African Grey Parrot

The most talkative resident of African Rift Valley is Raider, our 18 year-old African grey parrot.  In the wild, birds like Raider can be found in the rainforests of the Congo.  They eat a variety of fruits and nuts. As they digest these items, they disperse the seeds, acting as a "natural farmer," assuring food will continue to be available.

In African Rift Valley, Raider can be seen during the pre-show of the Wings of Africa bird show.  He shows off his climbing and problem solving skills, as well as his ability to mimic sounds and even words…telling us his name, blowing kisses, and expressing his excitement for the bird show with a loud “wow!”

Because African grey parrots have the intelligence of a five year-old child, they constantly need new toys, activities, and challenges to keep them busy and out of trouble.  Recently Raider has become an artist, using his beak to manipulate a paintbrush to create abstract works of art.  He is also learning to identify different colors.  So far, red and orange seem to be his favorites and he’s working on green and blue.

While their ability to mimic has made them popular pets, keep in mind African grey parrots can live up to 70 years, so adopting one is quite a commitment.  If you feel up to the challenge of owning an African grey, make sure your bird is captive bred in the United States and not being taken from the wild where their numbers are declining.     

  

Next time, we’ll meet a pair of burrowing reptiles who are also kept as pets. 

Helpful Hippo Behaviors

Wicket’s keepers are currently working on training her to demonstrate numerous behaviors that Kasai and Zambezi currently illustrate. These behaviors are instilled into our hippos to help manage their care and welfare.

• Stationing is when the hippo faces the keepers and holds their chin up on the top rail of the exhibit. This allows the keepers to get a good look at her skin and medicate some dry/cracked spots if necessary using a spray bottle.

• Target training is where the keepers place a tennis ball on the end of a pole and have the animal touch it with their nose when they hold it out. This is helpful when they are working with more than one animal in the stall at the same time; one can be "led" away from the other so training is less confusing for them.

• The open mouth command is important, so keepers can look inside the hippo’s mouth, check for cracks in their teeth, check for sores, and alleviate tusk problems in case they need to address them. We also brush the hippo’s teeth daily and get any debris out from between their teeth. Oral care is important in hippos so opening their mouth for keepers to perform daily hygiene is a necessity.

•  A to B training is a good way to see how the hippos are moving. We can ask them to come to "point A" (where the keeper is), when they do we reward them, and then we ask them to go to a designated "point B" (across the yard or pool) and back again.

Being Beary Safe

During our 24^th Annual Teddy Bear Days, our grizzly bears, Emmitt and Digger, got an opportunity to visit a non-bear proof campground. (No worries, the bears were still at home in their habitat, we just added a mock campground to one of their areas.) During this demonstration you saw the curiosity, strength, and intelligence of these animals. The two grizzly bears proceeded to find all food sources left within the campground, not leaving one stone or tent unturned. Needless to say, there was not much left for the campers to use once these two were done visiting.

In honor of Emmitt and Digger, we want to remind you of a few bear safety tips.

• If you encounter a bear, remain calm and avoid sudden movements. 

 

• If you see a bear but the bear doesn't see you, detour quickly and quietly.

• Never run from a bear! They will chase you and bears can run faster than 30 mph.

• Throw something onto the ground (like your camera) if the bear pursues you, as it may be distracted by this and allow you to escape.

• Remember a standing bear is not always a sign of aggression. Many times, bears will stand to get a better view.

Have a safe summer from your friends Emmitt and Digger!

Your ARV Questions Answered

The Hidden World of African Rift Valley

Ever wonder what lives beneath the giraffe barn in African Rift Valley? Or perhaps you didn’t realize there is a lower level to the building? Most people do not realize there is another world of animals that call African Rift Valley home, and these animals are not always visible to guests. From mischievous hornbills, to curious tortoises, to large African millipedes, we are going to introduce you to some unique animals with personalities as large as a giraffe.

Next time we will introduce you to some birds with huge bills and a knack for getting into trouble!

Gummy Vitamins Aren’t Just For Kids!

It’s been reported that nearly half of all U.S. adults take a daily vitamin regiment to make up for the vitamins we are lacking in our diet. In fact, according to a recent USDA report, most Americans are consuming too few fruits and vegetables, high-fiber whole grains, seafood, and low-fat milk and dairy products. All of which are crucial to ensuring that we’re getting essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients.

Humans are not the only ones who use vitamins to balance out their diets; animals need a little balancing every now and then as well.

Our gorilla troop is unique. They have transitioned to a chow-free diet over the past year to a diet consisting of salad (the biggest portion of all Cheyenne Mountain Zoo animals) supplemented by several key vitamins. Below are examples of the vitamins and supplements our orangutans and gorillas receive along with a brief explanation of why they are beneficial.

• Emcelle tocopherol or vitamin E is used as a basic supplement in the gorillas’ diets.
• Flax oil is included in the gorillas’ daily regiment to help keep their skin healthy.
• Our silverback gorilla, Rafiki, is given cod liver oil on a daily basis to help keep his heart healthy.
• Calcium is traditionally given to nursing moms and orangutan females on birth control, to make sure they are getting their required intake.
• Childrens multivitamins are given to all gorillas due to their chow free diet. Godek, our youngest orangutan, is on the multivitamin as well because he is a growing young animal.
• Sumagu, Godek’s mother, receives a Men's One a Day and folic acid because she is still lactating. We use Men’s One a Day for apes because the high levels of iron found in multivitamins formulated for women are not the most beneficial for great apes.
• A Super B complex is given to Juju, one of our Western Lowland gorillas, on a daily basis for normal function of her nervous system. A while back she was curling her toes and limping, these symptoms disappeared with the addition of Super B complex to her vitamin regiment.
• Probiotic or ultimate flora is given to Rafiki and Juju, Western Lowland Gorillas, for inconsistent stools.

The apes receive the vitamins & supplements listed above in a variety of concoctions depending on the consistency of the supplement, the animal, their preferences and their diet restrictions.  Apple sauce and sugar-free fruit drinks are pretty helpful. Roxie, one of our Western Lowland gorillas, will only take her vitamin E with a peanut butter sandwich.  Most animals take the kids' chewable vitamins without any issues, except Kwisha, a Western Lowland gorilla, does not like the childrens' gummy vitamins!

Most zoo animals get vitamins and minerals in their chows, biscuits and grains. Vitamins are also included in some prepared canned foods given to the golden lion tamarins and marmosets.  The meat for our carnivores is specially formulated with vitamins and minerals, and the frogs and toads get their vitamins sprinkled on crickets and other insects.

Un-Coated Crickets

Coated Crickets

Our animals’ vitamin regiment is always changing depending on health issues, pregnancy or possible pregnancy, if the animal is lactating, or laying eggs.  Our vet staff works with our animal keepers to form the best combination of vitamins for each individual animal based on their current health needs.

Please visit out “Bear Necessities” page for more information about how you can help our animals receive their daily dose of vitamins and supplements for as little as $10. 

The Zoo is getting Crafty!

Here at the zoo we are celebrating National Bird Feeding Month with bird friendly children’s activities. Follow the instructions listed below to build a backyard bird “tweeder” with a recycled soda bottle or steal some of your mom’s favorite ribbon to create a festive bird “tweet”.

Backyard Bird Feeder

Materials

      ·        Clean 1-liter soda bottle

      ·        Craft knife

      ·        2 wooden spoons

      ·        Small eye screw

      ·        Length of twine for hanging

Directions

1.      Start by drawing a 1/2-inch asterisk on the side of a clean 1-liter soda bottle, about 4 inches from the bottom.

2.      Rotate the bottle 90 degrees and draw another asterisk 2 inches from the bottom.

3.      Draw a 1-inch-wide circle opposite each asterisk, as shown.

4.      Use a craft knife to slit the asterisk lines and cut out the circles (a parent's job).

5.      Insert a wooden spoon handle first through each hole and then through the opposite asterisk, as shown.

6.      Remove the bottle cap and twist a small eye screw into the top of it for hanging.

7.      Finally, fill your feeder with birdseed, recap it, and use a length of twine to hang it from a tree.

"Tweet" Treats

Materials

• 1/4-ounce package of unflavored gelatin
• 2 cups of your favorite wild birdseed
• Three 4-inch mini bundt or fluted pans
• Colorful ribbon

Directions

1.      To make a batch, bring 6 tablespoons of water to a boil. Empty one 1/4-ounce package of unflavored gelatin into 2 tablespoons of cold water in a large bowl.

2.      Let the gelatin sit for 1 minute, then add the boiling water and stir for 2 to 3 minutes or until the gelatin has dissolved. 

3.      Next, stir 2 cups of your favorite wild birdseed into the gelatin, mixing thoroughly.

4.      Let the mixture set for a few minutes, then stir again. Repeat this process a few times, if necessary, allowing the seed to absorb the liquid.

5.      Spoon the seed mixture into three 4-inch mini bundt or fluted pans

6.      Place the pans in the refrigerator or a cool room and let them set for at least 3 hours.

7.      Remove the wreaths from the molds by inverting the pans and tapping along the bottoms.

8.      Allow the wreaths to air-dry overnight. 

9.      Finally, tie colorful ribbon around your wreaths and hang them outside in a protected spot, such as under an awning or eaves, where the rain won't melt them.

Send photos of your completed project to kwhite@cmzoo.org, for a chance to be highlighted on Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s Facebook page.

*Check out http://familyfun.go.com for more kid crafts.

Thank you to our Docents!

 

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is truly fortunate to have an enthusiastic group of supporters within our Auxiliary, or Docent program. We can’t thank them enough for everything they have done and continue to do at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Auxiliary (CMZA) was formed in 1969 as a non-profit organization to give aid in carrying out the Zoo’s objectives. It is an active and founding member of the Association of Zoo and Aquarium Docents (AZAD). The docent volunteers within the Auxiliary are required to be members of the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and pledge to serve at least 30 hours a year in a variety of support activities.

 The zoo would surely not look the same as it does today, without the support of our docents. Many of the educational opportunities at the zoo are a direct result of the Auxiliary’s efforts in starting school group “safaris” (pre-trip programs) and zoo tours, the original Zoo On The Move (ZOOM) program, special event and on-grounds education stations and presenting puppet shows in classrooms out in the community for grades K-2. The docents also played an active role in several of the Zoo’s early marketing campaigns including the “Name the Baby Elephants” contest in which the names for Lucky and Kimba were chosen. They also played an active role in the Zoo’s first capital campaign, Zoo for All Reasons. As the zoo has grown, so have the ways in which the Auxiliary continues to support the zoo!

In addition to all of the activities listed above, our docents also play integral roles in the renewed ZOOM program, zoo-wide animal enrichment, special animal care efforts such as health or birth observations, and financially and physically support our conservation initiatives. There’s just nothing this group of enthusiastic individuals won’t do! In the last year alone, 106 docents collectively contributed over 15,000 hours of service to the zoo. That’s the equivalent of over seven full-time staff members.

 It’s clear that Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is a better place because of the docents and the enthusiasm and support they provide. So to bring “National Thank You Month” to a close, on behalf of all of the staff at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, We say – “THANK YOU” to the Auxiliary for all you do.

I'm a big cat fan!

Trista Johnson

I look forward to seeing Trista’s smiling face when she comes in each week.  She has devoted her time to help in Monkey Pavilion and I know the keepers welcome her help!  Kudos and many thanks to Trista!  Both the staff and the animals at CMZ appreciate you!

- Megan Hudak – Volunteer Services Manager   

Favorite Zoo Animal
I'm a big cat fan, so I love the African lions, tiger, leopards, and mt. lions. In the Monkey Pavilion department that I volunteer in, I love them all (from the bears, lemurs, gibbons, guenons, howler monkeys, marmosets, sloths, etc.)

What’s your favorite part of Cheyenne Mountain Zoo?
I love the animal conservation programs that the zoo has and participates in. I also think the zoo does a great job in educating the public and involves the community in special events and workshops.  CMZ is also a wonderful place to see exotic and wild animals up close and personal.

How long have you been a volunteer?  
It will be a year next month (February)

What are some of the activities you have gotten to help with?
As a volunteer, I've been able to help prepare diets for the animals in Monkey Pavilion, Spectacle Bears, and Asiatic Bears. I get to help make enrichment items for the animals in Monkey Pavilion and watch them enjoy them. I also help the zookeepers clean exhibits as needed. I've been able to watch and observe the zookeepers do training sessions with the animals in Monkey Pavilion, with the African Lions, Spectacle Bears, and Asiatic Bears.

Do you have any funny/good stories about your volunteering experiences?
I enjoy watching the animals receive enrichment toys/food. I feel wonderful when I am able to help the zookeepers with the cleaning and preparing diets so they have more time to do their job (training, animal introductions etc.)

Thank You James Bugea & Marissa Young

James Bugea
Jim is a dedicated volunteer that helps our Pony Wranglers as well as our Australian exhibit.  He is a fan of our feather friends – the budgie birds – and does a great job of helping out the keepers with their care.  Thank YOU Jim for lending a hand and helping support the Zoo!

-  Megan Hudak – Volunteer Services Manager

What’s your favorite part of Cheyenne Mountain Zoo? 

My favorite animal at the zoo are the wolves. My favorite area is Australia (matte!)

How long have you been a volunteer?

I have been volunteering at the Zoo for just over a year. 

What are some of the activities that you’ve gotten to help with? 

One of my favorite activities I was involved in was when Thea and Nichole were weighing the wallabies. That was fun and exciting to see how Thea was catching the wallabies by the tails! She was good at it. Then at the Big Backyard, it was also weigh day for the turkeys. Jeanne tried to catch a turkey and the turkey flapped her big wings and it slapped Jeanne across her face with a loud slap. Jeanne didn't think that was so funny at the time! Nichole & I took the goats out for a walk one day and that was cool. So I have enjoyed being entertained for over a year at your Zoo. Thanks for the memories!

Marissa Young

It’s great to have Marissa on the Zoo’s volunteer team!  We know we can always count on Marissa to do her best in Aquatics.  She has such a positive attitude and I enjoy seeing Marissa every week.  Thank YOU Marissa for being an awesome volunteer! 

- Megan Hudak – Volunteer Services Manager

Favorite zoo animal:

I think it's really amazing that the zoo has a snow leopard. Considering it was only within the last decade that we were able to get them on film (Planet Earth series) because they are so elusive, it is pretty cool that we can see one in person! 

How long have you been a volunteer?

I've volunteered at the zoo for about a year now.

What are some of the activities that you’ve gotten to help with? 

Feeding the hippos is always fun. It's cool to see them smash a melon in their mouth so easily. Feeding the penguins is also a lot of fun. They are all such characters and it's always fun to see what is going on in "penguin world", it's usually such a soap opera with that bunch. I mostly help with the hippos, beavers, penguins, and sometimes the cranes each week.   

 Do you have any funny/good stories about your volunteering experiences? 

One time I was cleaning out the beaver exhibit and letting Ginger and Duncan roam around in the little back area. As usual, Duncan was content to sleep the entire time, but Ginger was up and checking things out. They had a bunch of tree branches to munch on that were ready to be cleared out, so I moved them out of their exhibit to make room for the new tree branches to be put in. This was not ok with Ginger, though. Every time I moved something out, she would go and bring it back into the exhibit. She got her way and had a huge mixture of old and new branches to munch on for the day!

Just the other day, I got to watch the hippos play in the snow. I didn't think that hippos would like the snow, but they loved it! Their favorite thing was to eat the snow. They were very funny, walking around and scooping up piles of snow just like snow plows!

Holy Year of the Bat, Batman!

Rewind back to 1922 when the first vampire film was released-bats are frequently portrayed as dirty, scary varmints you don’t want to come into contact with.  But in real life, you will find bats are very clean, not-that-scary animals, acting as natural pest controllers and eating up to 1,000 mosquitoes in a single hour!

Surprised? Bats aren’t confined to caves, spending the majority of the summer living in trees, under bridges, or in old houses. You may already have them in your area, so why not take advantage of their insect eating powers by building a bat house.  When built correctly, bat houses mimic an ideal bat environment-tight, dark, and warm. Follow the steps below to build your own bat house.

Constructing a Bat House

Tools ·  Measuring tape ·  Straightedge ·  Combination square ·  Spring clamps ·  Safety glasses ·  Jigsaw ·  French curve and circle templates ·  Drill fitted with .25” drill bit ·  Caulking gun ·  Paintbrush ·  Foam roller ·  Scissors ·  Staple gun

Supplies ·  2’x 4’ section of ½” exterior grade plywood ·  One 6’ 1x2 ·  ½” deer netting ·  Exterior latex paint – black and another dark color ·  Low VOC adhesive caulk ·  1” deck screws ·  3 ½” deck screws ·  3/8” Staples

Directions

1. Measure and cut the plywood
Using a tape measure and straightedge, mark up for cutting a 2’x4’ piece of ½” exterior-grade plywood. You’ll need one piece that’s 2’ wide x 26” long and one that’s 2’ wide x 22” long. Clamp the plywood to a worktable. Make sure you have on safety glasses, then use a jigsaw or a circular saw to cut the plywood.

2. Draw the bat design
Create a bat cut out using circular and oblong templates called French curves (available at most office supply stores). Lay out the bat shape on the edge of the shorter piece of plywood, making sure it’s 24” wide. 

3. Drill holes for the jigsaw
Clamp the plywood and bat design to your worktable, making sure the whole bat hangs over the edge. Using a drill/driver with a ¼” bit, drill holes just inside the points of the bat shape. This will make it easy to turn your jigsaw blade as you cut out the curved parts.

4. Cut out the bat
Using a jigsaw fitted with a narrow scroll blade, which is designed for making intricate curves, cut out the bat design. Cut the shape closest to the edge first, then cut the whole bat from the sheet. Because both halves of the cutline need to look clean, work slowly and carefully. Whenever you get to a drill hole at one of the points, stop the saw and turn it before you continue.

5. Make the sides
To raise the front panel off the back and create a small crawl space to house the bats, you’ll need strips of lumber around the edges. Cut three pieces from a 1x2-one 24” piece and two 19” pieces.

6. Attach the sides
Using a caulk gun, lay a bead of caulk along the face of the long 1x2. Line it up with the top edge of the larger piece of plywood and clamp it in place with spring clamps. Using a drill/driver, drive 1” deck screws through the 1x2 and into the plywood every 6 inches to hold it in place.

Attach the two shorter pieces to the sides in the same manner and caulk the ends where they meet the top piece before you clamp them down. Use a damp rag to wipe up any caulk that oozes out.

7. Paint the parts
Using a brush and roller, paint the back piece black, from the top edge to the ends of the 1x2s. Also paint the back of the front piece black. These will form the dark inside of the bat house.

Paint the other surfaces in a color that will help maintain a healthy temperature inside the house. If you live in the North, a dark color can keep the house toasty by absorbing the sunlight. In the warm South, a light color may be a better choice. Be sure all surfaces of the wood are painted and well sealed.

Let the paint dry completely.

8. Attach the netting
Unroll the deer netting and lay it over the inside of the back section, flat against the plywood. Using a staple gun, attach the netting to the inner edge of the top 1x2 and along the sides. Make sure to pull it taut so it can’t sag when bats hang from it. Extend the netting all the way over the bottom edge and wrap it around to the back. Once it’s stapled all around, cut off the excess.

9. Attach the front piece
Caulk along the face of the 1x2s on the back section. Place the front piece onto the 1x2s with the bat shape facing the bottom, and the top edges and corners lined up. Clamp it in place. Drive 1” screws every 6 inches through the face and into the 1x2s to secure it.

10. Put on the bat cutout
Caulk the exposed sections of the 1x2s, then place the cutout onto them just below the large front piece. Leave a ½” gap between the two for the air vent. Clamp the piece and attach it in place with a single 1” screw on each side.

11. Hang it up
Hang your bat house under the eaves of your house or from a tall, flat pole made from pressure-treated lumber (make sure to bury one-third of the lumber in the ground to keep it steady). Attach it by driving 3½” deck screws through the corners into the siding or fascia of your house, or if you’re using a pole, along the middle at the top and bottom.

The bat house should be at least 15 feet off the ground, away from bright lights. Choose a place facing south so it gets plenty of sunlight (aim for 6 to 10 hours of exposure). This will keep it nice and hot—just the way bats like it!

These directions and more building tips can be found at: http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/how-to/intro/0,,20165965,00.html

Electric Safari 2011

“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. 

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?

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!