CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN ZOO

SUBMIT YOUR MOMENT:
What did you experience at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo that will impact you and/or your child forever?
Do you have a defining moment that you would like to share with our staff and visitors?

We then drove on to our original destination of Montana, but on the drive back home I just had to stop and visit again. This visit was just as amazing. This time the conditions were just right and I was able to experience the bridge opening and the giraffes running out. What a breath taking site. Little Tafari just stole my heart. He is just precious.

I took so many pictures that it was hard to pick my favorite, but I finally decided on one. I love the connection between the giraffe and me.
Thank you so much for an experience of my lifetime. I hope someday I can return.
Jodi Touchstone
San Antonio,TX

January 2008 - Thanking our zoo: As long time Cheyenne Mountain Zoo fans, we wanted to take this time and let all the zoo staff know what a wonderful zoo we have. Our family recently traveled to San Diego and went to the San Diego Zoo. What we all realized was that our zoo is even more special to us than we ever really knew. Our three kids being at this highly regarded zoo said Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is a much nicer zoo. We asked why they felt this because my husband and my self were already feeling the same thing. It is the amount of information posted about the animals which is not posted on very many of the animal enclosures at the San Diego Zoo. We also felt the animals at our zoo are healthier looking and happier. We just want each of you that spend count less hours caring for the animals that the wonderful care does show. We appreciate our home zoo even more.

We have not been able to ask this question of the zoo until now because the sadness of not seeing Laikipia has been to hard. What a special giraffe he was and it is wonderful to see his offspring being so happy as well. The question our kids have had is how does the zoo bury an animal of this size?
Thank you for being a shining star for the animals in your care.
The King family
Breckenridge, CO

August 2006 - I loved my visit to the zoo!  It was beautiful, I literally wept when I left yesterday.  I truly enjoyed my visit; it was a surprise from my husband.  You folks are so friendly and know a lot about your animal family.  My questions are the names of the giraffes, the names of the gorillas, the names of the orangutan’s, the hippos and the lions and the tiger.  Sorry to be so much trouble but I took three rolls of film and am making a scrapbook and need the names for the pictures. I am going to be buying a membership and plan on coming back every chance I get.  We live 881 miles away but man it will be worth every mile.  I was impressed with the boxes and bags you gave the animals to play with… my horses always loved pails and bags to play with.  Most animals are like kids, give them a gift and they play with the box and the wrapping.  The mountain lions had a great time with the cardboard boxes they had.  What a display they put on!  I do hope the one that was ill feels better soon.

Thank you so much for what you all do at the zoo.  You all are very lucky and blessed to work with some of the greatest creatures in the world… what am I saying all creatures are great but you get the picture lol.  Keep up the great work, God Bless all of you!
Sincerely,

Susan L. White - Salem, AR
Ya’lls greatest fan!

June 2006 - I would like to tell you about the most amazing experience that we had while visiting the zoo recently. My 5 ½ month old son (Braden) and I, went to the zoo with his grandparents.  Grandma was holding Braden outside and we noticed that the female Gorilla, carrying the white blanket, seemed to be watching us intently.  We moved over the glass observation window and she seemed to follow us.  She came close to the glass and continued to look at Braden.  Grandma sat him on the ledge with his back to the glass.  The Gorilla sat down near him, then moved closer, and finally cuddled up behind him.  It was amazing to see her so close and to see the look in her eyes.  I think that if the glass hadn’t been there … she might have tried to hold him for real.  J   After a little while, she tapped on the glass with her knuckles.   Then she kissed him through the glass – twice!  We must have sat there for a good 20 minutes or more.  We turned Braden around for awhile and they just looked at each other.  It was the most amazing experience.

We were wondering if this is the female Gorilla who has showed some interest in the baby Umande?  It seemed that she might have an interest in being a mom.  I’m attaching a few pictures that I hope you will enjoy seeing.  It was truly an amazing experience and one that I will be sure to share with Braden when he is older.
What fun it will be for him to come back and visit again.
Sincerely,
Trista Weinmaster
Jackson, WI

May 2006 - We brought our two grandchildren to your zoo today and had a wonderful experience!  You have a first class zoo and this comes from people who used to live in San Diego and were "zoo members" for many years.  Congratulations on a job well done.
Judi Maxwell

May 2006 -
We wanted all the employees of the zoo to know what a FANTASTIC job they are doing.  We love the zoo and come up weekly but we are in San Diego and went to the San Diego Wild Animal Park today. What we heard our children say over and over was "our zoo" I love so much better. Here we go to a zoo that is world regarded and our family all feels Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is still the best. The animals are so much easier to see in the type of enclosures at Cheyenne Mountain. Great job to all of you. The greatest compliment is when you are compared, but still remain at the top of the list.
Thanks so much,
 The King family

January 2006 - Thank you for letting me share my story. We live in Phoenix Arizona and were visiting relatives who took us to the zoo in July 2005. My daughter and her cousins had a great time, especially feeding the giraffes. I thought his was a cute picture of my daughter and one of the gorillas. Cheyenne zoo reminds me of the Milwaukee zoo that I used to go to as a child.
Chris T.
Phoenix, Az

January 2006 - I have to say THANK YOU very much for your giraffe cam--it is fantastic-one of the best animal cams I have seen--I have grandkids that spend a lot of time with me and we are always entertained by your giraffes--thank you again-
Cheri G

January 2006 - Hi, I was in Colorado for Christmas vacation, my first time there. We visited the Shrine and then the Zoo, I LOVED all of the Giraffes. I am so happy that there is a giraffe cam. I am watching them every day and feel like I'm still there on vacation! I can't wait to see how the baby giraffes grow.
Thank you so much!
Velma Chardon
Bronx, NY

December 2005 - Hello in Colorado Springs,
I wanted to once again, thank you for another wonderful experience. Me and my aunt came up to the Springs for the weekend in search of a good Colorado experience, seeing that my aunt had just moved there. We went on the first day, and Makan was in the back with a cold, and Sandra wasn’t out and about as usual, so I went over to the bornean exhibit, one I had never looked carefully at before. The oldest in the exhibit, (I can’t remember her name) and I began to play hand games. She would move her hand, and I would follow it. We played for hours! I really felt like I had made a new best friend! That night, we came back for boo at the zoo. I was disappointed she was no longer awake, but found great joy in coming face to face with all of the gorilla’s, without a bit of intimidation from either side of the glass. I also found a mentor for my project, Young Scholars. I am focusing on the effect captivity has on Great Apes. The next day, it was very, very rainy, and I and my aunt were practically the only people there! It was also the day the cubs were introduced to their dad in the lion exhibit, so it was a really special day. We made our way up to the exhibit of apes, and after a few rounds of our fave game, I had to leave. As I stopped the game, she looked very, very sad. I said a sad goodbye to all the apes, including the newborn siamang!! Now, he was cute! I also petted the giraffes, and found a new liking for them too! I had a great experience at Cheyenne Mountain, and I want to thank you greatly.
J. Davidson

December 2005 - Having lived in Colorado my whole life, I have been to the zoo many times, and one of my favorite exhibits has always been the orangutans. This summer, (July) My husband and I took a couple we know, who have never been to the zoo.  They loved everything.  As always, I was very excited to get to the monkey house.  I took my digital camera out and there was one of the orangutans swinging on a rope.  I took a few pictures of all of them and when I put my camera down, he came up to the window and pointed at the camera, so once again, I put my camera up and was getting ready to take more pictures.  As I put my camera up, he got back on his swing, started swinging, and actually smiled for the pictures.
This zoo is a wonderful place to go for old and young alike.
Amanda D.
Pueblo, CO

September 2005 - Hello at the zoo! I just wanted to tell you that I live in western Pennsylvania, about an hour or so from Pittsburgh, and found a link to your giraffe cam on a website. Since then I have so enjoyed watching your herd here. It is such a lovely break to check in on them throughout the day and see how they are doing. I especially love the babies! I collect giraffes; have since I was a child, and have them stacked on my desk and pictures on my cubie here at work. Now I add my giraffe cam and I am thrilled. I love watching them come out in the mornings and just would love to be able to visit and spend the entire day there with them.  If only I could reach through and pet them on the nose as so many of your visitors do throughout the day!
Thanks for letting me peek into your world. It certainly brightens my day to see your entire herd so happy and healthy.
I’ll be watching! Thanks so much!
Kathleen M. Way
Washington, Pa  15301

September 2005 - I’m in New York City and a glimpse of the giraffe cam is a great way to take me away from the hustle and bustle of the city life. Thank you for providing it!!
Jessica Tabor-Fritch
New York, NY 10036

September 2005 - We were recently at the zoo and wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed it.  The giraffes are great and feeding them is so much fun.  There is only one thing that we could see that needed to be done – cut some of the vines in front of the cages.  It was difficult to see the bald eagle.  The snow leopards are just beautiful.  We really enjoyed the gorillas and being able to get so close to them.  The baby orangutan kept all of us in stitches with his antics. The zoo and the animals are amazingly clean.  Keep up the good work.
Ginney Rankin
Lake City FL

September 2005 - Hello.  My family and I enjoyed our visit to the zoo.  I noticed some of your plants were labelled.  I think this is a great idea.  Please pursue labelling all your plants, trees, ornamental grasses, etc. with botanical / scientific names and common names.  I think this is especially needed in your butterfly garden, xeriscape sections and other garden areas.
Thanks a lot!!
 Ryan

August 2005 - Hello, My name is Kelley Pruitt. and I live in Castle Rock Co.   As a native of Colorado, my first trip to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo was yesterday, Saturday, August 13th 2005.  I am so Glad my husband and I decided to take our family of 5 to the zoo. This the the most beautiful zoo!  I love how wonderful the employee's are!

We were enjoying the Birds of Prey exhibit at the very top.   During our visit a storm came out of no where and we experienced a Flash Flood.  With there being very little shelter in this area of the zoo, we took shelter under a large pine tree.  In a few moments it begain hailing and the tree was soaked and so were we!

It was raining and hailing buckets! The lightening was very close!   I grabed our 3 year old.  My Husband took hold of our 4 year old. I told our 6 year old too run as fast as she could, but becareful the hail was getting deep and very slippery.  We ran down the walk way, over the bridge. There was a river of water, mud and tree limbs running so fast under the bridge,  I was afraid someone was going to fall in. We took shelter under the cat exhibit (sorry I can't remember the cats name.) it has a bamboo cover.   Starts with and "S"?

We were under there for a good 30 minutes.  This storm was not going to pass!  Hail and rain was is still pelting us through the bamboo.  We stood together in a very tight cirlce with the younger children in the center and huddled together to try and stay warm.  They're soaked,  lips were blue and they were shivering so hard.

We looked out and could see a tall tower like building.  My husband went down and called for me and the kids.   We all huddled under the arch that crosses over the road. This kept the hail off of us much better,  but we were exposed to more wind.  Again my husband went out and looked for more shelter, the hail was too hard we couldn't move the kids again.  Just at that moment,  I hear a vehicle.   A light brown  Ford Ranger  pulled up.  The passenger was a Blonde lady.  She had  a ponytail and she was carrying some kind of supplies.  She told the driver,  who had black hair and dark eyes to get us into the truck and she would walk.  I want to thank her!  I do not know her name,  I sure hope she knows who I am!  Thank you!

The Driver was so very WONDERFUL!!   He covered my children in his coat,  turned the heat up and loaded all of us in his truck and drove us down to our vehicle.  He is a real hero in my eyes!!  My only regreat is, I never asked him his name. I am very, truly, greatful for your act of kindness!  Thank You!

Don't worry, We will be back!!!  I do hope to see you both the next time I am at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, I will thank you both in person!

Sincerely,
Kelley Pruitt

p.s. Please forward this letter to anyone who might know who helped us and then please forward to  your Board of Directors!  I want everyone to know how wonderful the staff at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is!

July 2005 - Hi - I was at your zoo today, and had the best experience of my life! One of the primate keepers at your zoo, Mandy and I talked for a bit, and then, she told me I could feed Sandra!!! I am a huge orangutan fan, so this was the best experience of my life! Also, I am the adoptive parent of Makan, and I held up the picture I got of him, and he came right up to the window, and started to look at the picture. I was inches away from him! Your zoo is the best zoo in the world! And I mean it.

Thanks again,
Jessica Davidson

July 2005 - YOUR ZOO IS AWESOME, THE EMPLOYEES ARE WONDERFUL,HELPFUL, AND FRIENDLY. YOUR EXHIBITS ARE WELL DESIGNED AND MY FAMILY HAD SUCH A WONDERFUL DAY THERE ON SAT.  WE WILL SURELY VISIT IT A LOT MORE IN THE FUTURE. - JBrock

June 2005
I just wanted the thank you for a wonderful experience. My family and I had a wonderful time at the Zoo. Keep up the improvements they are looking great!
Craig Corsentino
Meridian, ID
 

May 2005 - Hello, I was recently at your zoo doing a primate pajama party and have two things to share. First of all, I would like very much to thank our leader for the party, Brandy. She was wonderful with us and made it very enjoyable. Also, I was wondering if you could put a live cam on Makan the Orangutan. I was at the zoo and put my hand up to the glass and he kissed my hand through the glass. It was so wonderful just to see him, and I would like very much to continue with the experience.
Jessie Davidson
Ft. Collins, CO

May 2005 - I would like to take this opportunity to applaud an outstanding employee at your Zoo in the hippo conservatory.  On May 3rd, I was visiting from out of state (inwhich I hold membership) with my 4 year old granddaughter, Ariana, who is just passionate about hippos.  When I visit, we always spend hours just watching, Maggie, Zimbawzee and Katseye (names are probably spelled incorrectly).  Well on this last day of my visit, Ariana and I asked the gentleman when they would be feed inwhich he replied about 1/2 hour.  We were there most of the day and I honestly was about to leave when he approached us and said that he would feed the hippos a little earlier.  He also went the distance and allowed Ariana to feed one of the hippos a carrot.  I want him to know how very very happy he made both of us.  We have been going for years and she finally had an experience of her little lifetime.  When I left,  that kind gentleman was not arround to thank and I would very much like you to please relay this message to him.

Hats off to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo for having such delightful people helping us experience a wonderful time.  And one that will NOT be forgotten.

Ariana Strong &   Sandee Wesolek
Flagler Beach, FL

April 2005 - I love this live cam of the giraffes! I live in San Antonio but I am actually from Colo. Spgs. so it brings back good memorys and the giraffes are so cute! - AC Pacheco

March 2005 - Hello,
My family has been a member of the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo for many years. We always enjoy our visits to the zoo and I would say we visit at least 10 times a year.

Today, my wife brought my nine year old son and his nine year old buddy to the zoo for a spring break trip. When they returned, my son, Zee Paquette, asked my to put the digital pictures on the computer. While viewing the pictures that he took, I came upon one in particular of the giraffes.

I was amazed at this picture that my nine year old took. After looking at it for at least 15 minutes, I felt I should share it with you at the zoo. Please feel free to use this photo in any way you see fit.

Thanks for taking the time to read this note and to view his picture!

Paul Paquette, Colorado

March 2005 - Your zoo was amazing we were ther one week ago and had a great time we really had the zoo to ourself the Giraffe area was amazing and my family loved it, can't wait to come back again we visited from Brooklyn New York.
The Skarl Family, Brooklyn NY

March 2005 - I Love visiting your zoo. I live in Georgia and look at your Giraffe live cam almost every day. It brings back fond memories spent at your zoo. The Giraffes are my favorite but I also like the Meerkats. I think that a live cam of the Meerkats would be great.
Steve Hemphill, Georgia

March 2005 - Hi, I am located in the Albany, NY area, and look at your cam everyday. It's great! Do you think you'll ever add a cam inside? I have forwarded your link to most everyone I know (especially those with kids), and they all think it's fantastic to watch these elegant giraffes from across the country!
Thanks for a great site!
Tom Richichi, Albany NY

February 2005 - I have been a fan of Cheyenne Mountain Zoo since 1997, when I moved to Colorado Springs.  The Zoo is one of the most exhilarating places I have EVER been.  There is a wonderful assortment of animals and the layout of the area is also great.  Please continue to keep the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo open for adults and children alike to come and enjoy.
Ashley Smith
Sidney Oh,
(former resident)

February 2005 - I love giraffes.  They seem to present such a calmness and gracefullness that I often just watch them when ever I can.  My dearest and closest friend just passed away, and I found your site while sitting at work, waiting on a project, and I thought of how she teased me about liking to watch movies about Giraffes and such.  It has now been an hour and I have thoughly enjoyed your webcam and the Giraffes.  She is smiling down at me because of them.  Thank you so much for this wonderful site.
God bless
Yolanda Hurtt,
West Palm Beach, Florida

February 2005 - We recently moved into the area and decided to join the Zoo.  Our first trip there was in late December, right before New Years, on one of the warmer days.  The giraffes were great, but a truly memorable moment was with the lions.  The two cubs were playing all over their father, providing a fun sight and plenty of great pictures.  Eventually "daddy" got a little upset that his nap was being interrupted, and he gave what people have called his best "Elvis impersonation".  Take a look at the photo and see what you think!
We look forward to many more visits to the zoo - and hopefully many more memorable (and photographic) moments.   - M&H Steves, CO

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4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Road Colorado Springs, CO  80906 Phone(719)633-9925  Fax (719)633-2254