The Waterhole Archives

Emmett and Digger, two 20-year-old grizzly bears, have called Cheyenne Mountain Zoo home since 2007. Sometimes people wonder how they got here. Although they’re the same age, they’re not related, but they share similar backstories, and have been together since 2006.

In the wild, they were labeled as nuisance bears after several negative interactions with humans prior to being removed from the wild. Often, nuisance bears aren’t as lucky as these two, and once they receive several ‘strikes,’ they are often killed or relocated. Emmett and Digger were given a second chance, and a safe and enriching life, at CMZoo.

Now, Emmett and Digger spend their days exploring, training, playing and showing guests just how incredible grizzlies are – far from the temptations that got them into trouble in the wild. While grizzly bears don’t live in Colorado, black bears roam many urban and wild spaces here. With impressive senses of smell and problem-solving abilities, they need our help to stay wild. Do your part by securing trash, bringing in bird feeders at night and storing food in bear-safe locations, both at home and out in nature. It’s up to us to help bears resist the temptation of an easy meal in an unsafe situation.

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A group of ferrets is called a business! Our business is made up of Alfred, Tsunami, Cyclone, Avalanche and Blizzard! These playful, social animals thrive in small groups. A mix of ages helps the group maintain strong bonds as it evolves. Alfred, at 6, and Tsunami, almost 5, are the oldest, while Cyclone, Blizzard, and Avalanche are 3-year-old females. Though there’s no real hierarchy, Cyclone and Avalanche often lead playtime. Unlike their solitary black-footed ferret cousins, domestic ferrets have been bred for social traits, making them more interactive with humans and each other. Stop by The Loft at CMZoo to see them playing, snuggling and training together!

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IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL COLORADO – Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s partners at Children’s Hospital Colorado have seen pets improve their family members’ lives – and health. A family pet can lower heart rates, reduce loneliness, increase physical activity and improve kids’ ability to read emotions and respond. There are factors to consider before adding a pet to the family. Read Children’s Colorado’s advice on family pets here.

One way to get outside and enjoy time with a four-legged family member is at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s Dog Days! Finn, a one-year-old great Pyrenees-poodle mix, has attended Dog Days three times, experiencing the stimulating sights, sounds and smells at the Zoo, while enriching Zoo animals’ lives with his presence. His person, Amber Gates, says she’s not sure who has more fun: Finn, as he enthusiastically explores, or her, as she watches his pure joy unfold.

“Because we’ve gone to Dog Days a few times, Finn starts getting excited in the car when we turn up towards the Zoo now,” Amber says. “His ears perk up like, ‘Hey! I know this place and it’s really fun!’ Once we’re inside the Zoo, he knows exactly where he wants to go: straight to the penguins. He likes to watch them swimming, and they pause at the glass to check him, too. It’s so fun.”

On scheduled Dog Days at CMZoo, guests are welcome to bring their well-mannered family dogs with them to the Zoo. Since offering the sporadic event since May 2023, the guest experience team and animal care team have fine-tuned the experience so it’s enriching for Zoo animals and enjoyable for visiting dogs and humans.

Service dogs are always welcome at the Zoo, so seeing a dog is not an entirely new experience for animals that live at the Zoo. But, service dogs behave differently than a family pet, and they visit in much smaller numbers.

Most Zoo animals do not behave any differently on Dog Days than they do on a normal day. Others are excited for a short time, and then return to their normal behaviors. Some animals, like ring-tailed lemurs and meerkats, noticeably strengthened their bonds as a group.

“Meerkats are well known for their sentinel antipredator behaviors, observed in the wild and in human care,” Rick Hester, CMZoo’s curator of animal behaviors, says. “During Dog Days, we have observed the meerkats working together, presumably with the goal to remove dogs from their view. We have seen the meerkats huddle together and approach a dog, which is called ‘mobbing.’ All the dogs eventually move away, and the meerkats, having seemingly accomplished their goal, would resume other activities like foraging for food. From the perspective of the meerkats, they were successful!”

African lions and mountain lions are typically intrigued by the dogs, exhibiting classic big-cat stalking behaviors.

“The mountain lions were definitely out and watching the dogs,” Amber says. “I imagined them watching and wondering, ‘Is that a friend or a snack?’ Finn didn’t pay a lot of attention to the mountain lions, but his reaction to the African lions was interesting. The lions were laid back while we were there, but Finn positioned himself between me and them, as if he was feeling an instinct to protect me. I haven’t seen that from him before, so that was a new experience for both of us.”

Dog Days at CMZoo is a special event with limited availability. Advance tickets are required for humans and their canine companions, and tickets can sell out fast! Each dog must have a dog ticket to enter the Zoo; human tickets will not be honored for dog admission.

For upcoming Dog Days dates, requirements and ticket information, visit cmzoo.org/dogdays. See a guide to Dog Days here.

“It’s such a unique opportunity to see animals interact,” Amber says. “The goats were totally smitten with Finn. It was like they were thinking, ‘You kind of look like me, but I don’t think we’re the same.’ Watching the dogs explore and engage with animals they wouldn’t normally encounter is incredible.”

There are currently four Dog Days on the calendar:
– Friday, March 14, 2025
– Friday, March 21, 2025
– Friday, April 11, 2025
– Friday, April 25, 2025

As for Finn, Amber says they’ll definitely be back – ears perked, tail wagging and ready for another unforgettable day of exploration together.

“We 100% recommend it,” Amber says. “It’s a great way to bond with your dog while experiencing something totally unique.”

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At Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, one extra-fluffy black bear quietly captures the hearts of guests and staff from her peaceful home above the play hills near Grizzly Grill. Beezler, an Asiatic black bear with sassy tendencies and a heart-meltingly gentle demeanor, has touched countless hearts as an ambassador for her species.

At 32 years old, she is the oldest living Asiatic black bear in human care in the U.S. The median life expectancy for Asiatic black bears in human care, according to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, is 29 years. At an age that would put her in her 90s in human years, Beezler is a testament to the compassionate care she receives, an enriching environment, and undoubtedly, her own determined spirit. Described as “sassy” by her keepers, Beezler knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to communicate it, especially when it comes to snacks.

“She is very sweet,” says Erika Furnes, Asian Highlands keeper. “But if we’re moving too slowly with her treats, she lets us know by being surprisingly quick to grab them off the tongs. Even when she’s telling us to hurry up, she’s still gentle. She takes food delicately with just her lips. It’s really cute.”

Her diet consists of peanuts, apples, lettuce, carrots, yams, bananas and an omnivore chow. Occasionally, she enjoys meat or fish, but her true high-value rewards are whipped cream and yogurt. One of her favorite snacks is courtesy of the Zoo’s horticulture team. When crabapple season rolls around, Beezler knows just what to do.

“Above her outdoor space, there’s a crabapple tree that drops fruit every fall,” Erika says. “She knows it. She’ll look up towards the tree, waiting for it to deliver a snack, and then trots over to the apples as they bounce and roll around. It’s so fun to watch her enjoying that natural enrichment, and it’s good for her to stretch and move, since she’s an older bear.”

Beezler is an example of aging with grace in her golden years. She’s fully encouraged to move at her own pace. She has 24/7 access to her climate-controlled dens, where she naps often. However, it’s worth the walk up the short hill to her home, because although she has slowed down and spends a lot of time resting, guests might still see Beezler embracing her inner cub.

“She can be moving at her normal slow pace, but then she sees us setting up something fun, and she’s ready to go,” says Erika. “She really likes it when the weather warms up and we set up her pool. Sometimes she acts almost like a cub again, splashing and floating around. Other times, we set something up that we think she’s going to love, and she ignores it. It’s her world, and she can do whatever she wants!”

When she’s not relaxing her in tub, Beezler enjoys making her hay beds extra cozy, shredding cardboard boxes and occasionally showcasing her signature bursts of youthful energy. Keepers recently gave Beezler a log that Waffles, CMZoo’s African cape porcupine, had been interacting with, so it smelled really good.

“Beezler tore it up,” Erika says. “We hadn’t seen her do that in years! We’re definitely going to keep bringing those logs for her.”

As Beezler has aged, her care has evolved to prioritize her mobility and comfort. She has arthritis, particularly in her back left hip, so the Zoo’s veterinary team has developed a comprehensive pain management plan. She receives supplements and oral medications for pain and inflammation. She participates in laser therapy on her left hip, earning whipped cream as a reward for her cooperation. Beezler is also learning to receive acupuncture therapy by choice.

“We started training her for acupuncture treatments with a blunted needle, then transitioned to a sharper one,” Erika says. “She doesn’t seem to notice at all, and enjoys the whipped cream and yogurt rewards. The acupuncture needles are incredibly fine, just like in human acupuncture, and we hold onto them safely in case she decides to walk away, which she’s always free to do.”

Positive reinforcement training, like this, allows Beezler to be an active participant in her own care, reinforcing the Zoo’s commitment to training that prioritizes the animals’ comfort, confidence and choices in their homes.

Her training extends to other medical procedures as well. She voluntarily participates in blood draws, which allow her team to monitor different levels that could indicate she needs intervention, by placing her front leg into a specially designed metal sleeve.

In addition to her impressive training repertoire, Beezler’s environment is intentionally set up to enrich her and to encourage mobility. Keepers position activities and puzzle feeders in ways that encourage Beezler to move up and down her habitat’s steps, and to climb, stretch and dig.

“She likes to dig in the dirt and the snow,” Erika says. “Digging is a really good movement for her to continue because it involves so many muscles and keeps her dexterity strong. It’s also mentally stimulating and rewarding for her to dig to discover a treat we’ve hidden for her. That sense of confidence and accomplishment is important.”

Asiatic black bears are not commonly found in zoos, making Beezler a rare and special resident. Despite her small stature, standing only about two-and-a-half feet tall at the shoulder, Beezler maintains a giant presence at the Zoo and around the world through the Zoo’s social media channels. Whether she’s digging in the dirt, stretching for a treat, or playfully ignoring her keepers when she doesn’t feel like listening, Beezler continues to be an icon of resilience, intelligence and charm.

“It’s a privilege to work with her and to give people the chance to see and appreciate Asiatic black bears up close,” Erika says.

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Cheyenne Mountain Zoo established The International Center for the Care and Conservation of Giraffe (The Giraffe Center) in 2022. With three full-time employees, The Giraffe Center is a concentrated effort by CMZoo to consolidate resources, expand educational programs to improve and enrich the lives of giraffe in human care throughout the world, and inspire conservation action.

In January 2025, experts from around the world gathered at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, in Palm Springs, California, for The Giraffe Center’s Giraffe and Okapi Conference. More than 100 specialists, keepers, conservationists and researchers from 11 countries attended the four-day conference to share their experiences and expertise in giraffe and okapi care.

“It was truly inspiring and fulfilling to see professionals from all aspects of giraffe and okapi care come together to share and learn from each other,” Amy Schilz, senior animal behaviorist at The Giraffe Center, says.

The momentum of giraffe and okapi care conferences had slowed in recent years, and The Giraffe Center team saw an opportunity to revive the exchange of ideas among giraffe and okapi professionals. Attendees, speakers and presenters gathered from around the world, including the U.S., Brazil, Canada, Belgium, England, Namibia, Kenya, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Australia and the Netherlands.

This rich diversity meant attendees had access to a range of topics on improving the lives of giraffe and okapis in human care. They explored wild giraffe eating habits, and nutritionists discussed how different food types affect physiology. Experts shared insights for incorporating more browse into giraffe diets, and then led an open panel where attendees could pose questions on any aspect of giraffe and okapi care. Another panel focused on creating a full lifestyle of positive reinforcement for giraffe in human care, as opposed to creating sporadic enrichment opportunities.

One of the highlights of the conference was ‘Browse Day,’ when breakout groups discussed securing browse (natural tree branches and leaves), improving enrichment and feeding tactics, growing browse farms and identifying toxic plants. Jason Bredahl, CMZoo’s curator of environmental enhancements, presented at Browse Day.

“I keep telling people, ‘browse is the way,” Jason says. “As animal care professionals, we always want to improve the lives of our animals. CMZoo has dedicated full-time employees, including me, to study how to do that, and this conference allows us to share the methods and data with others who can improve their animals’ lives.”

The data shows, basically, that for CMZoo’s giraffe herd, nothing beats browse. Jason describes the herd seeing browse like a dog when its owner comes home from work. They drop whatever they’re doing and beeline for the browse, even excitedly taking it out of staff members’ hands before they can hang it for them. Khalid, CMZoo’s breeding bull, enjoys stripping bark and leaves from branches so much that staff jokes that he’s just leaving ‘browse bones.’

Browse is more than fun for giraffe; it’s mentally and physically stimulating for the herd – and nutritious. To enjoy this giraffe-approved meal, they must travel to multiple browse locations and then spend time working to strip leaves and branches. Animals want to work for rewards, and eating browse is much more difficult and enriching for an animal, compared to scooping hay from a feeder. At the conference, attendees got insights that CMZoo’s environmental enhancements team has worked for years to study. They returned to their home herds with a head start, guidance on how to make it work at their own facilities and a support system.

Attendees also gained valuable insight into okapi care and conservation, hearing firsthand from conservationists who work directly with okapis in the wild.

“I remember walking by a group at the end of the night, and hearing one of the okapi conservationists tell stories of his field experiences to the okapi caretakers,” Amy says. “That was the moment for me. It reinforced how important it is for us to all meet, share and do this work with each other’s support.”

The conference fostered important senses of camaraderie and support among attendees.

“My favorite thing was watching a room full of people who barely knew each other become friends,” Amy says. “Now, if they have a challenge, they have a support system to reach out to. That kind of professional network is invaluable, especially for those who are newer to the field. Shared knowledge ultimately improves care for okapi and giraffe all over the world – and that’s what we all want.”

Looking ahead, The Giraffe Center will co-host a specialized workshop at West Midlands Safari Park in England in July. This hands-on event will focus on giraffe behavior and training, continuing the commitment to advancing best practices in giraffe care.

For more information on professional memberships, workshops and more, available for giraffe and okapi care teams, visit giraffecenter.cmzoo.org

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Get to know the newest little star in Scutes Family Gallery! Born on December 18, Aysan’s baby sloth is already capturing hearts. This sweet baby has been spending quality time bonding with mom in Scutes Family Gallery, where guests can now catch a glimpse of the cuddly duo as they share precious moments together.

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Construction in admissions plaza, African Rift Valley and the historic road through the Zoo are well underway. Join Cheyenne Mountain Zoo President & CEO, Bob Chastain, for a first look at our ambitious vision for the future.

Constructing a state-of-the-art giraffe habitat and care center with beautiful and functional guest spaces – including a gift shop, café and admissions plaza – on the side of a mountain is no easy feat. Join us for behind-the-scenes looks as the construction team makes progress, shares innovations and overcomes obstacles in a video series called, Bob’s Blueprints: Building a World-Class Zoo.

The Zoo will continue to share major construction updates in The Waterhole newsletter and on social channels. Bob’s Blueprints video series focuses on even more specific construction tactics and challenges, as well as up-close looks at animal improvements and guest experience features. If you want to ‘get in the weeds’ of construction with us, sign up to receive exclusive details not shared in our newsletter or on social media via email at cmzoo.org/BobsBlueprints.

Pack your patience next time you visit the Zoo and lean in to embrace the adventure of this historic chapter for the Zoo. We’re committed to giving guests access to all animals they would see on a normal visit during construction. Guests will still be able to visit African lions, feed giraffe and see some of the smaller animals in African Rift Valley. As construction shifts locations, routes to animals will change. Look out for directions on signs, and please ask for help when you visit.

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Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s highly competitive Summer Teen Program application period opens on Sat., Feb. 1. The three-month program takes a unique approach to fostering nature stewardship and inspiring young people to take part in protecting the wild world. Soon, it will welcome new and returning participants for summer 2025.

Applications for the program for sixth through 12th graders open Sat., Feb. 1 at cmzoo.org/teenprograms. Applications will only be accepted for 10 days, so nature-loving teenagers should start considering the program now.

After orientation on May 17 and 18, the program runs from May 27 to Aug. 8, 2025. Summer Teen Program participants work alongside CMZoo staff to interact with animals, guests, keepers and each other. Lynn Joseph has been in the Teen Program since summer 2021, and in 2025 she intends to return as a Junior Zoo Keeper and a Teen Leader. She is also a member of the Zoo’s Youth Leadership Action Board, which serves the Teen Program similarly to how a student council would serve a school.

“I’ve been able to grow and learn social skills, gain confidence in public speaking and become a stronger leader,” Lynn says. “The Teen Program is an amazing space to be myself, learn how I operate and make mistakes. I’ve learned how to teach, how to be taught and how to connect with people. I’ve made really valuable friendships in this program, and nothing makes me happier.”

In addition to gaining valuable experience working at CMZoo, teen participants learn to be nature’s best stewards with life-changing experiences off Zoo grounds, in Colorado’s wild spaces. Teens can expect educational, inspirational experiences and mentorship that offer a platform to unearth their passions and discover more about their strengths. Teens are mentored by staff and peers as they learn to be leaders and advocates for wildlife and wild places.

“Ultimately, we hope these experiences connect the hands, the heart and the mind to the natural world, so these teens will defend and advocate for the wild places and wild animals of our world,” Austin Kennedy, CMZoo Extended Education Supervisor in the EdVenture department, says. “We focus on leadership training, animal husbandry, interpretation and public speaking, empowerment, life skills and so much more.”

EdVenture staff recommends purchasing an application as soon as possible when they open so teens have ample time to read through, draft, and submit applications. There is an application fee of $25 per applicant. Once that has been paid, a link will be automatically sent to the email used to submit during purchase. The applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. MST on Mon., Feb. 10, 2025. No late applications will be accepted.

After the application period, EdVenture staff conducts interviews with selected candidates. Around 100 applicants are accepted to the summer program. CMZoo’s Summer Teen Program is a tuition-based experience, and scholarships are available. Email [email protected] with any questions.

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Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is celebrating the arrival of a captivating new resident, Valens [VAL-inz], a 5-year-old male snow leopard.

With his big fluffy paws, mesmerizing tail and cautious-yet-inquisitive personality, Valens is living up to his species’ nickname: Ghost Cat. Snow leopards are known for their elusive and stealthy nature, and Valens embodies those traits with a cautious approach to his new surroundings.

“When he’s unsure, he does this adorable hiding behavior that we call his ‘elusive snow leopard mode,’” Basia Dann, lead animal keeper in Asian Highlands, says. “He moves really slowly and stays close to the ground, but his ears stay forward, which means he’s curious and not afraid. You can see he’s carefully assessing everything around him so meticulously.”

Valens is full grown, weighing around 70 pounds, with, “the biggest paws I’ve ever seen on a leopard,” according to Basia. He has also made an impression with his huge, fluffy and animated tail that seems to be in constant motion.

Animal care teams carefully and patiently managed Valens’ journey to his new home to help him settle in confidently. Asian Highland keepers worked with Valens’ former keepers at Central Park Zoo to learn about his favorite enrichment items, foods and hangout spots, which they incorporated into his new habitat to give him a sense of familiarity.

As a naturally cautious animal, they give him the time and space to adjust on his terms and schedule. Valens arrived at CMZoo just before Thanksgiving and started exploring in guest view in early January.

“He’s making great progress, and there’s no rush,” Basia says. “We’re following his lead. He has started training and taking food directly from keepers, as well as exploring more of his yard. We’re proud of him, and we’re going to continue setting up his environment to be comfortable and full of choices for him.”

Guests can visit Valens in Asian Highlands at CMZoo. While he continues to acclimate, he’ll have access to behind-the-scenes indoor dens and outdoor spaces where he’s visible to guests, giving him the choice to explore at his own pace. Keep an eye on the caves and doorways in the south leopard yard, inside the Asian Highlands archway, where he’s likely to be hanging out. Lucky guests might catch a glimpse of him strutting proudly with his latest treat.

“It’s wonderful to have a snow leopard on the mountain,” Basia says. “They are incredible cats, and I’m excited for him to continue getting more comfortable, so he can help us inspire more people to care about his wild counterparts and their habitats.”

Native to the rugged mountain ranges of Central Asia, snow leopards are perfectly adapted to their cold, high-altitude habitats. Their thick fur and long tails help keep them warm, while their oversized paws act like snowshoes, allowing them to navigate deep snow and ice with ease. Known as “ghosts of the mountains,” they are incredibly elusive in the wild, which makes encounters with them a truly magical experience. Discover more about snow leopards at CMZoo

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Mexican spotted owl, photo credit: Ceeanna Zulla, USDA Forest Service. — Photo Credit: Ceeanna Zulla, USDA Forest Service

In 2023, Zoo members voted to fund GPS trackers that U.S. Fish & Wildlife and the USDA Forest Service are using to study Mexican spotted owls in New Mexico and Arizona.

They hope to learn what sort of habitat features Mexican spotted owls are using to nest, and what they are avoiding. The data collected will help them determine how best to protect the species and their habitat.

This is the first study to use GPS tags on Mexican spotted owls. The improved technology allows conservationists to collect high quality data – tracking owls’ locations every hour throughout the night for multiple months through the breeding season.

So far, they have GPS tagged 43 Mexican spotted owls in the study locations. They track data during the owls’ nesting season, collecting one to two months of data per bird.

Mexican spotted owl, credit: Ceeanna Zulla, USDA Forest Service. — Photo Credit: Ceeanna Zulla, USDA Forest Service

Conservationists recently reported interesting results: a few of the tagged owls were using ’disturbed areas,’ which can include parts of the forest disturbed by timber cuts, fire and insect-related tree mortality. These initial findings could lead conservationists to believe that the owls may prefer mixed-use forest habitat – rather than needed pristine, untouched forests to thrive.

It seems that some of the owls actually prefer forests that are used by humans and animals. These are still very wild forests, but they are used responsibly for lumber, and they benefit from selective thinning for wildfire mitigation. If researchers conclude that owls prefer these sites, more of the forest could be mitigated against wildfires and used for sustainable lumber, while still supporting the owls. By tagging the owls, researchers know their current locations, and mitigation and lumber work could avoid their nesting habitats and seasons.

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