Remembering Clara

Photo Credit: Rebecca Zwicker

One of Cheyenne Mountain Zoo's beloved primates recently passed away. Our beloved 34 year old Mangabey, Clara, will be missed. Because of several concurrent illnesses, additional treatment would have compromised her quality of life and euthanasia was the best choice. Included below are some heartfelt tributes from the keepers who knew her best:

A Tribute by Jeannette Schwab
Clara was one of the most engaging primates I have ever met. She was sweet, loving and kind. Everyone that met Clara knew that she was special. Her eyes were so expressive and she let you know just how she felt. She was a wild caught primate and spent her early years as someone’s pet. When she came to CMZ she was paired with Laz. They had a tumultuous relationship but it worked for them. In recent years she was paired with Tana and they spent her last few years together as a peaceful couple.

I met her 10 years ago and immediately fell in love with her. She loved to be groomed and always had a greeting for me when I came close to her enclosure. During our grooming session we built a large bank account of friendship and trust. There is so much I will miss about her. Clara was my favorite primate in the building and I have loved every minute that I have had the privilege to spend with her. I will miss her dearly.

She reminded me daily why I became a zookeeper. My son said to me, as he tried to cheer me up, that Clara is in a better place and she is now free to move about and fly around. I have solace in the fact that we did the right thing for Clara and she is now at peace in the “Great beyond” where flying monkeys really do exist. Rest my sweet Clara, I will miss you!

A Tribute by Rebecca Zwicker
Clara truly was a "keeper's animal". Anyone who had the pleasure of getting to know and work with her will remember her funny, sweet quirks that made her unique. If we were in the back area having a laugh she was quick to join in with grunts that sounded like a chuckle. However, if we were standing right in front of her and laughed at something funny she did she would give a hard look, vocalize and slap the ground letting you know she did not appreciate being the butt of a joke. Usually we would have to walk away laughing harder as to not offend her anymore. Good news is she was quick to forgive and be willing to groom your freckles mere moments later. How can you not fall in love with such a personality plus animal like that?


Photo Credit: Rebecca Zwicker

Wild Gifts - Orangutan Art!

Our orangutans started “painting class” in October! The first sessions resulted in a few simple dots of paint on the paper and a lot of broken paint brushes. By giving positive reinforcement through small treats each time the artist dipped their brush into the paint, and each time he or she then touched the brush to the paper, the orangutans quickly caught on to the process. Within a week or two, the four adult orangutans were creating unique pieces of art!

Unique Benefits of Orangutan Art

• Painting enriches the orangutans’ lives and stimulates their minds.
• This is a unique opportunity for the orangutans that live at CMZ to help their wild counterparts. Every time a painting is purchased, 50% of the proceeds go to orangutan conservation!
• We know that every time someone looks at orangutan art displayed in their home or office, they will be reminded how amazing and intelligent these great apes are!

Visit the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo website for details or to purchase an orangutan painting.

Every Winter WildLand Visit Helps Local Families

This season, our Winter WildLand holiday event benefits hundreds of Head Start families in the Pikes Peak region. Head Start is a comprehensive preschool and family program providing early childhood education complimented by health and social services for the whole family. You can help simply by making a visit to Winter WildLand. Each visit helps a Head Start family have a special experience at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in 2009.

When the Winter WildLand total attendance reaches 5,000 guests, the Zoo will serve 50 Head Start families with a special visit to the Zoo. When attendance hits 10,000 guests, another 50 families will be served. Then, with each subsequent increment of 5,000 guests attending Winter WildLand, another 100 families will be served. Ultimately, up to 500 Head Start families through CPCD could benefit with a special family visit and experience to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.

The special Giving Tree is located near the Loft. With each group of families receiving Zoo visits, corresponding ornaments will be placed on the tree creating a visual representation of the number of families served.

Visit our website to learn more about attending Winter WildLand and fostering a sense of community through your visit.

Happy Birthday Zambezi

Zambezi, one of our Nile Hippos, turned 16 on Sunday. She celebrated with three of her favorite things:

A good rub behind her ears, a Jell-O cake with whipped topping and good teeth brushing!

Blog Keeper Notes:
Remember to vote in our most recent poll:
What is your favorite thing about Winter WildLand?

Wild Gifts

Felted Ornaments

Every wondered what to get for the person who has everything? Look no further! These unique gifts give twice.

Visit Snow Leopard Enterprises to find gifts like felted Mongolian ornaments. All profits are invested right back into community conservation projects that generate income and help protect snow leopards and their habitat.

Learn how these gifts:

• Help impoverished families
• Save endangered species
• Develop handmade products

Or visit Gifts for Conservation, an organization established as a source of ideas for people who want the gifts they give and receive to help the environment and to serve conservation.

Be sure to check back often for more wild gift ideas!