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Small Animals, Big Effort: Guinea Pigs’ Specialized Care Programs
From the tallest giraffe to the smallest axolotl, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is home to a diverse variety of animals with a common thread: the Zoo’s dedication to their care. Arguably, one of the most charming species at the Zoo is the guinea pig. In Water’s Edge: Africa, a vibrant muddle (a group of guinea pigs) . . .
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Winter is Coming: How Cooler Temps Impact African Penguins, Grizzly Bears and Mountain Lions
Shorter days and holidays are approaching. For many humans, that means unusual eating traditions, a shift in activity and an effort to maintain healthy habits. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo partners, Children’s Hospital Colorado, share advice for helping your family stay healthy during the holidays. At CMZoo, shorter days and cooler temperatures trigger changes to some animal . . .
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All About Alaska Moose Atka’s Amazing Antlers
Four-year-old Atka has grown impressive antlers this year, marking the end of the antler-growing season. Each year, male moose grow a new set of antlers. His antlers, once covered in velvet to help them grow, have now shed the fuzzy layer, revealing the iconic white antlers we associate with moose. Once his impressive antlers have . . .
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Jumbe, Eastern Black Rhino, Expands Treatment for Iron Disorder
Jumbe, a 21-year-old Eastern black rhino at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, continues to navigate a significant health challenge with the support of his care and veterinary teams. In May, a blood test revealed concerning iron saturation levels indicating a condition known as iron overload disorder. Despite the diagnosis, Jumbe remains in good spirits. He consistently interacts . . .
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Khalid, Breeding Bull Giraffe, Steps Up his Hoof Care Routine
Khalid, CMZoo’s 16-year-old breeding bull giraffe, may be considered aging for an intact male giraffe in human care. But, at 16, he’s tackling new training routines and locations with the enthusiasm, confidence and consistency of a much younger giraffe. The trusting relationships he has built with his keepers, along with the confidence he has in . . .
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Snap Up the Latest on American Alligators Tommy and Sally!
Australia Walkabout is home to two American alligators, Tommy and Sally. Both regularly participate in voluntary training sessions, including target and touch training, which allow the alligators to choose to participate in their health care while keepers perform general health checks. As ambush predators, alligators have unique adaptations that help them blend into their surroundings . . .
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Rhino Care Team Addresses Health Concern Revealed by New Diagnostics
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s 21-year-old Eastern black rhino, Jumbe, and his team are working together to address a new health concern for the 2,700-pound sweetheart. A recent routine blood test revealed iron saturation in his blood had risen to concerning levels. Jumbe seems to be feeling well, and he isn’t showing any clinical signs of discomfort. . . .
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Celebrate Ape Awareness Month with Clever Kera
The youngest ape in Primate World, 6-year-old Kera, puts the “I” in “independence,” according to Animal Keeper Izzy Dones, who works with Kera in Primate World. Kera is one of six orangutans in Primate World, and one of three Sumatran orangutans, along with her mom, Sumagu, and her dad, Baka-Keri. “I think her independence comes . . .
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CMZoo Keepers Initiate Programs to Help Amur Leopard Cubs Learn Vital Skills for the Future
Amur leopard brothers, Basha and Mango, are quickly growing in size and skill. The 9-month-old brothers are about the same size as their parents, Anya and Anadyr, and eagerly participate in fun enrichment and important training sessions. While there aren’t any current plans for Basha and Mango to leave CMZoo, their care team is working . . .
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CMZoo Partners on Giraffe Blood Type Study
If you’ve ever wondered if animals have blood types, you’re not the only one! The International Center for the Care and Conservation of Giraffe, at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (The Giraffe Center), recently teamed up with Dr. Lily Parkinson, clinical veterinarian at Brookfield Zoo Chicago, and several more giraffe care teams to help find out. Dr. . . .