Meet CMZ’s Two New Meerkats

There are two new meerkats in Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s mob. Mojita and Kamikazi are new arrivals to the mountain. If you’ve visited the Zoo during Encounter Africa’s Work-in-Progress preview, you probably saw them in the new west meerkat exhibit. Some guests have asked if they moved over from the African Rift Valley mob, but they actually traveled much further to be at the Zoo.

They were born at the Knoxville Zoo in Tennessee. Mojita, the female, is short, a little round in the belly and has pink on her nose. Kamikazi, the male, is tall and slender. Both are three years old. They made their journey to Colorado in early March.

“They are more observant than our current mob members,” said Roxanna Breitigan, Animal Care Manager.  “They are very cautious and are frequently looking up for predators or at children who are watching them. They are very aware of what’s going on at all times.”

Animal keepers have also noticed that the new arrivals don’t dig as much as current Zoo meerkats, though they think that might change once they get comfortable with their habitat and with the other meerkats they’ve recently been paired with.

“Now that we have Mojita and Kamizazi, we have enough meerkats for three mobs,” said Breitigan .

The three new mobs were paired up last week. Mojita is with Scotty (CMZ meerkat born in 2005). They live in the Encounter Africa west meerkat exhibit.

“The hope is that they will be a breeding pair,” Breitigan said. “Scotty has the most experience with meerkat babies, as he was an older brother to a mob. We think he will be a good dad.”

Kamikazi was paired with Kalala (CMZ meerkat born in 2004). They will be a companion pair. The two could breed, but Kalala’s age makes it unlikely. They live in the original African Rift Valley meerkat exhibit. The remaining three male meerkats, Bomani, Akantse and Sekitimi, are living in the new Encounter Africa east meerkat habitat.

Next time you’re at the Zoo, stop and watch all three mobs, and see if you can identify who’s who and who’s new!

To read more stories from The Waterhole, or to keep up with the latest news, events, and behind the scenes happenings at the Zoo, sign up to receive e-newsletters: http://www.cmzoo.org/aboutZoo/pressBox/waterhole.asp

Our peacocks are in full bloom!

At Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, there are six members of the pheasant family that have been “shaking their tail feathers” a lot lately.  Our six male peacocks are sporting their full plumage, which only happens in spring/summer each year. This time of year, they frequently fan out their tail feathers and shake them with the “eyes” towards the sun as a mating ritual to attract peahens. They will keep these large feathers through mid-July at which time they will naturally shed them. Take an opportunity to admire these beautiful birds as they shake their beauty.

The term "peacock" is commonly used to refer to birds of both sexes. Technically, only males are peacocks. Females are peahens, and together, they are called peafowl. Indian peafowl, like the ones here, are the most common species of pheasants found in zoos. At Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, we have six male peacocks, three female peahens, and four peachicks that were born mid-July of 2012. The sex of chicks will not be determined until they are two years old. At that age, males start to grow their iridescent tail feathers. We also have one female black-shouldered peafowl. She is white and stands out in the crowd!

The free-roaming peafowl can be spotted throughout the Zoo. They are not migratory birds, so they stay with us all winter. They spend most of their time during the day walking on the ground, but they can fly. They often bunk in the tall Zoo trees at night, which keeps them safe from predators.  At this time of year, the peahens will find safe places throughout the property to nest and hatch their eggs.

Contrary to popular belief, their favorite food is NOT from the Grizzly Grill, although anyone who has eaten on the deck may have experienced their “begging” behavior. In fact, feeding them can be harmful to their health, so we ask that you keep your food out of their reach and don’t share your lunch with them. Our animal keepers provide all our animals, including our peafowl, a balanced and nutritious diet. Our keepers know that the birds have been begging guests for food when they won’t eat what is prepared for them. Like a child who eats too much candy, the peafowl need the care and vigilance of their keepers to maintain a healthy diet.

Other Fun Facts about Peacocks:

• A peacock’s tail feathers are more than 60 percent of the bird’s total body length.
• Peacocks have a crest, or crown, on top their head making them appear even more regal.
• In some cultures, the peacock is a symbol of pride or vanity, due to the way the bird struts and shows off its plumage.
• Even though peafowl are native to India, in the ancient cultures of Babylonia and Persia the peacock was seen as a guardian to royalty and was often used in engravings upon the thrones of royalty.
• Peacocks are ground-feeders that eat insects, plants and berries.

Fact source: Wikipedia 

Welcome Abuto!

Thanks to everyone who has come out this week to welcome our new male lion, Abuto. We thought you might like to know a bit more about our new star, so today’s blog is all about Abuto!

When he was born at the Reid Park Zoo in Tucson, AZ on July 28, 2011, animal keepers didn’t know he was there. As they reported on their Facebook page, “It was several days after Kaya (his mother) gave birth that we finally got a good look into the cubbing den. The third cub, another male, was a total surprise to us!” Because of this, they gave him a special name, which means "hidden."

At 350 pounds, it’s hard NOT to notice him now.

Abuto is curious and laid-back. He enjoys all kinds of enrichment, toys and training. This week, during his 10:30 a.m. enrichment, guests have hooted, giggled and smiled with delight. Watching him pounce on a zebra-striped barrel, bat at a large made-for-a-lion ball suspended from the ceiling, and lick tasty lion treats off the inside of a hollow log, is captivating. During the enrichment demonstrations and keeper talks, many guests have asked how Abuto got to our Zoo.

He arrived on the Colorado mountainside in January. Staff members stood outside in the snow and waited for the “king.” An extended-sized van pulled up around 9 p.m.

They gathered around as the door opened. Inside, a steel crate filled the entire back of the vehicle . Looking at it, you’d never know that it contained a lion – until it roared. The van rocked slightly from side to side as Abuto moved around. The six staff members transferred the crate out of the van and into the building.

Abuto spent the next few months in the Zoo’s quarantine building getting comfortable with his animal keepers while the new Encounter Africa lion building was being finished. Just a few weeks ago, he was moved to the new space.

On Monday and Tuesday, our Zoo’s four lionesses will join Abuto. At first, a mesh barrier will allow them to have protected “howdy” time, and once comfortable, they will be allowed more free contact with each other.

All five lions are scheduled to be introduced to their new Encounter Africa outdoor exhibit for the first time on July 4. Until then, you can look for our lion pride in the indoor “day room” of their new building - Abuto is the handsome one with the growing mane.  

The Painting Pony

At Cheyenne Mountain Zoo we have many artists. Our elephants, penguins and orangutans find painting an enriching part of their day. There’s also a new artist that is turning a few heads - Jose, an eight-year-old Arabian horse.

A pony that can paint is quite a sight. His paintings are Picassoesque with a modern flare. He isn’t the first painting horse, but currently, he’s the only pony painting at the Zoo.

Sunny and Rockette were Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s first painting ponies. After their retirement from giving pony rides, they were adopted out to a loving home, leaving no painting ponies at the Zoo. Diana Cartier, pony animal keeper, wanted other ponies to follow in their hoof prints, so she chose a horse with an artistic side.  

During Jose’s first training session, Diana rewarded him for simply holding a paintbrush in his mouth. After that, he was rewarded for holding the paintbrush for five seconds at a time. Soon he was holding the brush in his mouth, moving his head and returning the brush to Diana, so she could load it with paint for him. In four weeks, he was painting like Picasso.

Using apples and carrots for incentives, Jose has learned to not only paint but to smile, wave with his feet and bow. When you ask him if he is a good boy, he nods his head yes. But ask him if he’s been bad, and he will shake his head no.

“I think a lot of people underestimate how smart our Zoo horses are,” Diana said. “Hopefully seeing a pony that can paint will impress our guests.”

Be sure to visit Jose at his “day job,” which is giving children pony rides near Lodge at Moose Lake. While there, you can also view or purchase his works of art. Guests who book a Pony Birthday Party through the Zoo’s Education Department may have the opportunity to paint with Jose!  For more information about Pony Birthday Parties, visit http://cmzoo.org/kidsFun/birthdays/.

Meet Our Volunteers - Matthew and Malachi Curtis

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo would not be able to run efficiently without volunteers that support our efforts. We utilize their talents and dedication in almost every department and animal area in the Zoo. Over the next few months we will be introducing some of these passionate people and their stories to you.

Matthew (left) and Maliachi (right) Curtis

Matthew and Malachi Curtis have been volunteering at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo for two years. They have over 1,800 hours of service combined.  Within minutes of visiting with them it is apparent that, though soft spoken, they are extremely passionate about animals, volunteering and contributing their time.

“We’ve been volunteering for animal organizations for over 10 years,” Matthew said. “We started volunteering eight years ago in Charleston, South Carolina at a reptile rescue facility. Volunteering is a great learning experience, and it’s an important part of our lives.”

The brothers volunteer around the Zoo wherever they are needed. For events, they enjoy cheering on runners at Run to the Shrine, scooping ice cream at Teddy Bear Days and making vulture “vomit” (chocolate w/ nuts) at Vulture Awareness Day. Every Thursday and Friday morning, they work in the commissary sorting and weighing diets for our Zoo animals.

When asked what brought them to work in the commissary, Matthew spoke first. “I am legally blind,” Matthew said. “This gets me out of the house. Working in the commissary is quiet, peaceful and it’s a place I can focus on what I need to do without making mistakes. I can’t drive so Malachi has to drive me…”

Maliachi quickly chimes in, “I like to volunteer, too! I don’t just drive him.”

 “We love the Zoo,” Matthew said. “The staff is knowledgeable, friendly and professional. They take the time to work with you, and appreciate that we are here.”

Staff feels the same about them. “Matthew and Maliachi are fantastic guys,” Jamie Breitian, Commissary Manager said. “Honestly, I feel blessed to know them on a personal level. The Zoo is so fortunate to have them. They set the bar high for all other volunteers. They are the best.”