Have you noticed the colorful boxes on top of Grizzly Grill? Those are our new bees’ homes! We welcomed three honeybee colonies earlier this month, and they’re hard at work building their hives. Soon, guests will be able to visit an observation colony in The Treehouse in My Big Backyard. Until then, get up-close to our buzzing busy bees in this video, and perhaps learn a few fun facts about our flying friends.
Our 10-month-old Nile hippo calf continues to grow and explore alongside his mom, Zambezi. Join Water’s Edge: Africa lead keeper, Philip, for an update on Omo and another milestone we expect Omo to reach soon: the 500-pound mark! We’ll be hosting a fun guessing game for a Zoo prize on our Facebook and Instagram accounts, so keep an eye out for that. In the meantime, enjoy this yard and poolside check-in with our hippo mom-and-son duo.
Spending time in nature can help reduce stress and trigger happiness! Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is offering small-group programs that foster connections with nature, the outdoors and each other. Through hands-on interactive experiences, classes will engage the whole person – physically, mentally and emotionally – and build a stronger connection with our natural world.
Outdoor School classes may occur on Zoo grounds or off-site in other nature-based environments. These classes focus less on animals at the Zoo and more on the powerful impact nature has on us as humans. When we care more about wild places, we take better care of them and the creatures that live there. This summer, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is offering brand-new opportunities to connect with nature:
Nature Hikes: We’ll search for signs of wildlife, like tracks and scat, or explore with our senses on high-alert in a forest at night. After participating in a nature hike workshop, you will see that we share this amazing Colorado home with so many species (some more obvious than others!).
Nature Photography: Photography is a great way to hold onto memories, share stories, and gain knowledge. Photos can allow us to experience nature up-close without a time limit, so we can focus on the details better than our eyes can. Imagine getting closer to monarch eggs or a hummingbird without disturbing them. Through a lens, you can gain an even greater understanding and appreciation for nature.
Nature Play and Exploration: Sometimes the best way to connect with nature is without an agenda, with opportunities to explore, observe, and engage the senses. Though activities are built into these programs, they are guided by participants’ interests and seamlessly flow into their own experiences. We’ll look for specific colors found around us, identify birds, build forts, or climb rocks. These explorations are sure to ignite your inner “wild child.”
These classes and more can be found at cmzoo.org/outdoorschool. Stay tuned to that page for upcoming programs and opportunities for every season throughout the year. Space is limited in each class, so register soon!
The soft serenade of Wyoming toad mating calls will soon echo through the hallways of the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo conservation center, as Field Conservation Coordinator Jeff Baughman welcomes ten breeding pairs of critically endangered amphibians back from 38 days of hibernation.
“It’s a busy time of year for us,” said Baughman, who has been intimately involved in Wyoming toad recovery at CMZoo since 2008. “The next several weeks are really crucial as we help bring this species back from the brink of extinction. Our adult toads are waking up from hibernation and moving into their breeding suites. Soon, we’ll have our hands full, welcoming thousands of their babies into our care.”
It may sound dramatic, but we believe it is. Wyoming toads are listed as “EW” or “Extinct in the Wild,” on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.
Why give a hop? Toads are worth saving. They play a vital role at the center of the prairie environment, as the best bug control available and as sustenance for migrating birds and native mammals in search of food. If the toads don’t survive, the whole ecosystem suffers. They’re also what’s known as an indicator species, meaning they indicate the overall health of their ecosystem – and it’s in desperate need of attention.
Amphibians worldwide are facing mass extinction due to a pandemic known as the Chytrid fungus. Chytrid fungus causes a skin infection that hinders amphibians’ ability to breathe and absorb water. This often leads to organ failure and death. But, thanks to zoos like CMZoo, these hoppers stand a chance.
Over its 26-year commitment to the cause, CMZoo’s conservation team has released more than 41,629 tadpoles and nearly 1,444 toads into the wild. Next week, 66 more one-year-old toads will take their first hops into the wild to join them in the Laramie Basin of Wyoming.
Although the releases happen each June, the team works year-round to prepare for the toads’ and tadpoles’ hopeful sendoff. The yearly process begins by simulating hibernation for the toads. They’re placed in moss-lined containers inside a hibernaculum, which reduces their temperature slowly over a few days to 38 degrees Fahrenheit. The toads, very much alive, stay at that temperature for 35 days, receiving periodic checks from the conservation team who mist and monitor the sleeping beauties.
Over the last few days of their low-temp slumber party, the hibernaculum’s temperature is slowly raised back to around 70 degrees Fahrenheit, and they start to wake up. The cycle triggers their instinct to breed, as they would in the wild after winter, and that’s when the magic happens.
“We bring them out of the hibernaculum and place genetically desirable breeding pairs into tanks,” said Baughman. “We also play audio tracks from the Laramie Basin, which include Wyoming toad breeding calls, so the environment is just right. It only takes about a week for fertilized eggs to develop into tadpoles.”
The team will release thousands of those tadpoles into ponds and streams in Wyoming at the end of June. Some of the tadpoles hatched this year will stay at the Zoo, under the care of the conservation team, to grow into yearling toads before being released the following summer. The tadpoles held back get a yearlong head start at the Zoo, hence the term ‘headstart toads.’ New this year, others will be held back for two years to see if wild reproduction increases with more sexually mature toads being released. Clean Chytrid-free water, climate controls and plenty of yummy meals of crickets and cockroaches give them all a better chance at surviving in the wild. Not to mention, they won’t be on the menu themselves. Most importantly, it means there are more toads ready to breed in the wild because they will have survived and reached reproductive maturity at two years old.
When they’re about eight months old, each toad is microchipped, so when the team goes back to the release location, they can track survivorship or prevalence of the Chytrid fungus. The microchips also help the team identify and monitor individuals during their stay at CMZoo.
Amphibian allies don’t need a hibernaculum or a fresh supply of crickets to help these little guys. Disinfecting outdoor recreation gear used in and near water can stop the spread of the deadly Chytrid fungus. Leaving your fishing or kayaking gear in a hot car or the sun to dry it out for 3 hours, will kill the fungus and prevent water enthusiasts from accidentally transferring it to another body of water.
“Recovering a species definitely takes time,” said Baughman. “But we’ve seen some promising signs that the toads are starting to bounce back – or hop back – in the wild. During field surveys, we’ve seen wild egg strands, which means toads or tadpoles that have been released, or the offspring of released toads, are starting to do the work for us. As a conservationist, there’s nothing you want more than to be out of work.”
This year, Baughman and his team are taking CMZoo followers on a wild real-time adventure, following a group of tadpoles throughout their year of development in the CMZoo conservation center. We’ll share the successes and the struggles these tiny creatures face, even in the safety of their nursery under the care of our team.
“We have a pretty good record of raising tadpoles to adulthood, but they really struggle in the wild,” said Baughman. “In the wild, only about four of every thousand tadpoles makes it to maturity, and that’s on a good year. On a bad year, only about two survive to breeding age, on average.”
Starting in early June, tune into CMZoo’s social channels, on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube, to get closer than ever to ten little tadpoles. Watch in awe as eggs turn into tadpoles. Be mesmerized by metamorphosis, as they grow legs and absorb their tails, earning the title of toadlet. Root for them as they learn to hunt and grow into dime-sized defenders of their species. Then, follow along as they go through the year-long preparation for their eventual wild release in June 2023. We’ll keep you posted.
Migrating birds and pollinators are moving through Colorado, and they’re hungry! As you plan your 2022 summer garden, consider these plants to brighten your backyard and feed our famished flying friends. CMZoo’s Annual Plant Sale, in the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo parking lot May 20-22, 2022, is a great place to stock up.
“Pollinators are extremely important members of our ecosystem, and they’re counting on us to help fuel their impressive migrations,” said Denny Patton, senior horticulturist at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. “Early blooming perennial plants – which grow back every year – make beautiful additions to your garden when most other plants aren’t blooming yet, and they’re like an oasis in a desert for pollinators in search of food.”
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s Annual Plant Sale is a great place to peruse plants. This year, the Zoo’s horticulture fundraising event will be in the Zoo parking lot Friday, May 20, Saturday, May 21 and Sunday, May 22 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. There’s no need to make a reservation, and Zoo admission is not required. Plants will be available on a first-come first-served basis, so don’t be late!
This year’s Plant Sale is in-person only. There will be no online shopping or shipping options available. Come out to the Zoo and chat with our expert horticulturists about which plants work best in your garden, and know you’re supporting the ongoing beautification of the Zoo with your purchases.
“Our greenhouse is absolutely popping with plants that will be ready to go into the ground at the end of May,” said Patton. “We have perennials, grasses, shrubs and vines available, including some of my favorite pollinators, like butterfly bushes and catmint. We are also offering lavender, and coral bells, which are beautiful, dark purple evergreen plants with chunky leaves and tall stalks that have tiny flowers on them.”
Here are four pollinator favorites to consider adding to your backyard this year, and you can pick them up at this year’s Plant Sale.
Columbines, Colorado’s state flower, are wildflowers that typically bloom in June, and they have two layers of petals! The uniquely shaped flower’s name comes from the Latin word for ‘dove,’ because the interior white petals can look like five doves clustered together. They come in a variety of colors from red to dark purple, but the light blue Columbine is the color most Coloradans recognize.
Butterfly bushes are unruly shaped perennial shrubs that produce long clusters of tiny, sweet smelling flowers that grow in a cone shape along branches with long leaves. They’re usually purple, magenta, pink or white, and typically grow to be about five feet tall. As if their name wasn’t a hint, these flowers are big-time attractors of butterflies whose flowers usually start to bloom in June.
Husker red foxglove beard tongue is another drought-resistant perennial pollinator plant that does well in Colorado’s sandy soil. These plants bloom mid-spring to early summer, with bright-and-ruby red flowers stems and petite white flowers supported by burgundy-colored foliage. They can grow about 30 inches tall and 18 inches wide, and love full-to-partial sun.
Echinacea tennesseensis, or the Echinacea Tennessee purple coneflower, is a drought-tolerant perennial, and a member of the daisy family. Their lightly-scented purple flowers with copper-orange centers bloom at the ends of long stems, typically mid-summer to early fall. After a few seasons of care, they can grow up to four feet high and 36 inches wide.
With a garden of pollinator perennials that bloom throughout the season, you’ll be ready to welcome butterflies, bees, hummingbirds and more to your own personal paradise. Come by the Annual Plant Sale May 20, 21 and 22 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Zoo parking lot to check out our flora options, and to speak with our expert horticulturists about which plants could work well in your garden.
There’s no reservation or admission needed to attend the Plant Sale. All proceeds go to support the Zoo’s horticulture team and projects. Get more information at cmzoo.org/plantsale.
The EdVenture Department at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo has provided the community with wonderful daytime programs for decades. But, did you know they also have a small-group after-hours program for kids, teens and adults, called Starlight Safaris?
Starlight Safaris are a unique way to see the Zoo as your EdVenture guide shares stories, facts and good humor as you explore the Zoo for two hours under a starlit sky.
“I love when I get to share my passion for wildlife and conservation with guests in our evening programs,” said Austin Kennedy, CMZoo Extended Education Supervisor. “It feels more intimate to tour with a group when there are so few people at the Zoo. It’s a pretty special experience to be here at night.”
From the beginning of a Date Night Starlight Safari, just for 21-and-up attendees, guests arrive at the Zoo as the sun goes down, and the howls from the Mexican wolf pack welcome them in to grab an adult beverage of their choice. The groups visit a handful of indoor exhibits throughout the 2-hour tour, including Water’s Edge: Africa, The Loft and of course, feeding the giraffe herd in their barn.
Date Night Starlight Safaris are scheduled from Sun., May 1 to Fri., Aug. 19 and registration is open now at https://www.cmzoo.org/events-programs/schools-groups/evening-tours/date-night-starlight-safari-adults-only-21/. Feel free to join us as a party of one or sign up with your 21-and-up aged friends, work colleagues or partners.
Attendees can also organize their own event on any other available evening, as long as there are six or more participants in a group. Groups can book a Custom Starlight Safari that will include all of the above (adult beverages are only included in the 21-and-up Date Night Starlight Safaris), as well as the opportunity to roast s’mores together (weather dependent). These customized experiences are perfect for birthday celebrations, scout troops, families, team building, friend groups and anyone else you want to share this unique experience with. Start planning your custom event at cmzoo.org/starlight.
Want to give the kids their own night out? Drop them off for one of our prescheduled Kids Only or Teens Only Starlight Safaris! Like the Custom Starlight Safaris, kids will have a chance to roast s’mores during the program (weather dependent).
Teens-Only Starlight Safaris are scheduled for 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Fri., May 20 and Sun., May 29. Register here: https://www.cmzoo.org/events-programs/camps-classes/teen-programs/teen-only-starlight-safari-may-20-29/.
Kids-Only Starlight Safaris are scheduled for 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Sat., June 11, Fri., June 24 and Sat., July 16. Register here: https://www.cmzoo.org/events-programs/schools-groups/evening-tours/kids-only-starlight-safari-tour-june-11/.
We hope to see you at one of our Starlight Safaris, which are available year-round, soon!
Join our 1-year-old giraffe calf, BB, and her keeper team for two behind-the-scenes training sessions. Our youngest giraffe is working on voluntary husbandry behaviors that allow her team to take the best possible care of her. Watch as BB follows cues and gets positive reinforcement for participating in injection training and voluntary hoof care. Way to go, BB!
In the wild, animals spend a lot of time and energy foraging or hunting for food. Feeding our animals seems like a pretty fundamental task of animal care, but it’s more complicated than one might think. Just like our partners at Children’s Hospital Colorado talk about foods that can have calming effects for kids, we work to present our animals’ special diets in ways that nourish their bodies and support their natural instincts.
Wild animals have to solve problems and exert physical energy to feed themselves, which is good for their physical fitness and their mental well-being. Here at the Zoo, we provide opportunities for our animals to fulfill their instinctive hunting or foraging behaviors by hanging food high, or burying it, or placing it in a puzzle feeder that requires focus and dexterity to reach.
“We work hard to create environments and provide daily activities that enrich our animals’ lives, but some people might not immediately recognize that their meals are another opportunity for enrichment,” said Rachael Hahn, lead keeper in African Rift Valley. “I get to work with one of the most iconic hunting species out there: African lions. In the wild and in human care, African lions typically sleep 20 to 22 hours a day, but when they’re active, they’re certainly making up for lost time. They’re unbelievably smart, incredibly strong and as confident as they come.”
Hahn and her team in African Rift Valley make meal time mentally and physically stimulating for Abuto, the 10-year-old pride patriarch; Lomela, 14-year-old matriarch; Elsa, their 6-year-old daughter; and Boma and Aslan, their 6-year-old sons. In addition to scattering food throughout their large yard, the team hangs big pieces of meat up high in a tree for our African lions, so they have to climb up and drag it down, like they would do with some prey in the wild.
“We have been doing this for a couple of years where guests can see it, and the lions seem to really enjoy working for their rewards,” said Hahn. “We also put meat inside some of their giant plastic boomer balls, and have seen the lions ‘playing’ more often, even when food isn’t involved. I’ve seen Lomela, who’s nearly 15, playing with toys like she’s a kitten again. Since making this addition to their routine, we’ve seen them exhibiting calmer behaviors at other times of the day, which is a great indication that they’re mentally fulfilled thanks to these additional opportunities to solve problems.”
Water’s Edge: Africa keepers provide meal-driven enrichment opportunities for the high-energy, intelligent residents of Lemur Island, too. The ring-tailed lemurs at CMZoo get the chance to frequently dine-and-dash, because their meals encourage them to, and the family’s diets are rarely presented in the same way.
“Lemurs are one of few primate species that forage from the ground, up high in the trees, and everywhere in between,” said Al Carrier, Water’s Edge: Africa keeper. “They’re super smart, so we get creative finding new places to stash their food. It’s kind of like an Easter egg hunt every time we place their meals on Lemur Island for them, and it’s fun to watch them scurry and leap around, finding their delicious rewards.”
Keepers also use puzzle feeders that the lemurs can use their long fingers and impressive fine motor skills to retrieve food from. They hang food in spheres that require the lemurs to stretch, climb and leap to reach. They also get seasonal delicacies, like browse.
“In the wild, lemurs eat tree leaves and buds, so we provide that as often as possible for our lemurs,” said Carrier. “We bring in fresh browse – otherwise known as tree branches – from our community and sometimes from our shipping container farm, here at the Zoo. They love to search for the buds on those branches in the spring because they make a nice sweet treat.”
Our little hippo calf, Omo, is 9 months old, and he’s outgrown the baby-proofing in his indoor training area! He’s nursing less and eating more solid foods, which are helping him grow up big and strong. He recently weighed in at 435 pounds. That may seem huge to us, but Omo is still just a baby. He lives full-time with his mom, Zambezi, and has been learning to communicate with his aunt, Kasai, and dad, Biko, who live separately in the same habitat, by making little ‘chuffing’ noises. Keepers have seen Omo’s personality continue to get bigger, along with the rest of him. They say he doesn’t just enter a room; he explodes into it. Check in with Omo, his mom, Zambezi, and Water’s Edge: Africa lead keeper, Philip, in this video update.
Get up close for a big lettuce crunch with Omo, CMZoo’s 8-month-old Nile hippo calf. Water’s Edge: Africa lead keeper, Philip, gives us an update on Omo’s latest milestones, including his first steps toward training and more explorations throughout his home.