Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Author at CMZoo

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, things certainly look different at the Zoo this summer. The response to our reopening has been overwhelming, and we’re grateful for your support.

With a little planning, patience and information, our guests are enjoying America’s mountain Zoo with small changes that make a big impact. Read on to learn what you can do and expect to increase your chances of reserving our limited-but-required advance e-tickets, and then get the most of your visit when you arrive.

For a complete list of FAQs and other information that will make your next visit enjoyable, go to cmzoo.org/open.

E-Tickets

Advance e-tickets are required and can be reserved at cmzoo.org/open. Check daily for newly available tickets.
If you don’t see a date or time available, e-tickets for that date or time have been fully reserved.
We have asked members who can’t use the tickets they reserve to tell us so we can make those available for other members. We don’t have a release schedule for those, but we are receiving quite a few ‘recycled’ tickets, so please do continue to check back.
Members, please be considerate to your fellow members and limit the number of tickets you reserve at this time. Consider delaying a second visit to allow another family a chance to see their favorite animals while we’re still on restricted capacity.
All individuals visiting the Zoo must have their own advance e-ticket, including children age 2 and under.
We’re moving as quickly as possible based on when government restrictions change. We’re hopeful more tickets will be available soon, and we’ll be able to reopen at a capacity that relieves the compressed timelines within which everyone has been trying to purchase tickets.

Getting To and Around the Zoo Safely

Your timed e-ticket reflects the window of time you have to scan your ticket to enter the Zoo. Once you’re in the Zoo, you can stay until we close, regardless of what time you entered.
We have restructured our entry plaza to accommodate safe distancing as our guest services team scans your tickets and you enter the Zoo. Each group of people in line has six feet of space between other guests.
When you exit the Zoo to the parking lot, you will leave through the outgoing vehicle gate, not the pedestrian gates you used to leave through.
Closed and/or monitored capacity areas in and around the Zoo will be clearly defined with signage. Please understand there are temporary limitations and modifications put in place that may change the way you are used to experiencing the Zoo.
Masks are strongly encouraged for all Zoo guests.
We understand it’s hard to remember how important social distancing is when you’re hanging out with the herd, or watching a penguin waddling at your feet, but we’re depending on our guests to help us adhere to these guidelines set forth by state and local officials. We have placed six-foot tables in high-traffic areas, like hippo viewing and giraffe feeding, to help create a safe distance between groups attending the Zoo together. Also, keep looking for chalk bear tracks on the ground, in places like the elephant feeding lines. Those ground markers indicate six feet of space, so you can say hello to our African elephants and help keep your community safe.

Safely Visiting the Animals

To prevent the congregation of large groups of guests, no scheduled animal demonstrations will be available during this time. However, you may come across “pop-up” experiences throughout your visit.
Giraffe feedings are available on the boardwalk, when the giraffe are outside. Lettuce is available for $3 or $5 per bundle.
Elephant feedings are available for $10 to $15 daily (weather dependent) at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Rhino feedings are available for $10 to $15 daily (weather dependent) at noon.
Some buildings, like the giraffe barn and The Loft, will be closed because they do not allow for safe distancing.
Buildings have maximum capacities, and some will have a staff member regulating when new groups can enter a building.

Amenities Available

The Mountaineer Sky Ride is open.
The carousel is closed.
Due to current health guidelines, we are not able to honor free refills with reusable cups at this time. Soft drinks will be available for purchase in our eateries.
Drinking fountains will also be disabled at this time. Touchless water bottle filling stations will still be accessible, so please consider bringing your own reusable water bottle.
Food service will be limited during this time. All restaurants are open, with limited menus and spaced seating, both inside and outside as available.

We’re asking our members and guests to bring their patience and understanding to the Zoo, as we all work together to safely reopen and adhere to restrictions that allow us to open our gates again, after the Zoo’s longest closure in history. Some of the things mentioned in this article are subject to change, as we figure out best practices and react to new regulations.

For more information and to reserve limited availability e-tickets, visit cmzoo.org/open.

During such difficult times, we’re even more grateful to be a resource that can support our community’s mental well-being, by providing outdoor and nature-based activity – which has been proven to reduce stress and anxiety. Another way to bring positive thoughts and feelings into your own life, is to do something kind for others.

Our year-round sponsor, Children’s Hospital Colorado, is making it easy for us to do just that! On their website, guests can send a ‘Gratitude Gram’ to their amazing frontline co-workers, thanking them for putting our community’s needs before their own during the COVID-19 health crisis.

Send a ‘Gratitude Gram’ by clicking here.

We’re certainly grateful for Children’s Hospital Colorado’s partnership, and send a huge thanks for their support of the Zoo. We know how wonderful CHCO is, but we’re not the only ones.

Children’s Hospital Colorado has once again been recognized among the best-of-the-best children’s hospitals in the nation. According to the 2020-21 Best Children’s Hospitals rankings released by U.S. News & World Report, Children’s Colorado earned the No. 6 spot among the top 10 children’s hospitals on the Honor Roll, and again ranked highly in all ten recognized specialty areas.

The nonprofit pediatric health system is the only nationally ranked children’s hospital in Colorado and the surrounding 12 states. Out of the ten recognized specialty areas, seven of the Children’s Colorado specialties ranked among the top 10.

Speaking of ranking, CMZoo is once again nominated for Best Zoo and Best Zoo Exhibit in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice contest! If you’re looking for more ways to spread positivity, vote for CMZoo and Rocky Mountain Wild every single day until Monday, July 6 at 10 a.m. MT at cmzoo.org/vote.

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Last week, Bob introduced you to the newest member of our #CMZoo family, an adorable mountain lion kitten! We may never know this little guy’s full backstory, but what we do know is he was rescued by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife officers after being found on a logging road outside of Spokane. Since he would be unable to survive in the wild without his mother at his age, WDFW contacted Oregon Zoo and made arrangements for a short stopover for vaccinations and a health assessment before being transported here. On the evening of June 15th, he arrived at his new home with us. We estimate he’s between six and eight weeks old, based on his weight, size and teeth.

He’s been settling in well since his arrival from Washington. His favorite activities include wrestling with his stuffed bear, chirping, sleeping and eating. He recently graduated from bottle to bowl, making quick work of gobbling up a mix of milk and raw meat. As you can see, it’s a pretty messy ordeal, but he gets the job done! Table manners aren’t that important to us, anyway.

He’s starting to become acquainted with his Rocky Mountain Wild keepers, who say he seems very eager to interact. Soon they’ll begin work on crate training so that he’ll be comfortable during his move down to Rocky Mountain Wild when the time is right. Our eventual goal is to introduce him to 1-year-old mountain lion siblings, Sitka and Adira, who also came to #CMZoo after being orphaned in Washington. As animal ambassadors, these three will have key roles in helping guests build personal connections to these incredible cats, while helping educate the public about their species. We don’t have an exact date for when the mountain lion kitten will be on exhibit, but we’ll continue to keep you updated on his progress!

Welcome to the official unveiling of our memorial bronze statue honoring our 200th giraffe calf, Penny. Bob Chastain, president and CEO of #CMZoo, and Antonia Chastain, manager of public art for the Zoo and the sculptor of this piece, are telling us about this special tribute to the giraffe calf who touched the hearts of so many during her brief life.

Tomorrow (Sunday, June 21) is #WorldGiraffeDay, and it is a fitting day for the public to be able to visit this sculpture for the very first time. To commemorate this special occasion, we are hosting a giveaway for one free giraffe encounter with our herd. To enter, send a photo of yourself or your family with the new statue to [email protected] by Thursday, July 30, 2020 to be entered into the random drawing. We will randomly choose one winner from all submitted photos and will notify the winner on July 31 via the email they used to submit the photo. Please, one photo entry per email address.

Visit cmzoo.org/wgd to make a donation by June 21 to giraffe care and conservation! We are incredibly grateful for the Kratt Family Foundation and their dedication to giraffe care in the Zoo and in the wild. This year, the Kratt Family Foundation is matching up to $25,000 for every dollar donated through the end of the day tomorrow (6/21/20)! Your donation supports the care of our giraffe here at the Zoo, the matched funds will help wild giraffe conservation in Uganda. Thank you for helping us #StandTallForGiraffe!

Penny’s Story:

“Giraffe Calf #200,” as she was known as at birth, came into the world on June 4, 2018. Her birth was broadcast live to global viewers. Her mom, Muziki, won the “Race to 200,” giving birth to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s 200th giraffe calf since our prolific breeding program started in 1954. The calf appeared to be healthy at birth, but unfortunately started having health issues on June 13. We deviated from Zoo tradition by giving her a name before our normal 30-day waiting period. Penny, as she was now known, had fans around the world falling in love with her, right along with all of us at CMZoo. But ultimately, we were losing our battle against the hidden infection that was spreading through her body. When she passed away on July 30, 2018, just shy of her two-month birthday, thousands of fans who had been rooting for her helped the Zoo staff through the difficult time with an unforgettable outpouring of support. Her legacy, and the joy she brought to so many, continue on with the production of this bronze statue.

We recognize many of you were frustrated with our e-ticketing system and the restrictions we must follow to keep the Zoo open, but hope you recognize that we are doing our best to welcome you back in these difficult times.

We hope this update from Bob brings a little perspective, and reminds you of the important work your support allows us to do. Last night around 8 p.m., we welcomed this little bundle of joy to our family.

At this point, very little is known about his backstory. We will share in-depth updates on him when we have more information about why this 5-week-old mountain lion kitten needed a home.

For now, we’re grateful to have the space, technology and dedicated staff to care for him, because of the support you show us by coming to the Zoo.

Our goal is to eventually introduce him to CMZoo 1-year-old mountain lions, Adira and Sitka, in Rocky Mountain Wild, just as soon as he’s big enough to be safe in the exhibit.

Also, Bob gives an update on Penny’s memorial statue, which we’ll provide a social media sneak peek of on Saturday evening. Just in time for World Giraffe Day, on Sunday, June 21, Penny’s statue will be visible to our guests in African Rift Valley.

Thank you for all you do to help us continue this important work. We can’t wait to see you back at the Zoo!

(Colorado Springs, Colo.) – Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is excited to announce its phased reopening to the public, beginning with members on Saturday, June 6. On Friday evening, the Zoo received final approval from Gov. Jared Polis and Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) to reopen, following a nearly three-month closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Zoo’s opening is a result of a successful variance request to Gov. Polis’ office and CDPHE, through the variance process they made available to affected organizations, businesses and industries. The Zoo received amazing support from the El Paso County Board of Commissioners, the Colorado Springs Mayor’s Office, El Paso County Public Health, and the three local hospitals to shepherd the variance through the complex process and ultimately facilitate approval at the state level.

“We’ve been encouraged by the amount of support our local government has given us as we have navigated these uncharted waters,” said Bob Chastain, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo president and CEO. “I have worked hand in hand the last few weeks with El Paso County Public Health, the mayor, the city manager, the heads of our three great hospitals and the El Paso County Commissioners. There are real people behind those titles, and they care about the people of Colorado Springs and Colorado.”

“We are thankful for our partnership with the Zoo, and for their innovative leadership in working to create a plan to safely reopen,” said Susan Wheelan, El Paso County Public Health Director. “The Zoo brings people so much joy, and we are thrilled our community will be able to enjoy this local attraction again.”

Everyone involved at the local level has worked tirelessly with us to finalize our variance request and submit it for consideration. I want the Colorado Springs community to know that your local government officials worked very hard on your behalf to help return the Zoo to you.”

The Zoo will follow a phased reopening. All members and guests from June 6 through June 19 will be required to reserve or purchase an advance ticket. Tickets will be available in hourly increments and will be limited to allow for maximum physical distancing. Full reopening details and tickets are available at https://www.cmzoo.org/open.

Zoo member tickets only – Saturday, June 6 through Wednesday, June 10 (five days) – Members must log in and reserve their free tickets in advance online.
Zoo members and general public tickets available – Thursday, June 11 through Friday, June 19 (nine days) – Everyone (Zoo members and non-members) must reserve or purchase their tickets in advance online.
Our variance is currently approved for the next two weeks, so watch our website and social media for details beyond June 19.

The Zoo has put precautionary measures in place for the reopening. Not only will they have a limited number of advance tickets available each hour, but they have also implemented measures like closure of spaces and activities that would hinder physical distancing and frequent sanitization of high-touch areas. Guests are strongly encouraged to wear masks, and masks are required for staff within 6 feet of others and in all guest areas.

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 just a few operating without tax support. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo depends on admissions, membership dues, special event attendance and donations for funding.

As many of you know, even though we have been closed for the past 11+ weeks, work has not stopped at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. Through our social media channels, we have shown you lots of sneak peeks at what our keepers and animals have been up to, but Bob Chastain, president and CEO of #CMZoo, has also been busy. Among the many partnerships formed during this critical time, some of those formed out of working through our variance request to reopen the Zoo have been the most important. Huge thanks go out to the Colorado Springs Mayor’s Office, including Mayor John Suthers and City Manager Jeff Greene, El Paso County Public Health and officials at all three area hospitals, and the El Paso County Commissioners. We are still waiting for the final step for reopening, but Bob’s here to tell you a little bit more about the process, introduce you to some excited and friendly warthogs, and talk about what reopening will look like, especially for our members. #ClosedButStillCaring #AbnormallyNormalatCMZoo

Join us for breakfast on the beach of Water’s Edge: Africa. Animal keeper, Al, is feeding our flock of 11 African penguins while she tells us about their personalities – and how you can identify each penguin.

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Meet some of the keepers, see some of the animals and learn about some of the cool features of our newest exhibit for hippos and penguins – Water’s Edge: Africa!

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A new African Rift Valley resident is making progress with her keepers and is taking her time getting to know her potential mate. Six-year-old Red River hog, Zena, came to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo on a breeding recommendation with 12-year-old Hubert, who has lived at CMZoo since 2008.

Zena, who can be identified by her unique white ear tassels, has a shy and hesitant personality, but has already formed a trusting relationship with her keepers, who say she’s an excellent student.

“She already participates in her own health care with voluntary injection training, crate training and shift training,” said Philip Waugh, an African Rift Valley animal keeper who works closely with the Red River hogs. “She has the cutest hooves, and she runs really fast. She almost looks like a ballerina on her tip toes. It may seem like a strange thing to say about a hog, but she’s beautiful. Her eyes are really expressive.”

Because of Zena’s timid demeanor, her keepers are allowing lots of time for her to gain confidence with Hubert – known as ‘Huey’ by his many fans – who was selected by the Red River Hog Species Survival Plan as a good breeding partner for Zena based on their genetics. Since her arrival, the two have maintained interest in each other, but their comfort levels while sharing space have fluctuated.

Zena and Huey first got acquainted through a mesh barrier, which allows them to smell, hear and see each another without sharing the same space. Introductions with a protective barrier – known as ‘howdies’ – allow keepers to observe the hogs’ behavior towards each other and indicate whether the hogs are ready to take things to the next level.

“During howdies, the two of them smell each other, lie on either side of the mesh and even touch noses through the mesh,” said Waugh. “All of those calm behaviors usually indicate they’re ready for the next step in their introduction.”

Once the two are sharing a space, however, Zena hasn’t been as confident.

“This has been an interesting introduction because they are definitely interested in each other and even show us that they’re more comfortable when the other one is nearby,” said Waugh. “We’re just not quite seeing that comfort carry over when they’re sharing a space without a barrier between them yet.”

One sign of comfort during howdies is Zena pushing her body up against the mesh and Huey calmly smelling her from the other side. Another is a call they make to each other when they’re visually and physically separated. Zena is also generally calmer in a space by herself when Huey is in the space next door.

“When they’re in spaces within earshot of each other, but can’t see each other, we’ve noticed they will make little calls back and forth,” said Waugh. “That’s a good sign because it means even though they’re not quite ready to spend time together physically, they are acting as a social unit.”

The two hogs are making progress, but these things sometimes take longer than anticipated.

“They’re both such sweet-natured hogs and we’re seeing progress, so we’re going to keep trying,” said Waugh. “Huey has lived with Ari for so long and Zena spent a lot of time by herself previously, so this is like a first-first date for both of them. We all know how awkward first dates can be, so we’re working to make their time together as positive as possible, so they can recognize it’s safe and beneficial to be together.”

When keepers manage introductions between animals, they listen to what the animals are telling them through their body language and behaviors. If an animal appears uncomfortable with the scenario, their team makes changes to help the animals recognize that they have control in their environment. Placing different kinds of enrichment in the introduction spaces and changing introduction spaces can be beneficial.

Keepers have tried introducing Zena and Huey without a barrier only twice. The most recent space, which has shown promise, is in the zebra and okapi yards, which share a fence and can be adjoined. Most mornings, CMZoo giraffe cam fans have watched in delight as the two hogs run separately through the giraffe yard to spend time outside in the adjacent spaces.

“Animals all have different personalities, and Zena is on the timid side, so we’re giving her plenty of time to gain confidence around Huey,” said Waugh. “Although they haven’t been perfect, their introductions have been safe, so we’ll continue following their lead and trying new things that might give her more confidence. Maybe this new space will be just what they need – and hopefully the third time is a charm!”

The ultimate goal is for guests to get to know Zena on exhibit with Huey. 18-year-old female Red River hog, Ari, will also share on-exhibit time with Huey, and have the yard to herself sometimes. Ari, who birthed four healthy piglets over the years with Huey, is no longer recommended for breeding, but will continue being a stellar animal ambassador at CMZoo for the foreseeable future.

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