–Annual holiday lights celebration continues through Tuesday, Jan. 1–

December 21, 2018, Colorado Springs, CO – USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards today announced that Cheyenne Mountain Zoo has been voted No. 5 in the nation in the Best Zoo Lights category. This is the third year running that CMZoo has ranked in the top ten.

The award-winning annual holiday lights celebration continues through Tuesday, Jan. 1 (except Christmas Eve, Tuesday, Dec. 24), featuring 85 one-of-a-kind light sculptures, 50 acres of twinkling lights, animal demonstrations and interactive activities, and a breathtaking nighttime view of Colorado Springs from Cheyenne Mountain. Animal keeper talks, enrichment activities, shows and animal encounters occur every night.

ANIMAL HAPPENINGS SCHEDULE

Mondays
6:30 p.m. – Otter Enrichment (Rocky Mountain Wild)
7:30 p.m. – Skunk Enrichment (The Loft)

Tuesdays
6:30 p.m. – African Lion Keeper Talk (African Rift Valley)
7:30 p.m. – Bird Show (The Loft)

Wednesdays
6:30 p.m. – Elephant Keeper Talk (Encounter Africa)
7:30 p.m. – Skunk Enrichment (The Loft)

Thursdays
6:30 p.m. – African Lion Keeper Talk (African Rift Valley)
7:30 p.m. – Bird Show (The Loft)

Fridays
6 p.m. – Amur Tiger Enrichment (Asian Highlands)
7 p.m. – Skunk Enrichment (The Loft)
8 p.m. – Coati Enrichment (Monkey Pavilion)

Saturdays
6 p.m. – Reptile Encounter (Scutes Family Gallery)
7 p.m. – Bird Show (The Loft)
8 p.m. – African Lion Keeper Talk (Monkey Pavilion)

Sundays
6 p.m. – Elephant Keeper Talk (Encounter Africa)
7 p.m. – Mountain Lion Enrichment (Rocky Mountain Wild)
8 p.m. – Moose Keeper Talk (Rocky Mountain Wild)

In addition to scheduled animal happenings, Electric Safari offers paid feeding opportunities with our famous giraffe herd and our budgie flock, and visits to the elephant barn, Encounter Africa, Rocky Mountain Wild (except grizzly bears and wolves), Asian Highlands, Monkey Pavilion, Scutes Family Gallery and Australia Walkabout.

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

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. Attendance is free for Zoo members. The general public can save $2 per ticket by purchasing them no later than 3 p.m. the day they plan to attend. Tickets are available at cmzoo.org/electric.

Attendees will enjoy more than 50 acres of lit trees, structures and animated sculptures installed by the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo horticulture, grounds and maintenance teams over four months of Electric Safari preparation.

If all of those animal interactions and beautiful lights don’t un-Scrooge even the Grinchiest of holiday grumps, a cup of hot cocoa and a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus ought to do the trick. Kris Kringle and his jolly lady will be in Safari Lodge through Sunday, 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 FAST FACTS


DATES: Every night through Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019*

(*Electric Safari is not open on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24.)
Santa and Mrs. Claus visits through Sunday, Dec. 23

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
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 and your Colorado Springs Toyota dealers.

For more information, visit: www.cmzoo.org/electric.
(Photos and videos for media use are available here. Please credit Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.)

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.

Colorado Springs, CO – Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is heartbroken to say goodbye to Tamu, our 32-year-old female reticulated giraffe, who was the oldest giraffe in North America at the time of her passing. Since coming to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in April 2003, she made strong and countless emotional connections with guests and staff alike, who often affectionately referred to her as ‘Moose’ or ‘Grandma.’

“She was the nicest giraffe on the planet,” said Jason Bredahl, animal care manager. “She would sit under the lettuce hut and eat lettuce all day long and made millions of people’s days. If you have a giraffe selfie on your phone, there’s a good chance it’s with Tamu. She was a guest favorite, for sure.”

Tamu was easy to recognize because of her dark, bushy eyebrows. Her 33rd birthday would have been Friday, Dec. 28.

“She was known for taking care of calves because she was so gentle,” said Amy Schilz, senior giraffe keeper. “I remember when we put up new shade structures in the yard and the calves hadn’t learned to use them as shelters when it rained. Tamu would go out into the rain to stand over the calves to protect them.”

Tamu became well known for providing that maternal comfort for our most recent giraffe calf, Penny, when she was too fragile to be with her mom. Giraffe keepers knew Tamu would be gentle enough to provide her with companionship and security without risking a fall for Penny.

“Tamu had a huge heart and brought Penny a lot of comfort in Penny’s final days,” said Schilz. “We all knew that when Penny’s mom was a little too rough for Penny, that Tamu could step in and provide that giraffe-to-giraffe care.”

Her individual contributions to the continued existence of this endangered species were invaluable. Tamu gave birth to six calves, leaving a legacy of 29 grandcalves, nine great-grandcalves and one great-great-grandcalf. In addition to the contribution of her direct descendants, as an ambassador animal, Tamu helped Cheyenne Mountain Zoo donors, members and guests learn about giraffe and foster important emotional connections to them, which allow us to support efforts that protect her relatives in the wild.

In the past 20 years, there has been an estimated 35 percent decline in wild giraffe populations. Giraffe Conservation Foundation estimates less than 15,785 reticulated giraffe remain in the wild.

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo has partnered with the Giraffe Conservation Foundation to support conservation efforts. One recent example is Operation Twiga, a giraffe translocation project in Uganda, Africa. A significant portion of the operation, over $75,000, was funded by Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s visitors and members through Quarters for Conservation, a program by which seventy-five cents of every admission is allocated to conservation.

Tamu and her Cheyenne Mountain Zoo herd participated in voluntary trainings that allow our vets and staff to help giraffe around the world in the wild and in human care. The giraffe can choose to participate in trainings that allow vet staff to perform research on hoof care and even build a life-saving plasma bank.

Although Tamu was considered geriatric, her decline happened extremely quickly and unexpectedly. Staff started to notice behavior changes in Tamu around 11 a.m. and said goodbye to her around 1 p.m., when she passed peacefully and naturally surrounded by keepers and vet staff who cared for her deeply.

“She will be missed so much,” Schilz said. “She was really, really smart. Just yesterday, she was participating in training for hoof care. She had a great heart.”

Photos of Tamu are available at this link: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/j16xib11oasi1hk/AADUiw44xbV9xRuR56bGnIraa?dl=0

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.

– Cheyenne Mountain Zoo supports newly passed principles and criteria for the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil as progress in the fight again deforestation –

November 16, 2018, Colorado Springs, CO – Cheyenne Mountain Zoo was among those who voted “Yes” on passing the ratified Principles & Criteria (P&C) during 2018’s Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) conference in Malaysia this week. The new P&C is the result of months of extensive public and stakeholder consultation representing environmental NGOs, social NGOs, retailors, consumer goods manufacturers, palm oil traders, and oil palm growers.

Supported by many environmental organizations, the new P&C includes important environmentally friendly steps forward such as regulation on High Conservation Value areas, use of the High Carbon Stock Approach toolkit, no planting on peat regardless of depth, and banning fire as a method for land preparation. The new P&C also includes strengthened requirements on labor rights such as decent living wages and housing, and strengthens the RSPO’s commitment to not condoning child or trafficked labor.

These updated environmental policies are important because:

  • High Conservation Value areas are biologically diverse areas home to rare and endangered species, ecosystems and habitats. These areas also act as an important resource for local communities and can have cultural and historical significance.
  • The High Carbon Stock Approach toolkit incorporates the latest scientific research, feedback from on-the-ground trials, and new topics and input from working groups on best practices to identify and protect tropical forests.
  • Peatlands are a “carbon sink” for the planet that store billions of tons of organic carbon that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide, a heavy contributor to the changing global climate. Peatlands are also important ecosystems that are home to many unique species of plants and animals.
  • No longer allowing fire as an acceptable method for land preparation will prevent significant biodiversity and carbon loss as well as prevent the emission of dangerous pollutants that can worsen air quality and cause harm to human health.

The newly adopted environmental and social criteria marks ongoing improvement in the certified sustainable palm oil supply chain. The not-for-profit RSPO is the largest sustainable palm oil certifying scheme and takes a holistic approach to improving the supply chain by bringing all stakeholders together. Currently the RSPO has more than 4,000 members worldwide who have committed to producing, sourcing, and promoting sustainable palm oil. Certified sustainable palm oil is the best way to protect the environment, along with the people and wildlife who live there. When grown sustainably, palm oil is the best option as oil palms produce four-to-ten times more oil than other edible oil crops such as coconut, olive, sunflower and rapeseed. Boycotting palm oil will increase the demand for less eco-friendly vegetable oils and can worsen deforestation and cause it to spread to other parts of the world.

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo has been a member of the RSPO since 2010 and takes an active role in North America as a leader in the sustainable palm oil movement. The Zoo works to educate consumers on the importance of choosing sustainable palm oil and then connects them with companies who could be doing better to demand change. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo also manages a free app that consumers can utilize during shopping trips to discover which companies are working to conserve endangered species such as orangutans, tigers and rhinos. Those who wish to support orangutan-friendly companies can find the app by searching “Sustainable Palm Oil Shopping” in the app store and looking for the green orangutan, or by visiting the Zoo’s Orangutans & Palm Oil page.

 

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.

– 21-night holiday tradition starts Friday, Dec. 7; Tickets available now –

November 12, 2018, Colorado Springs, CO -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 28th annual month-long celebration of the season will begin Friday, Dec. 7 through Sunday, Dec. 9, and continue Friday, Dec. 14 through Tuesday, 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. Tickets are available now at cmzoo.org/electric.

Attendees will enjoy more than 50 acres of lit trees, structures and sculptures, installed by the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo grounds and maintenance teams over four 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 and Mrs. Claus ought to do the trick. Kris Kringle and his jolly lady 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, Encounter Africa, 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. 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 has been a Colorado Springs holiday tradition for 28 years. Because some nights during previous years’ events have had large crowds, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is limiting the number of attendees each night. The Zoo is encouraging members to reserve their free tickets in advance, and the general public can save $2 per ticket when they purchase online in advance. Neither members nor the general public will be allowed access after a night’s tickets have sold out.

Electric Safari Fast Facts

Dates: Friday, Dec. 7 – Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018
Friday, Dec. 14 – Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019*
(*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 and your Colorado Springs Toyota dealers.

For more information, visit: cmzoo.org/electric.

Photos for media use are available here. Please credit Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.

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.

– Seven nights of spooktacular activities planned the next two weekends and Halloween night –

October 18, 2018, Colorado Springs, CO – Cheyenne Mountain Zoo will feel the Halloween spirit when thousands of little ghouls and goblins attend Boo at the Zoo beginning this Friday, Oct. 19, 2018. 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. 19 – 21, 26 – 28 and 31. Boo hours are 4 to 8:30 p.m. all seven nights, with the last entry 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 Fun 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: cmzoo.org/palmoil.

Boo at the Zoo attendees are encouraged to purchase tickets online, in advance of the date they want to visit. The advance price is $3 less per ticket than at the gate. 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 at: cmzoo.org/boo.

Fast Facts

Boo at the Zoo at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Dates: Oct. 19 – 21, Oct. 26 – 28 and Oct. 31, 2018
4 to 8:30 p.m. (last admission at 7:30 p.m.)

Boo Online Advance Pricing:
$17.75 for ages 3-64
$12.75 for Zoo members
$15.75 Military and 65+
75¢ for ages 2 and under

Boo Pricing at the gate (if not sold out in advance):
$20.75 for ages 3-64
$15.75 for Zoo members
$18.75 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 made possible by our generous sponsors: Children’s Hospital Colorado, Colorado Springs Pediatric Dentistry, Les Schwab Tire Centers, T. Rowe Price and your Colorado Springs Toyota Dealers.

About Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

The 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 and donations for funding.

– Teddy Bear Day offers $10 discount on a child’s admission when accompanied by a stuffed animal –

Colorado Springs, CO – Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s 30th annual Teddy Bear Day is Saturday, August 18 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Kids age 3 to 11 who are accompanied by a teddy bear, or other stuffed friend, get into the Zoo for just $9.75 (a $10 savings). As always, it pays to be a member – there’s no charge for members to get into Teddy Bear Day. Children 2 and under are just 75¢.

During Teddy Bear Day, children and their parents can visit the Teddy Bear Clinic located at Lodge at Moose Lake; pediatric experts and volunteers from Children’s Hospital Colorado will be on hand to provide x-rays and check-ups to stuffed animals. During the check-up, each bear will get a health evaluation and “medical” procedures will be administered to injured stuffed animals. The clinic is a great way for kids to familiarize themselves with the health care community and what they can expect if they need to visit a doctor, hospital or dentist.

There will be additional activities for kids at Lodge at Moose Lake, including the opportunity to meet some of the Zoo’s hands-on outreach animals. Plus, guests can also watch medical-themed animal care demonstrations and keeper talks throughout the day.

Fast Facts

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s Teddy Bear Day
Saturday, August 18
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Kids (3 – 11): $9.75, when accompanied by a stuffed animal
Kids (2 and under): 75¢
Zoo Members: free

www.cmzoo.org/TBD

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s 30th annual Teddy Bear Day is possible because of the generous support of our sponsors, Black Bear Diner, Briargate Pediatric Dentistry, Children’s Hospital Colorado and your Colorado Springs Toyota Dealers.

 

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 230 zoos and aquariums accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is one of very few operating without tax support. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo depends on admissions, membership dues and donations for funding.

Colorado Springs, CO – Cheyenne Mountain Zoo has been in what is known among the staff as “sprint mode” for the past three days to ensure that guests are able to visit again, starting Saturday. The Zoo will reopen for members at 8 a.m. and for the general public at 9 a.m. on Sat., Aug. 11 after being closed following an unprecedented hail storm on Monday afternoon. The storm caused guest and staff injuries, animal injuries and deaths, and extensive property damage.

Although permanent repairs will take many months to complete, the Zoo will be ready to welcome guests back on Saturday, thanks to temporary short-term fixes like tarps and plywood to cover the spaces where skylights used to be.

The Sky Ride will be one of the few features of the Zoo that will not be ready for guests on Saturday, due to the strict inspection protocols necessary to ensure safety before resuming rides.

Animal keepers have been asked to get animals ready to resume “life as normal,” which involves restarting the natural behavior demonstrations that are usually a draw for guests to watch. Tomorrow, the demos will be for “Zoo family” only, but will serve as an important step toward getting routines back to normal for both animals and staff.

Undrivable guest vehicles in the main parking lot are dwindling from nearly 400 immediately after the storm on Monday down to less than 40 today. Vehicles have been towed to one corner of the south parking lot, which will allow us to finish removing broken glass and other debris from the pavement in preparation for guests on Saturday. The remaining vehicles will be allowed to stay at the Zoo until 8 a.m. on Tuesday. If they are still unclaimed, they will be towed to a monitored facility at the owner’s expense.

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that receives no tax support, which is unusual among zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

 

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 230 zoos and aquariums accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is one of just nine operating without tax support. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo depends on admissions, membership dues and donations for funding.

Colorado Springs, CO – Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is in full assessment and recovery mode today after an unprecedented storm caused human and animal injuries, including two animal deaths, and major vehicle and infrastructure damage throughout the property. The staff is operating under their typical incident command system for emergencies to address the most urgent needs for both animals and operations, all while dealing with heartbreak from two animal deaths and personal property damage.

Although severe weather was expected in the area on Monday afternoon, the baseball-sized hail came with none of the usual weather warnings. It began out of the blue, causing Zoo guests, staff and animals to scramble to find shelter. Many Zoo guests were injured – some were transported to the hospital, and some were treated and released on scene. Three Zoo employees were injured seriously enough to be transported to the hospital, and more staff injuries are still being reported today.

All of the Zoo’s animals have permanent shelter, but just as there were humans injured while trying to get to shelter, some animals were injured, as well. At this time, the Zoo is heartbroken to confirm the loss of 13-year-old Cape vulture, Motswari, and 4-year-old Muscovy duck, Daisy. Other potential animal injuries are still being assessed by animal care staff and our veterinary team.

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo has been accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums for 35 years, and abides by their rigorous requirements for animal care and safety. The Zoo is also regulated, as all zoos are, by the United States Department of Agriculture, which routinely performs inspections. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo meets, or in many cases exceeds, all requirements.

When the hail hit, the Zoo’s incident command system immediately acted upon their training and made sure guests were safe in the buildings where they sought shelter. Skylights throughout the Zoo were actively damaged during the storm, and therefore, even in “safe areas,” staff was actively engaged in ensuring guest safety. In addition, animal staff attempted to assist any animals who needed help to seek shelter, but ultimately, human life-safety had to be our first priority. A number of staff were injured trying to help animals; the number and extent of those injuries are still being determined.

Even animals that use their on-exhibit dens and shelters on a daily basis were prone to confusion by the fast onset of the storm, and also suffered confusion by the onslaught of hail. Just as there were injuries to guests who were caught unaware, there were also injuries to some animals.

Zoo staff would like to thank all of the members of the community for their outpouring of support, both offers of manual labor volunteers and financial contributions. For now, staff is managing all work that needs to be completed, but if we are able to accept volunteers in the future, we will make an announcement through our social media networks.

The Zoo’s summer camps have been canceled for the remainder of the week, and full refunds will be issued.

The Zoo is closed to the public today, and staff is assessing whether the closure will need to continue into the coming days. More information will be shared on animal injuries and a potential reopening date as it becomes available.

 

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 230 zoos and aquariums accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is one of just nine operating without tax support. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo depends on admissions, membership dues and donations for funding.

— Calf made a big impact on many hearts during her brief life —

Colorado Springs, CO – Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is heartbroken to announce the death of Penny, the giraffe calf. Little Penny was just shy of her two-month birthday when the humane, but extremely difficult, decision was made to euthanize her today.

Penny had been transported to the James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, CO yesterday for surgical treatment for an infected abscess that was not improving through other treatments. Unfortunately, the expert team there found concerns that were far more serious than originally thought. In addition to the abscess that had spread further into Penny’s abdomen, there were also signs that pointed to infection in the bones of at least three of her legs.

The team also found a dislocated hip joint that multiple X-rays taken over the past several weeks did not show in the past. The team believes the chronic combination of the abscess, a degenerating femoral head and her need to stand awkwardly over an extended period of time led to a recent dislocation.

The highly skilled team at the hospital, along with key members of Penny’s CMZoo care team, discussed potential treatment options for Penny. Because she was facing multiple serious medical concerns, the team determined that her prognosis would be more than she could overcome to live a quality life.

Bob Chastain, president and CEO of Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, said tonight, “We will all miss Penny tremendously. Although our sadness at this time is palpable, we are taking solace in the fact that we truly believe we made the best decisions for her during her short life that we could. It’s always easy, especially in times of grief, to second-guess every decision you made. I have found myself doing that already, and I have cautioned Penny’s care team about this emotion. We will certainly use Penny’s case to help further giraffe medicine in the future, and ensure that the things we have learned from her will live on to help others. And we hope those who have watched Penny’s journey can take comfort in the fact that we made every decision with Penny’s best interests in mind, and we held nothing back from her fans. We were all in this together.”

Penny was definitely a fighter during her short time with us, and so many people around the world fell in love with her through the Zoo’s online documentation of her life – from the live-streaming of her birth, through her first eight days of bonding with her mom and other gentle female members of our herd, and ultimately through the medical struggles that followed her splay at nine days.

The CMZoo team also fell in love with Penny, and they allowed her to be part of her own naming at 10 days old. When the name choices were narrowed down to two finalists, “Mia” and “Penny,” her care team played the songs “Mamma Mia” and “Penny Lane” for her. When she heard the Beatles song, she perked up her ears. From that day on, she was officially known as “Penny,” and affectionately by many of her fans as “Penny Lane.” The original suggestion of the name “Penny” was inspired by Spencer and Julie Penrose, the Zoo’s founders.

Penny’s medical issues derived from her falling on day nine of her life into a splay position. “Splay” is a term used to describe when an animal’s legs go out from under them in an unnatural way. In giraffe, splaying can have varying degrees of severity, from moderately serious to life-threatening.

Since then, Penny’s care team provided around the clock care for her, providing her with everything they could to try to help her recover. They provided her with nourishment through bottle-feeding, and enrichment toys to play with, and assistance in laying down and standing, when she was unable to do it on her own. The Zoo consulted with a wide network of both veterinary and human medical experts along the way.

Although Penny’s own life was brief, her legacy will live on in the work Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is doing to develop cutting- edge medical and husbandry care for giraffe in Zoos around the world.

Penny has also helped to spread the message of the plight of giraffe in the wild.

A team of Cheyenne Mountain Zoo staff and a CSU veterinarian will be traveling to Uganda in the next few days to assist with giraffe conservation efforts as part of Operation Twiga III, in partnership with the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) to help protect vulnerable giraffe populations in Uganda. Our staff’s contribution to this effort will be dedicated to Penny’s memory.

For those who would like to pay their respects to Penny and thank her care team, the Zoo requests memorial gifts be contributed at www.cmzoo.org/helppenny. Any financial support beyond what is needed to help cover expenses for Penny’s care can be directed to either giraffe conservation or veterinary care for CMZoo animals. In order to direct your gift, please make a note in the “Comments” section online, or on the memo line when writing a check.

Out of respect for the keepers, the giraffe building will be closed to the public on Tuesday and Wednesday (7/31 and 8/1) to allow them some privacy. There will be a box outside of the building for guests to leave cards for the keepers, if they wish.

The Zoo is also starting the process of planning a memorial for Penny, and we will share details soon on how that process will move forward.

 

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 230 zoos and aquariums accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is one of just nine operating without tax support. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo depends on admissions, membership dues and donations for funding.

— Calf also Receives a Name…Earlier than Expected —

Colorado Springs, CO – Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is continuing care for its 10-day old giraffe calf, which was the 200th to be born in the Zoo’s history. The calf was found splayed the stall she shared with her mom, Muziki, on Wednesday morning around 8:15 a.m. Since then, the Zoo’s animal care and veterinary teams have been partnering to provide the best possible decisions for the calf’s well-being.

Because of her recent health events, we decided to end the public name voting early and award her a name now. We looked at the two most popular names, Mia and Penny, and let the calf decide for herself, since her care team was split. They played Mamma Mia and Penny Lane for her, and it seemed like the calf is a Beatles fan. She will now be officially known as Penny, which was inspired by Spencer and Julie Penrose, the Zoo’s founders.

“Splay” is a term used to describe when an animal’s legs go out from under them in an unnatural way. In giraffe, splaying can have varying degrees of severity, from moderately serious to life-threatening. The Zoo’s staff immediately assessed the condition of the calf and determined the most urgent medical need was to raise her blood sugar levels. When those levels were more under control, she was reunited with Muziki, her mom, to see if the calf would nurse and gain strength. When those nursing efforts were unsuccessful and the calf splayed again, the difficult decision was made to separate Muziki from the calf and begin hand-rearing protocols.

Although the calf has walked on its own throughout the night, staff is still helping the baby stand and lay down, to prevent further injury. The extent of any injuries to her legs and hips is still being evaluated, and likely will be for some time. The calf has thus far been resistant to bottle feeding, so she is receiving tube feedings. Another attempt to have her nurse from mom this morning had mixed results, with the calf nursing for a brief time, but ultimately splaying again.

The Zoo’s care teams are well-equipped to treat the calf, and Cheyenne Mountain Zoo has been recognized nationally for the advances they are making in veterinary medicine. However, we still don’t know if the calf’s condition is something we can overcome.

The Zoo plans to continue to update the public through social media, with periodic live Facebook videos when we have news to share and it doesn’t interfere with the calf’s care. We would like to thank everyone who has reached out with thoughts, prayers and support. We are truly grateful.

If you would like to help support Penny please make a donation HERE.

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 230 zoos and aquariums accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is one of just nine operating without tax support. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo depends on admissions, membership dues and donations for funding.

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