Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Author at CMZoo

This month, a very special delivery arrived at our mountain Zoo: a female Amur tiger named Savelii (sah-VEL-ee).

Eight-year-old Savelii joins CMZoo from Bramble Park Zoo, in Watertown, South Dakota. In September, the plan was for nine-year-old CMZoo male Amur tiger, Thimbu, to move to Bramble Park Zoo. Since then, plans have changed, and Thimbu has a recommended breeding match. He will instead move to Rosamond Gifford Zoo, in Syracuse, New York, in the next few weeks. Through the Species Survival Plan’s (SSP) management of Amur tigers in accredited Zoos, CMZoo four-year-old male Amur tiger, Chewy, was selected as a breeding match for Savelii and will remain at CMZoo for the foreseeable future.

Wildcats Conservation Alliance estimates there are only approximately 500 Amur tigers in the wild. They’re listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). If breeding is successful between Savelii and Chewy, they would both become first-time parents and add to the assurance population of tigers in human care.

Savelii is about halfway through her routine quarantine period in the tiger building, behind the scenes. This time allows Savelii to adjust to her new surroundings and for Chewy to recognize her scent and presence, while Savelii clears exams and medical tests.

Savelii’s keepers at CMZoo say they’re optimistic about her, and she’s showing signs that she’s adjusting well. But, as with any new addition to the CMZoo family, there are a lot of milestones for her to reach before starting the introduction process with Chewy, like clearing quarantine, building trust with her keepers, getting familiar with her new exhibit and shifting areas, and training.

Savelii is already training with all of the Asian Highlands animal keepers, who are getting to know her personality.

“She likes to rub her face against the mesh, like a housecat does. She’s super ‘chuffy’ when we engage with her, which is a good sign,” Kristen Cox, Asian Highlands animal keeper said. (A ‘chuff’ is a quick outward breath, which is like an outgoing tiger greeting.) “She’s interested in Chewy’s presence. When we’re training with her and she hears Chewy or Thimbu chuffing or playing with enrichment in the dens nearby, she perks her ears up and turns her attention from us to listen to them.”

Savelii participated in training at her former zoo, which provided a strong foundation on which keepers are excited to build.

“We’re working on asking her to eat from tongs, which allows us to provide food rewards during training and helps her build trust with us. Next, we’ll ask her for a stand-up behavior, which allows us to get a good look at her feet and body to make sure everything looks healthy,” said Courtney Rogers, Asian Highlands keeper. “She’s great at the sitting and lying down training behaviors. Next, we plan to work on her voluntary injection training, which lets us provide vaccinations and other necessary medications in a low-stress way. She seems to be a quick learner so far.”

Savelii is smaller than Chewy, weighing in around 230 pounds compared to Chewy’s 360 pounds, which is a normal size difference between female and male tigers. She has beautiful almond-shaped eyes and a round face. Another way guests can distinguish Savelii from Chewy, when they visit the Zoo and see her on exhibit soon, is her shorter hair around her face and darker lines on her forehead.

When Savelii will be on exhibit for guests to see has not yet been determined. Chewy and Savelii will take turns accessing the yards and spaces separately. Sharing the same space at separate times allows them to become familiar with each other’s scents.

“The breeding recommendation is important and an ultimate goal, but we’re not going to rush into introducing them,” said Rogers. “We’ll pay attention to how confident they are with each other’s smells and how confident Savelii is getting with us, and we’ll go from there.”

During animal introductions, keepers follow the animals’ leads and observe behaviors that indicate that they’re comfortable and receptive with each other, or not. They start very cautiously by observing behaviors during ‘howdies,’ which are introductions with a barrier between the cats. ‘Howdies’ allow animals the opportunity to see, smell and investigate each other without the risk of potentially aggressive physical interactions.

“We prepare as much as possible, but we know from experience that big cats can be unpredictable, so we stay flexible during introductions,” said Rebecca Zwicker, Asian Highlands animal care manager. “We look for signs of interest or aggression between the cats during ‘howdies,’ and respond based on their interactions. That could mean we steadily increase the amount of access they have to each other. It could also mean we give them more time, but limit their access, to get used to each other.”

Having experienced a heartbreaking loss during a previous big cat breeding session, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is fully aware of the dangerous scenarios it presents. CMZoo Amur tiger, Zoya, was killed by her mate in one such breeding session in 2016.

Since then, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo has not participated in tiger breeding. Now, as wild populations decline and the SSP’s past three years of efforts to breed Amur tigers prove unsuccessful, CMZoo has accepted the SSP’s recommendation to try again.

Although big cat breeding has proven to be risky, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo animal care and veterinary staff take all precautions possible. Ultimately, CMZoo acknowledges that the work to continue the existence of these species is so necessary that we want to try.

“Savelii and Chewy have valuable genes that will help ensure the genetic diversity of Amur tiger assurance populations in zoos, so we’re looking at lots of options about the best ways to get her and Chewy’s genes in the population,” said Rogers.

Many ask if artificial insemination (AI) is a better option for riskier breeding scenarios, like these. It can be a last-resort option, but isn’t historically successful with tigers because of the females’ unique ovulation patterns.

Female tigers are induced ovulators, which means the act of mating causes the female to release an egg for fertilization. It can take several days of mating interactions to stimulate ovulation and guarantee fertilization of the egg. Because of this, AI success in tigers has historically been very low; only three out of 60 procedures in the last 20 years have resulted in a cub. Even with the odds stacked against AI, CMZoo has collected samples from Chewy in case this last resort needs to be explored.

“For now, we’re focused on setting Savelii up for success,” said Rogers. “We see her confidence building and look forward to sharing her with everyone as soon as she’s ready.”

As Savelii makes progress at CMZoo, we will keep guests posted on social media and through The Waterhole monthly newsletter.

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CMZoo’s 50 acres of twinkling mountainside lights, named 2018 Fifth Best Zoo Lights in U.S., is again nominated for national USA Today Readers’ Choice ranking

Colorado Springs, Colo. – More than 50 acres of twinkling lights, 85 artisan-made light sculptures, breathtaking nighttime city views and the nearby sound of roaring lions can only mean one thing in Colorado Springs: Electric Safari is back.

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s 29th annual month-long celebration of the season will begin Friday, Dec. 6 through Sunday, Dec. 8, and continue Friday, Dec. 13 through Wednesday, Jan. 1, excluding Christmas Eve. Members and their accompanying paying guests are granted early admission at 4:30 p.m. General admission is from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. with the final admission at 7:30 p.m.

Electric Safari is free for CMZoo members, and members can attend as often as they’d like! Tickets for the general public are available now at www.cmzoo.org/electric.

Attendees will enjoy lit trees, structures and sculptures, installed by the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo grounds and maintenance teams over three months of Electric Safari preparation. If all of those beautiful lights don’t un-Scrooge even the Grinchiest of holiday grumps, a cup of hot cocoa and a visit with Santa ought to do the trick. Kris Kringle will be in Safari Lodge through Dec. 23 to hear holiday wishes, collect lists and pose for free photos. The carousel and historic Mountaineer Sky Ride will be open (weather permitting) to provide incredible once-a-year views of the nighttime glow of Colorado Springs as a backdrop from the mountainside of twinkling lights.

Electric Safari wouldn’t be complete without select animal exhibits and special nighttime animal demonstrations, as well as small animal encounters in The Loft. Electric Safari offers paid feeding opportunities with our famous giraffe herd and our budgie flock, and visits to the elephant barn, African lion relaxation room, Rocky Mountain Wild (except grizzly bears and wolves), Asian Highlands, Monkey Pavilion, Scutes Family Gallery and Australia Walkabout.

Grizzly Grill, The Overlook, Pizza with a View, Elson’s Place and the gift shop will be open to serve food and beverages. Warming fire pits and outdoor heaters throughout the Zoo add to the unique experience and help keep visitors warm in between the indoor animal exhibits.

Electric Safari was named Fifth Best Zoo Lights in the nation last year, by USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, and has once again been nominated. Supporters can vote once daily at www.cmzoo.org/vote through 10 a.m. MST on Monday, Dec. 2. Winners will be announced Friday, Dec. 13.

Electric Safari Fast Facts

Dates: Friday, Dec. 6 – Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019
Friday, Dec. 23 – Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020*
(*Electric Safari is not open on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24.)

Time: 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. nightly (last admission at 7:30 p.m.)
Early admission at 4:30 p.m. for Zoo members and their paying accompanying guests

Cost: Free for Zoo Members

Online Non-Member Prices
(Available for purchase online until 3 p.m. the day of attendance.)
Adult (ages 12-64): $12.75
Child (ages 3-11): $8.75
Military adult: $9.75
Military child: $5.75
Senior (65+): $10.75
Ages 2 and under: 75¢

Gate Non-Member Prices
Adult (ages 12-64): $14.75
Child (ages 3-11): $10.75
Military adult $11.75
Military child: $7.75
Senior (65+): $12.75
Ages 2 and under: 75¢

Electric Safari is sponsored by Children’s Hospital Colorado, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, and your Colorado Springs Toyota dealers. For more information, visit: www.cmzoo.org/electric.

About Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

Cheyenne Mountain Zoological Society was founded in 1926. Today, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, America’s only mountain zoo, offers comprehensive education programs, exciting conservation efforts and truly fantastic animal experiences. It is Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s hope that 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 ten operating without tax support. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo depends on admissions, membership dues, special event attendance and donations for funding.

This week’s snow has been warmly welcomed by many CMZoo residents, including our three six-month-old mountain lion kittens. Visit our Instagram account and click on our Snow Day story to see our Rocky Mountain Wild animals soaking up the fun.Watch mountain lion video here.

“When will the new hippo and penguin exhibit open?” has been a common question we’ve received both in-person and online for the past several months. Our President & CEO, Bob Chastain, is here to give you a few updates on why we can’t pinpoint an exact opening date for you just yet, and what has to happen before we can.

‘Golden Girl’ Malaika, an African elephant who required emergency assistance after not being able to stand up on her own earlier this year, continues to receive specialized care for her broken tusks, thinning foot pad, deformed back leg and other age-related issues.

Elephant Animal Care Manager, Jason Bredahl, gets us up close and describes the specialized care Malaika receives in CMZoo’s state-of-the-art barn, designed to provide veterinary care for our aging giants.

If you’re looking for fun and educational activities for the kids the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of Thanksgiving week, look no further than Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Fall Break Camps! Registration is open now.

On November 25, 26 and 27, 2019, kids from kindergarten to sixth grade can take part in one or all three days of available camps at the Zoo. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Zoo member discount rates apply. Kindergarten half-day camps are from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day and first through sixth grade camps are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.

The Zoo also offers early morning and late afternoon one-hour extended camps to fit your busy schedule the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Early Birds Camp is from 8 to 9 a.m. and Later Gators Camp is from 4 to 5 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 25, the camp theme is Hopping into Harvest. Join us as we all prepare for the cold months ahead. From growing long fur coats to stocking up on food, campers learn about how animals get ready to survive the winter.

Tuesday, Nov. 26, campers discuss the interesting varieties of family structures in the animal kingdom, with this day’s theme: FALLing for Family. Learn which animals are independent infants, which families stay together and what types of animal families lie somewhere in between.

Wednesday, Nov. 27, the theme is Happy ZOOgiving. Campers will help create special Thanksgiving enrichment items for the animals of Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. We’re thankful for our animals, and this is your child’s chance to help thank our animals by contributing to a unique Thanksgiving dinner.

Click here to find out more or to register.

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CMZoo year-round sponsor, Children’s Hospital Colorado, has created a guide to first-year doctor visits for human babies. Similarly, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s experience with our prolific giraffe breeding program, founded in 1954, gives us some great milestones for the first year of life for a giraffe calf. Let’s see how Viv, CMZoo’s giraffe calf born to Msitu in July 2019, compares to the average timelines.

The first day of a giraffe calf’s birth is full of important milestones. Within the first couple of hours after birth, the calf is expected to stand. It usually takes several very wobbly attempts before the calf is stable on those long legs. When calves are born, they drop about five feet from the birth canal to the floor. In human care, a birth stall usually has several inches of sand, hay or shavings on the ground to help cushion that fall. Once the calf has landed, it usually needs to ‘untangle’ its long legs and neck, and then can attempt to stand.

“Viv’s legs were wrapped up sort of like a pretzel when she landed, so it took her a few minutes to get them where they needed to be,” said Jason Bredahl, giraffe animal care manager. “Once she got those straightened out, she was the fastest calf we’ve ever seen take its first steps. She was up and walking within about 35 minutes of being born, and she really hasn’t slowed down since.”

Within the first three hours after birth, the calf is expected to nurse from its mother. It’s important for the calf to nurse within this window, because it ensures the newborn calf consumes the colostrum that contains important antibodies from its mother.

“Viv was on the slower side when it came to getting her first milk,” said Bredahl. “But, Msitu is a great mom, and she and Viv quickly bonded. Once they did, we saw her nursing a lot that first night and throughout the next few months.”

Normally, giraffe calves nurse for about four months without eating any solid foods, like leaves or grain. The average weaning period is anywhere from six months to a year. The baby usually starts investigating solid foods between two and three months of age.

Viv had other plans.

“We started noticing Viv nibbling on browse and being curious about crackers at about a month old,” said Bredahl. “She is still nursing, so she’s getting the nutrients she needs from mom, but at this point, her diet contains a lot of browse, alfalfa, grain and romaine lettuce from our guest feeding opportunities.”

Unless it’s medically necessary, CMZoo staff doesn’t intervene with animals’ births, and has found it’s beneficial to the mother/baby relationship to allow them uninterrupted time together to bond. Since Viv showed all the signs of being a strong calf, staff never took exact height or weight measurements.

On average, giraffe calves weigh between 100 and 200 pounds at birth, and measure about six feet tall.

“We guessed that she was about 200 pounds at birth and stood about six feet tall,” said Bredahl. “Since then, she’s growing and growing. As of the end of October, we estimate she’s about seven feet tall and over 300 pounds.”

The next big milestone for giraffe in care at CMZoo is to start training. Most giraffe calves born at CMZoo participate in behaviors, like shifting from one area to another, by following their mothers. This allows keepers to care for them by relying on training their mothers have received.

Not Viv.

“Viv has been a total firecracker from the very beginning, when she leap-frogged over her mom’s back as her mom was lying down only six hours after she was born,” said Bredahl. “She’s one of the most independent giraffe calves we’ve ever experienced, which is fantastic because she’s such a great ambassador for her species. She’s interested in guests, keepers and the rest of the herd. It also means she’s not necessarily interested in doing what her mom is doing. That makes shifting into the barn from the yard, or vice versa, or moving from one part of the barn to another an ‘adventure’ each day.”

Keepers rely on a calf’s interest in solid foods to train. The food is the positive reinforcement keepers need to encourage positive behaviors from an animal.

“In our experience, we usually start working with calves on trained behaviors at about four months,” said Bredahl. “Viv was a lot younger than that.”

Because Viv took interest in browse, alfalfa and other solid foods at such an early age, keepers started training with her at just a month old.

Keepers will continue working with Viv on her training, which is still largely focused on asking her to move from one location to another. Once she has mastered shifting behaviors, Viv will eventually graduate to more complicated training activities. Like her herd mates do now, she will later have the choice to participate in varieties of training that allow her to participate in her own health care.

“Our giraffe train to have their hooves trimmed and cared for, their blood drawn, their eyes examined, and of course they train to shift in and out of different areas of their yards and barn,” said Bredahl. “Khalid, our breeding bull, even trains to participate in giraffe ‘yoga,’ which helps him stretch and stay limber. Our giraffe training programs help us take great care of our herd. It also allows us to share what we learn and participate in research studies that benefit giraffe in human care and in the wild, around the world.”

(Try to) keep up with Viv and the 16-member CMZoo giraffe herd every day of the week in African Rift Valley at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. No matter the weather, giraffe feeding opportunities are available to guests daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., either on the outdoor boardwalk or inside the giraffe barn.

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Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s Western lowland gorilla troop of five has been working to acclimate to a cohesive living situation since Goma, a 28-year-old silverback, joined CMZoo in May 2016. After years of introductions that have taken longer than keepers anticipated, the tentative success of this summer’s introductions was critical in deciding whether to continue making efforts or to reassess if Goma could ever permanently join the troop.

“We had heard of successful introductions taking longer, but we had also accepted that there is a point at which, if Goma hadn’t adjusted to living with females, we would have to make a decision about whether we’d continue trying,” said Joanna Husby, Primate World animal care manager. “Just in the last three months, we have seen such amazing progress. It’s really rewarding to see them getting more comfortable with each other, which was our goal for this summer.”

The troop’s bonding progress was even more evident when they had to face the unexpected absence of Roxie – one of the two females Goma is most comfortable with in the group, along with Asha. The 43-year-old female became lethargic and refused to eat or drink in early October 2019.

“If Roxie feels under the weather, she’ll skip a meal, just like any of us might. But we know Roxie, and we realized her behavior this time was different,” said Husby. “After a couple of days, we knew we needed to take more aggressive steps to care for her.”

CMZoo veterinary team and keepers immobilized Roxie the morning of October 6. At the CMZoo vet clinic, Roxie’s examination included whole body x-rays and ultrasounds. She was given IV fluids and supportive medications that helped address any infection that may have been present. The examinations revealed multiple medical conditions, the most concerning of which was a suspected infection of Roxie’s reproductive tract. Throughout her life, Roxie has dealt with kidney issues and ulcer-like cysts that have caused gastrointestinal and reproductive system complications. The exam also revealed age-related changes such as arthritis.

While she was under anesthesia, Roxie suffered a cardiac arrest and was brought back to life with CPR and emergency drugs. Vet staff kept Roxie at the clinic, where they could respond immediately if necessary, for a few hours. When Roxie was stable, she returned to a private room near the troop to recover.

“Roxie has amazed us all,” said Husby. “She really scared us for a second, but she has recovered incredibly well. Within hours of returning to her den, she ate some grapes and drank some juice, which was a big relief.”

Keepers and vet staff checked on Roxie hourly overnight for the first night. The day following the procedure, Roxie was interested in training with her keepers, but she again refused food and drinks. Over the next few days, thanks to keepers’ creative solutions to hydrate Roxie by offering her different juices and foods that interested her, Roxie was able to rejoin the troop and is doing well.

Gorillas are incredibly intelligent and bonded individuals. Although Roxie’s absence could have been detrimental to the progress of the introductions, they have reunited well and continue to make progress.

“The fact that they were separated for about two weeks, during the scare and her recovery, and then had an uneventful reunion speaks to the resilience of their relationship. The female troop members are showing Goma respect by responding calmly to his presence and by following his lead upon moving to different areas of the exhibit,” said Husby. “Goma is still displaying signs of dominance, which is what we want to see. The ladies need to respect him. He’s also showing signs that he’s more comfortable, like lying down near the females and even taking naps. He’s learning that through his calmer demeanor and approach, he’s earning their trust as a leader.”

Summertime in Colorado is the optimal time to work on delicate gorilla introductions, because warmer weather means the gorillas have access to both indoor and outdoor spaces. They have more space to be together, if they want to be, while still having options to be away from each other.

For now, the troop is spending multiple hours per day together. As the weather cools down, and the gorillas don’t have as much access to their outdoor yards, keepers will work to continue providing a balance of time together and time apart for the troop.

“We’re so proud of the ladies and Goma for how much progress they’ve made this summer, even with the potential setback,” said Husby. “We’re looking for ways to continue that progress without regular use of the outdoor yards. Although the procedure with Roxie was very scary, it showed us that they’ve reached a level of comfort and confidence with each other that we hope will continue through the winter months.”

Keepers and vet staff continue to monitor Roxie’s health. We will provide updates as they are available.

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Colorado Springs, Colo. – Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is mourning the loss of Kaya, a 13-year-old mountain lion who lived a long life at CMZoo after being orphaned in the wild in Wyoming in 2006. This summer, she again captured the hearts of guests when she earned the nickname ‘Grandma Kaya’ by embracing the presence of three young kittens who were also orphaned in the wild and came to live at CMZoo.

Kaya’s passing comes in the midst of a difficult week, medically, for several beloved animals at the Zoo. In the past several days, urgent or emergency procedures have been conducted not only on Kaya, but also on Roxie, our oldest Western lowland gorilla at age 43, and on Zwena, one of our two oldest African lion sisters at age 12. The team is cautiously optimistic about both Roxie and Zwena, although further complications are possible for both animals.

Kaya, who would have turned 14 in November, passed away overnight in her den. After a sudden change in her energy level late last week, Kaya then refused to eat or take medications, even her favorite treats: goat’s milk and fish. On Saturday morning, veterinary staff performed an emergency examination to try to pinpoint the issue and treat it.

During the examination, Kaya didn’t show any specific issues, so she was treated for potential dehydration and given medication to make her more comfortable. Following the treatment at the CMZoo vet clinic, Kaya appeared to have recovered well without any complications and returned to her den to rest. Sunday morning, keepers found that despite the team’s best efforts, Kaya had passed overnight.

Kaya was blind and had ongoing age-related arthritis. A recent blood draw showed signs of early kidney disease, which isn’t unusual for a cat of her age. She is believed to have passed of natural causes and general age-related issues.

Mountain lions are usually solitary in the wild, but Kaya and her brothers lived together for their entire lives. Kaya was the last remaining sibling. Yuma died in July 2016, Motega passed in February 2019, and CMZoo lost Tocho in April 2019. After Tocho’s passing, keepers and guests had questions about whether Kaya would do well in the mountainous three-yard mountain lion habitat without her brothers and the company they’d always provided.

Just one month later, CMZoo received a call from the mountain lion Species Survival Program (SSP). Three six-week-old mountain lion kittens had been found orphaned in Washington State and needed a home right away. Although for bittersweet reasons, CMZoo had room to take them.

“At that point, our focus was on providing a home for these kittens and on creating an environment where Kaya had the option to enjoy having mountain lion company again,” said Rebecca Zwicker, Rocky Mountain Wild animal care manager who worked with Kaya and her siblings for over ten years. “It was also an opportunity for these kittens to have an adult female mountain lion around, to be there with them in those tender first months when they were moving into this strange new world. Kaya really showed them the ropes of the exhibit.”

Zwicker recalls talking with her fellow Rocky Mountain Wild keepers about how the kittens — females Adira and Sequoia, and male Sitka — were learning from Kaya. They learned to explore the exhibit, where to find the best sunny nap spots, and how to approach Kaya.

“Their introduction went smoothly, but it wasn’t like they raced into each other’s paws,” said Zwicker. “The whole time we were planning their introductions we kept in mind that Kaya is blind, older, much bigger and a bit slower. Thirteen-year-old Kaya had to set some ground rules with these rambunctious kittens.”

After vocal warnings and a few light physical corrections from Kaya, the kittens learned it wasn’t in their best interest to surprise their blind cohabitant. Keepers noticed the kittens would approach her more slowly and with plenty of ‘chirps’ to let Kaya know they were coming. Once Kaya seemed to accept their presence, though, she would lie nearby while the kittens wrestled each other, and sometimes even got in on the fun.

Kaya was often seen navigating the rocky habitat, closely trailed by the kittens, and cuddling with them in the same sunny spot where she used to cuddle with her brothers. One day, keepers noticed Kaya had some wet, matted fur patches on her sides, legs and shoulders. They weren’t sure what was causing it, but then realized the kittens had been grooming Kaya. Grooming is often considered a sign that animals are comfortable around each other, and in some species is seen as a bonding activity.

“When Kaya accepted those kittens, those of us who had been working on the introductions knew it was just magic,” said Zwicker. “Kaya’s story is so powerful because it’s full-circle. We’ve seen her step into this world with her brothers as a young, unsure, orphaned kitten. We’ve seen her develop relationships with her keepers and grow up into a rock star trainee. We’ve seen her tenacity through the hardship of losing her eyesight. We’ve seen her lose her brothers one-by-one and witnessed her perseverance to continue training and stay engaged during the weeks she was alone in the habitat. To see her become ‘Grandma Kaya’ in her final months was like she’d completed the cycle. Those kittens were comfortable with her, and Kaya was an important piece of their world. She’s passed the torch, in a way. I just wish they – and we – could have had her a little longer.”

Keepers will closely monitor Sequoia, Adira and Sitka, who have returned to their normal behaviors. Keepers gave the kittens access to Kaya after she passed, so they had the opportunity to find closure.

“Sitka went into Kaya’s den and slowly approached her, sniffed her, gave her a chuff (a cat greeting), then chirped and lied down next to her,” said Zwicker. “After a few minutes, he went back outside to find his sisters, who were climbing up a branch against the glass viewing area, being their normal crazy selves. Things will be different for them without Kaya, but they have us and each other, so they’ll be okay.”

Having the young kittens inspires keepers to continue serving Kaya’s species and her legacy through this next generation of CMZoo mountain lions.

It’s the end of an era for Rocky Mountain Wild. As CMZoo says goodbye to the last of the first orphaned siblings, it’s heartwarming to know that the next generation of kittens had the chance to benefit from Kaya’s presence, and that they provided Kaya with cuddles, playtime and company during her final months.

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

Tickets are on sale now for seven nights of spooktacular activities over two weekends and Halloween night

Colorado Springs, Colo. – Cheyenne Mountain Zoo will feel the Halloween spirit when thousands of little ghouls and goblins attend Boo at the Zoo beginning Friday, Oct. 18, 2019. The event is a fun way for families to trick-or-treat and enjoy Halloween festivities in a safe and unique environment. This year’s Boo at the Zoo is Oct. 18 – 20, 25 – 27 and 31. Boo hours are 4 to 8:30 p.m. all seven nights, with the last admission at 7:30 p.m. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo admission windows will close for daytime admission at 2 p.m.

Frightfully fun attractions include a Lighted Pumpkin Patch with 60 jack-o-lanterns, a 2,000 sq. ft. Haunted House, Ghoulish Graveyard and Pirate Cove. Attendees can also enjoy rides on the carousel and Sky Ride. The Sky Ride will be open as weather allows, providing a breathtaking view of Colorado Springs at night and a lift to two additional trick-or-treat stations at the top.

Of course, a visit to the Zoo wouldn’t be complete without animals! Special keeper talks, animal demos and animal encounters will be offered each night. Select animal exhibits will also be open, including giraffe, lions, Goat Experience, Scutes Family Gallery, Wilgruen Elephant Barn, The Loft, Monkey Pavilion and Australia Walkabout. Beginning at 4:15 p.m. each night of Boo at the Zoo, attendees can interact with small animals at Safari Cabin, where a new animal will make an appearance every 45 minutes.

An elephant-sized amount of candy (more than 9,000 pounds) will be handed out at more than 25 trick-or-treat stations throughout the Zoo during 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 habitat in the wild. To find your own Halloween candy that’s orangutan friendly, download CMZ’s sustainable palm oil shopping guide at: www.cmzoo.org/palmoil.

Boo at the Zoo attendees are encouraged to purchase tickets online, in advance of the date they want to visit. The online price is $5 less per ticket than at the gate and CMZoo Members receive an additional $5 off each ticket. Popular evenings are likely to sell out! Tickets will be available for purchase at the gate only if not sold out in advance. Ticket prices increase at the gate. On-site parking is limited and is not guaranteed with advance ticket purchase. If the Zoo’s parking lot is full, follow the signs to our free off-site shuttle parking lot. Purchase tickets online, refer to costume requirements, check animal demonstration schedules and more at: cmzoo.org/boo.

Fast Facts

Boo at the Zoo at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Dates: Oct. 18 – 20, Oct. 25 – 27 and Oct. 31, 2019
4 to 8:30 p.m. (last admission at 7:30 p.m.)

Boo Online Advance Pricing:
$19.75 for ages 3-64
$14.75 for Zoo members
$17.75 Military and 65+
75¢ for ages 2 and under

Boo Gate Pricing (availability not guaranteed):
$24.75 for ages 3-64
$19.75 for Zoo members
$22.75 Military and 65+
75¢ for ages 2 and under

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit cmzoo.org/boo.

Boo at the Zoo is possible thanks to our generous sponsors, Children’s Hospital Colorado, Colorado Springs Pediatric Dentistry, Les Schwab Tire Centers, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, T. Rowe Price and your Colorado Springs Toyota dealers, Larry H. Miller Toyota Colorado Springs and Larry H. Miller Liberty Toyota Colorado Springs.