WildThings Stirs Up TWO Spicy Awards!

Congratulations to Chef Beau and the WildThings Catering Team here at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo!

At the Chorale Chefs’ Gala at the Broadmoor Sunday night, chefs from independent restaurants entered a competition for a chance to win coveted ribbons for best appetizer, entree, dessert, Best of Show and People’s Choice categories.

WildThings was number one in the Entrée Category with their wild boar tenderloin and bacon fig ragu with garlic parsnip puree and sautéed Brussel sprouts! YUM!

They also won the overall award for Best of Show!! Congrats to their team!

Stay tuned for additional photos and recipes!

Disposing of Electronics Responsibly

By Dr. Della Garelle, Director of Conservation at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

We’ve been spring cleaning here at the Zoo! As a conservation organization, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is committed to disposing anything with an electric cord responsibly.

Colorado regulations prohibit all non-residential sources from disposing of ANY hazardous waste in solid waste landfills in the state. Therefore, color monitors and televisions, CPUs, keyboards, printers, VCRs and other end-of-life electronic equipment from your business, government agency, or school can not be accepted for disposal at municipal solid waste landfills.

The Zoo sends this type of equipment to a legitimate electronics recycler for reuse, refurbishing or disassembly for materials recovery (collectively referred to as "recycling"), or disposes of these wastes at a permitted hazardous waste disposal facility.

The state strongly encourages households to recycle their old computers and other electronic equipment, but they are not required to do so.

If disposed of in a landfill, however, harmful chemicals can leach out of this waste and contaminate our soil and groundwater. Many residents prefer to manage their unwanted household electronics in an environmentally responsible manner. El Paso and Teller county residents can take their electronic waste to the Household Hazardous Waste Facility.

A food donation to Care and Share is encouraged for this free service.

Visit the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment or the Colorado Solid Waste Management Division to learn more about how to dispose of your waste responsibly.

You “Otter” plan your next birthday party at the Zoo!

Have you heard about our BRAND NEW Birthday Party theme featuring River Otters? Your birthday party guests will have a blast watching these playful, aquatic animals receive special treats and show off their amazing aquatic abilities!

Other great animals that you can share your special day with are gibbons, hippos, elephants and giraffes! Call 633-9925 x127 or e-mail edprograms@cmzoo.org to book your next birthday party!

Happy Valentines Day from Cheyenne Mountain Zoo!

This Valentine's Day Fall in Love with Nature

From the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Valentine’s Day is a perfect time to fall in love with nature. Go outside to experience the excitement of a majestic bald eagle or the thrill of a bright red cardinal, whether in your own backyard or at one of America’s national wildlife refuges. There is a national wildlife refuge or fish hatchery just an hour’s drive from most major metropolitan areas, and all are inviting portals to the natural world.

The Service’s “Let’s go Outside” contains a wealth of information to help families connect with nature, including:

Electronic Valentines, in both English and Spanish, featuring bald eagles, red foxes and even turtles, that are great to send to friends and family.

Fact sheets about numerous wildlife species, including bald eagles, moose, sea turtles and cardinals.

Tips on how families can start observing wildlife together.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information on their work visit www.fws.gov.