The American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK) is a membership association for animal care professionals comprised of numerous local chapters throughout the world. The mission of AAZK is to advance excellence in the animal keeping profession, foster effective communication beneficial to animal care, support deserving conservation projects, and promote the preservation of our natural resources and animal life.
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s local AAZK chapter is dedicated to the preservation of wildlife and wild places by promoting community awareness and the professional growth of its members. We accomplish these goals by hosting annual fundraising events that provide funds to various worldwide conservation organizations, sponsor professional development opportunities for our members, and connect us with members of the local community.
Take a look at who we are and what we do at CMZoo.
Early-bird Registration opens April 21.
WHEN: Saturday, June 13, 2020
TIME: 6 to 9 p.m.
WHERE: King Pin Lanes, 3410 N. Academy Blvd.(just south of N. Carefree Circle), Colorado Springs, CO 80917 – MAP
Strike Out Extinction! Join us for an evening of bowling fun and fundraising, all to help save wild rhinos. Bowling for Rhinos (BFR) is an annual fundraising event sponsored by the American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK), and AAZK’s chapter at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.
In addition to bowling there will be:
– All 5 of the world’s remaining rhino species are currently listed as endangered.
– 100% of BFR proceeds go toward rhino conservation efforts in Africa and Asia.
– Each year BFR events around the country help to ensure that rhinos are protected and preserved for generations to come.
– Find out more about Bowling for Rhinos mission and history at https://aazk.org/bowling-for-rhinos/.
Registration includes two games of bowling and shoe rental.
– All registration options include shoes and 2 games of bowling.
– Additional games may be paid for at the event.
– Teams may be up to 5 people, including a designated captain.
– If you love rhinos but don’t wish to bowl, spectators are welcome to attend at no charge.
– *T-shirt (adult sizes S, M, L and XL) design shown here. Available for separate purchase during online registration below at $15 each, picked up at the event. More T-shirt details coming soon.
Visit the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s Faceook Page for more event details and updates, or email [email protected].
AAZK plays a major role in the conservation of wildlife and wild places. Our chapter at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo sponsors two core conservation organizations that are nominated by members as legacy projects to receive funding over the course of a three-year period. Members may also nominate additional organizations to receive funding or support on a case by case basis.
HIghlights of organizations AAZK of CMZoo chapter is currently sponsoring:.
by Dina Bredahl -Area Supervisor, Primate World, Monkey Pavilion & Conservation Barn
Ideally it exercises the mind and body of the animal. These animals have to work hard to survive in the wild. Many animals have to graze, browse, hunt or forage for food for many hours every day. This often involves being physically active and mentally challenged for a large portion of their waking hours. We try to simulate this in captivity as often as possible.
An overfed animal is not a healthy animal!
– Scent enrichment is a great way to temporarily change an animal’s environment… the better the animal’s sense of smell, the more effective this is. Lemurs do a lot of scent marking in the wild, so they react to perfume sprayed on their trees. The wolves show a lot of interest in buck urine. The komodo dragon gets very active when vanilla extract is sprayed in her exhibit. When the lions receive a big pile of elephant feces in their enclosure, they will actually roll in it. In the wild they do this to mask their own scent, so prey species don’t smell a lion approaching (they smell an elephant!).
– We “recycle” a lot of animal materials. The primates enjoy playing with colorful bird feathers and the feline species will hunt down patches of goat hair or snake sheds hidden in their exhibit. By changing an animal’s environment, they are stimulated to explore and use their senses. Simply turning on a sprinkler or playing tropical bird calls can be very enriching.
– Another non-food type of enrichment is “toys”. This can vary widely; boomer balls and other sturdy plastic products come in all shapes and sizes. A new log can be loads of fun for the mangabeys or bears to debark and find insects. A milk crate can keep the orangutans busy for hours.we have observed them using milk crates as stools and hats; they will stuff their entire bodies in crates; and they have even hauled large quantities of mulch from outdoors to indoors using a milk crate. Grain bags are fun to rip up or use as an umbrella.
– Finally, it is very enriching to change an animal’s perch, trees, or rope. The apes use their firehose hammocks and hanging barrels all the time, and many animals enjoy sunning or climbing on a hanging platform.
Every enrichment idea is first submitted as a written proposal, which is submitted for the approval of the animal management and veterinary staff to make sure that the item or idea is safe for the animals. Aside from safety factors, animal enrichment ideas are only limited by a lack of imagination!