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.  

GIVE YOUNG WILDLIFE THE SPACE IT NEEDS

A story from the Colorado Division of Wildlife.

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. - Spring has arrived in Colorado and it won't be long before newly born wildlife take their first awkward steps, sometimes near watchful people. The Colorado Division of Wildlife is reminding the public that the well-intentioned impulse to save what appears to be an orphaned or abandoned animal can often lead to unintended consequences, including the death of the animal.

For many people, a common reaction when they see young wildlife that appears to be abandoned is to treat it as they would a human baby and attempt its rescue. Giving human characteristics to animals is known as anthropomorphism. The concept is often seen in popular children's books and movies. Division officials warn that projecting human behavior onto young wildlife often does more harm than good.

"A human baby that has been abandoned is a crisis that needs immediate attention, but this is not the case with baby animals," said Watchable Wildlife and Volunteer Coordinator Trina Romero. "In fact, the instinct that leads a female animal to leave its offspring alone for long periods of time is a natural method of protection. The last thing it needs is human intervention."

Deer are a common example. A fawn that stumbles about weakly while learning to walk will attract predators, so evolution has provided effective methods of protection. Newborn fawns are naturally well camouflaged, don't emit odors that attract predators and can lie very still for a long time. As a result, they are actually safer if their mothers leave them on their own. Even a curious person watching the fawn from a distance could alert predators to the animal's presence and prevent its mother from returning.

But in the rare case that the young animal's mother has been hurt or killed there are some steps you can take to protect its orphaned offspring. If the mother of a young animal does not return for more than twelve hours, or it is obvious that it has been hurt or killed, it's best to report its location to the Division of Wildlife.

"People who pick up animals risk injuring the animal or making it too comfortable with humans to be returned to the wild," added Romero. "By leaving the animal alone and reporting its location to the Division of Wildlife, our trained personnel or volunteers can respond and make the determination about what is best for the animal."

Many orphaned animals are taken to licensed wildlife rehabilitators who work hard to make sure the animal can be reintroduced to the wild. However, even rehabilitation has risks, with only a minority of rehabilitated animals being able to return to a full life in the wild. In some cases, it may be better for young animals to fend for themselves in their natural habitat.

"Every case is different, so it's best to let trained wildlife staff and volunteers respond and make a determination," Romero said. "Once a human intervenes, the choices for the animal's future become more limited."

People are cautioned to avoid "rescuing" the animal themselves or trying to keep it as a pet, which in most cases is illegal. Even the best efforts to rehabilitate an injured or orphaned animal by an unqualified person can instead lead to negative consequences, such as poor nutrition, stress and behavioral problems. Young animals will often "imprint" on caregivers early in life, normally their mothers. Even if a person successfully nurses a baby animal, the young animal may learn to become comfortable around humans, which makes it necessary for the animal to remain in captivity. Associating with humans will also prevent the young animal from learning the skills it needs to survive on its own. A wild animal held in captivity by an unqualified caretaker can also present a public safety risk as it can bite or attack its caretaker or others.

Because dogs will explore off -trail areas and search for smells and movement, people often encounter baby animals while walking their dogs. If they are allowed to run loose, dogs can present a serious danger to all wildlife. Domesticated dogs quickly revert to their predatory instincts and will often chase and severely injure or kill young wildlife and their parents. By statute in Colorado, law enforcement officers are authorized to immediately euthanize any dog observed harassing wildlife, and dog owners can receive a hefty fine. Division officials strongly recommend that people keep their dogs on a leash. It will keep the dog safe, and prevents injuries or death of wildlife.

Another common sight in spring is young birds that have accidently fallen out of their nests due to high winds, or while learning to fly. Most of us have heard the "old-wives' tale" about how a mother bird will abandon its young if it has been touched by a human, however the myth has no scientific basis and every effort to return the fledgling to its nest is a worthy endeavor if it can be done safely.

If you find a young bird on the ground and it is unable to fly on its own, don't attempt to nourish it. Instead, immediately try to return it to its nest. A bird's natural diet is difficult to duplicate and an attempt to feed it or give it water can cause it harm.

If you cannot safely reach the original nest, just placing it in a safe location near the nest will yield good results. The parents will hear its cries and will continue feeding the young bird. Put it in a small basket or box filled with paper towels or even dryer lint. Using grass to make a nest is not recommended because the moisture content in the grass can lower the body temperature of the bird.

Cats, being natural predators, are another serious threat to young birds and other small animals. Although hunting and killing is natural behavior for a cat, a responsible owner will limit a cat's ability to destroy wild creatures.

"If your cat is used to being outdoors and there is little chance of it becoming an indoor pet, just place a small bell on its collar. This may be an effective method of keeping baby birds and other small animals safe," advised Romero.

The Division reminds everyone that evolution has given all animals effective instincts when it comes to rearing their young and it's best to just let nature take its course. If you see a young animal that appears orphaned, keep your distance, don't feed and don't help. In most cases, not doing anything is the most responsible way humans can show their love for wild creatures.

For more information on living with wildlife and laws concerning exotic pets, please see the following articles:
A Case For Not Domesticating Our Wildlife
Exotic Pets and Prohibited Wildlife
Exotic Pets and Prohibited Wildlife 2

Keeper story featured on PARC blog

Our own Jenyva Turner, Animal Keeper at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, was featured on the Panama Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Project blog in "Notes from the Field: Finding the Limosa harlequin frog."

Wanted: Adventurous expedition members to hike into the jungles of Panama looking for the rare Atelopus limosus. Must be willing to hike long hours in rugged, muddy terrain and in thigh-deep water, and ready to be wet, hungry, tired, and not afraid of spiders, snakes, scorpions, and lots of insects.

SIGN ME UP!!!


–Jenyva Turner, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo animal keeper (and first-time frog finder!)

Read Jenyva's entire post HERE!

CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN ZOO BELIEVES MISSING TORTOISE STOLEN

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo appeals for return of tortoise, which requires special care.



March 28, 2011, Colorado Springs, CO – Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is appealing to the public for the safe return of Butti, a 13-year-old Indian star tortoise, zoo officials believe was stolen Sunday, March 27. Staff last saw Butti in his exhibit in The Loft around 4:30 p.m. When Butti’s keeper went back to check on him at 4:45 p.m., he was missing. Staff frantically scoured The Loft and swept the zoo, but the search turned up nothing. Staff reported there were several guests in The Loft shortly before Butti disappeared.

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is concerned for Butti’s welfare, as he has special care and dietary needs. If he isn’t kept at the proper temperature and doesn’t receive the right type of food, he could suffer from significant health problems.

“This type of tortoise is not uncommon in the pet trade. We think someone probably thought the tortoise looked interesting and is planning to keep him as a pet, but we’re worried Butti won’t receive proper care,” said Katie Borremans, Public Relations Manager.

Butti and his brother, Tutti, are guest favorites at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. They have been together their whole lives and are frequently seen following each other around their exhibit. The zoo did file a police report, but is most concerned about Butti’s return. Charges will not be filed if he is returned safely. Please call 719.633.9925 x140 with any information on this incident.

The Loft has seen more than one million visitors since it opened in 2008, and has never had an animal stolen. The Loft is a place where guests can interact and connect with animals in a more open environment. Guests are able to see animals like Butti up close and even touch them under staff supervision.

“Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s mission is to provide up close experiences and make animals accessible to the public. It’s a shame someone took advantage of that. We’ve never had something like this happen before, and we certainly don’t want to penalize guests who respect the boundaries because of one bad seed,” said Borremans.

Butti is around the size of a grapefruit. He’s about six inches long and weighs a little over a pound. He has a unique shell with a bumpy star pattern.

Fun Facts about Naked Mole Rats! NMRs in the news!

Wild and Weird: Naked Mole Rats Handsome? No. Cancer-free? Yes.

Naked mole rats win no beauty contests. With their pale, pruny pelts, buckteeth and tiny, beady eyes, they’re cute to few and cuddly to none but each other. They have strange biology, too -- feeling little pain in their skin and dwelling in smelly, underground colonies like insects. Plus, young naked mole rats eat nothing but the feces of adults. The most intriguing thing about the mole rats, though, may be longevity: “Old Man,” the most ancient naked mole rat known to humankind, died last November at the ripe old age of 32. Naked mole rats routinely live almost 10 times longer than their above-ground cousins.

One reason naked mole rats enjoy such long lives? They've never been known to get cancer -- in contrast with mice, 70 percent of whom perish from the disease at just a few years of age. In fact, naked mole rats may prove as valuable as mice in finding a cure for cancer. That beats winning a beauty contest any day.

Read more on this intriguing species in The Washington Post.

Study: Elephants cooperate to achieve goals

We found this video online of a study about elephants, and had to share it.

Footage of an oversized experiment has revealed that elephants understand when they need help from a partner. In the test, two animals had to work together - each pulling on a rope in order to tug a platform towards them.

Elephants' apparent grasp of the need to co-operate shows, scientists say, that they belong in an "elite group" of intelligent, socially complex animals. Researchers from the University of Cambridge built the apparatus, which was originally designed for chimps.



The team published their findings in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Study leader Dr. Joshua Plotnik from the University of Cambridge told the BBC it was exciting to find a way to study elephant behaviour in such detail.

"It's so hard to work with elephants because of their size," he said. "We see them doing amazing things in the wild, but we can see from this that they're definitely co-operating."

Read more at BBC Earth News.

COMMISSION TO TALK PARKS TRANSFER, WATER PLANS

DENVER -- The Colorado Wildlife Commission will meet with the Colorado State Parks Board to discuss the potential conversion of several state parks into State Wildlife Areas during its busy March 10 meeting.

Commissioners will also begin a formal review of plans to mitigate impacts to fish and wildlife resources from planned water projects on both sides of the Continental Divide, consider establishing a user fee for two northeastern State Wildlife Areas and hear a citizen petition. The meeting is scheduled to run from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Hunter Education Building on the Colorado Division of Wildlife campus at 6060 Broadway in Denver.

With the state still grappling with an unprecedented budget crisis, Gov. John Hickenlooper has announced that four state parks will be repurposed as part of a budget proposal that will trim Colorado State Parks expenditures by $3.3 million in the fiscal year beginning July 1.

During the morning session, Wildlife Commissioners will meet with the five-member Colorado State Parks board to explore the feasibility of converting these parks to State Wildlife Areas and other potential areas of cooperation.

Colorado's State Parks attract more than 11 million visitors a year and offer some of the most popular outdoor recreation destinations in the state for angling, boating, camping, hiking and other activities. State Wildlife Areas are primarily managed to benefit wildlife and wildlife related recreation. All Division real estate transactions, including leases of property, must be approved by the Wildlife Commission.

Among the topics at their joint meeting, the Commission and the Parks Board will discuss a public process to gather input on how certain State Parks might be repurposed as State Wildlife Areas given the budget decisions made by the Governor. They will also seek to define a public process that will help minimize the impact of a change in missions for those properties.

Neither the Wildlife Commission nor the Parks Board has met since the Governor's announcement, and no decisions regarding the potential conversion of parks to state wildlife areas have yet been made.

During the afternoon session, the Wildlife Commission will initiate a formal review of plans to mitigate impacts to fish and wildlife resources that would be created by two major trans-mountain water development projects. The 60-day review of mitigation plans to be presented by Denver Water and the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District is required by statute as part of each project's federal permitting process.

Denver Water is proposing to firm up the yield from its existing water rights on the West Slope, primarily by enlarging Boulder's Gross Reservoir and diverting additional water from the Fraser and Williams Fork rivers. Northern is proposing to firm up the yield from its existing water rights in the Upper Colorado River by diverting additional water to the proposed new Chimney Hollow Reservoir west of Longmont.

Under state statute, the Commission's authority is limited to a review of plans to mitigate impacts from proposed projects. Restoring the river to a past condition is beyond the scope of the project approval process and Wildlife Commission authority. However, Denver and Northern are voluntarily proposing enhancements to address impacts of existing water development projects to fish and wildlife resources on both sides of the Continental Divide. Both the mitigation and enhancement plans will be presented to the Commission at the meeting.

Also on the Commission agenda is final consideration of a new regulation establishing an annual access fee for two popular northeastern State Wildlife Areas to address public safety and user conflict issues stemming from recreational activities not related to the areas' primary wildlife purpose.

The proposal would require adults who do not possess a valid annual Colorado hunting or fishing license to purchase a $36 annual permit to enter Jumbo Reservoir or Prewitt Reservoir State Wildlife Areas. Permits would be valid from April 1 to March 31 annually and could be purchased anywhere that hunting and fishing licenses are sold.

Commissioners will also consider a citizen rulemaking petition requesting that the Commission revise regulations pertaining to sponsorship requirements for wildlife rehabilitators.

Finally, on Friday the Wildlife Commission will conduct a joint meeting with the boards of the Colorado Cattlemen's Association and the Colorado Farm Bureau in the Bighorn Room at the Colorado Division of Wildlife's headquarters. The joint meeting, held annually, is scheduled to run from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The Wildlife Commission meets monthly and travels to communities around the state to facilitate public participation in its processes. In 2011, the Commission will meet in Meeker, Salida, Grand Junction, Montrose, Alamosa, Steamboat Springs, Pueblo, Yuma, and Fort Collins. The first three meetings of 2011 are being held in Denver.

The agenda for the March Wildlife Commission meeting, as well as a complete list of regulation changes for State Wildlife Areas, can be found on the Wildlife Commission web page.

More information on Denver Water's Moffat Collection System proposal and Northern's Windy Gap Firming Project may be found here: http://wildlife.state.co.us/LandWater/Water/MoffatWindyGapMitigationProjects/.

Members of the public who are unable to attend Commission meetings or workshops can listen to the proceedings through a link on the DOW's website. This opportunity is provided to keep constituents better informed about the development of regulations by the Commission and how they and DOW staff are resolving issues facing Colorado's wildlife.

To access the live audio feed during the meeting, click on the "listen to live audio" link at the bottom of the Commission webpage at: http://wildlife.state.co.us/WildlifeCommission/ .

Putting the Extremely Rare Wyoming Toad Back Into the Wild

Our friends at the Como Zoo are doing some amazing work with the Wyoming Toad as well. Read this great story about the conservation efforts.

By Jordan Schaul

Bree Barney loves her job, she really does! The small mammal keeper, like many, has a few miscellaneous reptiles and amphibians on her string. She boasts about getting to hold sloths and feeding Galapagos tortoises, but is most proud of the Como Park Zoo and Conservancy's participation in their first-ever conservation project involving the release of captive reared animals -- Wyoming toadlets.

And she gets to do it. Yes, she visits the field site personally and with other zoo herpetoculturists, many of whom are veteran zoo herpetologists, gets to release the captive reared animals back into the wild.

Bree admits that since childhood , all she ever wanted to do was "help our natural world and the animal kingdom to the best of [her] ability, whether it is a toad, a giraffe, or an orangutan."

In corresponding with Bree, it is clear that she takes her role as the lead Wyoming toad keeper at the Como Zoo very seriously, and it is a big responsibility. Today animal keepers not only participate in field conservation, they coordinate these projects in conjunction with government agencies.

READ FULL STORY.


Wyoming Toads at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.

Rare Ocelot Observed in Southern Arizona

We just received some exciting news from our friends at the Arizona Game and Fish Department and wanted to share it. See the story below.

February 8, 2011

PHOENIX – Arizona Game and Fish Department officials report that a rare ocelot was observed this morning (Feb. 8) in the Huachuca Mountains in southern Arizona.

An individual called Game and Fish this morning to report that while he was working in his yard in the Huachuca Mountains, his dogs began barking at a cat-like animal which quickly climbed a tree. The individual drew closer and suspected that the small spotted cat might be an ocelot. An ocelot is a rare and endangered species of cat.



The man called Game and Fish and an officer responded to the site and confirmed that it was, in fact, an ocelot. The officer did a non-intrusive, visual inspection of the animal from the ground near the tree, and the animal appeared to be healthy. There was no indication that there had been any dog-to-cat direct interaction, as no wounds were visible on any animal.

As with all wildlife-human interaction cases, photos were taken of the animal (attached). The officer was also able to retrieve some scat samples from the scene.

Once the final confirmation was determined, the officer directed that all humans and dogs retreat from the area, and the ocelot, apparently unharmed, was allowed to go on his way.

Ocelots are small to medium-sized spotted cats with a long tail. These cats have been listed as endangered since 1982 under the Federal Endangered Species Act. Since being listed, ocelots have only rarely been seen in Arizona. Only one other ocelot, an animal run over near Globe in April 2010, has been confirmed in Arizona since the mid 1960s. One other ocelot was reportedly captured on film by the Sky Island Alliance in November of 2009; however, it has not been possible to fully verify the species or the animal’s origin based on that photo.

Ocelots tend to be smaller in size in the more northerly portions of their habitat range than those individuals in the central or southern habitat areas. The upper body coloring is highly variable, ranging from grayish to cinnamon or tawny to reddish brown. Dark markings form chainlike streaks down the sides of the ocelot’s body. They have a long, curling, ringed tail that wraps around limbs for stability and is very indicative of the species.

The present range for ocelots is in the eastern and western lowlands of Mexico, from southern Mexico through Central America and in the lowland areas of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Brazil. On the fringes of their range, they occupy a very limited region in both the United States (a remnant population exists in Southern Texas) and Argentina. And now Arizona can be included in that range. Other animals such as bobcats and young mountain lions are sometimes misidentified as ocelots, which is why verification is so very important.

Arizona Game and Fish will work together with the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service to review materials from the site and the photos to attempt to determine whether or not this was a naturally occurring ocelot. Some ocelots are known to be kept as pets, and occasionally, individual animals escape or are released into the wild.

Ocelots are protected by the Endangered Species Act and should be left alone. If anyone encounters a cat believed to be an ocelot, we would request that all sightings and photos along with observation information be reported immediately to the department. More information and additional photos will be made available Wednesday, visit www.azgfd.gov for details.

50 Mexican Gray Wolves in the Wild...Up from 42!

Federal biologists count 50 Mexican wolves in wild

Feb. 1, 2011 07:41 PM
Associated Press

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Federal wildlife officials said Tuesday they have counted 50 endangered Mexican wolves on the Arizona-New Mexico border, up from 42 wolves a year earlier.

The Fish and Wildlife Service's southwest regional director, Benjamin Tuggle, said the figure from last month's annual survey includes 29 wolves in Arizona and 21 in New Mexico. Researchers determined there are two pairs of breeding wolves.

"We're pretty confident with this number and we're happy it's significantly better than last year's," Tuggle said.

Of the 50 wolves, federal biologists said 14 were wild-born pups that survived through the end of 2010 - double the number of pups from the 2009 count.

Environmental groups rarely agree so enthusiastically with federal wildlife managers, but both sides were pleased by the figures.

"It's obviously good news that the numbers have gone up," said Michael Robinson of the Southwest Center for Biological Diversity. "It reverses a very troubling trend over the previous four years, where the numbers either went down or were static. We remain concerned that the Mexican wolf is perilously in trouble, but it's much better to see these numbers."

In another development, federal biologists also announced that two adult wolves - a male and a female - were released last week into the Blue Range recovery area, which straddles the Arizona-New Mexico border. The female had been born in the wild but was brought to a captive breeding program.



Tuggle said it was the first release this year - "just one of the actions we are undertaking to increase the number of Mexican wolves on the ground."

Click to read the FULL STORY.

Alaska's Polar Bears Need Our Help!

Polar bears in the Hudson Bay are in danger of dying out completely as global warming melts away the ice they depend on to hunt for food.

At the southern edge of their range in the Hudson Bay, polar bears are losing weight and cubs are starving to death as global warming melts away their icy habitat. Each year, more and more polar bears die as their ice is destroyed by global warming pollution.

Compared to 20 years ago, there are now about 30 more days a year when the Bay isn't covered in ice, causing bears to spend nearly four weeks longer with nothing to eat -- and leaving the polar bears about 70 pounds thinner on average.

The approximately 900 polar bears in the western Hudson Bay are already in danger of dying out completely.

The polar bears further north in Alaska still have hope, but only if we reduce global warming pollution.

Take Action! Help protect Alaska's polar bears by sending a letter to members of Congress and President Obama, urging them to oppose big polluter plans to undermine the Clean Air Act. Click here to help in this letter writing.

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.

Help Safeguard River Otters from Coal Ash

For decades, coal-fired power plants have been allowed to dump toxic coal ash into unlined rivers and ponds, resulting in spills into the rivers and streams on which many wildlife depend.

There are only a few days left to tell the Environmental Protection Agency that we need strong, federally enforceable safeguards against this dangerous threat.

Take action today to help protect river otters and many other wildlife from the dangers of coal ash.

24 Fascinating Blogs for Following Zoo Reform

Just published by Veterinarian Colleges:

There’s major changes going on at zoos all over the world. As global warming chases animals out of their natural habitats, more zoos are looking to care for new animals they never before featured...Learn more about zoo reform with these blogs and articles that are tackling the issue head on.

Read more

Save Our Species Video

“Species extinction is a global phenomenon that will take global understanding, global efforts and global resources to overcome,” says World Bank Group President Robert B. Zoellick.


Click here to read more about the Save Our Species (SOS) initiative and conservation grant programs.

Boo at the Zoo promotes 'orangutan friendly' candy

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


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


Click here to read more.

Limited Edition of New Conservation Wolf Stamp Available

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


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

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

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

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

Proceeds Will Fund Wolf Recovery Projects