Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Author at CMZoo

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s dedicated team of black-footed ferret conservationists are helping rewrite the narrative of recovery from extinction, one litter at a time. Following last year’s record number of kits born, program-wide in over a decade, CMZoo’s conservation team is celebrating its own record year, and trying something new.

This summer, CMZoo welcomed the most black-footed ferret (BFF) kits born in a single season: 37. It could have been luck. It could have been the crisp mountain air and a snowy winter. Or, it could have been the multiple-partner breeding trial.

“We’re trying to replicate opportunities observed in nature, when female black-footed ferrets mate with multiple mates within the same breeding window,” Jeff Baughman, field conservation coordinator at CMZoo, says. Jeff has been part of CMZoo’s black-footed ferret and Wyoming toad breed-and-release programs for more than 20 years. “Mixed paternity litters are not unheard of in various species in the wild. But, this is the first time we have tried it at CMZoo. We want to learn if it’s possible for black-footed ferret mothers to whelp kits by different fathers in the same litter.”

BFFs are induced ovulators, meaning the act of breeding triggers ovulation which lasts around 72 hours. In the past, a female has been paired with a suitable male for the full 72 hours. In this trial, a female is paired with a male for the first 24 hours, then a different male for the next 24 hours, and a third male for the last 24 hours.

BFFs have incredibly few breeding opportunities. Females are only typically reproductive from 1 to 4 years old, and they only breed once per year – in that 72-hour window.

The team hopes to run paternity tests on the kits by mid-August, because their genetics play a role in deciding which kits go to boot camp for potential eventual wild release. It’s not just for all of the potential Maury Povich ‘you are the father!’ puns, which will be admittedly hard to resist. If this trial shows that females can have mixed paternity litters, this method could be a new tool for increased diversity in critically endangered species over time.

Conservation is a commitment, a collaboration and a healthy compromise. There are many partners involved in the efforts to help BFFs recover in the wild. Led by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Black-Footed Ferret SAFE (Saving Animals From Extinction) and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is one of only five zoos in the world supporting black-footed ferret recovery. Partners at Toronto Zoo, Louisville Zoo, Phoenix Zoo and Smithsonian Conservation and Biology Institute along with the USFWS National Black Footed Ferret Breeding and Conservation Center just outside of Fort Collins, Colo., are actively involved in breeding, genetic tracking, releasing and advocating for the little weasels.

“We’re all passionate about it and when we agree, as a collective, to change methods or try new things, it’s definitely a process,” says Jeff. “Some people wonder why we invest so much energy to saving this species. They’re not only cute; they’re vital in helping secure healthy prairie ecosystems, right here in Colorado and across North American prairies.”

BFFs are predatory prey, so their environmental role is to help control prairie dog populations while occasionally being a food source to owls, coyotes and badgers. Designated BFF reintroduction sites are managed for fleas that can transmit plague, which supports healthy prairie dog populations. This safeguards all of the other prairie species that rely on prairie dogs (a keystone species) as well. Black-footed ferrets are rare and important because they serve the ecosystem up and down.

Native to prairies stretching from Mexico to Canada, BFFs were thought to be extinct until the 1980s. During Western frontier explorations in the early 1900s, cargo ships from Europe and Asia inadvertently brought sylvatic plague to North America. The spread of the plague bacteria by fleas among prairie dogs (and other animals), combined with poisoning and eradication programs led by newly settled farmers and ranchers who saw prairie dogs as pests, drastically reduced the prairie dog population. Because prairie dogs are their main food source, BFF populations declined dramatically along with them.

On Sept. 26, 1981, a ranch dog named Shep caught a BFF. Shep’s catch led to the discovery of a small population of the elusive animals in Meeteetse, Wyoming. Since then, zoos, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, National Black-footed Ferret Conservation Center and other organizations have banded together to breed, prepare, release and monitor BFFs to increase the population.

Since 1991, when CMZoo’s BFF breed-and-release program began, 647 kits have been born on the mountain. Some of the most genetically diverse kits stay in human care, as part of the breeding program, so they can pass on their underrepresented genes to another generation. Others go to boot camp, to see if they can cut it in the wild. Of those, some are released and some – who do not prove they can hunt, seek shelter and protect themselves in the wild – return to serve their species as ambassadors in zoos and other educational settings. Numbers fluctuate, but recent reports estimate 350 BFFs are thriving in the wild, thanks to this program.

“It’s exciting to have been involved with this program for so long, and now to be able to do preliminary trials that could teach us how we can best support black-footed ferret wild recovery,” Jeff says. “Who knows? When the paternity results come back, we could find out it was just a really good breeding year, and there weren’t any mixed paternity litters. That’s part of the excitement of a trial. What’s next remains to be seen, and we will stay inspired to continue helping restore this species to our wild prairielands.”

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Each year, in the quiet depths of Pike National Forest, near Woodland Park, Colorado, a tiny and mysterious owl species settles in for the spring and summer to welcome a new generation to the world. Thanks to the support of Cheyenne Mountain Zoo members, CMZoo staff recently adventured into their hidden forest habitat to contribute to a 40+-year study of flammulated owls.

Researchers hope member-funded location trackers will help them learn more about the migratory mysteries of these owls. That information could help establish protections for the habitats they need to breed, raise young, and make their incredible annual journeys from southern Mexico and Central America to the U.S. and southern Canada and back.

The initiative is in partnership with Dr. Brian Linkhart, a seasoned researcher with over 40 years of experience studying flammulated owls in Colorado, and professor of organismal biology and ecology at Colorado College, where he teaches courses in ornithology, ecology and field biology. CMZoo’s role was to supply member-funded state-of-the-art Motus trackers to attach to ten adult flammulated owls under Dr. Linkhart’s direction. These tiny, lightweight devices are pivotal in monitoring the owls’ movements as they navigate thousands of miles each year.

Flammulated owls are listed as ‘least concern’ by the International Union for the Conservancy of Nature. While owl numbers seem stable in Colorado study sites, their low reproductive rates and association with older forests raises questions about the stability of owl populations throughout their range, so now is the time to protect their populations. They face numerous threats during their migratory journeys, including habitat loss, pesticide exposure, and collisions with human-made structures. Understanding their migration routes is crucial for pinpointing key stopover and breeding sites and advocating for habitat preservation.

The project builds upon CMZoo’s commitment to migratory bird conservation, with the recent installation of Motus towers at CMZoo and Fountain Creek Nature Center. These towers, also funded by members through the 2023 Member Conservation Vote, are part of a vital international network that tracks the movements of various bird species wearing Motus tags, providing invaluable data for conservation efforts across the world.

Two groups of CMZoo staff members joined the conservation field trips on Mon., July 15 and Thurs., July 18. The Monday group went during the day to see Dr. Linkhart’s work monitoring fledgling flammulated owlets and attach identifier bands to the young owls. The Thursday group ventured out at dusk to carefully secure adult flammulated owls, and attach the Motus trackers to them. ‘Flammula’ means ‘little flame,’ referring to the owls’ distinctive rust-colored feather patterns. These field trips lit a big flame of passion for owl conservation among CMZoo staff.

Jaymee Dietz, CMZoo veterinary technician, was part of the Monday group, and she was on the committee who evaluates the staff-championed conservation projects that members consider for support.

“We weren’t sure we’d find any owlets, but our hearts skipped a collective beat when Dr. Linkhart climbed up a tree and brought two tiny owls down, still all fluffy with some of their downy feathers” Jaymee says. “We got there just at the right time, because they were old enough to be banded and they were ready for their first flight out of the nest, probably that night. We were sitting in this silent forest, trying so hard to quiet our excitement as we worked on the little guys. Seeing them in person was so inspiring. My passion for protecting owls is at an all-time high, and I’m excited to share that with the members who made this possible.”

In addition to banding the fledglings, the team assisted as Dr. Linkhart collected crucial biological data such as weight, sex and feather measurements. While the second group wasn’t able to capture any adult flammulated owls to attach tags to this time, Dr. Linkhart will be present at the field site in the coming days and months to deploy the Motus tags.

“It’s possible that the Motus towers, also funded by members, at CMZoo and Fountain Creek Nature Center, could help track the movements of some of the owls wearing the member-funded Motus trackers,” says Nicole Chaney, CMZoo conservation and sustainability coordinator. “We’ll be keeping a close eye on those towers this fall, when the owls start heading south again for winter.”

With the Motus Wildlife Tracking System (Motus), unassuming towers and tiny bird ‘backpacks’ – the trackers – work together to collect ongoing data via radio telemetry. The lightweight and unobtrusive tracking ‘backpacks’ come in a variety of sizes fit for birds, bats and butterflies – and some are even solar powered. Conservationists just need to catch a bird once to attach a tracker that ‘pings’ the towers when it flies by.

Birders have tracked bird movements for decades by banding and releasing individual wild birds and hoping to catch them again later to document their ages and locations. While it is and has been a beneficial science, it provides data based on single moments in time, rather than providing a full picture of a bird’s migration and movements. The towers are peppered across North, Central and South America and in several parts of Europe, Australia, Africa and Asia. Because data from each tower is shared, researchers can track the entire journey of a single bird.

“CMZoo members play a critical role in shaping our conservation priorities,” Nicole says. “Through their support, we can fund projects like the flammulated owl study, which not only advance scientific knowledge but also inspire future generations of conservationists. The Member Conservation Vote allows us to focus on local, native efforts, and we’ve seen members respond to those projects by voting them the top-supported efforts over the last five years.”

Each spring, CMZoo members cast their votes to help the Zoo decide how to spend $75,000 of membership revenue to support conservation projects championed by CMZoo staff, like this one.

Every membership and every visit to the Zoo is conservation in action. From 2015 to 2024, including this year’s contributions, the Member Conservation Vote has provided $750,000 of membership revenue to support field conservation worldwide.

Each year, a total of $100,000 of membership revenue support conservation in two ways:

$25,000 to the Quarters for Conservation program, which has raised more than $5 million for CMZoo’s legacy conservation partners around the world, in conjunction with funds raised through non-member Zoo admissions.
$75,000 to projects voted for by CMZoo members through this annual vote.

“Conservation is a collective effort,” Nicole says. “Together with our members and community partners, we can all help protect Colorado’s natural heritage and the remarkable creatures that call it home.”

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ATTENDEES CAN ENJOY SIX LOCAL MUSICIANS, UNLIMITED SMALL PLATES, ANIMALS AND INCREDIBLE MOUNTAINSIDE VIEWS – Cheyenne Mountain Zoo will kick off its three-date 21-and-up summer event series, Tails, Tunes & Tastes, from 6 to 9:30 p.m. on Thurs., July 25. Up on the mountain, the evenings are cool, and this event lineup is even cooler.

There’s nowhere else you can hand-feed a giraffe, have a drink, try a unique food menu, enjoy live music and watch the sunset from the mountainside. This truly unique event is perfect for a girls’ night out, summer work get-together, unique birthday celebration or date night.

The Zoo’s in-house catering team, Taste, provides the small plates. Executive Chef John Kuespert has created a mouthwatering menu for July. Small plates will include chicken & waffles, shrimp rangoon, vegetarian pesto flatbread, beef sliders, vegan buffalo cauliflower, pork posole croquette, tuna poke, peach cobbler fritter, black forest tart and more.

Tickets are $64.75 per person. (Tickets increase $10 on July 25.) Each ticket includes unlimited small plates, so attendees will enjoy delicious bites throughout the night, in addition to two included drinks plus access to cash bars, six local musical acts, and visits to most animal areas. Capacity is limited, so attendees can feel like they have the Zoo to themselves in some locations, while enjoying a livelier atmosphere near live music. Advance tickets are required and available now at cmzoo.org/tails. This event is for adults only, 21-and-up.

Attendees will have a wild night on the mountain for a worthy cause. 75¢ from every Tails, Tunes & Tastes ticket goes to CMZoo’s Quarters for Conservation program, which has raised more than $5 million for frontline conservation efforts around the world since 2008.

What can you do at Tails, Tunes & Tastes?
– Observe scheduled animal demonstrations and keeper talks.
– Your ticket includes two drink tickets for use at any bar throughout the event. Cash bars are also available.
– Enjoy unlimited chef-created small plates from our custom Tails, Tunes & Tastes menu at our eateries.
– Enjoy local musicians performing throughout the Zoo.
– Visit your favorite animals.
– Watch the sunset from the mountainside.
– Feed the giraffe herd ($3 per lettuce bundle or $5 for two).
– Ride the Sky Ride (weather dependent; $4 for Zoo members, $5 for non-members).

July’s Tails, Tunes & Tastes musical lineup:
– Ava Grace
– Chad Traxler
– George Whitesell
– Grapefruit Moon
– John Spengler & Frenemies
– Shandra Moore

Summer 2024 Tails, Tunes & Tastes dates:

6 to 9:30 p.m. on Thurs., July 25
6 to 9:30 p.m. on Thurs., Aug. 29
6 to 9:30 p.m. on Thurs., Sept. 26

Tails, Tunes & Tastes is presented with support from NETSCOUT and your Colorado Springs Toyota dealers. Thank you, event sponsors!

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 2024, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo was voted #5 Best Zoo in North America and CMZoo’s Rocky Mountain Wild was named #2 Best Zoo Exhibit in North America by USA TODAY’s 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. Since 2008, CMZoo’s Quarters for Conservation program has raised more than $5 million dedicated to frontline conservation efforts around the world. Of the 237 zoos and aquariums accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is one of just a few operating without tax support. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo depends on admissions, membership dues, special event attendance and donations for funding.

Earlier this month, a group of volunteers and conservation experts gathered to release hundreds of critically endangered Wyoming toads back into their native habitat. Wyoming’s Laramie Basin is the only place in the world where Wyoming toads live. Since 2008, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, along with partners from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and others, has driven the year-round effort to breed, raise and release Wyoming toads.

None of this work is possible without the support of CMZoo guests and members. Over $5 million has been raised for conservation through our Quarters for Conservation program. Every Zoo guest receives three “quarter” tokens, representing the 75¢ Q4C allocation from their admission fee. Guests can show support for their favorite legacy conservation projects, including the breed-and-release program helping Wyoming toads recover in their native prairie lakes, by placing their tokens in the corresponding slots in the Q4C kiosks located in the Zoo’s admissions plaza.

Thank you for saving wildlife and wild places!

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At 6 weeks old, the Rocky Mountain goat kids are hitting milestones, including eating solid foods, sparring with each other, exploring all the yards, and meeting their dad, Albert, and older sister, Blanca. They are finding their footing like little pros and learning how to be Rocky Mountain goats from their mom, Lena. Visit the twins across from the Sky Ride during your next trip to CMZoo!

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Excitement is in the air as two lively mustachioed characters, bearded emperor tamarins named Dot and Chico, settle into their summer home. Dot, the savvy 10-year-old leading lady, and her sidekick, Chico, a spirited 2-year-old male, recently moved into a monkey aviary in the tapir yard.

Emperor Tamarin Dot up-close — Emperor tamarin, Dot.

In addition to a new summer home, they’re getting new neighbors. The plan is for 25-year-old mountain tapir, Mochi, to share his existing yard with the tamarins and 11-year-old okapi, Bahati.

Dot moved to CMZoo in November 2023 and spent a short time sharing space with Rio, a golden lion tamarin who previously lived in Primate World. Rio recently moved to another zoo accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums to join a companion. After their keepers saw the two tiny monkeys didn’t appreciate each other’s company, Dot moved to an off-exhibit space in Scutes Family Gallery, where Chico joined her in May 2024. Dot and Chico are getting along well.

“Chico and Dot are so much fun to watch, and you can tell they like being together,” Madi Ort, Primate World animal keeper says. “Dot is the epitome of confidence and curiosity. In a word, she’s fast. She does everything with quickness. She’s a master problem-solver who loves a good challenge. She’s known for her expert bug-hunting skills and can tackle any puzzle feeder with finesse, snatching up those crickets, grapes and tamarin diet faster than you can blink!”

In ‘Emperor Tamarin World,’ females are in charge, so it’s not surprising that Dot takes the lead on all occasions. She’s first to check out new enrichment, first to get the snacks and first to approach keepers to train. Keepers share space with the little primates, who resemble a black, gray, white and red-furred tornado, whirling around the perching as keepers clean, set up activities, restock feeders and check on their physical health. The two cuties can be difficult to tell apart, but Chico has black spots on his chin and larger ears. Both have emperor tamarins’ distinctive white moustaches, which are actually long whiskers that curve down well beyond their chins. The best way to tell who’s who is by behavior. If one is taking the lead, it’s likely Dot.

“Chico is much more laid-back, but he still brings that ‘emperor tamarin energy,’” Madi says. “He usually comes close to keepers to offer different husbandry training behaviors, while Dot jets for whatever fun we have set up for them. He’s eager to please and just all-around adorable. He’ll melt your heart.”

Madi says the pair are quite vocal, making a range of calls from loud ‘alert calls’ that resemble a fire alarm, to high-pitched chirps that she calls their ‘happy noises.’ These two aren’t all talk and no action; they’re thrill-seekers, too! They’re constantly leaping from branch to branch with the agility of seasoned acrobats. When they’re not showing off their moves, they’re chatting away with their chirps, likely sharing insider tips on where to find the tastiest snacks.

Their confidence, curiosity and connection have set them up for success to navigate new spaces, inside and outside of the aviary, as they please. After they settle in and show they’re comfortable in the aviary, their care team will open the doors during the day, and they’ll go where they want throughout a carefully planned system of trees in the tapir yard.

Their move to the mountain tapir yard isn’t just about a change of scenery, it’s a chance for them to explore more of their wild side. Madi encourages guests to look up into the trees and to listen for their chirps to watch their adorable antics. Bearded emperor tamarins, like Dot and Chico, are native to the rainforests of South America, where they contribute to the biodiversity of their delicate ecosystem.

By seeing them in a habitat that mimics their native environment, visitors’ appreciation for the species can grow while they learn about the importance of preserving rainforests. Guests can help conserve rainforests by using the PalmOil Scan app (cmzoo.org/palmoil) when grocery shopping and supporting companies that have committed to sourcing sustainable palm oil in their products. They can also choose Forest Stewardship Council-approved paper and wood products, reduce their carbon footprints by carpooling or choosing airline travel with fewer connections, and continue to visit zoos that support frontline conservation, like Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.

“We’re so excited for everyone to see them in this space and to meet Chico for the first time,” Madi says. “They’re really smart, and they’re crate trained, so we’ll train them to return to the aviary in the evenings for their safety overnight. We have had this setup with Geoffroy’s marmosets before, and it went really well. They would return to their aviary voluntarily each afternoon.”

Mountain tapir, Mochi, sitting outside. — Mountain tapir, Mochi.

As if that wasn’t enough to look forward to, the two have a breeding recommendation from the Emperor Tamarin Species Survival Plan, which aims to increase the genetic diversity of emperor tamarins in human care. Dot and Chico have been observed breeding already, and while baby tamarins would be exciting, they are not guaranteed.

Dot has been paired with male tamarins in the past and has not produced offspring. That makes Dot’s genetics incredibly important to the diversity of the population, so keepers are realistic but hopeful that her and Chico’s budding relationship might lead to offspring down the line.

Mochi, the Zoo’s beloved mountain tapir, isn’t paying much attention to Dot and Chico since they moved into the yard on June 24. Next, Mochi, Dot and Chico will welcome a much larger special guest: Bahati, the Zoo’s okapi, who lived near the giraffe for many years. There’s no set date for Bahati’s move yet. Muscovy ducks, Athena and Franny, will keep their home in the tapir yard, too.

In the Zoo profession, this dynamic is called a ‘mixed species habitat,’ which can provide an incredibly enriching environment for animals. It’s not a case of putting animals together without a plan, though. Animal Care Manager, Joanna Husby, and a team of animal behavior experts who know Mochi and Bahati as individuals, have been meticulously mapping their introductions.

“We’re dealing with two incredibly laid-back individuals in Bahati and Mochi, so we have high hopes,” Joanna says. “We’ll set up barriers between Mochi and Bahati at first, and there’s room in the yard for them to both have their own space. The plan is for them to share space eventually, but we’ll follow their lead. There’s no rush and we know them well enough to tell when they’re comfortable or if they need more time or adjustments to the space.”

Bahati’s move is prompted by the expansion of African Rift Valley, already underway. Throughout construction, CMZoo’s planning team is committed to giving guests access to all of the animals they love. As the team makes progress on projects, they’ll update pathways for guests. Guests and members can watch for signs on how to navigate through African Rift Valley. CMZoo fans can learn more about the giraffe herd’s future home and consider supporting it at cmzoo.org/giraffeproject.

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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. Along with monitoring his iron metabolism status, the team is also monitoring his liver and kidney levels, among other things. All of those levels are within normal ranges.

Jumbe has surpassed the median life expectancy for his species in human care, according to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, by two years. His team remains cautiously optimistic about his future and is exploring every avenue to help Jumbe. This condition, called iron overload disorder, can damage organs and potentially lead to fatal consequences over time.

Because black rhinos are predisposed to developing this condition, his diet was initially formulated to minimize, as much as possible, over-absorption of iron. Since the diagnosis, the care team has implemented further changes in Jumbe’s diet. The goal is to see if they can minimize iron absorption even further, based on new findings and recommendations from the Black Rhino Nutrition Advisory Group. This month, his bloodwork shows a 10 percent improvement. Despite this recent result, which is moving in the right direction, his iron levels are still high.

Iron overload disease affects around one-third of black rhinos in human care, and while there’s a lot of research underway, there are unfortunately no guaranteed remedies. The team continues to closely monitor Jumbe, conducting regular voluntary blood collection to track his progress.

“By training for these voluntary husbandry behaviors proactively and when an animal is healthy, we can better care for them when conditions like this arise,” Dr. Eric Klaphake, CMZoo head veterinarian, says. “These blood draws not only revealed an issue we needed to address, but they could also be a part of the treatment.”

Some zoos have been able to address iron overload disorder in rhinos by increasing blood draws as a treatment. By removing iron-saturated blood, new replacement red blood cells can create additional places for iron in the blood to bind to, and thereby decrease the amount of iron that would otherwise enter into tissues where it can cause damage.

“This could be an option for Jumbe, but we want to see if we can correct it without asking him to participate in more frequent and longer blood draw sessions first,” Dr. Eric says. “Of course, it would be done in volumes that are realistic for Jumbe’s well-being. This is only an option if it doesn’t reduce his quality of life, and he continues to show us he’s happy to participate in the longer blood draw sessions.”

Jumbe participates in voluntary blood draw sessions regularly with his care team, including Ilana Cobban, Encounter Africa animal care manager, CMZoo’s veterinary team and other animal keepers on his team. Jumbe and Ilana have worked together for 12 years.

“What’s wonderful about Jumbe?” Ilana says. “Everything. He has a calm and gentle demeanor that you wouldn’t typically assign to a rhino. He’s happy to stand nearby and get scratches while I talk to him, or roll around in a good mud wallow, or trot over to a fence to greet the elephants next door. He’s also a great student. He is fantastic at training, so I’m really hopeful that’s going to serve him well as we face this together.”

Dr. Eric and his team have also consulted extensively with rhino experts and researched the latest findings in animal nutrition and veterinary medicine, although finding an effective solution specific to rhinos remains challenging.

“We’re consulting with other experts, including the veterinary and nutrition advisors for the Eastern black rhino Species Survival Plan,” Dr. Eric says. “We have the best of the best on Jumbe’s case, including his care team who have built trusting relationships with Jumbe that will allow us to try new things to help him.”

Dr. Eric and his colleagues have explored various treatment options, including considering treatments for this disease in human and avian medicine, which unfortunately have not been effective in treating rhinos with this disorder.

Guests can make a direct, up-close connection with Jumbe at daily rhino feeding sessions. His distinctive pointy, prehensile top lip, a distinctive feature of Eastern black rhinos, allows him to delicately accept food offerings from visitors. At noon every day from March through October (weather – and Jumbe – permitting), guests can line up in Encounter Africa for a paid opportunity to hand-feed Jumbe. By extending his top lip to wrap it around the produce being offered, he gently accepts it – and usually leaves guests with a slobbery goodbye and a lifelong memory.

Jumbe’s snack times also help guests make a direct connection with rhino conservation. The $10 cost to participate supports CMZoo’s black rhino and African elephant conservation partner, Tsavo Trust.

As Jumbe’s health journey evolves, CMZoo will share updates.

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Across the path from Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s enormous African elephants, a fast-growing family of pint-sized predators is stealing the hearts of visitors and staff. Led by proud parents, Hullabaloo and Sage, the slender-tailed meerkat mob is a popular stop for summer visitors. Amy Tuchman, senior animal keeper in African Rift Valley, says the most recently born pups are in ‘peak cuteness’ right now, and they’re growing quickly.

The latest additions to the mob arrived on May 19, making them the second meerkat litter of the year and nearly doubling the size of their family. The three fluffy bundles of energy have since become the center of attention for staff, visitors and their doting furry family members. Older siblings, Kerfuffle and Saffron, aren’t even four months old and they’re already taking on the role of babysitter with enthusiasm.

“While Hullabaloo and Sage tend to other duties, like climbing up high for sentry duty or digging a new tunnel system, Saffron and Kerfuffle seem to really enjoy babysitting,” says Amy. “The whole mob helps look after the babies. It’s everyone’s favorite job, and you’ll even see the older pups scuffling over who gets to cuddle the little ones next.”

Sage, who became a first-time dad in March when Kerfuffle and Saffron were born, embraced the role immediately alongside first-time mom, Hullabaloo. Meerkats are known for their matriarchal, linear social structure and tight bonds, and communal approach to raising young.

The shared responsibility extends beyond babysitting; it includes grooming, teaching hunting skills, and standing guard atop their habitat’s termite mounds – the perfect vantage point for alert sentries.

“I haven’t seen any of the pups climb up high on the mounds yet,” Amy says. “But, when Sage and Hullabaloo climb up there, you will usually see all five of their kids on ground level, imitating their stance. They learn by mirroring behaviors.”

Having gotten the hang of climbing, digging, taking cover in tunnels, wrestling and chasing, the babies’ next lesson is hunting. For the first weeks of life, their eyes were closed and they depended on mom for everything: protection, relocation and nursing. At around 3 weeks old, their siblings and parents started bringing them meatballs and dead insects to eat. As they got older, the food delivery service evolved.

“The older meerkats brought them bugs that over time were less ‘easy’ for the pups,” Amy says. “So at first, they’d receive dead bugs, then slightly alive, then more so, then wriggling and so on, until they stopped delivering the bugs to them at all.”

When their siblings and parents recently saw the little ones were ready to hunt, they stopped bringing food to the little ones at all. Now, they invite the young pups to the hunt. Hunting is a meerkat’s favorite activity, because they get to chase quick-moving insects, enjoy the satisfaction of catching them, and share a tasty treat with their family.

For meerkats, nearly everything is fast, including their meals, their growth and their reproduction. They are predator-prey, meaning they sit in the middle of the food chain. As prey, their species evolved to reproduce quickly to maintain populations. They can have multiple litters in a year, with 1 to 5 pups in each litter. Meerkat pregnancies typically last 11 weeks.

The meerkat pups’ sexes are not confirmed yet, and they look remarkably similar.

“There’s one with a darker coat that we can tell apart from the others,” Amy says, “We call that one the ‘lone ranger’ because it seems to seek spaces away from its siblings. People have really fallen in love with these little ones and it’s easy to see why! They’re so fun to watch.”

Guests can see Hullabaloo and Sage’s growing family in Encounter Africa, in the meerkat habitat closest to the ground hornbills.

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THE CAROUSEL, ORIGINALLY BUILT IN 1926, HAS BEEN A FIXTURE AT CMZOO SINCE 1937 –

Event Information

WHO: CMZoo members, guests, staff and carousel enthusiasts (plus some special animal guests!)

WHAT: An official reopening of the Zoo’s historic carousel
Brief comments from CMZoo President & CEO, Bob Chastain
Free carousel rides 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (advance Zoo admission required)

WHEN: 10:30 a.m. (media please arrive by 10:15 a.m.)
Thurs., June 13

WHY: To celebrate the return of the carousel and the milestone in the Zoo’s progress towards major Zoo improvements

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo will celebrate the reopening of its historic 1926 Allan Herschel carousel at 10:30 a.m. on Thurs., June 13. The beloved carousel has been a fixture at CMZoo since 1937.

Fans have been eagerly awaiting the carousel’s return since it was safely stored away in July 2023. The carousel moved to make way for a new road just west of the current main road through the Zoo. Once the historic road is gone, the Zoo can expand its giraffe habitat and make way for the International Center for the Care and Conservation of Giraffe building, and a new South America exhibit.

The Zoo’s carousel is a portable county-fair-style unit designed to be taken apart and moved. Despite weighing seven tons, the carousel can be broken down in eight hours using basic hand tools.

“It’s not like carousels you see at traveling fairs these days, which just fold up and go,” says Dave Ruhl, executive vice president at CMZoo. “It is designed to be taken apart, piece by piece, by hand. We are dedicated to maintaining this carousel, because it has been with our community for so long, so we’re very careful when we do it.”

This portable design allowed the carousel to travel between county fairs in the 1920s and different locations at CMZoo, since it arrived on the mountain in 1937. Many longtime members and guests will remember hiking up to the top of the Zoo to ride the carousel in its original location before it moved to its second spot, near Rocky Mountain goats. Now settled in its third CMZoo location, it is ready to spin riders around again.

Dave and the design team wanted to maintain the aesthetic, so guests will see familiar metal roof shingles and the same historic railings on the building. The new location provides natural shade and a dedicated space for guests to line up, away from the road. New sidewalks surrounded by a new native plant display will give families more ‘staging’ areas, where they can take a moment to gather themselves between activities at the Zoo. While the new location came together, the carousel got some TLC.

“We work with a carousel horse expert in Larkspur who repaired cracks and touched up paint on the horses and carriages,” Dave says. “Most of the horses have been restored, and they look great. We also got the carousel organ refurbished, so it works again for the first time in around five years. We can’t wait for everyone to see it!” Learn more.

About Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

CMZOO’S MOST POPULAR 21-AND-UP EVENT IS THURSDAY, JUNE 27 – Where else can you listen to live music, feed a giraffe, and enjoy an adult beverage on a mountainside? (Nowhere!) Make plans for an unforgettable evening on Thurs., June 27, 6 to 10 p.m. at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. Moonlight on the Mountain is the Zoo’s most popular after-hours event exclusively for adults 21-and-up. VIP tickets are sold out and general admission is going fast!

Attendees can enjoy the talents of local musicians, and generously donated food and drink samples from vendors across the Front Range (while supplies last). Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is one of the few zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums that doesn’t receive any tax support, so events like this support continued excellent animal care, Zoo operations and improvements.

Moonlight on the Mountain general admission tickets are $79.75 per person. Advance tickets are required and available at cmzoo.org/moonlight.

General admission tickets include:

– Complimentary souvenir sampling cup and spork, which help us make this a waste-wise event.
– All-inclusive beverage sampling from regional breweries, wineries, distilleries, and non-alcoholic beverage purveyors, while supplies last.
– All-inclusive food sampling from regional restaurants, while supplies last.
– Live musical entertainment throughout the Zoo.

Other details:

– This evening event is just for adults 21-and-up. IDs must be presented on event night. No one under age 21 will be permitted, including children or infants.
– Advance tickets are required. No walk-up tickets will be available. This event is popular, and is likely to sell out.
– Dress for a night of dancing and walking up and down the hills of the Zoo!
– Designate a driver, or better yet, don’t drive at all! Take a taxi or use a ride-sharing service like, Lyft or Uber.
– Sky Ride tickets $5 per person at the Sky Ride cashier booth (Last ride up at 7:30 p.m.)

Sample beer, wine, liquor, coffee and more from these regional companies!

– 3Hundred Days Distilling
– Antelope Ridge Mead Inc.
– Atomic Cowboy
– Bristol Brewing Co
– Cheers Liquor Mart
– Deuces Wild Brewery
– Drip Queen Coffee
– Fossil Craft Beer
– Goat Patch Brewing Company
– Lebowski Taproom
– Kangaroo Coffee
– Lost Friend Brewing Company
– Manitou Brewing Company
– Manitou Winery
– Monster Brewing
– Raising Cane’s
– Rock Bottom Brewery
– Tractor Beverage Co
– Valor Bartending
– Complimentary fountain soda and cash bar at Grizzly Grill

Savor food from some of your local favorites!

– Chuy’s
– The Block Bar and Grill
– Dickey’s Barbecue Pit
– Edelweiss German Restaurant
– Four by Brother Luck
– Jack Quinn’s Irish Pub
– Jax Fish House and Oyster Bar
– La Casita Mexican Grill
– My Neighbor Felix
– Nothing Bundt Cakes
– P.F. Chang’s
– Viewhouse Eatery Bar & Rooftop
– The Paleta Bar
More to come!

Dance the night away to local musicians located throughout the Zoo until 10 p.m.!

– George Whitesell
– Guys On Boxes
– Joshua Janitell
– Katie Hale & the P-47s
– Peter Wooten
– Rafiel and the Roomshakers
– Reckless and Blue
– Ryan Flores
– Jason Lee Band

Moonlight on the Mountain is made possible thanks to your Colorado Springs Toyota dealers! Advance tickets are required. Reserve your tickets now at cmzoo.org/moonlight.