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Quills and Drills: Roger Masters Training, Enrichment, and Wins Hearts Like a Pro
Roger, 4-year-old North American porcupine, has some impressive “quill-ities.” His gentle, curious and friendly nature directly contributes to Roger’s important training behaviors, adorable enrichment and strong relationship with his keepers. Mastering behaviors like target training, stationing and injection training plays a big role in how keepers can best care for Roger now and in the . . .
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Delicate African Lion Re-Introductions Move Forward
African lions are working through a delicate transition in African Rift Valley. The lion keepers’ long-term goal is to provide healthy groupings and vital social interactions for the four related big cats, with Lomela, the mother, bridging the gap for her family. Aging parents, Abuto (12) and Lomela (16), their daughter, Elsa (8), and their . . .
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A Loveable Ape with a Massive Skill Set – Goma and CMZoo Team Up with Local Veterinary Cardiologist to Gather Important Heart Health Data
A charcuterie board fit for a king sits in the human side of a gorilla den. Peanuts, grapes, bananas, primate biscuits and handmade peanut butter-and-oatmeal roll-ups are lined up next to a souvenir CMZoo cup of juice, ready to reward an impressive set of skills. The goodies are for the king of Primate World – . . .
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Join us at the Block – Get a Keeper’s Eye View of Giraffe Hoof Care Training
February is International Hoof Care Month, so come behind the scenes for an up-close look at giraffe hoof care training! Hoof care is important for the overall health of all hoofstock animals. Brushing, picking, and trimming contribute to maintaining healthy hooves, directly influencing the health of a giraffe’s entire body. At CMZoo, keepers have built . . .
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Tween in Training: Omo Works Hard and Plays Harder
Rambunctious ‘Baby’ Omo has discovered little joys like the feeling of the hose on his gums and the excitement of exploring on his own while still living under the protective eye of his mom, Zambezi. At two and a half years old, Omo is learning and refining foundational training behaviors while also regularly getting the . . .
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Winter is Coming – and it is Prime Time for the North American River Otters
This fall’s warmer temperatures have been welcomed by a lot of Coloradans, but there are four chirpy rascals in Rocky Mountain Wild that would choose a snow day over any other kind of day. For North American river otters, Pivane (pah-VAWN-ay), Enapay (eh-NAW-pay), Darwin and Newton, it’s past due time to bring on more white . . .
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43-Year-Old Gorilla, Juju, Adjusts to New Care Plan Following Kidney Disease Diagnosis
Juju, a 43-year-old female Western lowland gorilla, is adjusting to a new care plan after a health scare at the end of October 2023. She has experienced phases of discomfort that her team supported her through in the past. But, this time, she seemed to have less specifically-located pains and more general discomfort. After a . . .
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What’s New with the ‘Three-Under-Five Giraffe Squad!’
They may be tall but Viv, Kay, and Wednesday are the littles of the giraffe herd. Their zoomies, curiosity and bold personalities breathe energy into the herd. Viv, Kay and Wednesday are besties and munch, nap, play and even train together. Each giraffe is at a slightly different level of hoof care training and blood . . .
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CMZoo’s Shipping Container Farms Pioneer Zoo Produce (And The Gorillas Approve)
The harvest season looks a little different at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. In 2021, CMZoo acquired its first shipping container farm, followed by a second in 2022. Currently, only a handful of zoos are working with hydroponic farming systems, like these. Being on the cutting-edge of this technology allows the CMZoo horticulture team to gather valuable . . .
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Eating Well All Year Round – and During the Holidays!
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL COLORADO – Just like people, animals’ diets play a huge role in their overall health. In addition to enrichment activities, training sessions and environmental elements that support animals’ mental and physical wellness, planning their daily meals is a major focus for animal care teams. As the holidays roll around each . . .