A Unique Way to Support the Zoo.
Zoya, our new Amur tiger cub, was born in June. She is one of less than 700 Amur tigers that exist in the world, making her birth an incredibly exciting event. Zoya is unique, not only because she is an endangered species, but also because of her stripes. In the same way that humans have individual fingerprints that set them apart from all other humans, Amur tigers each have a distinct pattern of orange and black stripes both on their fur and on their skin underneath. So, not only is Zoya impossibly cute and full of personality, she is truly one-of-a-kind.
Did you know that Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is the only mountain zoo in North America? Or how about the fact that we have the world’s most successful reticulated giraffe breeding program? Has anyone ever told you that we are one of only three Zoos in the country that have endangered mountain tapirs?
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo prides itself on being unique. We strive to create experiences, educational opportunities, and conservation efforts that are impactful and original.
For example, the Zoo works with 30 species survival plans, more than any other Zoo of our size. Endangered animals impacted by these plans include Bornean orangutans, black-footed ferrets, snow leopards, and of course Amur tigers, just to name a few.
A unique Zoo program that debuted this year is Quarters for Conservation. Designed to get our guests involved in choosing to support a project that speaks to them, this program gives one quarter from the cost of each admission to vote for the conservation effort of their choice.
By incorporating a fun voting station and conservation projects involving snow leopards, Andean bears, endangered Colorado butterflies, and others, Quarters for Conservation has provided a new way to strengthen our commitment to conservation and introduce our guests to important conservation work.
Throughout the past year, the Zoo has celebrated many unique and exciting accomplishments.
Some highlights include:
- In just four months, more than 300,000 guests have experienced our newest exhibit, Rocky Mountain Wild, featuring animals native to the Rocky Mountain region, such as moose, mountain lions, and grizzly bears.
- Over 60,000 guests have enjoyed the new Mountaineer skyride, which opened Memorial Day weekend.
- In July, we hosted our 4th annual Dreamnight, a special Zoo event for terminally and critically ill children
- More than 4,000 military personnel and their families visited the Zoo during Military Appreciation Days.
- We introduced new animal shows spotlighting natural animal behaviors.
- 21 endangered black-footed ferret kits were born at the Zoo; 11 were released into the wild.
- More than 2,650 Wyoming toad tadpoles and toadlets were released into the wild.
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is also unique because we receive no local or regional tax support of any kind. Only a handful of zoos in the country can say the same. As a non-profit organization, we rely heavily on donations to continue our important conservation work. It is unique friends like you who support the Zoo and share our commitment to conservation and community. We hope you’ll consider giving a generous year-end donation.
Thank you!
Bob Chastain
President & CEO
For more information
Contact Kelley Parker, Major Gifts and Planned Giving Manager, at 719-633-9925 ext. 164 or email kparker@cmzoo.org.
