Cape Vulture

In the last African Rift Valley post, we met our African black millipedes and learned about their important job as a scavenger. Have you seen any other scavengers in African Rift Valley? Maybe you have been to our Wings of Africa bird show and learned our Cape vultures are scavengers, too.

Vultures have a very important job in the ecosystem. They keep our planet clean, and help prevent disease from spreading to humans and animals. They are especially effective scavengers because their strong gastric juices kill harmful bacteria in their food. Vultures are also immune to many diseases, such as cholera, rabies, and anthrax.

Sadly, vultures are being poisoned in Asia and Africa at an alarming rate. The poison is used by farmers to protect their livestock from jackals & lions.  As obligate scavengers, vultures eat the poisoned carcasses and die. Vulture deaths are having a direct impact on humans and livestock, as disease is spreading. We need vultures to prevent this!

You can help vultures when you visit the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo by voting for vulture conservation at the Quarters for Conservation kiosk.

Next time we‘ll introduce you to a shy member of our African Rift Valley family who is a great impressionist!

African Black Millipede

The smallest resident in African Rift Valley is really quite big for being a bug. Okay, so African black millipedes (aka African giant millipedes) are not actually true bugs, but they do fall into the category of “creepy crawlies.” Unfortunately most bugs and other creatures with more than four legs fall into this category. Having four legs per body segment, millipedes are in their own unique group of animals and the African black millipede is the largest of all, growing up to 11 inches long!

As scavengers, millipedes have an important job of eating decaying plant matter and returning the nutrients back to the soil. They can’t really hurt humans unless they get scared, secreting a liquid irritating to our skin and eyes. This liquid helps defend them from being eaten by birds or meerkats. African black millipedes seem to know they are not very tasty and will often walk around the African Savannah in plain view during the early morning hours. If you go on a walking safari in South Africa, be sure to watch where you step so you don’t accidentally crush a giant millipede!

  

Can you think of any other scavengers who live in African Rift Valley at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo? Join us next time as we take you up close and personal with some birds that LOVE carrion!

Being Beary Safe

During our 24^th Annual Teddy Bear Days, our grizzly bears, Emmitt and Digger, got an opportunity to visit a non-bear proof campground. (No worries, the bears were still at home in their habitat, we just added a mock campground to one of their areas.) During this demonstration you saw the curiosity, strength, and intelligence of these animals. The two grizzly bears proceeded to find all food sources left within the campground, not leaving one stone or tent unturned. Needless to say, there was not much left for the campers to use once these two were done visiting.

In honor of Emmitt and Digger, we want to remind you of a few bear safety tips.

• If you encounter a bear, remain calm and avoid sudden movements. 

 

• If you see a bear but the bear doesn't see you, detour quickly and quietly.

• Never run from a bear! They will chase you and bears can run faster than 30 mph.

• Throw something onto the ground (like your camera) if the bear pursues you, as it may be distracted by this and allow you to escape.

• Remember a standing bear is not always a sign of aggression. Many times, bears will stand to get a better view.

Have a safe summer from your friends Emmitt and Digger!

Friday Cooking Demo - Labna Cheese

Ingredients

• 3 Coffee Filters
• Perforated Pan
• 1 Container Greek Yogurt (4 cups approximately)
• 2 TBSP. High Quality Olive Oil
• 1 tsp. Salt
• Juice and grated zest of lemon
• 1 TBSP. Chopped Thyme
• 2 TBSP. Chopped Mint

Directions

1. Mix all ingredients together well in a bowl.
2. Using coffee filters distribute the mixture evenly between three filters and twist the filter to form a "coin purse" shape. Tie off the coin purse at the top & place in a perforated pan.
3. Place another pan on top of the "coin purse" & place both containers in another to catch the liquid as it drips. Let the mixture set for 24-48 hours. During this process the liquid in the yogurt will slowly drip out & start to clump together forming a delicious cheese.

Yields 3.5 cups Labna Cheese

Your ARV Questions Answered