Spring Forward

Take a moment to enjoy photos of guests and members “springing forward” with us last Sunday! Thank you all for supporting Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in our amphibian conservation efforts!


Playing the "Frog Jump" game

"The Brave Little Tree Frog" presented by the Cheyenne Mountain "Zoopeteers"

Fox 21's Joe Cole reading to the kids

Our fantastic docent volunteers

Sidewalk chalk artists

If you weren’t able to join us, here are some simple things you can do to protect frogs:

1. If you use bug spray, make sure it does not contain DEET which is extremely harmful to amphibians.

2. Avoid using toxic household chemicals found in some detergents, sanitizers and sprays in excess or near water sources.

3. Keep litter and waste out of street gutters and storm drains which filter directly into lakes, streams, rivers and wetlands.

4. Avoid dumping oil, antifreeze or other household chemicals down sink drains or into the toilet. Contact your local Solid Waste Management Office to find out how to dispose of these materials properly.

Just these simple actions will help preserve frog health and our environment! For more on how you too can help our world’s amphibians visit Year of the Frog website.

Perspective

It’s brisk this February morning as I head up the path. I have traveled this path before but something is different…I can hear the ripple of a stream meeting a gentle pond. Ah, I can see it now, a beautiful combination of nature: work and rest together harboring life.

I continue my way up the path – wait – what is that? I can see it up ahead…hold on…let me take a couple more steps to be sure…

Wow – A MOOSE about 50 feet ahead in the trees! He’s moving his antlers against the tree. He doesn’t see me but I’m sure he is very aware of his surroundings. It seems he is enjoying the opportunity for play that nature has provided him.



What is that pounding I hear behind me? I’m not at home, there is no solicitor knocking at my door, interrupting my morning. I take my eyes off the moose for only a second to search the scene. I discover a woodpecker giving his best to the Aspen tree in front of me. He seems to mock me, trying to give my location away to the moose. I’ll stand still and silent. Am I discovered? A touch of fear enters my body. The moose decides to tolerate me for now and continues to amuse himself with the tree.

I’ve been watching for several minutes when I hear a “screeching” somewhere off in the distance. I can’t put my finger on it but I know I’ve heard this sound before. It sounds like majesty.

There it is! A bald eagle upon the hill! I took me awhile to spot it – ironically it would take only seconds for this fierce hunter to find me. My senses are in overload at this point – a surreal feeling.

A new emotion enters now, but my senses tell me it’s ok. I feel peace and look around to try to understand the source – every vision creates my serenity, and it’s calming.

I’m not deep in the mountains…

I’m at work, at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and I invite you to experience Rocky Mountain Wild, where you too can get closer.

-By Jamie Breitigan, Commissary Manager - Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

Spring Forward this Sunday!

Remember to set your clocks forward one hour on Sunday! Then hop on over to the Zoo between the hours of 10:00 am and 4:00 pm to celebrate our amphibian friends!

Visit the Lodge at Moose Lake for special frog and amphibian-based activities and games for the whole family: See what kind of frog YOU would be by playing the "Frog Jump" game. How adept are you at "Metamorphosis Matching"? Visit the Awareness Table to find out and to see how an amphibian grows. Visit the Loft to see the Zoo’s real frogs and amphibians and talk with education department members about the world’s amphibian crisis…and what you can do to help.

It’ll be a hoppin’ good time!

Cheyenne Mountian Zoo on You Tube!

Working to globally extend our mission and vision, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo can now be found on You Tube! Access our channel and “Get Closer” to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo!

Check out our first video!

Congratulations Megan!

Who has one of the coolest jobs in the entire world? Our very own Megan (Ryder) Sanders, Animal Behavior Programs Manager! She’s featured in the February issue of AZA’s CONNECT Magazine! Read all about her important role here at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (click to enlarge):