Are you busy preparing your own epic feast this Thanksgiving? CMZoo’s commissary team prepares hundreds of meals every day for the animals in our care. Learn more about what goes into feeding and enriching our animals from our commissary manager, Chelsea!
The newest residents of Water’s Edge: Africa, Allagash’s twin lemur pups, have names! The three-month-old ring-tailed lemurs’ keepers have named the female youngster Anja (ON’-juh) and her brother Elo (EE-low).
“We picked the name Anja to honor a forest reserve in Madagascar where you can find the highest concentration of ring-tailed lemurs in the world,” said Erin Henninger, Water’s Edge: Africa keeper. “Ring-tailed lemurs are endangered in the wild, and we hope her name will help us bring awareness about lemur conservation, and what people can do at home to help save Anja’s wild counterparts.”
Anja’s brother, Elo, is also named for lemur conservation. In Malagasy, the native language in Madagascar, elo means umbrella. Ring-tailed lemurs are an umbrella species, which means conservation efforts for their species typically help protect the other species sharing their ecosystem.
In the wild, lemurs are facing extinction due to habitat loss and a growing desire to own lemurs as pets. By purchasing wood and paper products that have the Forest Stewardship Council’s (FSC) label, lemur lovers can rest assured they’re not contributing to unsustainable logging practices that impact many species’ native forests. Although lemurs are adorable, they’re best cared for by organizations that know how to house this very social species in groups, with specialized care and programs aiming to save this species in the wild. Visiting lemurs at organizations accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums is a great way to connect with lemurs without negatively impacting their wild populations.
Anja and Elo, along with their cousin, Maky, their mom, Allagash, their dad, Hercules, and their aunt, Rogue, are doing a superb job of helping CMZoo guests fall in love with their loveable species. The Zoo’s hope is that by making connections with our conspiracy (a group of lemurs), guests will take action to protect them in the wild.
“Anja and Elo are getting more and more independent every day,” said Henninger. “They are bundles of energy and it’s not unusual to see them zooming around the island with their six-month-old cousin, Maky. They like to jump and run around their trees and still jump on their mom, Allagash, who is really patient with their adorable antics. We’ve also seen them playfully sneak up behind their dad, Hercules, to pull on his dangling striped tail and then scurry away quickly, like they’re ringing a doorbell and running away. He knows it’s them and doesn’t seem to mind their little game.”
When they’re not pouncing from limb to limb or climbing on each other and their relatives, Anja and Elo can often be seen in a lemur cuddle puddle. Between all that zooming, naps are important. The six lemurs like to pile up in one hammock for an extra snuggly sleep. The twins have also started ‘sun worshipping’ like their older relatives.
“The lemurs love to climb up to the very top of the trees on Lemur Island in the morning to sun themselves,” said Henninger. “They face the sun and sit with their arms open, relaxed on their knees, with their paws palm-up, like a yoga pose. We’ve seen the twins mirroring the behavior in a very exaggerated pose with both of their arms extended way above their heads. It’s pretty cute to see them embracing those instincts, but not quite perfecting the pose just yet.”
The twins can be difficult to tell apart, but keepers say Anja’s forehead markings make an inverted widow’s peak, like her mom, Allagash. Elo’s dark fur above his eyes is more like a straight-across bowl cut, like his aunt, Rogue. Elo has longer tufts of fur on his ears than his sister. Anja is smaller than her brother and her tail isn’t as fluffy as Elo’s. Anja’s gray fur on her body is lighter than Elo’s.
“Both babies have bold personalities, but Anja seems more outgoing with keepers and has been more independent than Elo from a young age,” said Henninger. “He’s more of a mama’s boy, which is sweet. When they were still hanging on their mom all the time, Anja more often ventured off of mom to approach the rest of the group.”
Guests can see all six lemurs on their lush, green island in the middle of the hippo pool, indoors and outside, right away. Next time you’re at Water’s Edge: Africa, look out for the fast-moving twins and their family, bouncing around or enjoying a cuddle together.
One the of many benefits of living at the Zoo is our animals’ access to round-the-clock expert veterinary care. Combined, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s veterinary team has more than 100 years of experience in the veterinary field. The team of six brings an extensive background in animal medicine, conservation, research, education, animal husbandry training and clinical practice to the hundreds of animals that live at the Zoo. From elephants to axolotls, their passion for animals of all shapes and sizes is a driving force at CMZoo.
Just like humans, animals get varying levels of medical care. Depending on what a person needs, they might go to their primary care team, or an urgent care or emergency care center. Our partner, Children’s Hospital Colorado has human tips on how to choose the best level of care based on what’s going on.
At CMZoo, the veterinary team works closely with keepers and animal care managers to provide varying levels of care, too.
“Our goal is to provide the best medical care available for our animals, and to care for them in a way that helps them feel in control and confident,” said Dr. Jon Romano, CMZoo head veterinarian. “Unlike human doctors, we can’t explain to our patients what kind of care they need. Animal care teams work with animals to participate in voluntary husbandry training, which means the animals get positive reinforcement – like treats – for doing a behavior we ask of them, and that allows us to care for them with their participation.”
Through husbandry training, animals can receive routine care, like blood draws, vaccinations or x-rays, in their homes. With mobile veterinary equipment and special exhibit ports that allow our vet team to safely access animals, the scene is set for successful, low-stress diagnostics.
“When we’re working with an animal that could potentially be dangerous, we always put our staff safety first,” said Dr. Romano. “Our maintenance team has built ports into many of the animal exhibits, which allow us to draw blood from a grizzly bear’s paw or from an African lion’s tail, for example. Those voluntary blood draws help us track an animal’s health routinely, or address any concerns their care team might have.”
Abuto, CMZoo’s 10-year-old African lion patriarch, deals with ongoing kidney issues. Because of his trusting relationship with keepers and his voluntary trained behaviors, Abuto’s team can give him subcutaneous fluids if he’s not feeling well, right there in his home. They can also track his kidney levels through routine voluntary blood draws. Giraffe, elephants and many more animals at the Zoo participate in voluntary blood draws. With testing equipment at the CMZoo clinic, the veterinary team can get fast results from those blood tests and start treating an animal quickly.
When BB, CMZoo’s one-year-old reticulated giraffe calf was born in September 2020, the team saw her front legs were more bent than usual. To make sure BB wasn’t dealing with something more serious than tight ligaments (which corrected themselves in a few weeks), her animal care team brought the clinic to BB, in the giraffe barn.
“Because BB was only a couple of days old, we were able to safely go into to the stall with her to take blood draws and x-rays of her legs with our mobile equipment,” said Dr. Romano. “Being able to diagnose BB quickly, in her own home, and with as little stress as possible, was a huge benefit to BB. And, it meant that she was only separated from her mom for a few minutes so we could check on her.”
Thankfully, BB turned out to be just fine, but the diagnostics gave the vet team immediate answers about any treatments she may have needed. Once the veterinary team has diagnosed an issue, they can often treat it on-site.
“Our veterinary hospital is equipped for us to house an animal that needs consistent monitoring, or temperature control, or needs to be separated from its group to receive care,” said Dr. Romano. “We can also perform procedures that require animals to go under anesthesia. We try to avoid that as much as possible because anesthesia always presents a risk. Because we can perform more involved diagnostics here at the Zoo hospital, they’re under anesthesia for a shorter time than if we had to transport them somewhere else, which reduces that risk somewhat.”
These procedures take place at the Zoo in the clinic’s treatment room, which houses anesthesia machines for all sizes of patients, and monitoring equipment including heartrate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure. Juju, CMZoo 40-year-old Western lowland gorilla, recently benefitted from a diagnostic procedure at the vet clinic and has since recovered well.
There are many aspects to providing the best possible care for the animals who live at the Zoo. The veterinary team’s expertise, the hospital and mobile equipment, voluntary animal training, exhibit modifications, and keepers’ personal relationships with their animals all benefit the animals in their care.
More than 50 acres of twinkling lights, over 60 artisan-made light sculptures, breathtaking nighttime city views and the nearby sound of roaring African lions can only mean one thing in Colorado Springs: Electric Safari is back. This year, CMZoo is taking it to another level with the additions of light displays synchronized to music and giant illuminated animal inflatables that make a perfect backdrop for unique holiday photos with friends and family. Make plans now to see why Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s Electric Safari was voted third best Zoo Lights in the nation by USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards in 2020 and 2019. Tickets go on sale Tuesday, Nov. 2 at 9 a.m. MT at cmzoo.org/electric.
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s 31st annual month-long celebration of the season will begin Friday, Dec. 3 through Sunday, Dec. 5, and continues Friday, Dec. 10 through Saturday, Jan. 1. On Friday, Dec. 24, Christmas Eve, Electric Safari is closed, but the Zoo is open for daytime admission from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming our members and guests back to this Colorado Springs holiday tradition, and we can’t wait for everyone to see the brand-new musical light displays and larger-than-life illuminated inflatable animals,” said Amanda Ulrich, CMZoo special events manager. “Our amazing grounds and maintenance teams work for four months to light up the Zoo for our community. We’ve been working hard to prepare for Electric Safari and to continue improving the event. I can’t wait to see the joy on everyone’s faces as they bundle up and explore our magical winter wonderland!”
Electric Safari admission is free for CMZoo members. Advance timed e-tickets are required for members and non-members. As a way to thank CMZoo members, they and their accompanying paying guests are granted early admission from 4 to 5 p.m. General admission is from 5 to 7:30 p.m. and the event ends at 8:30 p.m. Guests have a 30-minute entry window, beginning at the time they select when reserving tickets, and are then welcome to stay until the event ends. On Electric Safari dates, the Zoo closes for daytime admission at 3:30 p.m. to prepare for Electric Safari. All parking for Electric Safari will be on-site at the Zoo.
“One of my favorite parts of the event is seeing kids’ faces light up when they see Santa,” said Ulrich. “There’s usually a happy gasp followed by, ‘There’s Santa!’ when they first spot him. Santa has been attending this event for many years, and he loves to take time talking to our guests and posing for holiday photos.”
Kris Kringle will be in Safari Lodge through Dec. 23 to hear holiday wishes, collect lists and pose for free photos (just bring a camera!). The Mountaineer Sky Ride will be open (be in line for the Sky Ride by 7:30 p.m.; $3 per ticket; free for guests 2 and under; weather permitting) to provide incredible once-a-year views of the nighttime glow of Colorado Springs’ holiday lights as a backdrop from the mountainside of dancing and twinkling lights.
Electric Safari wouldn’t be complete without visits with CMZoo’s animals! Most animal exhibits are open, and guests can enjoy feeding the world famous 17-member giraffe herd in their warm barn for $3 per lettuce bundle, or $5 for two bundles. Guests can also walk through the lights and displays while visiting animals in Water’s Edge: Africa (where they can visit CMZoo’s 4-month-old hippo calf, Omo, and his mom, Zambezi, his aunt, Kasai, and his dad, Biko) the elephant and rhino barn, African lions, Rocky Mountain Wild (except grizzlies), Asian Highlands, Scutes Family Gallery, The Loft, and Australia Walkabout. Primate World is closed during nighttime events.
Grizzly Grill, Cozy Goat, Pizza with a View, Elson’s Place and the gift shop will be open to serve food and beverages. Outdoor heaters throughout the Zoo help keep visitors warm in between the indoor animal exhibits.
Electric Safari is sponsored by Children’s Hospital Colorado, Colorado Springs Pediatric Dentistry, Raising Cane’s, your Colorado Springs Toyota dealers and US Bank. For more information and to reserve required advance e-tickets starting Nov. 2, visit: cmzoo.org/electric.
CMZoo’s four Nile hippos, Zambezi, Omo, Biko and Kasai, have had a busy summer and fall! If you’ve been following our newsletter updates and social media channels, you know that our three-month-old hippo, Omo, and his mom, Zambezi, have been bonding well and exploring all of the hippo spaces in Water’s Edge: Africa, while Omo grows like a weed. Zambezi’s sister, Kasai, and Omo’s dad, Biko, have also been staying busy meeting other Water’s Edge: Africa residents, participating in training and enrichment, and exploring their hippo home’s various yards and pools. Get the latest on our hippos with Water’s Edge: Africa keeper, Al, in this quick video update.
It’s been a year since our mountain lions moved in together, so join us for an update with Adira, Sitka and Koda! We’ll show you around their three yards and take a little hike up above their exhibit to get up-close with the three young lions. Rocky Mountain Wild Lead Keeper, Courtney, tells us how to identify each lion, why they came to live at the Zoo, and a little about their unique behaviors and preferences. Then, we’ll watch how they respond to their festive pumpkin enrichment.
Colorado Springs has a robust community of homeschooling families, and Cheyenne Mountain Zoo has some new and exciting education opportunities for supplemental learning! Hands-On Homeschool offers unique curriculum and activities for seasoned homeschoolers, or those who are just getting started.
CMZoo’s monthly Hands-On Homeschool programs focus on Colorado Department of Education school science standards through inquiry-based, hands-on exploration, and investigation of wild animals and wild places. Programs include curriculum-based experiential learning that focuses on a nature- and/or animal-related topic.
This drop-off program is not only designed for students to connect with animals and the Zoo, but to each other as well. Adults are encouraged to explore the Zoo on their own, or take advantage of the 3-hour class to enjoy a little “me time.” Our Zoo staff will provide a safe, welcoming and educational environment for students of all ages to engage.
Every program is designed to be age appropriate and therefore splits into two different age groups: first through fifth graders and sixth through eighth graders. All programs include Zoo admission for the student, activities and up-close meet-and-greets with an animal ambassador.
The next theme for sixth- to eighth-grade students explores the wonderful features of some of the Zoo’s oddest and most unique species. From axolotls’ external gills to emus’ double feathers, students are sure to be captivated by their new knowledge. Stay tuned for the next theme for first to fifth graders!
Registration is required for all Hands-On Homeschool programs, and space is limited in these small-group programs. Visit cmzoo.org/homeschool to get more information or to register. If you are interested in customizing your very own Hands-On Homeschool program, please email [email protected].
TRICK-OR-TREAT AND VISIT THE ANIMALS DURING SEVEN NIGHTS OF HALLOWEEN FESTIVITIES – Cheyenne Mountain Zoo will feel the Halloween spirit when little ghouls and goblins attend Boo at the Zoo, starting Saturday, October 16, 2021. This Colorado Springs Halloween tradition is a fun way for families to trick-or-treat and enjoy Halloween festivities in a unique environment. Boo at the Zoo is Oct. 16-17, 23-24, and 29-31 from 4 to 8:30 p.m. Advance timed e-tickets are required and available at cmzoo.org/boo.
In addition to visiting select animal exhibits and trick-or-treating, frightfully fun attractions include a lighted pumpkin patch, a kid-friendly spooky haunted house, Ghoulish Graveyard and Pirates Cove. Attendees can also enjoy rides on the Mountaineer Sky Ride, weather permitting. The Sky Ride provides breathtaking views of Colorado Springs at night and a lift to two additional trick-or-treat stations at the top.
An elephant-sized amount of candy (4.5 tons) will be handed out at trick-or-treat stations throughout Boo at the Zoo. The Zoo’s candy supply is purchased from companies that are members of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), which is committed to the use of sustainable palm oil and the protection of orangutan habitats in the wild. To find your own Halloween candy that’s orangutan-friendly, download CMZoo’s sustainable palm oil shopping guide at cmzoo.org/palmoil.
The Zoo will close for daytime admission on Boo nights at 3 p.m. Boo at the Zoo will go on, rain, snow or shine. As an all-weather venue, refunds and exchanges will not be honored for weather-related reasons. Be sure to bundle up on cold nights and enjoy a Colorado evening on the mountain!
SELECT ANIMAL EXHIBITS ARE OPEN, INCLUDING:
– African Rift Valley giraffe building
– African lions
– Australia Walkabout Budgie Buddies and wallaby building
– Encounter Africa elephant/rhino barn
– Goat Experience
– The Treehouse in My Big Backyard
– The Loft
– Scutes Family Gallery
– Water’s Edge: Africa
RESTAURANTS OPEN DURING BOO AT THE ZOO
– Grizzly Grill
– Pizza with a View
– Elson’s Place
– Cozy Goat (beverages only)
COSTUME REQUIREMENTS
For the safety of all guests, full-face costume masks and costume weapons may not be worn by guests 12 years of age or older. Masks worn by guests 11 years of age and younger must have openings that allow the eyes to be seen and that do not obstruct peripheral vision. Balloons are not allowed inside the Zoo (even as part of a costume) for the safety of our animals and wild animals.
TRICK-OR-TREAT BAGS
Support the Zoo’s efforts to reduce waste by bringing your own trick-or-treat bags!
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Volunteers are crucial to the success and safety of Boo at the Zoo. Positions include handing out or delivering candy, directing traffic and staffing the haunted house. All volunteers must be at least 13 years old. Volunteers ages 13-17 must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or school advisor at all times. We will not assign specific positions until the evening of the event. Curious about volunteering for Boo at the Zoo? Visit cmzoo.org/boo.
FAST FACTS
Boo at the Zoo at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Dates: Oct. 16-17, 23-24, 29-31, 2021
4 to 8:30 p.m.
Advance timed e-tickets are required
www.cmzoo.org/boo
Boo at the Zoo is possible thanks to our generous partners, Black Bear Diner, Children’s Hospital Colorado, Colorado Springs Pediatric Dentistry, Earl & Earl Attorneys at Law, GFL Environmental, Les Schwab Tire Centers, and your Colorado Springs Toyota dealers, Larry H. Miller Toyota Colorado Springs and Larry H. Miller Liberty Toyota Colorado Springs.
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 2021, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo was voted #4 Best Zoo in North America and CMZoo’s Rocky Mountain Wild was named #3 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 241 zoos and aquariums accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is one of very few operating without tax support. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo depends on admissions, membership dues, special event attendance and donations for funding.
Join us for an update on one-year-old Alaska moose, Atka! Fall is a busy time for a moose, because they finish growing their antlers and enter ‘rut,’ which is breeding season in the wild. At the Zoo, we mimic the wild environment by giving Atka lots of items to spar with. Male moose, like Atka, would spar with other males for territory or female attention in the wild. Once breeding season is over, wild moose tend to go their separate ways, so Atka doesn’t share his space with other moose at the Zoo.
If you’ve missed our #AtkaAntlerUpdates this year, you might be wondering why he’s sporting a one-sided look this year. In June, young Atka knocked one of his antlers off, so his 2021 antlers are quite unique looking. In the next few months, Atka will shed his first set of antlers. Next spring, he’ll start growing a new set, and that cycle will continue throughout his life. Learn more at Atka and see his antler updates on his playlist, here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUd9bK-IbrIPyGTBSj3cxYeR6r-kz57I1.
September was a big month for our quickly growing Nile hippo calf. He got a name, explored new spaces and tried new foods. One thing didn’t change for young Omo, though: his love for naps.
Join Water’s Edge: Africa keeper, Grace, for an update on our two-month-old calf, and hear about how Omo’s following in mom’s footsteps literally and figuratively. Zambezi is a confident hippo, and her little boy is showing signs he’ll be just the same!
Check out Omo’s complete video playlist, here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUd9bK-IbrIMxpwuRlrLaZfU4fFwB9cPG.