Meet the Stars of the Rainforest Review Show: Mangabeys

Mangabeys of Africa

Black-crested mangabeys are cool looking primates that come from the Congo region of Africa. Their dark black coats and spiky hairdos make them a must see animal at the Cheyenne Mountain zoo.

These amazing primates live in the mid-level forest canopy. They spend their day leaping from tree to tree or running along branches looking for food. When they come across a food source they must gather it quickly because there is lots of competition. They must also keep their eyes on the sky because the crowned hawk eagle might be looking for them. They have to be ready to run at a moments notice to avoid this predator. Nature has provided them with some unique adaptation that helps them meet the challenges of surviving in the wild.

Come to Monkey Pavilion and meet one of our resident Mangabeys during our Rainforest Review Show.
















His name is Tana and he was born at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo 19 years ago. He is the youngest of our three male mangabeys and is a very active primate. Tana loves to run around in his outdoor exhibit and forage through the grass looking for yummy treats. Keepers like to put sunflower seeds, cereal, and raisins in the grass so that Tana has hours of foraging time. When he has found all of his treats in the grass you may see him doing other foraging behaviors.


Mangabeys love to peel the bark off the trees in their exhibits with their teeth. This natural behavior is their way of looking for insects to eat. No matter what he is doing he is always fun to watch, so come on by Monkey Pavilion and see what Tana is doing today.

Meet the Stars of the Rainforest Review Show: Lemurs

Lemurs of Madagascar

We have three amazing lemurs in Monkey Pavilion and they all have different, cool behaviors to show you. Watch them leap through the air, balance on ropes and feed upside down. Our group of lemurs consists of two Ring-tailed lemurs and one Black and White Ruffed lemur. They are all wonderful creatures with fun personalities.

Our Ring-tailed lemurs are a father and son duo. The Dad is named Jimmy and he is 17 years old. His son’s name is Jabari and he is 4 years old. You can tell them apart by their eye color. Jimmy has dark brown eyes and Jabari’s are a lovely shade of yellow.

They are the best of friends and you will most often see them huddled close together sleeping or grooming each other. Jimmy is a great dad to Jabari and has taught him many things. Our Monkey Pavilion keepers tell us, “One time when some new foods were being introduced, Jabari did not know what to think. So he waited for Jimmy to try some of the new foods. Jimmy went over to the food and picked up a Brussels sprout. Jabari came over and sat right next to Jimmy. Jabari watched Jimmy for a minute then took the Brussels sprout away from him and began to eat it. It was amazing to watch the learning process.”


JIMMY


JABARI
Jimmy and Jabari share their habitat with a black and white ruffed lemur named Ozzy.


OZZY
Ozzy is 8 years old and one of the loudest calling primates in the building. He makes a low dog like screech, mixed with a high pitched scream that will amaze you. How could a sound like that come from such a cute, little, fuzzy creature? Ozzy is a very energetic guy and loves doing his show behaviors. His favorite treats are grapes, dates and figs. He will do his behaviors over and over again just to get his yummy rewards.



You can see the lemurs on exhibit in one of our three outdoor enclosures during the summer months. They love to sun themselves by lying on their backs in the grass. Or sometimes you can see the Ring-tails sitting in a Buddha like position getting sun on their bellies. The lemurs start our Rainforest review show at 11:30, so be sure to get a front row spot and see the lemurs do their cool behaviors.

Want an EASY way to support your Zoo? Join WILD FRIENDS monthly giving club!

If you join Wild Friends monthly giving club by June 30 at the $10/month level or higher, you will be entered to win a behind the scenes experience (valued at $250)! Would you like to meet Tahoma, feed melons to the hippos, or watch an orangutan paint, and help the Zoo care for over 700 animals at the same time? Then JOIN WILD FRIENDS TODAY!



With Wild Friends, the amount you specify is charged to your credit card once a month. That makes this program the "greenest" way to donate. It eliminates the need for checks and reduces administrative and fundraising costs—so your donation goes farther in supporting our animals!

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Don’t wait! Join WILD FRIENDS online!! Your animal friends will thank you.

Stargazer Series…1 down 2 to go! Don’t Miss Out!

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo kicked-off the summer Stargazer Series last Friday, June 18 with over 200 guests. We partnered with the Colorado Springs Astronomical Society, Cool Science and Science Matters for a fun-filled night of planet watching, glow-in-the-dark slime, and laser lights. Our own Katrina Bensen even came by with a couple of fruit bats to talk about these amazing “creatures of the night” and show us how cool they really are!



Don’t miss the next Friday evening Stargazing Series' at the Mountaineer Sky Ride.

SAVE THE DATES: Friday, July 23 and Friday, August 6 from 8 – 10 p.m.

Stargazing Series Solar Days COMING SOON too!
When: Sundays, July 11 and August 1
Time: 10 am - 1 pm
Cost: No additional cost, is a part of your regular Sky Ride Ticket price. $5 adults, $4 children 3-11, under 3 FREE.

View the sun through solar telescopes provided by Colorado Springs Astronomical Society! Join Cool Science to learn more about amazing solar science, see solar oven cooking demonstrations, meet animals who “soak up the sun” because they are ectothermic, and learn about solar energy as a valuable resource!

We hope to see you there!

Monkey Pavilion Presents “Rainforest Review”

The primates of Monkey Pavilion all have one very important thing in common… they are all from the RAINFOREST. You can find them in Madagascar, Africa, and South East Asia. Our resident lemurs, mangabeys and gibbons all have unique adaptations that help them survive in their rainforest habitats. The rainforest provides food and shelter for these animals. Unfortunately it is being destroyed at a rapid rate by logging and agriculture. These industries have left the forest in fragmented pieces and are unusable for the animal inhabitants.

As stewards of our environment it is up to us to save wild places for these animals and there is always something that we can do to help. You can live “green” by recycling, conserving natural resources, and buying environmentally safe products as a few examples. You can also help support organizations like the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo supports many conservation projects, like Project Simpona, an organization that is trying to save the Silky Sifakas Lemurs in Madagascar. The Simpona or Silky sifaka (Propithecus diadema candidus) is a rare and critically endangered species of lemur that is endemic to a very small mountainous area in Northeastern Madagascar.


Silky Sifakas Lemur in the wild.

Lemurs at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo


Ruffed Lemur


Ring-tailed Lemur

Q4C also supports the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). FSC was created to change the dialogue about and the practice of sustainable forestry worldwide. They work to protect rainforest habitat and they certify sustainably harvested wood.

Stop by Monkey Pavilion at 11:30 every day to see the Rainforest Review Show and learn more.


Monkey Pavilion Keeper, Joanna, outside at the lemurs.



Monkey Pavilion Keeper, Jeannette, getting a little help in the Rainforest Review show from one of our residents.