Have you noticed a few new faces and interesting accents around CMZoo lately? Get to know some of our visiting keepers, from Melbourne Zoo, in Australia, and hear about their favorite experiences from their time with us!
The animal care and guest services teams at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo are a hard-working and dedicated bunch. Each day, they navigate their mountain Zoo, preparing it for thousands of guests to safely explore and make connections with the animals who live there. That means, at a minimum, working with the commissary team to prepare and deliver hundreds of pounds of food, collaborating with the veterinary and animal behavior staff to ensure their animals are healthy and enriched, maintaining the safety of guest viewing areas, and, yes, scooping a fair amount of poop.
What many might not ordinarily consider, though, is how they safely operate during their daily encounters with animals. Keepers have protocols (otherwise known as administrative controls) and protective barriers (also known as engineering controls) in place that protect them from accidental and potentially harmful encounters with animals. The systems vary depending on the animal and the space.
In Australia Walkabout, alligator keepers use extended tongs to feed the gators, along with a portable Plexiglas barrier that can be positioned between the keeper and the alligator being trained. In African Rift Valley, the boardwalk around the giraffe yard allows guests to get close enough to feed the giraffe, but it is also designed to protect them. The height of the railing protects guests and keepers from a giraffe’s natural defense in the wild: swinging its muscular neck. CMZoo’s elephant feeding area has a marked safety zone that keeps visitors and staff out of reach of the elephants’ powerful trunks, along with vertical bollards that allow keepers to access elephants (without sharing the same space) for training and medical care, but which are close together enough to prevent the elephant from squeezing between them.
All of these safety measures, and many more throughout the Zoo, help keepers and guests stay safe while interacting with animals throughout the Zoo. In areas that have potentially dangerous animal areas, keepers have adopted a system that not only limits the physical opportunities for danger, but also the mental opportunities.
Basia Dann and Courtney Rogers are animal keepers in Asian Highlands, where the majority of CMZoo’s big cats live. Statistically, big cats in human care are the most dangerous to keepers. Tigers, leopards and mountain lions make up a small but significant number of the animals they care for daily.
Dann and Rogers are collaborating with the rest of the keeper teams at CMZoo, CMZoo Animal Collections Director, Jeff Halter, and other Associations of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)-accredited organizations, to adopt a safety system that is gaining traction nationally. The system establishes a series of engineered controls intended to make their time with these animals as human error-proof as possible.
The system, in a nutshell, involves restricting personal conversations; ongoing two-person visual and verbal confirmations of animal locations, actions taken and next steps; and a color-coded, two-lock system that ensures that two people must verify that a space is safe to enter, reducing accidental keeper access to a space where a dangerous animal might also have access.
“When we prepare to enter a dangerous animal space, we have agreed that all casual conversation has to stop, and we communicate strictly about the task at hand,” Dann said. “We say, out loud, every step we’re taking and vocally confirm each other’s observations and next steps. It’s a way to slow each other down during routine tasks, and to hold each other and ourselves accountable for checking every box in place to make sure we’re as safe as possible.”
The first step the keepers take is to agree upon their mission. Then, they confirm the location of the animals, rather than their absence.
While entering the Amur tiger dens at CMZoo, but before unlocking animal access doors, the keepers confirm with each other that the two male Amur tigers, Chewy and Thimbu, are in their outside yards. They confirm Chewy’s location in an outside yard, and then move on to locate Thimbu, who is lying in a sunny, grassy spot in the side yard, watching the keepers intently. Their goal is to place enrichment into one of the tiger dens, and then give Thimbu access to that den.
“I see Thimbu in the side yard,” Dann said.
“Yep, there’s Thim, creeping on us right there,” Rogers confirms.
Next, they ensure all doors between the tigers and the space they plan to enter are closed and locked with color-coded padlocks. The series of color-coded locks is designed to prevent one keeper from entering a space where a tiger might be.
Each keeper is assigned a color-coded key for the day. In this case, Dann has a blue key that only unlocks blue locks. Rogers is assigned a yellow key, for yellow locks. Each animal access door is secured with one blue lock and one yellow lock, so no door can be opened without both keepers present and in agreement that the door is safe to open.
The keepers call it creating a “blue and yellow bubble” around the potentially dangerous animal. When they enter a dangerous animal space, access points have those locks in place, preventing them from being opened accidentally by themselves or someone else in the area.
“Not only can we not enter a dangerous animal space by ourselves, but because the animal shift doors are locked, no one can accidentally move an animal into the same space as you,” Dann said.
After the locks are applied to the door, the keepers also check each other’s locks. Once they’ve completed their task and they’re ready to ask the animal to shift into another space, the process repeats, now with the locks on the doors that access the space the animal is moving to. With each area the animal or the keepers enter, the system ensures there’s a secure and locked door between them.
The process of shifting Thimbu, an Amur tiger, from one space to another takes about ten minutes, but that’s because the keepers have been practicing this new process and are taking it very seriously. Everyone agrees that additional time equals additional safety.
The system is not a CMZoo-original idea, and isn’t unique to the Zoo industry. It was first implemented in zoos by Palm Beach Zoo, in response to a tragic incident with an experienced keeper and a tiger. Halter is part of an AZA safety committee which shares many example practices developed in AZA-accredited zoos, including engineering controls.
“Just because another facility isn’t using this system doesn’t mean their system isn’t safe,” Dann said. “We’re working to collaborate with our fellow CMZoo keepers and keepers from other AZA-accredited organizations to see if this system would work for them, and to see what we can learn from them.”
The team says they think their process will keep evolving, and that the collaboration with other animal keepers is the best way to learn what’s working and what might have potential to be an unsafe situation. Dann is scheduled to present what the CMZoo big cat teams have learned, at a national zookeeper conference in July.
Keepers demonstrate system in behind-the-scenes tiger den:
Have you ever wondered how Cheyenne Mountain Zoo staff members navigate the multitude of opportunities for fun, when they spend their days off at the Zoo? (Yes, we spend our free time here, too.) Well, you’re in luck. CMZoo staff members put together a list of “CMZoo Pro Tips” to help you get the most out of your next visit to America’s mountain Zoo.
Pro Tip #1: Arrive Early
Jane Majeske, CMZoo guest services director, says arriving early is key to a fulfilling and easy-going Zoo experience.
“Mornings at the Zoo are really enjoyable,” Majeske said. “The animals are really active in the morning. They’re waking up, getting breakfast, greeting their keepers and seem excited to start the day.”
Parking is more readily available when we first open. During the peak season’s busy days, Zoo parking can fill up, and free off-site parking and free shuttles usually begin running by 11 a.m.
“You can call the Zoo on your way to find out if we’re running our off-site parking shuttles,” Majeske said. “If they’re already running, we can tell you where to park and catch a shuttle, to save you some time on your way in.”
You can also just watch for helpful temporary signs as you drive up, which will direct you to the free off-site lot we’re using that day.
Bonus Tip: On Saturdays and Sundays, from June 1 through Labor Day, CMZoo members can gain exclusive early entry to the Zoo at 8 a.m. It’s a great time to grab a coffee from The Cozy Goat and to watch the animals greet the day.
Pro Tip #2: Seize the (Imperfect Weather) Day
Ilana Cobban, senior lead keeper in Encounter Africa, has worked at the Zoo for 17 years. When she’s not busy caring for CMZoo’s African elephant herd or black rhino, she can sometimes be found enjoying a cloudy day with friends and family at the Zoo.
“My ‘pro tip’ is to not come on a sunny, warm weekend day,” said Cobban. “Come in the middle of the week, when the weather is ‘borderline’ and there are fewer people here and more time for you to take it in. Stick around after animal demonstrations to watch the animals and engage with their keepers, because you never know what you might learn or get to see.”
Pro Tip #3: Check the Animal Happenings Schedule
Overwhelmingly, CMZoo staff says the animal demonstrations and keeper talks provide the best opportunities to connect with CMZoo animals. Daily, every 15 to 30 minutes, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., there’s a chance to learn about CMZoo animals, directly from the keepers who know them best.
In addition to the all-day animal feeding opportunities for a few extra dollars with giraffe, budgies, chickens and domestic goats, for $10 to $15, guests can participate in CMZoo’s scheduled keeper-led elephant or rhino snack times.
“It’s fun to feed Jumbe, our black rhino, and the African elephants because it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” said Emmaline Repp-Maxwell, CMZoo membership manager. “What’s better than rhino slobber? Nothing.”
Daily at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., guests can get up close with the keepers to feed an elephant. Daily at noon, Jumbe is available for guest feedings.
Amy Schilz, senior lead keeper in African Rift Valley, says her favorite demonstration is the Grizzly Bear demo, ‘The Bear Necessities,’ daily at 2:45 p.m. in Rocky Mountain Wild.
If you’re planning ahead, you can find schedules at cmzoo.org/shows. Or, you can receive the Animal Happenings schedule for any day of the week via text message. Simply text “Zoo + day of the week” to 95577 (i.e. “Zoomonday” or “Zoosaturday”). Standard text message rates apply.
Pro Tip #4: Don’t Forget You’re on a Mountain
Guests, especially those visiting from lower elevations, should remember to bring (and drink) plenty of water and wear sunscreen to enjoy the day in our dry, 6,714-foot-elevation environment. We recommend drinking about 32 ounces of water during a two-hour visit. Bonus points for those who hydrate before they arrive.
If the walk starts to feel like a workout, day shuttle passes are available for $2. Our golf cart shuttles run consistently between shuttle stops established throughout the Zoo. Another way to rest is to have a seat for lunch, and watch an animal demonstration at the same time.
“One good ‘pro tip’ is to grab a picnic table by the carousel outside the Grizzly Grill for lunch,” Michelle Salido, lead keeper in Monkey Pavilion said. “If you time it around 11:45 a.m., those tables are the best place to catch both parts of the ‘Rainforest Review’ monkey demo, without having to move from one spot to another. You can enjoy lunch and a show with some awesome primates.”
Majeske also encourages guests to take a break while the adventure continues on CMZoo’s Mountaineer Sky Ride. For an additional few dollars, guests can enjoy the ski lift-like, 14-minute roundtrip ride with a stop at the top, while they take in amazing views and give their feet a rest.
Pro Tip #5: Go Backwards
Patty Wallace, lead keeper at Water’s Edge: Africa (opening in phases late summer 2019 and fall 2019), says the best way to experience the Zoo is by starting at the top.
“Make your way to the top of the Zoo and start in Encounter Africa, then head to Australia Walkabout,” Wallace said. “If you start there, everything else is downhill. Do the giraffe feeding last and you’ll have more of the exhibit to yourself. Even if giraffe go inside at the end of the day, you can still feed them in their indoor barn.”
Pro Tip #6: Don’t Speed by the Small or Domestic Animals
Carrie Ellis, animal keeper in Primate World, encourages adults to engage in the activities they may think are designed just for the kids.
“Areas like the domestic goat playground, My Big Backyard and The Loft are some of the most fun and interactive places in the whole Zoo,” Ellis said. “Plus, feeding opportunities and keeper talks happen throughout the day, so if you’d rather not stick to the Zoo’s schedule of animal demonstrations, you’ll still get a special experience with our animals.”
– Rocky Mountain Wild Named #5 Best Zoo Exhibit in North America –
Colorado Springs, Colo. – For the third consecutive year, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo has been voted one of the top ten zoos in North America in the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. This time, America’s mountain Zoo was recognized in two categories: #6 Best Zoo in North America and #5 Best Zoo Exhibit in North America, for its Rocky Mountain Wild exhibit.
“It means a great deal to know that people voted for us. We work hard to provide an environment where our community members can come to be inspired. This national recognition reminds us that the impact of our mission reaches beyond the city of Colorado Springs,” said Bob Chastain, President and CEO of Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. “We were nominated amongst a group of impressive organizations, in markets much larger than ours, which makes us even more proud to have been named the sixth best zoo in North America and that Rocky Mountain Wild is the fifth best zoo exhibit.”
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo aims to set itself apart by making every guest experience inspiring. With its simply stated vision, “Every Kid. Every Time. Goosebumps.” at its cultural core, CMZoo creates environments and experiences that bring people closer to animals. Exhibits are designed to remove unnecessary physical barriers, while keeper-led animal interactions and demonstrations are designed to establish and build connections between our guests and the animals who live here. CMZoo’s goal is to foster connections that inspire our guests to take action to protect animals and their habitats in the wild.
Rocky Mountain Wild, an area of the Zoo that is home to animals from the Zoo’s native region, was named #5 Best Zoo Exhibit in North America. Rocky Mountain Wild opened in the summer of 2008, appropriately hugging the highest elevations of CMZoo’s developed mountainside acreage. The area is home to a pack of endangered Mexican wolves, four Canada lynx, a Canada moose, two North American porcupines, two bald eagles, two grizzly bears, a mountain lion, three river otters, a family of turkeys and a flock of wood ducks. Rocky Mountain Wild is known for its expansive natural exhibits, exquisite views, educational and entertaining animal demonstrations, and enthusiastic and passionate team of animal keepers.
This is the first time Rocky Mountain Wild has been nominated in the Best Zoo Exhibit category, and the third time Cheyenne Mountain Zoo has been nominated in the Best Zoo category. A panel of travel experts, recruited by USA TODAY editors, nominated 20 North American Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited zoos and exhibits, and supporters had four weeks to cast their votes once per day for the nominees of their choice.
The 2019 USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Top Ten Best Zoos in North America, in ranking order, are:
- Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden – Cincinnati
- Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium – Omaha, Neb.
- Saint Louis Zoo – St. Louis
- Fort Worth Zoo – Fort Worth
- Columbus Zoo and Aquarium – Columbus, Ohio
- Cheyenne Mountain Zoo – Colorado Springs
- Riverbanks Zoo & Garden – Columbia, S.C.
- Memphis Zoo – Memphis
- Audubon Zoo – New Orleans
- Dallas Zoo – Dallas
Nominees for all categories are chosen by a panel of relevant experts which include a combination of editors from USA TODAY, editors from 10Best.com, relevant expert contributors, and sources for both these media and other Gannett properties. The nomination panel for each award category is displayed on its associated contest page. All voting is digital and the 10Best Readers’ Choice Award contest is accessible on the 10Best.com website.
About Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Cheyenne Mountain Zoological Society was founded in 1926. Today, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, America’s mountain Zoo, offers comprehensive education programs, exciting conservation efforts and truly fantastic animal experiences. In 2019, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo was voted #6 Best Zoo in North America and CMZoo’s Rocky Mountain Wild was named #5 Best Zoo Exhibit in North America by USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. It is Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s goal to help guests fall in love with animals and nature, and take action to protect them. Of the 233 zoos and aquariums accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is one of just ten operating without tax support. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo depends on admissions, membership dues, special event attendance and donations for funding.
Which plants attract early pollinators? Which will help you conserve water? What kind of maintenance should you make a priority this time of year? CMZoo’s horticulture team answers all of these questions and more.
With keeper talks and animal demonstrations throughout the day, The Loft provides hands-on and up-close opportunities with smaller animals like tortoises, skunks, snakes, lizards and more. My Big Backyard is home to chickens, bunnies and a treehouse that’s home to lots of amphibians and invertebrates.
What you may not know is that with a little planning, your afternoon at the Zoo could foster lifelong memories, connections and inspiration. Read on to learn about private animal encounters, animal painting experiences, and keeper-led educational programs that will inspire children of all ages to appreciate the little animals of the world who are so vital to our planet’s complex ecosystems.
Animal Encounters
Have you ever been to the Zoo, visited our three-banded armadillo, Frida, and thought, “I wonder what it would be like to feed her?” With an animal encounter, guests can meet reptiles, birds or mammals from The Loft or My Big Backyard up close. With a keeper’s help, guests prepare animal diets, feed the animals, and even help train them. Plus, you can feel good knowing the fee helps support the care of the animals that inspire conservation action, right here at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. Visit cmzoo.org/encounter for more information and a full list of animals who can choose to participate.
Animal Art Experiences
It’s no secret that there are several animal artists at the Zoo, and their art is available for purchase online or from their habitats. But, did you know that you can set up an experience to be a part of the painting process from start to finish? Animal art painting experiences allow you to help a keeper train an animal and decide which paint colors will adorn your very own modern art masterpiece, sure to spark conversation. To learn more about animal encounters and painting opportunities, visit cmzoo.org/LoftEncounters.
Animal Care 101 and Backyard Exploration Classes
Maybe you are thinking about bringing a new pet rabbit into your home. Does a backyard chicken coop sound superb, but you’re not quite sure where to start? Or, are you curious about the native birds that live in Colorado and want the chance to learn how to spot them?
The Loft and My Big Backyard have many classes just like these, perfect for a unique afternoon activity. Whether you are curious about to how to care for an animal or want a nature-based Zoo experience, there are options for both! You can even choose to sign up for classes when they occur, or get some friends and family together and schedule your own private program! Visit cmzoo.org/AnimalCare101 to learn more about animal care classes at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.
Colorado Springs, CO – Cheyenne Mountain Zoo has been in what is known among the staff as “sprint mode” for the past three days to ensure that guests are able to visit again, starting Saturday. The Zoo will reopen for members at 8 a.m. and for the general public at 9 a.m. on Sat., Aug. 11 after being closed following an unprecedented hail storm on Monday afternoon. The storm caused guest and staff injuries, animal injuries and deaths, and extensive property damage.
Although permanent repairs will take many months to complete, the Zoo will be ready to welcome guests back on Saturday, thanks to temporary short-term fixes like tarps and plywood to cover the spaces where skylights used to be.
The Sky Ride will be one of the few features of the Zoo that will not be ready for guests on Saturday, due to the strict inspection protocols necessary to ensure safety before resuming rides.
Animal keepers have been asked to get animals ready to resume “life as normal,” which involves restarting the natural behavior demonstrations that are usually a draw for guests to watch. Tomorrow, the demos will be for “Zoo family” only, but will serve as an important step toward getting routines back to normal for both animals and staff.
Undrivable guest vehicles in the main parking lot are dwindling from nearly 400 immediately after the storm on Monday down to less than 40 today. Vehicles have been towed to one corner of the south parking lot, which will allow us to finish removing broken glass and other debris from the pavement in preparation for guests on Saturday. The remaining vehicles will be allowed to stay at the Zoo until 8 a.m. on Tuesday. If they are still unclaimed, they will be towed to a monitored facility at the owner’s expense.
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that receives no tax support, which is unusual among zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
About Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Cheyenne Mountain Zoological Society was founded in 1926. Today, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, America’s ONLY mountain zoo, offers comprehensive education programs, exciting conservation efforts and truly fantastic animal experiences. It is Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s hope that guests fall in love with animals and nature, and take action to protect them. Of the 230 zoos and aquariums accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is one of just nine operating without tax support. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo depends on admissions, membership dues and donations for funding.
Colorado Springs, CO – Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is in full assessment and recovery mode today after an unprecedented storm caused human and animal injuries, including two animal deaths, and major vehicle and infrastructure damage throughout the property. The staff is operating under their typical incident command system for emergencies to address the most urgent needs for both animals and operations, all while dealing with heartbreak from two animal deaths and personal property damage.
Although severe weather was expected in the area on Monday afternoon, the baseball-sized hail came with none of the usual weather warnings. It began out of the blue, causing Zoo guests, staff and animals to scramble to find shelter. Many Zoo guests were injured – some were transported to the hospital, and some were treated and released on scene. Three Zoo employees were injured seriously enough to be transported to the hospital, and more staff injuries are still being reported today.
All of the Zoo’s animals have permanent shelter, but just as there were humans injured while trying to get to shelter, some animals were injured, as well. At this time, the Zoo is heartbroken to confirm the loss of 13-year-old Cape vulture, Motswari, and 4-year-old Muscovy duck, Daisy. Other potential animal injuries are still being assessed by animal care staff and our veterinary team.
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo has been accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums for 35 years, and abides by their rigorous requirements for animal care and safety. The Zoo is also regulated, as all zoos are, by the United States Department of Agriculture, which routinely performs inspections. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo meets, or in many cases exceeds, all requirements.
When the hail hit, the Zoo’s incident command system immediately acted upon their training and made sure guests were safe in the buildings where they sought shelter. Skylights throughout the Zoo were actively damaged during the storm, and therefore, even in “safe areas,” staff was actively engaged in ensuring guest safety. In addition, animal staff attempted to assist any animals who needed help to seek shelter, but ultimately, human life-safety had to be our first priority. A number of staff were injured trying to help animals; the number and extent of those injuries are still being determined.
Even animals that use their on-exhibit dens and shelters on a daily basis were prone to confusion by the fast onset of the storm, and also suffered confusion by the onslaught of hail. Just as there were injuries to guests who were caught unaware, there were also injuries to some animals.
Zoo staff would like to thank all of the members of the community for their outpouring of support, both offers of manual labor volunteers and financial contributions. For now, staff is managing all work that needs to be completed, but if we are able to accept volunteers in the future, we will make an announcement through our social media networks.
The Zoo’s summer camps have been canceled for the remainder of the week, and full refunds will be issued.
The Zoo is closed to the public today, and staff is assessing whether the closure will need to continue into the coming days. More information will be shared on animal injuries and a potential reopening date as it becomes available.
About Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Cheyenne Mountain Zoological Society was founded in 1926. Today, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, America’s ONLY mountain zoo, offers comprehensive education programs, exciting conservation efforts and truly fantastic animal experiences. It is Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s hope that guests fall in love with animals and nature, and take action to protect them. Of the 230 zoos and aquariums accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is one of just nine operating without tax support. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo depends on admissions, membership dues and donations for funding.
— Realistic full-scale drill will require 2 p.m. closure on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017 —
November 8, 2017, Colorado Springs, CO – Although many people in the Pikes Peak region consider fire danger a thing of the past when the temperatures begin to drop, there is actually still a high risk for wildland fires during the fall and winter months. Because of this, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo plans to run a realistic, full-scale wildland fire safety drill on Thursday, November 9, 2017. The Zoo will close to guests at 2 p.m., with the last admission at 1 p.m.
The Zoo will also conduct an overnight power-outage drill to test their cold-weather emergency preparedness on Thursday night. This may result in temporary website outage from Thursday evening through around noon on Friday.
“Monthly safety drills are a requirement of the accreditation we receive from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, “ said Bob Chastain, president and CEO of Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. “While we run a wildland fire drill every year to ensure we have a workable plan, we are going all out this year to ensure maximum realistic circumstances and staging. In order to accomplish that, we also have to simulate the fact that guests would not be in the Zoo if danger was eminent.”
The Zoo’s fire plan was developed in conjunction with local fire departments and is regularly reviewed and updated as needed. Through this partnership, the Zoo and local fire experts have identified several safe zones on Zoo grounds for animals. These safe zones are buildings made of fire-resistant materials (concrete block, metal, etc.) that contain fire suppression systems and have been fire-mitigated. In the case of a fire emergency, animals would be moved to these locations and a team of trained Zoo personnel would be stationed on-site to care for the animals.
The Zoo’s fire plan takes into account that moving some animals could be more dangerous and stressful on them than keeping them as safe as possible in place. It could also be logistically impossible to move some species on short notice. (For example, there are less than a handful of companies in the U.S. that can transport giraffes.) Many of the exhibits have defensible spaces that contain sprinkler systems and are buffered by sidewalks, roads, dirt fields and ponds, and the safest decision would be to keep them where they are.
In the case of a fire emergency, the Zoo would also use many of the same techniques the fire department would use to prepare neighborhoods before the fire would reach Zoo grounds – foam, wet lines, dry lines, removal of flammables and preparation of the entrance and egress for fire personnel.
About Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
The Cheyenne Mountain Zoological Society was founded in 1926. Today, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, America’s ONLY mountain zoo, offers comprehensive education programs, exciting conservation efforts and truly fantastic animal experiences. It is Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s hope that guests fall in love with animals and nature, and take action to protect them. Of the 233 zoos and aquariums accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is one of just ten operating without tax support. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo depends on admissions, membership dues and donations for funding.