africa
Today was Vulture Capture #2, this time with rehabbed, non-releasable and releasable, Cape vultures at the Vulpro center. The vultures came to Vulpro for a variety of reasons. Some were injured in power line collisions and had broken wings that didn’t heal well enough to be released; some came in severely malnourished and needed proper nutrition; others had been caught in fences or were victims of the Muti trade (traditional cultural medicine).
We did much of the same testing as in the previous capture, but this time a focus was on whether or not the birds had been exposed to poisons or heavy metals. It was interesting to learn that the vultures that routinely come in from Thabazimbi (NW of Magaliesberg region) are usually underweight and weak- it’s not from power line collisions or obvious poisoning like in other regions. Today’s blood tests will hopefully help us determine whether or not there is a calcium deficiency or some other deficiency affecting the vultures’ diet in that region or if the vultures had been poisoned in some way. DDT is sprayed in that region and the vultures could have been affected by that. Of the 10 birds we caught up to test, 7 are strong enough to be released. I hope the weather clears up a bit so that I can be a part of such an amazing experience!
Vulture catch-up in the morning.
After the capture this morning, we set off to Pretoria to meet veterinarians and vet students at the Faculty of Veterinary Sciences at the University of Pretoria. They did a check up on a vulture that was found on Christmas Day, caught in a fence with a couple severe holes in its right wing. The injuries were healing nicely, but needed a few stitches. The veterinary department at the University of Pretoria provides a lot of medical care for Vulpro and is a great partner in Vulpro’s conservation work.
Check up on the vulture's healing wing.
While we were there, they gave us a black-shouldered kite that was found caught in a glue trap. Its wings were covered in the nasty glue. Treatment involves the completely simple and brilliant act of powdering the feathers with baby powder to cut the stickiness of the glue. The bird will then preen the glue out on its own. It’s much better than having to cut the feathers and wait for months for them to grow back. So we brought him back to Vulpro and let him out in one of the raptor enclosures until he is ready to be released.
Black-shouldered Kite.
Right when I was releasing the kite into its new enclosure, a wild Cape vulture flew into the field with the vulture enclosures. He caused quite a stir amongst the captive vultures as they all ran over to the side where he landed and to check him out. He was likely drawn in because of their food.
Vulture visitor.
Walter Neser of Vulpro is testing out a camera that mounts on the back of a vulture and takes video of the vulture’s activities. The perfect candidate for this is a 4 year old, hand-raised, female Cape who they are training to fly. She looks at Walter as a mate and she lets him touch her and pick her up and she follows him everywhere. It’s so fun to watch! We fitted her with the camera to see how the harness fit and we will start working with her in a couple of days as well as some of the other vultures and raptors who are good training candidates. I’m very excited to explore the possibilities!
It was a great variety of things to do today and helpful insight into the lives of Kerri and Walter and all they are doing to help save vultures and other raptors in Africa. It’s truly an inspiration to be here working with them!
January 20, 2011
Jenyva Made it to South Africa! Day 1 and 2 in Africa
We are excited to finally receive word from Jenyva! She made it to South Africa safely and has already started the process of SAVING THE VULTURES! Over the next few weeks we will help share her journey on the blog. Please send Jenyva well-wishes on this amazing expedition. We can't wait to share all of her adventures along the way.
My South African Journey
By Jenyva Turner
18 January 2011
Rhino & Lion Wildlife Conservation Reserve, Gauteng province, South Africa
Eight hours after landing in South Africa, our bakkie jostled its way down the rough dirt road rutted from the recent rains in the Rhino & Lion Wildlife Conservation Reserve. We rounded a corner and the jet lag fatigue that I was succumbing to quickly disappeared as I saw the birds I had travelled thousands of miles to help save. A Cape vulture flew above the ridge, then another, then another, then dozens were riding the wind currents low above the vegetation! It was truly awe-inspiring and moving to see the species I have been able to care for and help protect fly free around me with their 9-foot wingspans!
We were there to set up the capture site for the next day’s capture for our research project. The capture pen is a 25ft x 15ft mesh pen with shade cloth and 1 side that opens up/closes by pulling a shade cloth curtain across. It is right next to a “vulture restaurant” (special feeding sites for vultures in Africa to help supplement their decreasing natural diet).
Preparing the capture site entails adding “fresh” carcasses to the pen to draw the birds in.
Because of the recent rainy weather, Kerri Wolter, of Vulpro (the organization CMZ is supporting thru Quarters for Conservation) decided that we needed to capture the vultures that night while it was dry just in case it started raining in the morning (vultures do not fly around when it’s raining).
After baiting the pen, we all went into the hide and, well, hid, until the vultures appeared. It didn’t take long for the 1st bird to appear. Vultures have excellent eyesight and do not miss when another vulture seems to have found food, so within 5 minutes there were well over 100 vultures near the “restaurant.” After about 30 vultures (and 3 jackals) went inside the pen, the curtain was drawn and we raced down to the pen to secure it thru a sea of vultures who were madly trying to get out of our way. What an experience to be literally leaping over giant birds! We then had to hand grab/herd the jackals to remove them from the pen so they wouldn’t hurt the vultures. Since it was getting dark, we then left for the night with plans to return at sunrise to “process” them and gather our research data.
19 January 2011
Our research team of 8 people hit the road at 4 a.m. to get to the site as soon as possible to avoid stressing the vultures out further by keeping them in the pen too long. We set up our field lab and went to work catching/processing all 29 Cape vultures.
The testing we were doing will provide a better snapshot of the overall health of the wild Cape vulture population in the Magaliesberg Mountains. We drew blood to run uric acid and glucose tests, complete CBC, and DNA and sexing. We took some feather samples to test for presence of heavy metals. The bird was weighed and a complete physical exam was made. A cloacal swab was then taken as well as measurements of the head and foot pads to determine if one can determine if a vulture is male or female based on head/foot size. Every bird was ringed and tagged with patagial tags. Then the bird was released. We worked together smoothly and everything was done within 6 minutes!
The biggest threat to vultures in the wild is poisoning. Sometimes this poisoning is intentional, sometimes it’s accidental. When a vulture is poisoned, it goes into kidney failure, which causes their uric acid levels to go way up. Our original research grant proposal suggested that we might be able to detect early-onset kidney failure by using a human uric acid reader since it only requires a drop of blood and can be read within minutes. This way, if a vulture during a routine tagging capture has high uric acid levels, then they could be taken in and given supportive care before it’s too late. We will compare our field test levels with uric acid levels from the CBC. Let’s hope the levels are consistent because if this proves true, this could have a great impact on vulture conservation around the world!
We are scheduled for another vulture capture on Friday, provided the rains do not return, but tomorrow we are off to Mabula Game Reserve 2 hours north of here to meet with researchers from The Ground Hornbill Project, where I volunteered in 2007. I’m excited to see the birds I got to know years ago and see their chicks!
Stay tuned for more news from Africa!
My South African Journey
By Jenyva Turner
18 January 2011
Rhino & Lion Wildlife Conservation Reserve, Gauteng province, South Africa
Eight hours after landing in South Africa, our bakkie jostled its way down the rough dirt road rutted from the recent rains in the Rhino & Lion Wildlife Conservation Reserve. We rounded a corner and the jet lag fatigue that I was succumbing to quickly disappeared as I saw the birds I had travelled thousands of miles to help save. A Cape vulture flew above the ridge, then another, then another, then dozens were riding the wind currents low above the vegetation! It was truly awe-inspiring and moving to see the species I have been able to care for and help protect fly free around me with their 9-foot wingspans!
We were there to set up the capture site for the next day’s capture for our research project. The capture pen is a 25ft x 15ft mesh pen with shade cloth and 1 side that opens up/closes by pulling a shade cloth curtain across. It is right next to a “vulture restaurant” (special feeding sites for vultures in Africa to help supplement their decreasing natural diet).
Preparing the capture site entails adding “fresh” carcasses to the pen to draw the birds in.
Because of the recent rainy weather, Kerri Wolter, of Vulpro (the organization CMZ is supporting thru Quarters for Conservation) decided that we needed to capture the vultures that night while it was dry just in case it started raining in the morning (vultures do not fly around when it’s raining).
After baiting the pen, we all went into the hide and, well, hid, until the vultures appeared. It didn’t take long for the 1st bird to appear. Vultures have excellent eyesight and do not miss when another vulture seems to have found food, so within 5 minutes there were well over 100 vultures near the “restaurant.” After about 30 vultures (and 3 jackals) went inside the pen, the curtain was drawn and we raced down to the pen to secure it thru a sea of vultures who were madly trying to get out of our way. What an experience to be literally leaping over giant birds! We then had to hand grab/herd the jackals to remove them from the pen so they wouldn’t hurt the vultures. Since it was getting dark, we then left for the night with plans to return at sunrise to “process” them and gather our research data.
19 January 2011
Our research team of 8 people hit the road at 4 a.m. to get to the site as soon as possible to avoid stressing the vultures out further by keeping them in the pen too long. We set up our field lab and went to work catching/processing all 29 Cape vultures.
The testing we were doing will provide a better snapshot of the overall health of the wild Cape vulture population in the Magaliesberg Mountains. We drew blood to run uric acid and glucose tests, complete CBC, and DNA and sexing. We took some feather samples to test for presence of heavy metals. The bird was weighed and a complete physical exam was made. A cloacal swab was then taken as well as measurements of the head and foot pads to determine if one can determine if a vulture is male or female based on head/foot size. Every bird was ringed and tagged with patagial tags. Then the bird was released. We worked together smoothly and everything was done within 6 minutes!
The biggest threat to vultures in the wild is poisoning. Sometimes this poisoning is intentional, sometimes it’s accidental. When a vulture is poisoned, it goes into kidney failure, which causes their uric acid levels to go way up. Our original research grant proposal suggested that we might be able to detect early-onset kidney failure by using a human uric acid reader since it only requires a drop of blood and can be read within minutes. This way, if a vulture during a routine tagging capture has high uric acid levels, then they could be taken in and given supportive care before it’s too late. We will compare our field test levels with uric acid levels from the CBC. Let’s hope the levels are consistent because if this proves true, this could have a great impact on vulture conservation around the world!
We are scheduled for another vulture capture on Friday, provided the rains do not return, but tomorrow we are off to Mabula Game Reserve 2 hours north of here to meet with researchers from The Ground Hornbill Project, where I volunteered in 2007. I’m excited to see the birds I got to know years ago and see their chicks!
Stay tuned for more news from Africa!
January 18, 2011
Cause an Uproar to SAVE BIG CATS!
Musicians Sarah McLachlan and David Archuleta (as well as Bones actors Tamara Taylor and John Francis Daley, and The Simpsons' Yeardley Smith) are ferocious for felines.
The celebs are teaming up with National Geographic's "Cause an Uproar" campaign to raise awareness about the disappearing populations of lions, tigers, and other big cats.
Just in case you doubt that the king of the jungle needs help: Lions numbered about 450,000 in the 1940s, but now only 20,000 are left. The three main issues facing big cats are habitat loss, illegal hunting and retaliatory killings.
Watch Sarah and David cause an uproar for big cats around the world:
Learn more.
Take Action.
Check out the BIG CATS at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. Below are feeding, demo, and enrichment times for some of our big cats. Click here for the most up-to-date show schedules.
Mountain Lion Enrichment Feeding and Talk
When: Daily, 3:15 p.m.
Where: Rocky Mountain Wild, at mountain lions
What: Let our Animal Care Staff introduce you to Colorado’s big cat. Through interacting with enrichment, from bones to papier-mâché, we hope you will gain an appreciation for how well mountain lions are adapted to their mountain home.
Tiger Show
When: Saturdays & Sundays through September, 2:00 p.m.
Where: Asian Highlands, at tigers
Message: Amur Tigers are the world’s largest cat and have the abilities to match. Catch a glimpse of how fast they can run, how they use their claws and even how well they can swim.
Related Web Sites: http://www.amur-leopard.org/
Amur Leopard Enrichment Demonstration
When: Saturdays & Sundays through September, 11:00 a.m.
Where: Amur Leopard Exhibit
What: Our Animal Care Staff works hard to keep our cats active and thinking. Come watch the leopards interact with some fun enrichment items.
The celebs are teaming up with National Geographic's "Cause an Uproar" campaign to raise awareness about the disappearing populations of lions, tigers, and other big cats.
Just in case you doubt that the king of the jungle needs help: Lions numbered about 450,000 in the 1940s, but now only 20,000 are left. The three main issues facing big cats are habitat loss, illegal hunting and retaliatory killings.
Watch Sarah and David cause an uproar for big cats around the world:
Learn more.
Take Action.
Check out the BIG CATS at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. Below are feeding, demo, and enrichment times for some of our big cats. Click here for the most up-to-date show schedules.
Mountain Lion Enrichment Feeding and Talk
When: Daily, 3:15 p.m.
Where: Rocky Mountain Wild, at mountain lions
What: Let our Animal Care Staff introduce you to Colorado’s big cat. Through interacting with enrichment, from bones to papier-mâché, we hope you will gain an appreciation for how well mountain lions are adapted to their mountain home.
Tiger Show
When: Saturdays & Sundays through September, 2:00 p.m.
Where: Asian Highlands, at tigers
Message: Amur Tigers are the world’s largest cat and have the abilities to match. Catch a glimpse of how fast they can run, how they use their claws and even how well they can swim.
Related Web Sites: http://www.amur-leopard.org/
Amur Leopard Enrichment Demonstration
When: Saturdays & Sundays through September, 11:00 a.m.
Where: Amur Leopard Exhibit
What: Our Animal Care Staff works hard to keep our cats active and thinking. Come watch the leopards interact with some fun enrichment items.
January 17, 2011
Love is in the Air at the Zoo...Adopt an Okapi to Love too!
You're One of a Kind to Me!
Valentine's Day Okapi Gift Package
Adopt an okapi for your Valentine! Okapis are native to the Ituri Rainforest in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa. They are brown with unique striping on their front and rear legs that help them blend in with the dense forest habitat. Although okapis have striped markings similiar to zebras, they are most closely related to giraffes. This adopt package is not only unique, but your Valentine will enjoy knowing that your donation helps to care for and feed these beautiful animals.
Gift Package Includes:
* Cuddly 12” plush okapi
* Personalized adoption certificate
* Fact sheet about okapis
* Full-color okapi photo
* Adopt parent recognition on website
This Unique Gift is Only $55:
The $55 okapi gift packages are limited. Get yours now while supplies last! There are many other stuffed animal gift packages available as well, or you can adopt any animal at the Zoo starting at just $30 (does not include a stuffed animal.) Click here for more information about our Adopt An Animal program or to see other gift packages.
Order Yours Today!
Orders must be received by February 8, 2011 to ensure local delivery by Valentine’s Day!
* All gift packages are shipped via Priority Mail
* Gifts will be mailed no later than Thursday, February 10, 2011
* Sorry, we do not ship internationally
Order online NOW!
Or, download an order form and mail it to:
Development Department
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Road
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
Valentine's Day Okapi Gift Package
Adopt an okapi for your Valentine! Okapis are native to the Ituri Rainforest in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa. They are brown with unique striping on their front and rear legs that help them blend in with the dense forest habitat. Although okapis have striped markings similiar to zebras, they are most closely related to giraffes. This adopt package is not only unique, but your Valentine will enjoy knowing that your donation helps to care for and feed these beautiful animals.
Gift Package Includes:
* Cuddly 12” plush okapi
* Personalized adoption certificate
* Fact sheet about okapis
* Full-color okapi photo
* Adopt parent recognition on website
This Unique Gift is Only $55:
The $55 okapi gift packages are limited. Get yours now while supplies last! There are many other stuffed animal gift packages available as well, or you can adopt any animal at the Zoo starting at just $30 (does not include a stuffed animal.) Click here for more information about our Adopt An Animal program or to see other gift packages.
Order Yours Today!
Orders must be received by February 8, 2011 to ensure local delivery by Valentine’s Day!
* All gift packages are shipped via Priority Mail
* Gifts will be mailed no later than Thursday, February 10, 2011
* Sorry, we do not ship internationally
Order online NOW!
Or, download an order form and mail it to:
Development Department
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Road
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
January 12, 2011
Happy 30th Birthday to Becky the Giraffe!
Happy birthday to you...happy birthday to you...happy birthday dear Becky...happy birthday to you!!
On January 9 we celebrated Becky the giraffe's 30th birthday! Becky is the oldest member of our herd and was born here at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo January 9, 1981!
Researchers maintain that giraffes typically live to about 25 years old in the wild, but can live to over 30 years old in captivity (see more giraffe facts online).
Here are some photos of the special "cake" she received on this very special birthday.
Making the cake...
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BECKY!
Cake time...
Riyadh helps out...
On January 9 we celebrated Becky the giraffe's 30th birthday! Becky is the oldest member of our herd and was born here at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo January 9, 1981!
Researchers maintain that giraffes typically live to about 25 years old in the wild, but can live to over 30 years old in captivity (see more giraffe facts online).
Here are some photos of the special "cake" she received on this very special birthday.
Making the cake...
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BECKY!
Cake time...
Riyadh helps out...
January 11, 2011
E-waste Recycling Event a Success!
We had a FANTASTIC event this past weekend with Blue Star Recyclers! With the help and donations of our guests, fans, and followers we collected 4,419lbs of e-waste and kept 2 tons of reusable waste out of the landfill. The Zoo also raised almost $500 to directly support the care and maintenance of our animals. Thank you Colorado Springs! Look for upcoming events like this on our Zoo Events page.
Our own Ashton Strobridge (left) worked directly with Blue Star Recyclers and Andy O'Riley (right) to make this event happen!
January 6, 2011
New Lemurs at the Zoo...OH MY!
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s animal family recently grew by two, with the addition of male ring-tailed lemurs Hank and Stewart in Monkey Pavilion. The pair moved here from Pueblo Zoo to join fellow ring-tailed lemurs Jimmy and Jabari, and black and white ruffed lemur Ozzy. Hank, age 5, and Stewart, age 4, both have the signature ring-tailed lemur tail – very long with vivid black and white stripes. The easiest way to tell them apart is by looking at their size. Hank is smaller, weighing in at about five pounds.
You can see Hank and Stewart on exhibit, but they haven’t moved in with the rest of the lemurs yet. They are currently going through what we call the “howdy” process, getting to know their new roommates a bit better before they share the same exhibit space. A mesh door called a “howdy” separates Hank and Stewart from the others so they can see and get used to each other. It takes time, though, and you might see them “stink fighting” as a way to establish territory. They have potent scent glands on their wrists, which they rub on their tails and wave in the air in an attempt to outstink the others.
Lemurs are primates, and are related to monkeys and apes. In the wild, they only live on the African island of Madagascar. Black and white ruffed lemurs are critically endangered and ring-tailed lemur populations are decreasing, mainly because of habitat destruction due to farming and logging.
You can see Hank and Stewart on exhibit, but they haven’t moved in with the rest of the lemurs yet. They are currently going through what we call the “howdy” process, getting to know their new roommates a bit better before they share the same exhibit space. A mesh door called a “howdy” separates Hank and Stewart from the others so they can see and get used to each other. It takes time, though, and you might see them “stink fighting” as a way to establish territory. They have potent scent glands on their wrists, which they rub on their tails and wave in the air in an attempt to outstink the others.
Lemurs are primates, and are related to monkeys and apes. In the wild, they only live on the African island of Madagascar. Black and white ruffed lemurs are critically endangered and ring-tailed lemur populations are decreasing, mainly because of habitat destruction due to farming and logging.
January 3, 2011
Introduce Your Pre-schooler to the Amazing Animal Kingdom
Preschool Zoo Discovery Programs
What a great way to introduce a youngster to the amazing animal kingdom. Your child and their favorite adult learn about a variety of topics through stories, crafts and experiences with our animal friends.
Ages: 3-5
Time: 10-11 A.M.
Cost: $35.75 MEMBERS
$45.75 NON-MEMBERS
Cost includes all three classes (for one child and one adult). When registering, please choose Wednesdays, Thursdays or Saturdays with your theme.
For more information or to register, call 633-9925 ext. 127 or visit www.cmzoo.org.
Creature Features
Wednesdays: January 12th, 19th, 26th
Thursdays: January 13th, 20th, 27th
Saturdays: January 15th, 22nd, 29th
Many of our animals have made it on the big screen by starring in the cartoon movies we know and love. This month, we will explore some of these animal stars that live right here at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo!
Howl, Hiss, and Honk
Wednesdays: February 2nd, 9th, 16th
Thursdays: February 3rd, 10th, 17th
Saturdays: February 5th, 12th, 19th
There are many different sounds made in the animal kingdom. Join us for a class of exploration, as we try to identify what different sounds animals make. You and your preschooler will have a blast making the sounds of some of their favorite animals!
It is Easy Being Green!
Wednesdays: March 2nd, 9th, 16th
Thursdays: March 3rd, 10th, 17th
Saturdays: March 5th, 12th, 19th
St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner and everyone is getting ready to wear green. In this class, we are going to explore the color green by learning about some of our green animals as well as learning about some fun ways to live green everyday!
1, 2 Count the Zoo
Wednesdays: April 6th, 13th, 20th
Thursdays: April 7th, 14th, 21st
Saturdays: April 9th, 16th, 23rd
There are a number of animals that live here at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. Bring your preschooler to the Zoo and we will make counting fun as we do a number safari counting the animals around the Zoo.
What a great way to introduce a youngster to the amazing animal kingdom. Your child and their favorite adult learn about a variety of topics through stories, crafts and experiences with our animal friends.
Ages: 3-5
Time: 10-11 A.M.
Cost: $35.75 MEMBERS
$45.75 NON-MEMBERS
Cost includes all three classes (for one child and one adult). When registering, please choose Wednesdays, Thursdays or Saturdays with your theme.
For more information or to register, call 633-9925 ext. 127 or visit www.cmzoo.org.
Creature Features
Wednesdays: January 12th, 19th, 26th
Thursdays: January 13th, 20th, 27th
Saturdays: January 15th, 22nd, 29th
Many of our animals have made it on the big screen by starring in the cartoon movies we know and love. This month, we will explore some of these animal stars that live right here at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo!
Howl, Hiss, and Honk
Wednesdays: February 2nd, 9th, 16th
Thursdays: February 3rd, 10th, 17th
Saturdays: February 5th, 12th, 19th
There are many different sounds made in the animal kingdom. Join us for a class of exploration, as we try to identify what different sounds animals make. You and your preschooler will have a blast making the sounds of some of their favorite animals!
It is Easy Being Green!
Wednesdays: March 2nd, 9th, 16th
Thursdays: March 3rd, 10th, 17th
Saturdays: March 5th, 12th, 19th
St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner and everyone is getting ready to wear green. In this class, we are going to explore the color green by learning about some of our green animals as well as learning about some fun ways to live green everyday!
1, 2 Count the Zoo
Wednesdays: April 6th, 13th, 20th
Thursdays: April 7th, 14th, 21st
Saturdays: April 9th, 16th, 23rd
There are a number of animals that live here at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. Bring your preschooler to the Zoo and we will make counting fun as we do a number safari counting the animals around the Zoo.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
