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On the Calendar
Nightly through Jan. 1
Dec. 26 - 30
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Jan. 16
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
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What's New?
Goma and gorilla troop update!
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Since Goma, our silverback gorilla, arrived in May, keepers have been working to introduce him to our other six gorillas, Roxie (40), Juju (35), Asha (23), Kwisha (23), Tumani (9) and Dembe (4). Recently, Goma and three of our female gorillas had their first free-contact introduction, a necessary next step towards the goal of a fully integrated troop.
During our last update, Dina Bredahl, Animal Care Manager, explained that introducing a new silverback to an established troop is never an overnight process, and that assertive behavior and, in some cases, some injuries are a normal part of a silverback joining an existing gorilla troop. Goma's introduction to our troop was taking longer than expected, because his behavior and actions towards our troop were a bit unexpected in the beginning.
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Conservation
Wild giraffes need our help
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Wild giraffe are a step closer to extinction, and, just this month, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has documented this urgency by upgrading the status of wild giraffe from "least concern" to "vulnerable." Even prior to this status change, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo has been committed to helping to save wild giraffe, thanks to the help of our guests through Quarters for Conservation contributions.
"We've been hearing about the decline of wild giraffe numbers for a few years," Dr. Liza Dadone, vice president of mission and programs, said. "In Africa, giraffe are extinct in seven countries. It's estimated that their numbers have declined 40% in the last 30 years - leaving 98,000 wild giraffe spread out among nine subspecies."
The giraffe you'll find at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo are reticulated giraffe, and their numbers in the wild are dwindling, too. Currently, there are only about 8,600 reticulated giraffe remaining in the wild. The primary reasons for giraffe decline are threats from poachers, loss of habitat and fragmented habitat due to human expansion.
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Staff Profile
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Title:
Lead Australia Walkabout Keeper
Hire Date:
June 1, 2016
Hometown:
Vancouver, Washington
Favorite Food:
Cheese! Or homemade berry pie. Or pho. Or Ethiopian food. I have a lot of favorites...
Favorite Animal at the Zoo:
Little Foot, Argentine red tegu
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Explore and Learn
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Step aside Picasso and DaVinci.....Cheyenne Mountain Zoo's animal artists just might be the next best thing in the painting world!
Many animals at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo are considered to be animal artists, and are creating some beautiful and one-of-a-kind masterpieces. Most of these artists walk, waddle or slither through the paint, creating fun patterns and designs that could rival Jackson Pollock. Others actually hold the paintbrush themselves and make more intentional strokes, in a classic minimalist style.
Find Out More
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We
our 2016-2017 sponsor!
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