Zoo members give $75,000 to projects in Colorado Springs and worldwide

Colorado Springs, Colo. – Each year, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo members vote to select which CMZoo staff-championed conservation projects will receive funding. This year, $75,000 was allocated to support projects in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ecuador, Kenya, Laos, Vietnam, and right here, in Colorado Springs.

Since 2015, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo member conservation grants have provided $375,000 of membership revenue to support field conservation worldwide. These funds are contributed directly by the Zoo’s members, as a part of their membership fees.

“This funding allows us to stay nimble in supporting frontline conservation efforts,” said Dr. Liza Dadone, vice president of mission and programs at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. “Our legacy conservation partners, which receive support through our Quarters for Conservation funding, receive our long-term support. These staff-championed member-vote projects can support more emergent needs, like Save Vietnam’s Wildlife’s immediate need to care for 168 pangolins rescued from illegal wildlife trade.”

CMZoo members voted for their choice of eight nominated projects in March. The three projects that received the most votes received the full funding requested. Taking member votes and other indicators into consideration, a committee of CMZoo staff members determined how to distribute the remainder of the annual contribution.

“Our members are invested in these conservation efforts,” said Emmaline Repp-Maxwell, CMZoo membership manager. “This vote provides them the opportunity to help decide which projects receive funding that their membership fees support. By helping members connect with a specific cause, they realize their impact, and hopefully continue to take an interest in that cause. We work to help people make connections that inspire them to take action.”

The top three 2019 Member Conservation Vote winners, which will receive full funding, are:

African Lions – $3,000
A continued partnership, the Ewaso ‘Lion Kids Camp’ educates Kenyan children of pastoral families in ways to avoid lion predation of their livestock. Without the help of local communities, African lions could be extinct in the wild within 20 years. This funding will help support a youth camp designed to connect these children to the local wildlife and nature, encouraging them to protect and champion big cats.

Pollinator Gardens for Five Local Schools – $15,000
Pollinators, like butterflies, birds and bees, are incredibly important to a healthy habitat and help fertilize many of the plants, fruits and vegetables we enjoy. This program helps to teach students the importance of protecting pollinators by building a garden they nurture and grow. In 2018, members voted to support three Colorado Springs schools’ pollinator gardens, which are being established now, in 2019. Because CMZoo members voted this project in the top two for the last two years, CMZoo will offer an additional two grants, for a total of five new gardens, for $3,000 each. The region from which applicants may be considered will be expanded to include communities that neighbor Colorado Springs.

Mountain Tapir – $26,566
Found in Columbia, Ecuador and the far north of Peru, only 2,500 mountain tapir remain in the wild. CMZoo is one of two zoos in North America that this species calls home. A continuation of past monitoring projects, these funds would support the radio collaring of five additional tapirs in the wild, and collaboration with community education programs. This project, based in Ecuador, has already yielded important information regarding the movement, behaviors and territory of this critically endangered species. That data is vital in proving which areas of wilderness need protection if this species is to survive.

The remainder of the $75,000 grant fund was distributed to support three additional projects:

Save Vietnam’s Wildlife’s Emergency Pangolin Care – $5,000
Found in Africa and Asia, pangolins are the most trafficked animals in the world. Because they are also threatened by deforestation, all eight species of the pangolin are considered threatened with extinction (two of which are critically endangered). Save Vietnam’s Wildlife focuses on the recovery and release of native species confiscated in the illegal wildlife trade. This contribution is allocated for emergency funding to assist in the care of 168 recently confiscated pangolins, the largest group confiscated to date. These funds will help provide veterinary care until the pangolins are re-released.

Okapi Conservation Project – $15,000
Found in the heart of the Democratic Republic of Congo, and one of the most biologically diverse areas in all of Africa, okapi have only been known to science since 1901. Threatened by habitat destruction, mining, poaching and civil unrest, there may be as few as 10,000 left in the wild. Through the Okapi Conservation Project, this funding would support a community outreach program for World Okapi Day to promote local education and co-existence between okapi, their habitat and local villages. This project is co-supported by four other zoos.

Project Anoulak – $11,250
Based in the Annamite Mountains of Laos, Project Anoulak works to conserve and study wildlife in the Nakai-Nam Theun National Protected Area. One of the most important and biodiverse forests left in the region, it is threatened by unsustainable harvesting and farming practices, as well as illegal poaching. This funding will purchase the equipment needed to continue their critical conservation monitoring and research.

Of the $100,000 of conservation funding annually raised through membership revenue, $25,000 goes to Quarters for Conservation legacy projects and $75,000 goes to annual Member Conservation Vote grants.

About Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

Cheyenne Mountain Zoological Society was founded in 1926. Today, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, America’s mountain Zoo, offers comprehensive education programs, exciting conservation efforts and truly fantastic animal experiences. In 2019, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo was voted #6 Best Zoo in North America and CMZoo’s Rocky Mountain Wild was named #5 Best Zoo Exhibit in North America by USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. It is Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s goal to help guests fall in love with animals and nature, and take action to protect them. Of the 233 zoos and aquariums accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is one of the few operating without tax support. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo depends on admissions, membership dues, special event attendance and donations for funding.

Since 2015, the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Member Conservation Grants has provided $300,000 of membership revenue to support field conservation worldwide. Last year, members voted to fund projects from Central Asia to right here in Colorado. Once again, it is time for members to help CMZoo decide which staff-championed conservation projects will receive full funding.

It also allows the Zoo to support immediate needs that might not fit into our annual Quarters for Conservation donations. One such member-elected conservation effort was providing emergency care for radiated tortoises that had been confiscated from the pet trade in Madagascar. The emergency pangolin project up for vote this year is another example.

“These conservation grants help our Zoo support really impactful conservation projects around the world,” said Dr.Liza Dadone, vice president of mission and programs, and head veterinarian at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. “Most of the projects have a connection to species that live at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and often involve wildlife that are on the brink of extinction.”

A team of CMZoo employees forms the committee that spends months reviewing the staff-nominated conservation projects to select proposals with the greatest potential impact. The committee narrows the number of applicants down to a small group for the member vote. This year, there are eight projects for members to consider.

“It’s an amazing opportunity for members to make a direct positive impact in the wild because they get to vote on which grants get fully funded,” said Emma Repp-Maxwell, CMZoo membership manager. “It’s also a way for our staff to get support for conservation projects in our back yard and around the world.”

The three projects that receive the most votes will be fully funded. CMZoo will determine how to distribute the remainder of the annual $75,000 Member Conservation Grants among the remaining five projects.

Of the $100,000 of conservation funding annually raised through membership revenue, $25,000 goes to Quarters for Conservation legacy projects and $75,000 goes to these annual conservation grants.

“Our Zoo members are directly helping wildlife and make these conservation grants possible,” said Repp-Maxwell. “Every vote for these grants and every visit is directly helping our Zoo help wildlife.”

Learn about the individual staff-championed projects up for members’ consideration below, and click here to find out about becoming a Cheyenne Mountain Zoo member.

 

2019 CMZoo Member Vote Conservation Projects

African Lions – $3,000
A continued partnership, the Ewaso ‘Lion Kids Camp’ educates Kenyan children of pastoral families in ways to avoid lion predation of their livestock. Without the help of local communities, African lions could be extinct in the wild within 20 years. This funding would help support a youth camp designed to connect these children to the local wildlife and nature, encouraging them to protect and champion big cats.

Project Anoulak (white-cheeked gibbon, Asian otter, saola, etc.) – $11,250
Based in the Annamite Mountains of Laos, Project Anoulak works to conserve and study wildlife in the Nakai-Nam Theun National Protected Area. One of the most important and biodiverse forests left in the region, it is threatened by unsustainable harvesting and farming practices, as well as illegal poaching. This funding will purchase the equipment needed to continue their critical conservation monitoring and research.

Golden Lion Tamarin – $16,466
Urban expansion in their native Brazil has reduced golden lion tamarin habitat by 98 percent. While re-introduction programs have been successful, the survival of this species will rely on habitat restoration, protection and expansion. Through a local partner, these funds will support the planting and care of two acres of forest for three years. By connecting fragmented forests in protected areas and working with local communities, golden lion tamarins’ population and habitat will continue to grow and succeed.

Mountain Tapir – $26,566
Found in Columbia, Ecuador and the far north of Peru, only 2,000 mountain tapirs remain in the wild. CMZoo is one of two zoos in North America that this species calls home. A continuation of past monitoring projects, these funds would support the radio collaring of five additional tapirs in the wild. This project, based in Ecuador, has already yielded important information regarding the movement, behaviors and territory of this critically endangered species. That data is vital in proving which areas of wilderness need protection if this species is to survive.

Saola Working Group – $5,000
Found in the Annamite Mountains of Laos and Vietnam, the saola, nicknamed the ‘Asian unicorn,’ is one of the rarest large animals on earth. Scientifically discovered in 1992, their main threat is not deforestation, but commercial poaching and snare hunting. Because not much is known about this elusive species, this funding will purchase 25 camera traps to continue to monitor and research the forests they call home.

Pollinator Garden for Local Schools – $9,000
Pollinators, like butterflies, birds and bees, are incredibly important to a healthy habitat and help fertilize many of the plants, fruits and vegetables we enjoy. For the second year in a row, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo will provide pollinator grants to three local elementary schools for $3,000 each. This program will help teach students the importance of protecting pollinators by building a garden they nurture and grow.

Pangolins – $5,000
Found in Africa and Asia, pangolins are the most trafficked animals in the world. Because they are also threatened by deforestation, all eight species of the pangolin are considered threatened with extinction (two of which are critically endangered). Save Vietnam’s Wildlife focuses on the recovery and release of native species confiscated in the illegal wildlife trade. They are seeking emergency funding to assist in the care of 168 recently confiscated pangolins, the largest group confiscated to date. These funds would help provide veterinary care until they are re-released.

Okapi – $6,000
Found in the heart of the Democratic Republic of Congo, and one of the most biologically diverse areas in all of Africa, okapis have only been known to science since 1901. Threatened by habitat destruction, mining, poaching and civil unrest, there may be as few as 10,000 left in the wild. Through the Okapi Conservation Project, this funding would support a community outreach program for World Okapi Day to promote local education and co-existence between okapis, their habitat and local villages. This projected is co-supported by four other zoos.

Foster any animal and you’ll help Cheyenne Mountain Zoo continue to provide outstanding care. Whether given as a gift or used to celebrate a favorite species, symbolic adoptions come with a variety of benefits only adoptive parents can enjoy.

Ways to adopt your favorites:
  1. Digital Adoption – ($35) choose any Zoo animal from the full list provided below.
  2. Group Adoption – ($35+) pick a herd, chatter or family for your classroom or group, offered for certain featured animals below.
  3. Traditional Adoption – ($50+) choose any Zoo animal from the full list provided below.
  4. Wild Adopt Gift Packages – ($65) includes a cuddly plush, offered for many featured animals below.
  5. Gift any Adoption – ($35+) gifting any adoption is offered during check-out.

It’s no secret that Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is home to rare and unique animals. But, this month’s Animal Encounter features two CMZoo ambassador animals that are so extremely rare, that CMZoo is one of only two places in the nation where they can be seen. CMZoo’s mountain tapirs are two of only seven in the United States. Fewer than 2,000 exist in the world.

In addition to their rare presence, they have an unusual appearance. Their prehensile noses with long snouts, odd-and-even toed hooved feet and bear-shaped bodies look like something magical out of a children’s book. It’s not surprising that CMZoo’s mountain tapirs, Carlotta and Cofan (pronounced coe-FAWN), steal the heart of just about everyone who meets them.

Unlike their elusive wild relatives, Carlotta and Cofan are mostly calm, but have their playful moments. Cofan, a 15-year-old male tapir whose woolly fur is darker than his exhibit mate’s, is curious about new enrichment items and can sometimes be found splashing in the water feature in their exhibit. Carlotta, a 24-year-old female tapir is bigger than Cofan, and has a hole in her left ear (a common scar for female tapirs whose mates often bite their ears during breeding season). Carlotta likes water in moderation, too. One day, keepers found 360-pound Carlotta standing with all four feet in an 18-inch wide water bowl.

“Mountain tapirs are cool,” Michelle Salido, lead tapir keeper said. “They’re really interesting looking. Most people immediately think they’re a cross between a bear and an anteater, and you can see why.”

Mountain tapirs, from the Andes Mountains in Colombia, Ecuador and northern Peru, are one of four species of tapir. With the average female weighing about 400 pounds, they’re the smallest of the tapir species. Mature female tapirs usually weigh about 30 pounds more than adult males.

Carlotta and Cofan live down the path from Monkey Pavilion, in a mountain-inspired exhibit that they share with Muscovy ducks. In the wild, they live at between 6,000 and 12,000 ft. in elevation, so their high-altitude home on the Front Range is especially suitable.

“It’s estimated there are fewer than 2,000 mountain tapirs left in the world,” Salido said. “There are only seven in the United States at two zoos, so the fact that people can come and see them right here in Colorado Springs is a real privilege.”

Carlotta and Cofan were the last breeding pair in the U.S., but are no longer suitable for breeding because of Carlotta’s age.

CMZoo staff, thanks to support from Zoo members, works diligently to save mountain tapirs and their habitats south of the equator. Earlier this year, Salido and two other CMZoo staff members went to Ecuador for a second time to track and attach GPS collars to mountain tapirs.

The research is critical, given the limited number of animals left in the wild and the lack of available data about them. Salido said CMZoo’s mountain tapir conservation partner at Andean Bear Foundation (ABF) and Smithsonian National Zoo reported that the high-tech GPS collars collected more geo-data in a week than the previously used radio collars collected in five years. The team’s goal is to present complete data to organizations that can place land protections in the areas where tapirs most frequently roam.

“Their native habitats are being developed for pipelines, mining and agriculture. The tapirs living in those areas are considered a nuisance,” Salido said. “One morning we were there, it took a matter of hours to see the difference in habitat destruction going on in the forest. Seeing their habitat destroyed in front of my eyes made our work that much more important to me.”

Salido said the tapirs she tracked in the wild are much bigger than Carlotta and Cofan, so getting close enough to attach the collars was incredibly challenging, especially given the mountainous terrain and high altitude.

Another unique feature of the tapir is its feet. Ungulates – hooved animals – are usually either even-toed or odd-toed, but tapirs are the only ungulates to have four toes on both front feet and three toes on each back foot.

“They live on wet, steep inclines in the wild,” Salido said. “You can see how the ability for their hooves to spread and morph to the ground beneath them helps them better navigate difficult terrain. They’re wicked fast in the wild.”

Carlotta and Cofan are model ambassador animals, helping people form connections with animals whose species are threatened with extinction in this lifetime. One way they do that is by meeting guests up close and personal. Salido says every morning she greets these two ‘Labradors of the Zoo,’ as she calls them. She gives them a good chin scratch and armpit scratch, and they stick their legs out for more.

“These two are calm and gentle for the most part,” said Salido. “They love getting chin scratches. They’ll walk over and put their heads between the bollards so we can reach them. They go into a ‘tapir trance’ and get super relaxed. Cofan will close his big eyes and let his tongue hang out if you scratch him just right.”

Their appearance has earned them some unusual but endearing nicknames. They’re sometimes playfully called ‘snorkel pigs,’ referring to their long snouts and body shapes. Others call them ‘clown mouth tapirs,’ alluding to the white fur around their mouths – a feature that distinguishes mountain tapirs, also known as woolly tapirs, from the other four species of tapir.

CMZoo will continue working to protect mountain tapirs in the wild. To learn more about these rare mammals, swing by the Tapir exhibit to see Carlotta and Cofan at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.

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