Meet the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Elephants - Kimba, Lucky and Maliaka

We are very lucky to have 3 amazing elephants at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.

Kimba (female, DOB 08/24/78, weight 10,000 lbs)
Lucky (female, DOB 03/01/80, weight 8,000 lbs)
Maliaka (female, DOB 1986, weight 9,000 lbs)

Kimba has a very laid back personality and loves to eat! Lucky is outgoing and most active in the early mornings and evenings. Maliaka is our newest elephant, and she loves rolling in the mud.

The elephants' favorite enrichment activities include playing with plastic barrels, tires and exploring new foods like pumpkins and melons. All 3 girls also love water play.




Watch video of the girls playing the pool on our YouTube or Facebook pages.

Lucky is an accomplished painter and "signs" her paintings with her trunk print. Click here to learn how you can purchase one of Lucky's paintings.

All three elephants train daily. Most of their behaviors, learned through positive reinforcement, help the keepers take better care of the elephants. For example, both Lucky and Kimba have learned behaviors that aid in bathing and exercising, and promote foot and ear care. Our elephants know approximately 35 verbal commands.

Read the press release about Maliaka’s arrival to learn more about the Zoo’s newest pachyderm addition!

What do they eat?
Our elephants eat mainly grass (brome) and oat hay along with produce and bread during training sessions. All three elephants love cabbage, bananas, bread and melons but turn their trunks up to green beans and tomatoes.

Water is also an essential part of their diet. Each elephant can consume up to 50 gallons of water a day!

Conservation:
The African elephant is classified as Endangered by the 2000 IUCN Red List. They have been hunted to the brink of extinction for their ivory. Pressure on the ivory trade and improved protection from poachers has helped to restore numbers in some areas.

Controlled culling in reserves is sometimes necessary when overpopulation causes habitat loss. However, efforts are currently underway to secure larger elephant reserves that include areas stretching across migratory routes.

New Elephant Exhibit:
The Zoo is embarking on a $13.5M campaign to build a new exhibit, Encounter Africa. This exhibit will include African elephants, black rhinoceros and African lions. The Zoo is in the planning stages of this spectacular exhibit and hopes to break ground in October 2010. If you would like to help with this new exhibit please donate online or give your spare change in the Grizzly Grill or at the Elephant exhibit.