The Waterhole Archives - Page 8 of 36

Last month, 7-year-old male African lion, Boma, moved to San Diego Zoo Safari Park after living with his brother, Aslan, for about five years. With Boma leaving for a new social group, African Rift Valley keepers are working to provide Aslan with new social opportunities here at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.

Four African lions currently live at CMZoo: the aging parents, Abuto and Lomela, their daughter, Elsa, and their son, Aslan. The long-term plan is for Elsa and Aslan to share space, with interbreeding preventions in place, and for Lomela and Abuto to share space. The introduction plan will be ongoing, so guests may see groups of two or three lions together as the care team works to support the changes in the pride.

Keepers say Aslan is doing well in his brother’s absence, but they have noticed some changes to his behaviors. He has started playing with enrichment more, which he didn’t do as much when he lived with Boma. His brother was more dominant, which meant Aslan didn’t always get as much time with enrichment before Boma began to resource-guard it, as leading lions instinctually do. Their leader/follower relationship also meant Aslan found confidence by following in Boma’s footsteps.

“Maybe Aslan’s new playful behavior and his tendency to be submissive will be a great fit for Elsa, who is fast and loud in every way possible,” said Kelsey Newman, keeper in African Rift Valley. “Elsa loves to pounce, play, wrestle and roar. She seems really excited to see Aslan again, but we want to take things slowly so she doesn’t overwhelm him with her enthusiasm.”

Aslan and Elsa lived together for a couple of years when they were little, and they take turns rotating in and out of spaces at the Zoo. They’re familiar with each other’s scents and sounds. But, they haven’t shared space in around five years. Big cat introductions are always risky, but so far their ‘howdies’ have been positive.

Howdies are opportunities for animals to see, smell and hear each other with a protective barrier between them. For Elsa and Aslan, they’re seeing each other from separate rooms with a 3-foot hallway between their spaces, so they’re not sharing a fence yet. To make howdies and introductions go smoother, keepers will often place a lot of really high-value enrichment items in the area. The intention is to give both parties plenty to do in addition to focusing on each other. For Elsa and Aslan, those items were wooden logs that had been de-barked by the African elephants, mud from the Red River hogs’ habitat, shavings and hay.

“When we invited Aslan and Elsa into their separate howdy rooms, they immediately ran to where they could see each other,” said Newman. “They usually love those smelly enrichment items, but they totally ignored them. Elsa was more intense about it and Aslan took the submissive role, which we expected. It’s still early days, but we’re happy with how it’s going so far.”

After a little while together, Aslan went outside in his side yard and took a nap. He was heard making what keepers call ‘baby noises’ or little chirps and chuffs to his sister. Elsa returned to her parents, where she playfully head-bumped Lomela then rolled over to pull on her dad, Abuto’s, mane.

Before taking next steps, keepers want to see calmer behaviors between the two lions. Experience tells them that the more the two see each other, the less they’ll react to each other. Once energy levels are appropriate, the siblings will continue howdies with a fence between them, and move on from there.

“We know these lions,” said Newman. “They know their habitats, and they know how to communicate with their keepers, so we can respond quickly if we see signs of discomfort. They’re aware of and familiar with each other. We feel confident in the decisions we’re making, and we’ll continue listening to the lions to set them up for the best chance at this ideal social setup for the whole group.”

While howdies and introductions continue, guests might notice post-excitement behaviors, like pacing or panting. Keepers are monitoring the lions extra closely to ensure they’re comfortable and confident as they rekindle their close sibling relationship.

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Mila, a female Amur tiger, turned two years old behind the scenes on May 1, 2023, and Asian Highlands keepers had more than one reason to celebrate. Her second birthday seemed to be a turning point for the tentative tiger, who arrived at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in March 2023.

“It feels like we’re finally getting to know Mila, and wow, she’s fierce, and she’s smart,” said Basia Dann, lead keeper in Asian Highlands. “She catches on really quickly. Once you’ve gained her trust, she’s excited to see you and will come over to hang out near you. I’ll go back there with her food bin, and she’ll lie down, put her ears forward and look up at me with her big beautiful eyes. She’s patient while I get a meatball on the tongs and feed her through the fence, and not all tigers are so gracious. She also does an adorable little prance trot between us when we’re training. She’s great.”

Mila was born at Toronto Zoo (TZ) and lived with her mother, Mazy, until earlier this year, when TZ said Mila and Mazy started showing signs they wanted their own space. Around that age, Amur tigers in the wild set off on their own and live mostly solitary lives. CMZoo accepted a future breeding recommendation for Mila and worked with the Amur Tiger Species Survival Plan (SSP) to make a home for her on the mountain.

When Mila first arrived at CMZoo, she did not want anyone to approach her space, which made building a trusting relationship challenging. Luckily for Mila, she has a compassionate, tenacious, patient and talented team of keepers on her side. CMZoo’s dedicated tiger team met with animal behavior experts within and outside of the Zoo to help Mila settle in. Mila’s team met multiple times per week to review her progress and discuss any new lessons learned to constantly update her care plan with her best opportunities for success.

“The first month was a big transition for Mila,” said Dann. “Animals are individuals with unique backgrounds, experiences and tendencies, so we expect them to acclimate to new environments differently. We spent the first few weeks letting her know that she has choices, she is in control of her environment, and she can be confident knowing that we’re not going to rush her into anything before she shows us she’s ready.”

The Asian Highlands team at CMZoo has 48 combined years of experience working closely with a number of tigers over the years. They’ve welcomed tigers from other zoos on moves recommended by the Amur Tiger SSP, like Mila, and they’ve prepared tigers to move to other facilities on those same sorts of recommendations. They leaned on that experience to help Mila settle in.

“It’s an art and a science,” said Dann. “We had a plan in place before Mila arrived, based on what has worked well for other tigers and our knowledge of the species’ tendencies and needs, but we’re also dedicated to listening to our animals and making changes to our plans to best support them as individuals.”

From the moment she arrived, her care team respected Mila when she showed them she wasn’t comfortable with visitors, by growling or jumping. To communicate that they understood what she wanted and respected it, they would leave her space immediately, and try again later. Their intention was to let Mila know that she did not need to have big responses to be heard.

“Our experience told us that she would start to settle down when she recognized that she was in control of the situation, and she did,” said Dann. “We wanted her to learn that we get it. Sometimes you’re going to have big feelings, and we’re always going to respect that. If you want us to go away, we will, and you can tell us in a way that helps you feel calm.”

Mila got it, too. Incrementally, she started reducing her reactions, learning that her keepers were tuned into her. Even a slight lip curl would be seen and respected as a notice for keepers to give her some space. By around her second birthday, she had built such trust in her team that she didn’t feel the need to request space as often. Dann says her proudest moment was one day when keepers went to deliver Mila’s dinner.

“It’s like something really clicked for her that day,” said Dann. “She must have heard us coming, because we went into the building, and she had come out of her den and was waiting for us by the device we use to safely deliver food. She was just sitting there calmly, looking at us with her big adorable eyes, not making a sound at all, and waiting patiently. It was a big moment.”

Since then, Mila is making massive progress, and keepers couldn’t be more proud of her. She enjoys exploring outdoors in a side yard, investigating enrichment, and even training. She previously learned an up-and-down behavior at TZ, where she stands on her back legs and reaches up on the fence between her and her keepers, so they can get a good look at her body condition and paws. Recently, she has learned how to translate that behavior to her new space and team at CMZoo. She’s also learning how to shift into different spaces when asked, and she’s even taking rewards directly from keepers, who use tongs to deliver yummy snacks.

“She’s starting to get excited about enrichment we offer her,” said Dann. “She’s comfortable enough to be vulnerable around us, and she knows she is safe to direct her attention to cardboard boxes instead of keeping an eye on us when we’re in the building. We’ve seen her getting playful, and having a spring in her step. When she encounters something new, she does this little head tilt like she’s trying to get a better look at it.”

Next up for Mila: a new swimming pool. Keepers plan to introduce her to new opportunities for enrichment and training as she continues to progress. There’s no timeline for when she’ll be ready to explore the main yard, where guests will be able to see her. But, keepers are excited at the new pace she’s setting for achieving milestones. For now, she’s spending lots of time in her private yard, watching guests on the Sky Ride, soaking up the sunshine, rolling around in the mud and spying on her stripy neighbor, CMZoo’s 8-year-old male Amur tiger, Chewy.

“She can see him through a window in the side yard wall, and she’s very curious,” said Dann. “She has heard him chuff when they’re in separate spaces in the same building, too. She’s so cute. Her head tilts slightly to the side and her ears go forward, like ‘Who’s that?’. She hasn’t talked back yet.”

Howdies – which are opportunities for animals to see each other through a protective barrier as a first step toward introductions – with Chewy won’t likely happen for years because she’s still so young and there’s no immediate need. For now, Mila has plenty of other things to learn and to teach her team about herself.

“She’s going to keep us on our toes, that’s for sure,” said Dann. “I have so much respect for her. Look at what she has accomplished over the past few weeks, and imagine what she’ll do next, now that she knows she’s going to have a life of control, choices, care and hopefully lots of fun with us.”

CMZoo will continue to share updates on Mila as she makes progress, and will let fans know when they can see her in the main yard, when the time is right.

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We are excited to announce the rankings of our annual Member Conservation Vote! When you become a member at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, you get to vote on which conservation projects we support. $75,000 of membership revenue is sent to support employee-championed field conservation partners around the world. Thanks to CMZoo members, five conservation efforts will receive funding.

The Migratory Bird Project, the African Lion Project, the African Penguin Project and the Spotted Owl Project will receive full funding and the Pancake Tortoise Project will receive partial funding. Thanks to CMZoo members for helping protect wildlife and wild places!

If you are interested in becoming a member so you can vote in our future Member Conservation Vote, learn more at cmzoo.org/membership.

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Kay, a one-year-old female giraffe from Lincoln Children’s Zoo (LCZ), arrived at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo on the evening of Wed., April 19, and she’s settling in well. She has shared space with Msichana and Muziki, and, this week, started introductions with other herd members through a protective barrier, including Ohe and Viv, who were very interested!

Just like people, animals respond to changes in their surroundings and routines, so it’s important to have a plan in place. Long before Kay arrived, her care teams at LCZ and CMZoo started working together to make her transition go as smoothly as possible. Our partners at Children’s Hospital Colorado have advice for parents to teach their kids skills to navigate changes and advocate for their well-beings. At CMZoo, keepers do the same for their animals.

In anticipation of Kay’s arrival, the African Rift Valley team set up clean and comfortable spaces for her routine quarantine period, planned quarantine protocols and necessary sample collections with CMZoo’s veterinary team, chose 20-year-old giraffe, Msichana, as a friend to keep Kay company during quarantine, and worked with LCZ’s giraffe keeper team to learn all about her personality, training and tendencies.

CMZoo has welcomed a lot of giraffe over the years, so keepers know what works best for the entire herd, and they also take an individual giraffe’s needs into perspective once they arrive. What has made this move especially successful for Kay, so far, is the effort both teams put into her care.

“We have been in communication with Kay’s team at LCZ a lot,” said Savannah Woods, African Rift Valley keeper at CMZoo. “We feel really prepared to care for Kay as an individual because of the information they’ve been able to provide, because we have such extensive experience with giraffe, and because they have done such a great job preparing her for the move.”

Kay is the second giraffe ever born at Lincoln Children’s Zoo, and the first to move to another location. Jake Beiermann, primary giraffe keeper at LCZ, has worked with Kay since she was born. He traveled to CMZoo with Kay to help her settle in and to spend a few days with the keeper team at CMZoo.

“We know CMZoo is big on voluntary husbandry training, so we wanted Kay to be prepared with some basic behaviors so she could get going into the routine right away,” said Beiermann. “Before her big road trip, we also exposed her to a lot of new and different situations so she could learn that new things didn’t need to be scary. When she arrived and met a new care team, a new giraffe herd, a new location and whole new routine, she was confident and adaptable. She’s very confident.”

Because Kay needed to be bottle fed as a baby at LCZ, she is extremely outgoing and comfortable with people. She gently and eagerly approaches her new keeper team through a protective barrier and enthusiastically investigates new spaces and enrichment activities at CMZoo.

“I think she’s going to be a fantastic ambassador for her species, and because our Zoo does so much to get guests close to animals, I think she’s going to enjoy that setup,” said Woods. “LCZ has done amazing work with her training. She’s only a year old, and she’s already positioning her foot on the hoof care block, so we’re excited to continue that because husbandry is such a big part of our program at CMZoo.”

Once Kay receives the medical all-clear from the CMZoo veterinary team, she will start to meet other members of the herd. Once she’s comfortable with that, her care team will continue increasing the number of giraffe she’ll share space with, and the spaces she’ll explore. Kay lived with two other calves at LCZ and spent much of her time running and playing with them, so CMZoo’s team has high hopes for her buddying up with six-month-old Wednesday, 4-year-old Viv, 4-year-old Ohe, and 5-year-old Panya.

“I’m excited to see her out with the big herd when the time is right,” said Beiermann. “I couldn’t ask for her to go to a better place than CMZoo. I’ve been lucky enough to get to know the CMZoo crew, and I know she’s in the best hands. Hopefully we’ll get to see her contribute to the Giraffe Species Survival Plan with her own babies someday, and that our efforts to save her as a calf were all leading to good things in the future.”

CMZoo will provide updates on Kay as she continues to settle in at CMZoo.

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Last month, 2-year-old Alaska moose, Atka, had surgery to remove a toe with progressive bone degradation from his front left foot. Since then, the ‘Prince of Rocky Mountain Wild,’ as he’s called by his keepers, has been leaning on the trusting relationship he has with his care team to continue his recovery.

“We’ve been really impressed with Atka,” said Erika Furnes, Atka’s primary trainer and senior keeper in Rocky Mountain Wild. “When an animal needs to go through something major like this, there’s always a chance you could lose some of the trust you have built with them. We have to ask a lot of Atka right now, to give him the best possible care, and he’s doing a really great job.”

Since his surgery on Feb. 28, 2023, Atka has been voluntarily participating in his recovery, which started with 13 days of barn rest following his surgery. On April 10, Atka’s care team decided his wound was looking good enough for the big guy to go outside.

“The plan was always to listen to what Atka was telling us during his recovery, and to balance what’s best for him medically with what’s best for him as a moose,” said Furnes. “After nearly two weeks, he was ready to stretch his legs in the sunshine. By respecting his space and responding to his needs, we can maintain his trust, which allows us to provide better care for him long-term.”

Atka’s surgical sutures have come loose, which is not uncommon in this procedure when performed in domestic hoof stock like cows or goats, but because he voluntarily participates in hoof care, CMZoo’s veterinary team and Atka’s surgeon have been able to monitor his foot closely, and are happy and comfortable with how it is progressing. Atka also actively participates in training to receive antibiotic injections and oral medication for any discomfort he might be experiencing.

“We want to give him the rest, pain medications and antibiotics he needs while limiting the number of times he has to go under anesthesia,” said Furnes. “So far, we haven’t needed to anesthetize him since his surgery. I’ve been so proud of him. He’s still coming right over to his training panel and presenting his hoof on the block so we can get a close look at his surgical site. He takes oral medications in an apple in the morning, and so far, he has let us give him all necessary injections of long-lasting antibiotic.”

Atka and his care team have worked to build that relationship through positive reinforcement husbandry training. Moose are rare in zoos, and are almost unheard of south of Colorado. Because they’re so rare in human care, there aren’t as many training protocols, so CMZoo has helped blaze the trail for moose training everywhere.

“When you go through a tough chapter like this with an animal, it reminds you of how important the relationship-building and training you’ve done in the past is,” said Furnes. “Ongoing maintenance training is always important, but when an animal’s recovery depends on it getting certain care, the relationship of trust and the language you have built together make the process less stressful and more successful for everyone – animals and humans.”

Atka is still healing and learning how to navigate on seven toes, instead of eight. Moose feet normally each have two toes that move independently to help the long-legged mountain mammals balance on rocky terrain. It is likely Atka will probably walk with an unusual gait for the rest of his life, since this necessary surgery has changed the structure of his foot – which is one-quarter of his foundation.

Animals are resilient, and Atka is adapting to his new foot. Keepers say that over the last four weeks of recovery, Atka has spent time lying down in comfy sand and shavings piles they’ve provided for him in his yard. He has been trotting, rubbing against trees, walking to his fence line to greet guests, enjoying fresh browse and wading in his pond. Guests might see Atka stumbling when he makes tight turns, favoring his one-toed foot, or curling it to rest it while he stands.

Atka has access to his barn and his yard for now, so visitors can stop by to wish him well in Rocky Mountain Wild. Atka’s team will continue to monitor him closely and make any adjustments to his medications, treatments or access to physical activity, with Atka’s best interests in mind.

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With buds forming on trees, migratory birds chirping and daffodils starting to emerge, Spring is upon us in Colorado Springs. Although experts recommend waiting to plant new greens in your garden until the end of May, now is the time to start planning for your backyard or patio oasis. CMZoo’s Annual Plant Sale, on May 19, 20 and 21, 2023, is a great place to stock up.

“Our greenhouse is bursting with locally grown native, drought-resistant and pollinator-feeding plants this year, and we’re excited for everyone to join us at our annual Plant Sale in May,” said Denny Patton, senior horticulturist at CMZoo. “Bees, birds and butterflies will be hungry as they emerge and migrate at the end of May, and by planting early blooming perennial plants – which grow back every year – we can all help make their search for food a little easier.”

This year, the Zoo’s fundraising Plant Sale will be behind Water’s Edge: Africa. Zoo admission is not required to attend the Plant Sale, and Zoo guests can stop in to shop on their way out. Plant Sale attendees can access the sale from the far west end of the parking lot.

There are no reservations or tickets required to attend the Plant Sale, which will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fri., May 19, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sat., May 20 and Sun., May 21 – when the Zoo closes early for Run to the Shrine. 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.

The Plant Sale will feature a variety of perennial plants, shrubs, vines and more. Some of Patton’s favorites, which attendees can purchase from the Plant Sale this year, are:

Gaillardia aristata, commonly known as blanket flower, is a peachy orange and yellow daisy-shaped perennial that is native to this region. They’re highly drought tolerant and do best in full sun. Bumblebees and other pollinators are drawn to their bright, plentiful flowers, which typically grow – mostly upright with not a lot of width – to be 12 to 18 inches tall.

Solidago, often called goldenrod, is true to its common name. On a woody base, it features dense wand-like clusters of tiny gold and yellow flowers that make massive meals for pollinators. Goldenrod is drought tolerant and prefers full sun. They can grow to be more than 5 feet tall, but typically grow from 1 to 3 feet high and 3 or 4 feet wide.

Nepeta, better known as catmint, (but not to be confused with cat nip!) is a perennial herb from the mint family. These bushy plants with delicate, blue flowers prefer full sun or partial shade. They do well in dry growing conditions, which encourages more and stronger-scented flowers. They can grow to be 2 feet tall and 2 feet wide. Because they are members of the mint family, they spread easily and make good border or ground cover plants to spruce up any space while feeding hungry pollinators.

Dark Knight spirea, also called salvia or Bluebeard, helps birds, bees and butterflies fuel up in late summer. Its appearance is similar to a butterfly bush, with a woody base and long silver-gray leaves. Deep purplish-blue cone-shaped flowers emerge at the end of summer and continue to bloom until frost. Spirea are exemplary plants for xeriscaping, because they don’t require a lot of water and do well in sandy soil. This shrub is considered small in the shrub world, reaching about 3 feet in height and width at maturity.

Echinacea is a drought-tolerant perennial, and a member of the daisy family. They come in many colors, and the CMZoo Plant Sale is offering a variety with a black center, surrounded by burgundy-orange petals. Their flowers bloom at the ends of long stems, typically mid-summer to early fall. They can grow up to 4 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. Check out the flora options and speak with CMZoo’s expert horticulturists about which plants could work well in your garden at the Plant Sale, Fri., May 19 through Sun., May 21! Get more information at cmzoo.org/plantsale.

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Imagine answering a knock on your door to find a furry, scaly or feathery CMZoo animal ambassador peeking through the peephole. That dream could be your reality thanks to CMZoo’s Animal Grams program!

Animal Grams are paid off-site visits from a CMZoo animal ambassador and EdVenture staff member. Each visit lasts five to ten minutes and includes a one-of-a-kind art piece created by a CMZoo animal.

“I absolutely love this program because the reactions from the people we visit are pure joy,” said Dawn Moon, EdVenture Outreach Supervisor at CMZoo. “Usually, the door opens, and they see an opossum, snake, or bird waiting to meet them, and they let out a huge, ‘oh my goodness!’ It’s so much fun, and the animals seem to enjoy the new smells, sights and sounds, and getting lots of yummy rewards for choosing to participate in the program.”

Animal Grams can be booked in a variety of ways for a variety of celebrations. Staff travel locally (mileage charges may apply for visits more than 30 miles from the Zoo) to people’s homes, offices and more for these quick visits, which can be spent however the recipient prefers. Staff can provide an educational talk, or just let you sit with the animal quietly, or pose for photos together.

With graduations, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and more around the corner, now is a good time to book the best surprise ever for the person you want to celebrate this summer. Or, for no reason at all.

“Some people schedule an Animal Gram for themselves, which I think is a creative way to show yourself some love,” said Moon. “We sat and talked for a few minutes while she enjoyed the visit. It was totally uplifting for her, and I thought it was a really great way to give herself a little boost.”

Book your very own visit, or a surprise Animal Gram for someone you love, at cmzoo.org/grams.

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After seven years of settling in, the Western lowland gorillas at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo are officially a cohesive troop! 32-year-old Goma – the troop’s silverback – is living with the four females full-time, which means they’re ready to take the next step as a family.

Goma came to CMZoo on a breeding recommendation in 2016. Joining a tightly bonded group of females was no easy task for the silverback, who came from a bachelor group without much experience living in a traditional family unit. He had to learn how to lead and communicate with females, 30-year-old Asha, 30-year-old Kwisha, 42-year-old Juju and 46-year-old Roxie.

“It’s a fine line because he had to gain their respect, but also show them respect,” said Jon Wild, lead keeper in Primate World. “Now that they’re living together comfortably all the time, we can start working on one of the main reasons he came here: to hopefully help bring a bundle of joy to the group.”

The Western Lowland Gorilla Species Survival Plan recommended Goma and Asha to breed, and although Goma has no experience in that department, they’re hopeful Asha will lead the way. In the coming months, keepers will end Asha’s oral contraception (birth control).

Keepers have seen ‘flirting behavior,’ from Asha, where she’ll sit extra close to Goma or stare intensely at him. She throws hay and plays near him to get his attention, but Goma hasn’t responded. The end of birth control means Asha’s hormones will shift, so it’s likely she’ll be even more motivated to get on his radar. If Goma were human, some might think he’s playing hard to get. What’s more likely is that inexperienced Goma simply doesn’t know what to do yet.

“We haven’t seen any breeding behavior from Goma yet,” said Eleanor Knox, senior keeper in Primate World. “That’s not the case with confident Asha. She’s quite interested in him. Asha and Goma sit, sleep and eat comfortably near each other, within about five feet, which is promising. He’s learned so much already, so we’re hopeful he’ll be able to learn this new role, too.”

Asha has experience as a teacher. She previously taught breeding behaviors to another silverback. Of all the females, keepers say Asha led the way in helping Goma get settled into the troop. With the change in her hormones, the rest of the troop will likely adapt to her behaviors, too.

They’re a family that lives together 24/7, so, like any family, they have disagreements and they work them out in their own way. To communicate they’re not thrilled with something that’s happening, gorillas will ‘stiff stance,’ which is when a gorilla stands on all fours with stiff front arms while facing another gorilla intensely. They also chase, vocalize, or make noise with objects near them. This might look alarming to the untrained eye, but it’s all normal conflict resolution for gorillas.

Juju has mellowed out in her advanced age and after bouts of health issues. She very rarely initiates conflict anymore. However, she’s happy to participate with a grunt from a distance and a little chase, or she might dish out a signature ‘bop’ on the head as someone chases by her.

Because the keepers know the gorillas so well as individuals, they can identify behavioral changes and look for physical changes that could indicate pregnancy. Weight is a factor, but gorillas are naturally round-bellied, so keepers will depend on scale training and specific weights, rather than whether a gorilla ‘looks pregnant.’ Similar to humans, gorilla pregnancies can also be confirmed with a urine test.

“Guests sometimes ask if they’re pregnant now,” said Knox. “Asha and Kwisha, our younger two females, have round bellies. It’s understandable why guests might think that. Obviously, if there’s a pregnancy, no one would be more excited than us, and we would be shouting it from the mountainside when the time is right.”

The team is hopeful for a baby for a variety of reasons. Having kids in a gorilla troop generally helps make a cohesive troop even more bonded. Asha has two offspring, 16-year-old female Tumani and 10-year-old male Dembe, who now live at other zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Having young gorillas in a troop is a natural part of gorillas’ dynamic and it’s enriching for everyone to have a baby around.

“Roxie is in the last years of her life, and she has loved playing with the kids in the past,” said Knox. “We would love to see her enjoy that role as a grandma one more time. We also want to help maintain the species, and there’s nothing like a baby to get people’s attention and inspire a new generation of conservationists.”

Western lowland gorillas are critically endangered in the wild. In addition to disease and poaching, they face habitat loss due to logging for agricultural use, human settlements and mining. Many of the west African lowland forests and swamps that these animals call home contain natural deposits of coltan, a mineral used in cell phones and other electronics. Due to the ever-increasing demand for cell phones across the world, the destruction of these gorillas’ habitats for mining purposes has unfortunately only increased.

Coltan is recyclable, and by donating old cell phones, gorilla advocates can supply valuable coltan for future phone production. In Primate World, guests can deposit their old and unused cell phones in a recycling bin near the gorilla habitat. CMZoo sends them to Eco-Cell, an organization that recycles the phones, as well as tablets, smart watches, Bluetooth devices, GPS devices, e-readers, digital cameras, handheld gaming systems and their accessories.

CMZoo will provide updates on the gorilla troop’s progress as the group reaches milestones.

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Cheyenne Mountain Zoo has reached a huge conservation goal: reducing its overall annual water usage by nearly half. To offset its water usage, CMZoo also continued a commitment to Trout Unlimited’s water conservation efforts right here in Colorado.

You can’t make homes for hippos and penguins without a whole lot of water, but CMZoo’s previous aquatics building was never going to meet the Zoo’s long-term water saving goals, due to outdated life support system design. From 2009 to 2017, CMZoo used an average of 29 million gallons of water per year. Now, thanks to creative solutions throughout the Zoo and techniques and technologies in Water’s Edge: Africa, the Zoo uses around 16 million gallons per year. That’s a forty-five percent reduction in water use and a savings of 13 million gallons per year.

To offset the environmental impact and to reduce water usage, the team got creative and specific, by:

Designing a new hippo habitat with more efficient methods of water filtration than the old aquatics building possessed.
Improving animals’ water quality and reducing water used in animals’ habitats by fine-tuning water testing and filtration methods.
Catching water that was previously drained when the hippo pools were vacuumed.
Installing pumps to improve water pressure and reduce water volume on hoses used to clean animal areas.
Reinforcing a ‘water aware’ culture throughout the Zoo, with leaks reported more often and repaired more quickly.
Offsetting the 16-million-gallon annual usage by funding the release of equal annual amounts into the Rio Grande basin of southern Colorado.

“Water conservation really is about collectively saving every single drop we can,” said Nicole Chaney, CMZoo conservation and sustainability coordinator. “It’s wild to think that by making a minor adjustment to the hippo pool vacuum, we saved 1,883,400 gallons of water per year. I hope CMZoo guests and fans will look for opportunities in their own homes – even if they don’t have a huge river pool that houses four hippos – to look for small changes that can make big impacts.”

CMZoo guests also make a contribution to water conservation efforts by supporting the Zoo. Every visit to CMZoo is conservation in action. CMZoo recently continued its funding support for Trout Unlimited (TU), a CMZoo conservation partner and nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection and restoration of habitat for animals that rely on our local rivers, which operates a program in the Rio Grande Basin of southern Colorado.

Under the program, TU arranges for releases of water from storage reservoirs to restore river flows for the benefit of fish populations and the riverine environment. From 2019 to 2021, the Zoo donated $45,000 to support the water releases. For 2022 usage, the Zoo donated $20,000 for Trout Unlimited to release 65 acre-feet of water (which translates to 21,180,315 gallons or 50 football fields one foot deep in water) from storage into the Rio Grande River or its tributaries.

Roughly ninety percent of Colorado’s water supply is used by farmers and ranchers, according to Trout Unlimited, and this agricultural water use drives rural economies. Rivers also support many important functions in our state: feeding diverse ecosystems of plants and animals; generating tourism and making an economic impact on local business through its fishing, hunting, camping and whitewater sports; and transporting water from reservoirs to those who need it.

CMZoo supports TU’s program to partner with water users and incentivize them to re-time portions of their water for delivery during the winter months when possible. Restoring stream flows below working reservoirs during the winter months, while simultaneously satisfying water-user needs, creates a better balance of water delivery for the environment, and the people who rely on it.

Water rights are complicated in Colorado, but the experts at TU have established partnerships with water rights holders so TU can lease and re-time water rights that are used to restore waterways while benefiting the San Luis Valley communities. The annual water use volume that CMZoo uses is purchased and then released back into streams in the winter months, helping to restore winter flows to the Upper Rio Grande Basin.

Every drop of water saved helps wildlife and wild places, so look around your own habitat to see what small changes you could make. Colorado Springs Utilities offers rebates and incentives for locals who install water-saving appliances, like high-efficiency toilets and showerheads. Find more information about how you could help save Colorado’s waterways by being water-wise at home at https://www.csu.org/Pages/WaterConservationEfficiency.aspx.

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Update: April 26, 2023
Last month, 2-year-old Alaska moose, Atka, had surgery to remove a toe with progressive bone degradation from his front left foot. Since then, the ‘Prince of Rocky Mountain Wild,’ as he’s called by his keepers, has been leaning on the trusting relationship he has with his care team to continue his recovery.

“We’ve been really impressed with Atka,” said Erika Furnes, Atka’s primary trainer and senior keeper in Rocky Mountain Wild. “When an animal needs to go through something major like this, there’s always a chance you could lose some of the trust you have built with them. We have to ask a lot of Atka right now, to give him the best possible care, and he’s doing a really great job.”

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Update: April 11, 2023
Atka, our 2-year-old Alaska moose, continues to recover from surgery on his front left hoof. Atka has been healing in his barn since his operation, and his care team has been happy with his participation in recovery care and rest. Now, his wound seems to be healthy enough that he got the veterinary go-ahead to stretch his long legs in the sunshine! Since yesterday morning, he has been exploring his yard and learning to navigate the terrain with just one toe on his front left foot.

Atka will take turns in his barn and out in his yard. Guests will notice Atka ‘curling’ that foot to rest it, working harder than usual to find his footing sometimes, and lying down to rest more frequently. The resilient young moose seems to be getting the hang of it already. He has been trotting, rubbing against trees, walking to his fence line to greet guests, enjoying fresh browse and wading in his pond between resting in his soft beds of sand and shavings. He even felt confident enough with his one-toed front hoof to successfully stand on three feet and use a back hoof to scratch the spots where he recently shed his antlers.

Atka’s surgical sutures have come loose, but because he voluntarily participates in hoof care, our veterinary team has been able to monitor his foot closely as it heals. Atka also receives voluntary antibiotic injections and oral medication for any discomfort he might be experiencing.

He’s making great strides with the support of his Rocky Mountain Wild and veterinary care team, but we’re not out of the woods just yet. Atka’s team will continue to monitor him closely and make any adjustments to his medications, treatments or access to physical activity, with Atka’s best interests in mind.

Next time you’re in Rocky Mountain Wild, stop by to say hello to Atka and wish him well as he continues his recovery. To read more about Atka’s surgery and other updates, keep scrolling down on this page.

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Update: March 28, 2023 4:30 p.m. MT
Atka has been out of surgery for a few hours and seems to be doing well. The team is cautiously optimistic about the outcome of the procedure and Atka’s recovery from the anesthesia so far. Since he woke up, Atka’s care team has seen him stand for a short while and lie back down with good control. Now, he’s resting in his barn.

During his recovery, he may be in his barn for quiet time, but will also be given the option to move around as much as he’s comfortable. We are committed to Atka’s recovery and care as he steps into a life with seven toes. We will share updates on Atka periodically during his recovery process on the Zoo’s social media channels.

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March 28, 2023
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s veterinary and animal care teams are partnering with Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital to remove a progressively problematic toe on Atka, CMZoo’s 2-year-old Alaska moose today, Tues., March 28, 2023.

The young male moose has experienced ongoing issues with his front left hoof and toe. Atka came to CMZoo at 8 weeks old in July 2020, after he was unfortunately orphaned in the wild in Alaska at around only six days old. Alaska Zoo cared for him until he was old enough to travel to CMZoo, where he has lived ever since.

Shortly after he arrived in 2020, his team discovered an abscess that had been growing in his front left toe and had become infected and needed treatment. Infections of this type in a young moose in the wild have the possibility of being fatal. Fortunately for Atka, the medical treatment his care team provided was successful, but the abscess created a hole which his body naturally filled with scar tissue. That changed the structure of his toe permanently, which gave Atka a unique gait with intermittent limping that didn’t always prove to be painful. Based on sensitivity tests during hoof care training, it seems the pain would come and go, and the presence of a limp didn’t always indicate he was in pain.

The team noticed him limping significantly and more consistently in February 2023. Atka voluntarily participates in hoof care, including a behavior for hoof x-rays. In February, the x-rays revealed significant bone degradation, compared to a November 2022 x-ray, in his front left outside toe, where the abscess was years before. After careful consideration, CMZoo’s veterinary, animal care and leadership teams decided together that a toe amputation was Atka’s best chance moving forward. In the meantime, Atka is receiving medication for pain.

“We know that animals can sometimes repair themselves better than we can, so we tend not to intervene too aggressively if we do not need to,” said Dr. Eric Klaphake, head veterinarian at CMZoo. “Our former moose, Tahoma, had a hoof issue that his body remedied naturally with the assistance of voluntary trained hoof trims, but Atka is experiencing progressive bone damage, which Tahoma did not. After monitoring and helping him with pain management, we’ve reached the point at which medical treatment and hoof care cannot stop further bone loss and the pain associated with it, and surgical correction is the best next step.”

The procedure will require Atka to go under anesthesia, which always has risk, but is riskier for a larger animal and for those classified as ruminants, like cows, that have multi-chambered stomachs. Removing the toe of an animal will inevitably alter its gait and cause it to rely more on other toes, hooves and limbs. The surgery team has performed similar and more complicated procedures successfully in the past, and CMZoo and CSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital have a long history of saving animals together. The team is cautiously optimistic that this procedure will get Atka on the path for a long and healthy life, but the surgery won’t likely completely correct his gait issues.

Planning for a young moose’s recovery involves embracing the unknown and preparing for whatever Atka decides to do. His team will work to keep his wound as clean and dry as possible for a feisty moose during a muddy season, and will balance his need to stretch his legs with the desire to keep him relatively calm as he recovers.

“Our Atka certainly hasn’t had the easiest life, but he has been resilient and determined since day one,” said Rebecca Zwicker, animal care manager in Rocky Mountain Wild. “After being orphaned and developing that infected abscess so young, we have seen him come through tough situations that would likely have been fatal without our support. We’ve helped him along this far, and we’re committed to helping him through this. We appreciate everyone rooting for him. Hopefully with the removal of this toe, he can put this whole abscess chapter behind him.”

The surgery is scheduled to take place today (Tues., March 28) at CMZoo. CMZoo will share updates on Atka periodically during his recovery process on the Zoo’s social media channels. Guests may not see Atka in his yard as often while he recovers.

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