CMZoo’s animal care and veterinary teams are working hard to make Zwena, a 13-year-old African lioness who was born at CMZoo in 2007, as safe and comfortable as possible as she deals with increasing mobility issues. The 13-year-old sister to Lomela and aunt to Elsa, Boma and Aslan, has been showing symptoms that her team suspects may be due to neurological disease. The formerly agile lioness is now frequently unsteady on her paws.

“At this point we have performed many diagnostic tests to determine the cause of Zwena’s symptoms and have administered a variety of medications to potentially treat ‘treatable’ diseases,” said CMZoo Head Veterinarian, Dr. Jon Romano. “Now, our goal is to keep Zwena as comfortable as possible, so she can live her best life. Her keepers are dedicated to her care. We’ll continue tracking her quality of life markers. Right now, other than her mobility, they are all looking good.”

Keepers are tracking quality-of-life markers, as they do for any animal with health conditions. Those markers help identify trends that indicate her symptoms are worsening or her life is not fulfilling her needs as a lion. Over time, the data will help her care team make any future decisions necessary. Zwena’s four markers are social dynamics within the pride, mobility, appetite and vision.

“She follows us with her eyes, eats like a champion and still has healthy respect from the pride,” said Diana Miller, African Rift Valley keeper and Zwena’s primary trainer, who has worked with her for 8 years. “So, for now, we’re focused on maintaining those indicators and avoiding any injuries as a result of her decreased mobility. I just love her so much and want to give her the best life she has left.”

Zwena, known affectionately as “Z” by many CMZoo staff members, is well-loved and respected for her no-nonsense approach to building relationships with people.

“Zwena is a brave, sassy, playful lion with one of the best animal personalities I’ve ever known,” said Miller. “She isn’t shy about telling you how she feels about you. You have to earn her respect, so it’s like a rite of passage when ‘Z’ accepts you. She seems like she’s really tough, but she’s a nurturer, too. When her sister, Lomela, had the three cubs in 2015, Zwena was the first to lead them out into the main yard to play. She loves to play and pounce, and even playfully stalks keepers and guests, despite her mobility challenges. Those interactions with guests have made her an amazing animal ambassador for her species. I mean, who could forget a 300-pound lioness focusing on you like that?”

Her care team monitors her condition daily, and makes decisions about which spaces she can safely explore. On days she’s doing well, Zwena may be in the indoor relaxation room. When her unsteadiness is worse, it’s unsafe for her to explore the main lion yard, with its potentially dangerous drops from pride rock. The indoor lion relaxation room could also present potentially unsafe scenarios for Zwena when she’s unsteady, because of the high benches that she would likely attempt to jump to and from.

When keepers see she is less coordinated, she will spend her time in the behind-the-scenes outdoor ‘maternity yard,’ which will provide ample space for her to get safe exercise, fresh air and sunshine. She’ll also have access to off-exhibit indoor spaces where she can receive enrichment, participate in training and get lots of keeper attention.

“She’s not uncomfortable or suffering, and we want to keep her that way,” said Miller. “She’s mentally there, but she will sway or stumble as she walks, even on flat ground. We have seen her leaning against walls for stability or high-stepping over non-existent obstacles. These days, she more frequently half-jumps from low platforms and then pauses to steady herself before moving on, which could mean she’s not feeling confident about her mobility. So, we’re making adjustments to protect her from those environments that are no longer safe for her to navigate.”

Zwena’s symptoms have been intermittent since about 2015, but have recently become more chronic, so her care team is making changes now.

“Socializing is really important to lions, so we’re making sure Zwena still has time with her pride,” said Miller. “She and her sister, Lomela, are best buds. Even when it’s 90 degrees outside, we see them snuggling up together. They still play together, too. It is so fun to watch. Zwena is still living a fulfilling life, but she’s doing it in different spaces.”

Zwena will spend time with each member of her pride. At night, all four of the lions will share space together, to help Zwena maintain her respected position in the pride. Zwena’s vet and animal care team will continue exploring any new options available for keeping her safe and comfortable.

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Our newest event, Silent Night, aims to provide the community with an environment of low-sensory respite. At the event, guests enjoy a quiet Zoo experience with only the natural sounds of animals and the mountainside. At a time when many of our community members need a mental break, this event encourages them to meander at a peaceful pace without a schedule or distractions. The next scheduled Silent Night is Friday, September 11, 2020, and tickets are on sale now at cmzoo.org/silentnight.

“This event presents our guests with a new way to connect with our animals and nature,” said Amanda Ulrich, CMZoo special events manager. “In addition to giving guests a calm, natural space to clear their minds, you can observe the animals in a new way. Even keepers who have worked here for multiple years have experienced things at Silent Night that they wouldn’t during the day, like hearing a vulture’s feathers rustle, or hearing the quiet chirp of a mountain lion.”

Attendees are asked to silence phones and other noisy devices, and to keep all communication to a whisper. Our goal is to create a peaceful environment in our natural surroundings, with as little background noise as possible. We don’t know if the lions are on board with this plan, but the humans who attend agree to keep the talking to a minimum and cell phones on silent. Guests can enjoy our beautiful mountainside setting, and practice mindfulness together. Giraffe and budgie feedings will be available, along with limited dining options at The Grizzly Grill. Unlike our Zoo evening events, there will be no live music, announcements over loud speakers, or keeper talks.

Staff will have notepads to communicate with guests who need anything. “Noise-friendly” buildings are open throughout the Zoo for those who may need to take a moment to regroup or take an important phone call. The rest of the Zoo will be quiet.

“You can get really creative about this silent theme and have fun establishing silent ways of communicating within your group,” said Ulrich. “For example, one family attended and had numbers as common indicators of needs. For example, holding up one finger meant you needed a drink. Holding up two fingers meant you were hungry. Holding up three fingers meant it was time for a bathroom break. When I saw them holding all five fingers on both hands and waving them, it meant they were really excited about what they were seeing. It was awesome to see that family making new memories and a new language.”

Countless studies have shown that time outside, time with animals and exercise all have direct correlations to reducing stress and anxiety.

“There’s so much noise in the world right now,” said Ulrich. “This is your chance to unplug from the digital world and engage in the natural world. Exercise, time outside, and time with animals are all known to improve mental health. We’re in the unique position to be able to provide our community with all three of those elements in one place.”

Advance e-tickets are required and available now at cmzoo.org/silentnight. Masks are required in buildings and are highly encouraged throughout the Zoo.

Fast Facts

Silent Night at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Friday, Sept. 11, 2020
5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Adults: $17.75
Children (3 to 11): $12.75
Kids (2 and under): 75¢
Military and senior discounts available.
E-tickets and information are available at www.cmzoo.org/silentnight.

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It finally feels like summer! The weather is warm, the Zoo is open, and camp is in full swing. Summer Camp at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is a uniquely wild experience, and this summer is no different. Well, it’s a little different.

There are new guidelines in place to help keep staff, guests and campers happy and healthy during their visit. With smaller camp groups, we have been able to make our camp programs match guidelines put in place by our local and state health departments and the Centers for Disease Control. These smaller camp groups also mean that camps have sold out very quickly. There are a few spots left, but they likely won’t last long!

If your child did not get the chance to sign up or your family has decided that you feel safer at home, we have a camp option for you! Summer Camp in a Box is a new way to experience camp activities from the comfort of home. We take all the fun pieces of camp, pack them into a box and send camp to you! You can still connect with the Zoo and enjoy hands-on activities, guided virtual tours, virtual animal encounters and create fun animal enrichment!

Camp in a Box allows you to pick and choose your campers’ activities. You pick the content, we gather all the materials and send it home. It is a great blend of hand-on activities supplemented with virtual content. The goal is to still connect campers with wildlife and wild places, even if it means from your own backyard.

To start building your Summer Camp in a Box, visit cmzoo.org/virtual to get started!

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Learn all about Ohe, newest member of the reticulated giraffe herd at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.

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To celebrate the recent release of 148 Wyoming toads to the wild, we’re looking at a year in the life of our toads, which are bred at CZOo in an effort to help recover this species once considered extinct in the wild.

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

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

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

E-Tickets
  • Advance e-tickets are required and can be reserved at cmzoo.org/open. Check daily for newly available tickets.
  • If you don’t see a date or time available, e-tickets for that date or time have been fully reserved.
  • We have asked members who can’t use the tickets they reserve to tell us so we can make those available for other members. We don’t have a release schedule for those, but we are receiving quite a few ‘recycled’ tickets, so please do continue to check back.
  • Members, please be considerate to your fellow members and limit the number of tickets you reserve at this time. Consider delaying a second visit to allow another family a chance to see their favorite animals while we’re still on restricted capacity.
  • All individuals visiting the Zoo must have their own advance e-ticket, including children age 2 and under.
  • We’re moving as quickly as possible based on when government restrictions change. We’re hopeful more tickets will be available soon, and we’ll be able to reopen at a capacity that relieves the compressed timelines within which everyone has been trying to purchase tickets.
Getting To and Around the Zoo Safely
  • Your timed e-ticket reflects the window of time you have to scan your ticket to enter the Zoo. Once you’re in the Zoo, you can stay until we close, regardless of what time you entered.
  • We have restructured our entry plaza to accommodate safe distancing as our guest services team scans your tickets and you enter the Zoo. Each group of people in line has six feet of space between other guests.
  • When you exit the Zoo to the parking lot, you will leave through the outgoing vehicle gate, not the pedestrian gates you used to leave through.
  • Closed and/or monitored capacity areas in and around the Zoo will be clearly defined with signage. Please understand there are temporary limitations and modifications put in place that may change the way you are used to experiencing the Zoo.
  • Masks are strongly encouraged for all Zoo guests.
  • We understand it’s hard to remember how important social distancing is when you’re hanging out with the herd, or watching a penguin waddling at your feet, but we’re depending on our guests to help us adhere to these guidelines set forth by state and local officials. We have placed six-foot tables in high-traffic areas, like hippo viewing and giraffe feeding, to help create a safe distance between groups attending the Zoo together. Also, keep looking for chalk bear tracks on the ground, in places like the elephant feeding lines. Those ground markers indicate six feet of space, so you can say hello to our African elephants and help keep your community safe.

Safely Visiting the Animals
  • To prevent the congregation of large groups of guests, no scheduled animal demonstrations will be available during this time. However, you may come across “pop-up” experiences throughout your visit.
  • Giraffe feedings are available on the boardwalk, when the giraffe are outside. Lettuce is available for $3 or $5 per bundle.
  • Elephant feedings are available for $10 to $15 daily (weather dependent) at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
  • Rhino feedings are available for $10 to $15 daily (weather dependent) at noon.
  • Some buildings, like the giraffe barn and The Loft, will be closed because they do not allow for safe distancing.
  • Buildings have maximum capacities, and some will have a staff member regulating when new groups can enter a building.
Amenities Available
  • The Mountaineer Sky Ride is open.
  • The carousel is closed.
  • Due to current health guidelines, we are not able to honor free refills with reusable cups at this time. Soft drinks will be available for purchase in our eateries.
  • Drinking fountains will also be disabled at this time. Touchless water bottle filling stations will still be accessible, so please consider bringing your own reusable water bottle.
  • Food service will be limited during this time. All restaurants are open, with limited menus and spaced seating, both inside and outside as available.

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

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

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

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

Send a ‘Gratitude Gram’ by clicking here.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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