Why Would We Be Bowling For Rhinos?

Because we LOVE rhinos!

What is Bowling for Rhinos?
Each year the American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK) sponsors a fundraising bowl-a-thon called Bowling for Rhinos. Since its beginning in 1990, Bowling for Rhinos has raised $3.5 million for wild rhino conservation. 100% of the funds raised from the event go toward protecting the world’s remaining 24,500 rhinos.

In Kenya we support the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy where our donations help protect both black and white rhinos. In Indonesia we help protect the remaining Javan rhinos at Ujung Kulon National Park and the Sumatran rhinos in Bukit Barisan Selatan and Way Kambas National Parks.

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s chapter of AAZK has been an active participant in Bowling for Rhinos for several years, raising over $25,000 to date. With your help, we can continue to help protect these amazing animals! (Photo left: Mom and baby black rhino.)

Why Save the Rhinos?
Only 5 rhino species exist today when once there were over 100 distinct species. The 5 remaining species – White, Black, Indian, Sumatran and Javan – are all critically endangered and are being heavily poached for their horns, which are used as dagger handles and for Oriental medicines.

Rhinos are a keystone species:
•They are mainly browsers, keeping shrubs and bushes in check by pruning them.
•They dig up roots with their horns during feeding, exposing their tender shoots for smaller herbivores to feed on.
•They disrupt the soil, which allows for easier seed germination.
•They fertilize the land with their dung and help spread seeds.
•Their skin harbors parasites, which provide food for birds.

By protecting rhinos, we save large expanses of habitat. Saving these habitats protect many other endangered species as well as rhinos.

What is AAZK?
AAZK is a national professional association of zookeepers and other individuals interested in conservation locally and internationally. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s chapter raises money through fundraising events to buy enrichment for the Zoo’s animals, provide professional development opportunities for Animal Staff, and to support conservation organizations that protect animals and habitat.
(Photo right: Baby white rhino).

BOWLING DETAILS:
Come show off your awesome bowling skills, how great you look in those shoes, and HELP US SAVE RHINOS!

PRIZES, RAFFLES, ANIMALS FROM THE ZOO and MORE!

Saturday, May 8, 2010, 6-8 p.m.
Brunswick Zone, 999 N. Circle Drive
Cost: $10 per bowler + sponsor dollars

All are welcome but you must pre-register to bowl. Visit online (click Upcoming Events and Happenings) or call 719-633-9925 x133.

Visit our Facebook page for FUN rhino trivia every Wednesday and all throughout the week of May 3, 2010.


(Photo above:Indian rhinos.)

Bird-watching Hike on Sunday, April 18th

Welcome the annual return of Colorado’s Turkey Vulture and other migratory birds! Join Jenyva Turner, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (CMZ) zookeeper and vulture enthusiast, on a bird-watching hike in Cheyenne Mountain State Park, Sunday, April 18, from 8-11am.This hike is FREE courtesy of Cheyenne Mountain Zoo's Quarters for Conservation program.

Hike Description: We will stroll along spring wildflowers, prairie dogs and bluebirds and gradually wind up to scrub oak where we may find towhees and jays. Our hike ends in the Douglas fir/Ponderosa pine habitat of tanagers, nuthatches, warblers and hummingbirds. Great views of the prairie below will provide excellent views of turkey vultures and other raptors. Meet at 8am in the trailhead parking lot (1st left turn after passing the Visitor Center). Total length: 3 miles. Elevation gain: About 600 feet. More details...

To sign-up for this hike please email Jenyva with your details at jturner@cmzoo.org.









Vulture Action Items:
• Get to know our local vultures! Buy some binoculars and become a bird watcher!
• Protect wildlife habitat by getting involved in your local parks, open spaces and sustainable conservation groups. Visit websites from the following groups:
Sierra Club
Trails and Open Space Coalition
Wild Connections
Wildlands Restoration Volunteers
Rocky Mountain Institute
Catamount Institute
•Keep garbage cleaned up to prevent vultures and other wildlife from eating non-food items.
•Report roadkill so authorities can safely remove it. This will protect scavengers, like vultures, from injury or death. Along roads in Colorado Springs call: 719-385-5934. On El Paso County roads call: 719-520-6460. On Colorado state roads call: 719-576-1868.
•Do not leave animal carcasses killed with lead shot lying around; use an alternative type of shot.
•Avoid the use of poisons to kill wildlife.
•Recycle paper and buy recycled products to reduce the need to cut down trees that vultures roost in.
•Vote with your tokens and donate your quarters to vulture conservation at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s Quarters for Conservation display.

Grizzly Grill …NOW serving you!

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo announces that the Grizzly Grill is officially OPEN!

The exciting new restaurant, managed by Todd Langfield of Service Systems Associates (SSA), offers Zoo guests a unique dining experience while overlooking the city of Colorado Springs and surrounding region. With abundant indoor air-conditioned seating and beautiful new sunlit patios, the Grizzly Grill is a great place for Zoo guests to relax and take a break from their journey around America’s mountain Zoo.

Grizzly Grill's new gourmet cuisine menu was created by this year’s Chefs Gala “Best of Show” winner Chef Beau Green. The menu has been expanded with selections that guests might not expect to see in a Zoo setting. Delicious offerings such as fresh salads, wraps, Asian rice bowls, pasta dishes, brick oven pizza by-the-slice, a carving station with daily specials, hearty grill items such as the 1/3-pound Angus beef burger baskets and delectable dessert offerings including Island Oasis fruit smoothies are now featured. Diners also enjoy “Culinary Theatre” as you watch your food selections prepared fresh in front of you. Hours of Operation are 10 a.m. – Zoo close daily, and it is located near the middle of the Zoo, adjacent to the Carousel. You can't miss it!


Grizzly Grill dining area features bar style and regular tables overlooking the city. The views are unbelievable!








Easy access stations feature a variety of mouth-watering options, with digital menus above each station.

Baby Giraffe Born at the Zoo...make that TWO!

The baby giraffe calves who were born at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo on consecutive days, Tuesday and Wednesday, March 23 and 24, 2010, are doing great. These are two of the three anticipated births this spring from the Zoo’s renowned giraffe herd. The two young giraffes, both male calves, have been nursing really well from their mothers and both are in good health after having their first neo-natal examinations on March 26, 2010.

The boys were introduced to each other and a few other adult giraffes on Tuesday, March 30. They had a wonderful time getting to know on another, and they both attempted to nurse off of any “big” giraffe who walked by. Watch the video below for a behind the scenes look at the babies since they were born.



Follow this story and more on our Facebook fan page.

Budgie Buddies Open TOMORROW…

Fan Photo by Ali Leaver

There's a whole lot of shaking going on in the Budgie Buddies exhibit as the Budgies take flight again tomorrow, Friday, April 2! Take a stroll through our indoor aviary surrounded by hundreds of free-flight Australian budgies, Australian finches, cockatiels and princess parrots. Give your seed stick a shake, and a bird or two may even land on your arm or shoulder to have a nibble. Or, try out the new Zoo Grass! The budgies are lovin' this organic homegrown wheatgrass. You could even take some Zoo Grass home for your own pets!

What is a Budgie anyway?
Budgies, or budgerigars, are brightly-colored Australian birds that eat seeds. They are also known as parakeets here in the United States, but in the wilds of Australia these indigenous birds are everywhere. They do not occur naturally anywhere else in the world.


Budgies are very intelligent and adaptable birds. They are highly active birds and love to play with toys. Budgies are hookbills and crack open their seed to eat so they do not need grit as many of the older bird books write. Grit is made primarily from ground up minerals and sand. The purpose of grit is thought to help birds grind up difficult to digest items. By grinding, it is thought that these food items become better utilized by the bird. Since grit is mostly undigestible material, it will stay in the ventriculus, or gizzard, for months to years until it is passed in the stool. Grit is needed only by softbills such as canaries and finches.




What is Zoo Grass?
Zoo Grass is available seasonally at Budgies, and will also be back TOMORROW, Friday, April 2. You can take Zoo grass home for your own pets as well. It's a great way to interact with your animals (birds, cats, dogs and reptiles) at home using organic, non-toxic, conservation-minded fun! Even the container is 100% biodegradable made from straw and cocoa fibers. (So, please complete the cycle and dispose of the container in an earth-friendly way! You can compost it or simply bury it in your yard, where it will enrich your existing garden soil.) Shipping is not available for Zoo Grass as it is a perishable product. Additional Zoo Grass may be purchased at Thundergod Snack and Gift shop during regular business hours. Proceeds from Zoo Grass help support CMZoo Horticulture.

Cost
Seed sticks are $1 each
Zoo Grass is $3 per 3"square container

Budgie Fan Photo above by Andrea Linden. Share your photos with us too on our Facebook page.


Wild Budgie Flock