Mexican Wolf Archives

It’s the howl-iday season at CMZoo, and our pack is thriving! CMZoo is home to five Mexican wolves: Navarro and his offspring — Hope, Shadow, Phoenix, and Uno. Sisters Hope and Shadow have stepped up as confident leaders, often being the first to investigate food, while Uno, Phoenix, and Navarro take a more laid-back approach.

To help keep the pack wild, keepers place food near the front of their yard and then leave, maintaining the wolves’ natural wariness of humans. This is especially important since our wolves or their future offspring could potentially be released into the wild to help bolster the endangered Mexican wolf population. Thanks to conservation efforts, wild Mexican wolf numbers are increasing, with an estimated 257 currently living in the wild in the U.S., according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

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Adding animal demonstrations to your next Zoo day itinerary is one of the best ways to kick off the summer. Included with your regular daytime ticket, you’ll have access to multiple animal demonstrations throughout the day. From brachiating orangutans to a guinea pig parade, these demonstrations offer fun and educational experiences for our guests while also enriching and engaging our animals. Highlighting their natural behaviors and unique features, these demonstrations provide insight into some of the residents of CMZoo.
(Animal demonstrations are weather and animal permitting.)

Summer Schedule

9:30 a.m. — Penguin Keeper Talk in Water’s Edge: Africa
10 a.m. — Guinea Pig Parade in Water’s Edge: Africa (Tues., Wed., and Sun. only)
10 a.m. — Lion Enrichment in African Rift Valley (Tues. and Sat. only)
10 a.m. — Wolf Feeding in Rocky Mountain Wild (Thurs. and Sun. only)
10:45 a.m. — Caring for Elephants in Encounter Africa
11:15 a.m. — Orangutans are Awesome in Primate World
11:30 a.m. — Barn Owl Training in Scutes Family Gallery
11:30 a.m. — Alligator Feeding in Australia Walkabout (Mon. and Tues. only)
2:15 p.m. — Caring for Elephants in Encounter Africa
2:30 p.m. — Skunk Training in The Loft
3 p.m. — Treetop Acrobats in African Rift Valley at the colobus monkey exhibit (Fri., Sat., and Sun. only)
3:15 p.m. — Caring for Awesome Apes in Primate World
3:30 p.m. — Grizzly Demo in the temporary bear habitat above the tapir yard
4:15 p.m. — Meet the Hippos in Water’s Edge: Africa

Advance tickets are required and can be purchased at cmzoo.org.

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In Partnership with Children’s Hospital Colorado

Some cuddle, some snore, some sleep on all fours. No matter how we do it, getting quality sleep is an important part of every healthy routine, whether you’re a human or an animal! Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s partners at Children’s Hospital Colorado recently shared advice for parents considering what kind of sleep is best for their babies. There are lots of options for helping human infants sleep well, just like there are many different ways animals at the Zoo sleep!

Orangutans might be the most particular sleepers at the Zoo. In the wild and in human care, they make new nests to sleep in almost every day. They usually assemble one nest for a midday nap and another more elaborate nest for their longer sleep at night.

To build nests at the Zoo, orangutans gather large amounts of bedding such as grass hay, wood wool, blankets, big paper bags and tree branches into a pile. Then, they sit in the center of the pile and pat, weave, rearrange, sort and layer the materials until their nest is just right. They typically build nests on the ground and on their tree-high platforms to sleep, but also rest in hammocks, big tubs or separate den rooms.

Young orangutans practice building nests for years before they start sleeping in their own nests as adults. Kera, CMZoo’s 4-year-old female Sumatran orangutan who lives and sleeps with her mom, Sumagu, practices nest building many times each day, but still shares mom’s nest to sleep.

“Orangutans learn by observing others, so Kera has watched Sumagu build nests since she was born and makes her own,” said Dina Bredahl, animal behavior assistant and longtime primate keeper at CMZoo. “Kera routinely flings her nesting materials to destroy her nest when she’s finished building so she can start all over again. Practice makes perfect!”

Like many humans aim to do, orangutans sleep for around eight to 10 hours a day. Tujoh, CMZoo’s 28-year-old male Northwest Bornean orangutan, seems to like the soothing sound of running water when he drifts off to sleep.

“We noticed that Tujoh would tinker with his drinking fountain each night until he made it run consistently,” said Bredahl. “So, we installed a small pool that circulates water and gives him the trickling water sounds that he seems to enjoy for a good night’s rest.”

CMZoo’s giraffe don’t need much sleep. They only rest or sleep for two to five hours a day! Most members of the tower only sleep for one-to-three hours at a time. Some giraffe stand up to sleep, others lie down and some do a combination of both.

“The giraffe who lie down will twist themselves up into what looks like a big pretzel, and rest their heads on their hips with their legs either straight out or folded underneath them,” said Savannah Woods, African Rift Valley keeper. “I’ve also seen Mahali lying down to sleep and using Lakeisha’s back to rest his head while she’s standing next to him.”

They often sleep together in groups at night, but some take midday naps, like 4-year-old male Ohe, who can frequently be seen snoozing in the yard for a brief moment of shut-eye.

Big cats, on the other hand, sleep off and on for most of the day. Taking frequent cat naps allows them get plenty of rest while still maintaining awareness of their surroundings. Mountain lions sleep for up to 17 hours per day! They prefer cool, shady spots in the warmer seasons and sunny rocks during the cooler months. CMZoo’s mountain lions, Sitka, Adira and Koda, can often be found enjoying one of their heated rocks in the winter or the covered, cool spots under trees in their habitat in the summer months.

“Mountain lions are typically solitary in the wild, but have also been observed in social groupings,” said Courtney Rogers, senior keeper in Rocky Mountain Wild. “Our three mountain lions have been together from a young age, so they’re comfortable around each other and have become famous for their big cat ‘cuddle puddles,’ where they sleep in a big pile together by the glass guest viewing area.”

Mountain lions aren’t the only animals that sleep next to each other. Omo, CMZoo’s one-year-old Nile hippo, and his mom, Zambezi, often sleep in a big spoon, little spoon position. That’s only when they’re on land, though. CMZoo’s four hippos usually head to their pools around 2 a.m. to sleep the rest of the night away.

“Omo is getting more independent these days, but he used to use Zambezi as a raft when he was smaller,” said Al Carrier, Water’s Edge: Africa senior keeper. “They still rest their heads on each other sometimes. Hippos are really cool because they sleep mostly underwater and their instincts bring their noses to the surface to breathe every 5 minutes or so, without them waking up.”

Each night, CMZoo’s hippos sleep for about 10 hours and nap for around another three hours during the day. Because they’re so large-and-in-charge, hippos are usually deep sleepers. If something wakes them up while they’re underwater, they can communicate through ‘hippo laughs’ that sound like a snort mixed with an old car horn, without surfacing, to let the rest of the pod know there’s a disturbance.

Wolves, known for their pack behaviors, also sleep near each other but rarely cuddle up once they grow out of puppyhood. That’s not an indication of a lack of bonds, though, for CMZoo’s pack of five Mexican wolves, Navarro, Shadow, Phoenix, Hope and Uno.

“When our wolves wake up in the morning after sleeping for much of the night, they greet each other with lots of face licks and wagging tails, even though they’ve been sleeping near each other the whole time,” said Rogers. “They seem to be light sleepers, always listening and smelling for potential danger. If one hears a noise and wakes up, they often will do a barking vocalization that can also alert the others.”

Wolves sleep around eight hours in a 24-hour period, usually lightly, with a long rest at night or after a big meal and with short naps throughout the day. Uno, CMZoo’s three-year-old female Mexican wolf was seen sleeping deeply when she was a pup, though.

“When they’re young, they often cuddle with their mothers,” said Rogers. “We would see Uno climbing up on top of her late mom, Luna, to sleep right on top of her in the den. She’s also the only one I’ve seen ‘twitching’ in her sleep, like dogs do. We can’t know for sure if she was dreaming, but it looked like she was running in her sleep, so maybe she was.”

Next time you’re at CMZoo, see how your sleep compares to the animals you visit!

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CHEYENNE MOUNTIAN ZOO LOSES MOUNTAIN TAPIR AND MEXICAN WOLF IN SAME DAY, HOLDS ON TO HOPE FOR ENDANGERED SPECIES

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo said goodbye to two rare and endangered animals on Thursday, shining an even brighter light on the gravity of many species’ situations on this planet.

Cofan, a 19-year-old mountain tapir, and Luna, a 14-year-old Mexican wolf matriarch, passed away in unrelated situations, and the Zoo is pausing to honor their conservation contributions, while acknowledging the frightening future many species face. Both individuals were elderly and had experienced age-related conditions in recent years. Cofan was humanely euthanized after veterinary measures failed to revive him from a severe two-day downturn. Luna was found in her den, all signs pointing to a peaceful passing in her sleep.

With Cofan’s passing, there’s a literal empty space at the Zoo and figuratively in tapir fans’ hearts. The chance to ever see a mountain tapir up-close again is bleak, to say the least. Only four mountain tapir remain in human care in the United States, and they all live at Los Angeles Zoo. Unlike Luna, Cofan doesn’t leave a legacy of offspring to keep the species going.

In 2014, Cofan came to CMZoo as a breeding partner to Carlotta, a female mountain tapir who came to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in 1995, and passed away in 2021. After years of attempts, including artificial insemination and natural breeding, it was determined that Carlotta was beyond her breeding years. The end was in sight at that point, but now having lost both of them, it’s right in front of us.

Because of the very low number of individuals in human care, both Carlotta’s and Cofan’s bodies have been donated to Denver Museum of Nature & Science for scientific study. Their losses provide a rare opportunity to further our knowledge of the species.

Countless people came to adore his wooly bear-like ears and prehensile snout. But is being adored enough? If an endangered animal isn’t contributing to the future of its species through offspring, what’s the point? Why keep trying when you feel like you’ve already tried everything? The point is… if animals are going to have a place in our future, humans have to make that place. Accredited zoos help people help animals.

Largely due to our member vote through our Quarters for Conservation program, CMZoo has contributed more than $135,000 to wild tapir conservation.

Mountain tapir need help, with an estimated 2,500 mountain tapir remaining in the wild habitats of their native Ecuador.

“Cofan was a sweetheart,” said Joanna Husby, animal care manager at CMZoo. “Every year on World Tapir Day, we’d invite the public to come right up to his fence and scratch his chin. People would travel from all over to meet him, and he always chose to stay right where we could give him scratches. He seemed to love his role as an ambassador, and I believe he inspired our members to support wild tapir conservation. Without Cofan and Carlotta, they would never have taken interest in those causes.”

Guests had opportunities to get close to Cofan, and even touch him, but Luna was intentionally kept as wild as possible at the Zoo. Luna’s contributions to conservation were more literal.

She came to CMZoo in October 2016, followed by her mate, Navarro who arrived in November 2017. Their breeding recommendation was an instant match, and in May 2018, the two first-time parents welcomed the first litter of Mexican wolves born at the Zoo in 20 years.

The next spring, they welcomed another pup, later named Uno, and Luna embraced motherhood while inspiring human visitors with her gentle leadership, playful demeanor and up-close curiosity from behind the one-way glass in her habitat at the Zoo. Moreover, she taught her yearling pups how to parent by letting the older siblings closely observe her labor, birth and the upbringing of Uno in 2019.

Luna and Navarro had a lot of female pups. Five of her six total offspring are female, and two have already gone on to eventually form their own packs at different organizations that also participate in the Mexican Wolf Species Survival Plan (SSP) – a multi-organizational effort to breed Mexican wolves with maximum genetic diversity. The SSP works closely with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to contribute to and diversify endangered wild populations through efforts like cross-fostering and wild release of pups and adults born in human care. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service estimates there are only around 196 Mexican wolves in the wild in the U.S.

Despite their countless differences, Luna and Cofan shared important roles as ambassadors and contributors to their endangered species in the wild. As Zoo staff bid them farewell, we also hang on to hope that the work these animals allow us to do is actually making a difference for wildlife and wild places.

“We believe it is our job to be a place where people can care about and see some of the world’s most endangered species,” said Bob Chastain, president and CEO at CMZoo. “Further, because people come to the Zoo and support us through the conservation donation included with their admission, we get to make a difference for mountain tapir and gray wolves and many other species in the wild. And that’s my personal ‘why’ for why I continue to be dedicated to the work of CMZoo.”

Right now, decision makers in the state of Colorado are wrestling with the reintroduction plan for wolves to be restored to Colorado’s wild places. They’re taking public comments, and Luna’s legacy alone won’t save wild wolves. Humans have to take a stand for wildlife, and one easy step is making your voice heard at https://www.wolfengagementco.org/.

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo will soon bid bon voyage to Bluestem, a three-year-old female Mexican wolf. In the coming months, she will leave her home in Rocky Mountain Wild for a Mexican Wolf Species Survival Plan (SSP) breeding recommendation at a facility in Mexico.

CMZoo’s seven Mexican wolves serve their species as ambassadors for wild wolves, and the pack matriarch, Luna, and patriarch, Navarro, have contributed six offspring to this important population in human care.

Wolf Woods, at CMZoo, was designed to preserve the wolves’ wild instincts as much as possible because they or their offspring could one day be released into the wild to support those populations. According to the Arizona Fish and Game Department, there are only about 186 Mexican wolves in the wild, but their population is growing. Bluestem’s move to start her own pack in human care could increase the chances of more CMZoo Mexican wolf descendants joining wild populations.

In 2002, a Mexican wolf born at CMZoo, named Estrella, and her pack made their way into the wild from a pre-release pen in Arizona, as part of a Mexican wolf reintroduction program. She created a prolific legacy of offspring. Her offspring lead four wild packs and she lived to be a grandmother. She was once the oldest-known wild Mexican wolf. Estrella’s group was named the Bluestem pack, which is where Bluestem got her name.

“True to her namesake, Bluestem is a natural leader and a confident participant in her pack,” said Kristen Cox, Rocky Mountain Wild wolf keeper. “In the wild, some wolves leave their packs to start their own families or join other packs, and I can totally see Bluestem doing that. I have complete confidence in her as she takes on this new adventure.”

We participate in multiple SSPs which sometimes require saying goodbye to an animal for the good of its species. But, moving internationally doesn’t happen every day. Making CMZoo news is nothing new for Bluestem, though. She was part of Luna’s and Navarro’s first litter of pups, born in May 2018.

“Bluestem and her siblings were the first wolf pups born at CMZoo in 20 years,” said Rebecca Zwicker, Rocky Mountain Wild animal care manager. “She and her pack have helped thousands of people learn about and fall in love with wolves. Now, she gets an opportunity to contribute to her species’ growth at another facility, and we are so excited for her.”

When Bluestem’s two-year-old sister, Uno, was born in May 2019, she and her female siblings were quite curious. They went into the den when Luna went into labor with Uno, and she allowed them to see what was happening. When Uno was a few weeks old, Luna let them into the den again and they would observe her. Those experiences have helped prepare Bluestem as she potentially becomes a mother to her own pups in the future.

“Usually, when our animals make moves like this, we say we’re ‘cautiously optimistic,’” said Cox. “This time, I’m just optimistic. Of course, I’ll miss her, but somehow I just know she’s going to do well. I can’t wait to hear how she embraces her role as leader of her own pack.”

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Wolf Woods is arguably the wildest place at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. Seven Mexican wolves, led by 13-year-old matriarch, Luna, roam the expansive yard which was designed to preserve our wolves’ wild instincts as much as possible. As part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Mexican Wolf Species Survival Plan (SSP), they or their offspring could one day be released into the wild to support those populations.

Their exhibit, full of trees, boulders, tall grasses and mountainside terrain, mimics the wolves’ natural habitat, but can sometimes make the elusive species harder to spot.

Usually, it’s brave and curious Luna who leads her pack into view. With her snout to the ground, she trots toward the front of the exhibit with a confidence most wolves don’t possess. The white fur on her face reveals her advancing age, but her intense approach reminds us that she’s a mother on a mission.

“Most guests know we try to keep this part of the Zoo a little quieter, out of respect for the wolves and their species’ survival,” said Kristen Cox, senior animal keeper in Rocky Mountain Wild. “But sometimes we’ll hear excited gasps coming from the viewing area, and we know our Luna just earned another admirer for her species.”

Chances are, if you have seen a wolf at CMZoo in the last five years, it was Luna. She’s by far the bravest wolf in the pack, which gives our guests the opportunity to observe this majestic species and form connections we hope will inspire them to advocate for wild Mexican wolves.

In addition to helping people fall in love with and learn about wolves by making those connections, Luna and her mate, Navarro, have contributed six healthy pups to the Mexican Wolf SSP. Phoenix, Shadow, Bluestem, Hope and Lupa were born in 2018 and Uno was born in 2019. For many years, the Zoo housed a bachelor pack of wolves. Later, the SSP placed various unsuccessful breeding pairs here. Until Luna and Navarro’s first litter, in 2018, it had been 20 years since wolf pups were born at CMZoo.

“She immediately took care of her pups, and knew just what to do,” said Rebecca Zwicker, Rocky Mountain Wild animal care manager. “All of a sudden, she had all of these babies and she was totally comfortable every step of the way.”

Even with five yearling pups and a brand-new pup, when Uno was born in 2019, utterly capable Luna adapted her methods to meet her growing family’s needs.

“To be honest, she does everything,” said Cox. “She’s the mom! When the pups were young, she would bring their meat to them. When Uno was born, she taught her daughters, Hope, Bluestem, and Shadow, how to be nurturing mothers.”

The girls were very curious about Uno. When Uno was a few weeks old, she let them into the den and they would submissively observe her. They also went into the den when Luna went into labor with Uno, and she allowed them to see what was happening. Those experiences will help prepare the daughters as they mature and possibly become mothers one day.

“The ‘alpha,’ ‘beta,’ and ‘omega’ theory on roles in a wolf pack is an outdated perception of wolves’ family dynamics,” said Cox. “They’re more like a family unit, and Luna’s role is caretaker, hunter, protector and leader. As she ages, we’re seeing that dynamic shift a bit.”

Luna has surpassed the median life expectancy of Mexican wolves by two years. Now that she’s older and her offspring are maturing, she’s taking a step back.

“At this point, Luna is still holding court, but she does get tested a bit more often,” said Zwicker. “That’s natural for our wolf pack. Luna is clearly holding her own. She’s still the mama, but she’s letting them grow up, too.”

The pups still look to Luna for leadership. They will even call her to inspect something that makes them unsure. Recently, one of the older pups was seen growling at something above the wolf exhibit. After some tail wagging, barking and stomping at the unidentified object, the pup ran to get Luna, who positioned herself in front of the pack to confront the perceived threat (which was never identified).

“Luna has taught me to be brave,” said Cox. “She’s always been this mature, well-rounded wolf from the moment she arrived. Because of Luna, I really admire the concept of motherhood. Family is everything to her.”

Recently, Luna’s keepers noticed some stiffness in her hind legs during her daily patrols around the yard. Because the wolves are intentionally kept as wild as possible, they don’t participate in husbandry training that would allow them to participate in their health care – like most animals at CMZoo.

“Because she’s the dominant wolf in the pack and is always the first to eat, we could provide medication in a separate meatball for her, to help her deal with that stiffness if it progresses,” said Zwicker. “We’re keeping a close eye on her and for now, she’s looking good, but we’re realistic about her age.”

Her keepers say she’s running around the yard like a 5-year-old on most days. But, they know the day Luna’s story becomes a memory continues to grow closer.

“We’ll make the most compassionate decision for Luna when that time comes,” said Cox. “Until then, I’m sure she’s going to continue to inspire me – and many others – to do more for her species. She raised healthy pups that could help save their endangered species. But, maybe more importantly, she’s helped people fall in love with wolves. She’s the most outgoing wolf I’ve ever met. Her contributions as an ambassador for her wild counterparts is huge.”

Only about 186 Mexican wolves live in the wild, and only about 300 live in assurance populations in human care. The number of wild individuals has increased, thanks in part to contributions made by SSP partners, by 14 percent in 2020 – its fifth consecutive year of wild population growth.

Until the 1900s, the Mexican wolf thrived throughout central Mexico, Arizona, New Mexico and western Texas. But by the 1950s, the species was virtually eradicated, with the last known wild wolf in the U.S. shot in 1970. When the Endangered Species Act went into effect in 1973, it led to the Mexican wolf being declared an endangered subspecies.

The population of Mexican wolves in human care at AZA-accredited zoos is an important part of the plan to repopulate the species in the wild. The Mexican Wolf Recovery Program is run by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, with cooperation from the AZA Mexican Wolf Species Survival Plan. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo has been a participant in the program since 1994.

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Last year, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo joined the Rocky Mountain Wolf Action Fund (RMWAF) and other partners to collect signatures for a petition that successfully landed a proposition on this year’s general election ballot. Proposition #114 asks Colorado voters to decide if gray wolves, once native to the state, should be carefully reintroduced to the Western Slope. The plan, if approved, would be led by Colorado Parks and Wildlife with the support of other wolf and ecology experts.

“There are a lot of issues competing for voters’ attention this November,” said Dr. Liza Dadone, vice president of mission and programs at CMZoo, who led the Zoo’s efforts to support RMWAF’s campaign to bring this issue to voters in 2020. “We have seen significant support from the public throughout this project, but voters should know this isn’t a done deal. We still need people to look out for Prop #114 on the ballot and give the experts involved a chance to restore this amazing species that is vital to our local ecosystem.”

Other than noting that Prop #114 is an issue worth voting on, there are important dates to keep in mind for this year’s election. Ballots will be mailed to Colorado voters October 9 and must be returned by November 3, 2020 – when polls open for in-person voting.

While Prop #114 is a complex and controversial question, for CMZoo it’s a simple question: do we want to live in a state with wolves in the ecosystem or not? For us, the answer is yes, no matter how hard we need to work to collaborate with all involved parties to address the valid concerns on every side of the question.

“This vote is the best chance we have had at restoring wolves to the wilds of Colorado in a very long time,” said Dr. Dadone. “For the Zoo and the 15,298 registered voters whose signatures we collected last fall, we feel obligated to see this through. The initiative outlines the reintroduction of gray wolves to include ongoing collaboration from all stakeholders, and a solid plan from Colorado Parks and Wildlife incorporating research-based findings.”

CMZoo is home to a pack of seven Mexican wolves and has a long history of working to restore and relocate species in the wild, including black-footed ferrets, Wyoming toads, Mexican wolves, giraffe in Uganda, amphibians in Panama, and more. As an organization that contributes to the survival of species around the world, we see this is an exciting opportunity for Colorado residents to help restore a species that once roamed free, right here at home.

CMZoo’s role in this issue is as trusted wolf experts and animal advocates. One way we want to help is by addressing common misconceptions about wolves, based on our extensive experiences with them.

While many are excited about the chance to see wolves in the wild, popular culture has positioned wolves as dangerous and aggressive villains that could lead others to feel unsafe around them. Unlike mountain lions and other predators found in wild and populated areas throughout Colorado, a wolf’s natural reaction to human presence is to retreat.

“When Rocky Mountain Wild keepers go into the expansive enclosure with CMZoo’s pack of Mexican wolves to clean and replenish food, water and enrichment items, the wolves typically get as far away from them as possible,” said Rebecca Zwicker, Rocky Mountain Wild animal care manager. “We see it all the time. Their natural instinct is to be wary of humans. Even with our wolves in human care, we like to see that instinctual behavior intact, because the hope for our wolves is that they or their offspring are one day restored to the wild to support their dwindling wild population.”

The Rocky Mountain Wolf Project reports that since 1900, there have been only two possible cases of a wolf-related human fatality in North America, and no cases in the lower 48 states.

This is a complex issue, and we recognize this restoration could create hardships for some people who live in the region where they would be reintroduced, especially for farmers and ranchers in the regions proposed for reintroduction. As caretakers of animals, CMZoo understands that farmers and ranchers care for their animals and have invested generations of energy into them. We also know that both compensation for their livestock and mitigation strategies are essential if wolves are restored to Colorado. The health of public and private lands is critical for a healthy statewide ecosystem and its wildlife. We support a bill that helps us live in balance, uses management systems that support both of those standpoints, and puts experts in charge of the reintroduction who will hear all concerns and adequately address them as they meticulously implement the plan.

There is evidence of wolves’ positive impact on restoring balance in struggling ecosystems, too. Some may be familiar with the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone National Park, in 1995. The National Park’s elk population had grown to levels not healthy for the ecosystem, due to the absence of predators, like the wolf. The elk drastically reduced the number of trees and shrubs that prevent erosion and serve the rest of the ecosystem.

Birds lost their habitats, as a result of the fauna’s inability to grow to maturity. The water temperature in streams rose, due to a lack of shade from trees and shrubs, which made them uninhabitable for fish and other aquatic species. Without competition from wolves, coyote populations increased, which reduced the number of small mammals in the area that served as a food source for many smaller predators, like foxes.

Since reintroducing the wolf, Yellowstone National Park’s elk population has decreased and become healthier. The wolves single out the weak, old, sick and young elk, leaving the strongest elk to reproduce and carry on healthy genetic lines. The Rocky Mountain Wolf Project also says the wolves’ presence near waterways reduced the negative impact elk had on streams, trees and shrubs and the animals that live there, simply by redirecting the elk. Coyote numbers have decreased, creating a better balance and more available food sources for dwindling numbers of foxes,
badgers, weasels and raptors, which share their prey.

Until the 1940s, when wolves were eradicated from Colorado’s wild places, wolves thrived in the Rocky Mountain State. The last wolf was shot in 1945, as a result of an extermination campaign that didn’t consider the wolves’ important role in our delicate mountain ecosystem. Today, wolves roam the Rocky Mountains from Mexico to Canada and Alaska, but not in Colorado.

“Our state is one of the last gaps in connecting these wolf packs, which is detrimental to the long-term health of the species,” said Zwicker. “Colorado’s wild places can provide additional habitat for wolves and contribute to the safe and natural ‘wildway’ (like a highway) between subspecies of gray wolf.”

A wolf pack recently confirmed in Colorado may lead some people to believe that the species doesn’t need our support to thrive again naturally.

“Although one small pack of wolves has been located in northern Colorado, there’s no way those few remaining individuals could create a healthy, genetically diverse, sustainable population of wolves in Colorado,” said Zwicker. “Thinking about the greater goal of providing positive ecological benefits of a healthy and established ecosystem, these few wolves couldn’t have an adequate impact.”

As an apex predator, their presence at the top of the food chain in Colorado is vital, as it is in Yellowstone National Park. Western Colorado, where the Rocky Mountain Wolf Project seeks to reintroduce wolves, has more than 15 million acres of public land with an abundance of wild prey for hunters and wolves.

Returning wolves to our state in adequate numbers will surely impact Colorado’s big game species, such as elk, and there are concerns that this will negatively impact our hunting economy.

“When wolves have been removed from the ecosystem, populations of elk and deer can reach unhealthy numbers which can lead to disease spread, starvation and a devastating impact on plant life and waterways,” said Dr. Dadone. “To some, wolves will make hunts more challenging. For others, their presence will create memories that make the hunt live forever in their minds. When you think of how amazing it would be to see a wild wolf pack, we lean towards the latter.”

As with all election propositions, it’s important to think critically about how the return of wolves to Colorado could impact our state in positive ways and the potential obstacles we’ll need to creatively overcome as a statewide community.

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We had a baby boom in 2019! From meerkat pups to mountain lion kittens to a giraffe calf and more, the seven species of babies are growing up fast. (Make sure you watch until the end to meet our latest addition: five meerkat pups!)

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is home to a pack of seven Mexican wolves, and we support the restoration of a similar species – the gray wolf – to our state’s wild places on the Western Slope. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo has a long history of working to restore and relocate species, including black-footed ferrets, Wyoming toads, Mexican wolves, giraffe in Uganda, amphibians in Panama, and more. As an organization that contributes to the survival of species around the world, this is an exciting chance for Colorado residents to help restore a species that once roamed free, right here at home.

“We support restoring the natural balance by helping wild animal populations return to protected wild places,” said Dr. Liza Dadone, vice president of mission and programs at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. “We see our role in this issue as trusted wolf experts and animal advocates. We want to help by addressing common misconceptions about wolves, based on our extensive experiences with them. We also feel compelled to raise awareness of this petition, so our community has the information needed, so Coloradoans can decide if reintroduction of wolves is right for our state.”

The Rocky Mountain Wolf Project is currently leading the way on collecting signatures on petitions throughout the state, with hopes to bring this issue to a public vote for the November 2020 general election. The petition is actively underway until Dec. 8, 2019.

As part of Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s effort to educate the public about the ecological benefits of these once-thriving Colorado animals, Rocky Mountain Wolf Project’s beautiful and informative art exhibit, “Living with Wolves,” is on display at Primate World through November 2019. The art display helps dispel myths about the dangers of wolves.

A common concern about the reintroduction of wolves to Colorado is about the safety of people who might encounter a wolf while enjoying time in nature. Unlike mountain lions and other predators found in wild and populated areas throughout Colorado, a wolf’s natural reaction to human presence is to retreat.

“Due to inaccurate portrayals of wolves in movies and other popular culture, some people may not know that wolves instinctively avoid human contact,” said Dadone. “When our keepers go into the enclosure with our pack of Mexican wolves to clean and replenish food, water and enrichment items, the wolves typically get as far away from them as possible. It’s a natural instinct that we like to see, as the hope for our wolves is that their offspring are one day restored to the wild to support their dwindling wild population.”

The Rocky Mountain Wolf Project reports that since 1900, there have been only two possible cases of a wolf-related human fatality in North America, and no cases in the lower 48 states.

This is a complex issue, especially for farmers and ranchers in the regions proposed for reintroduction. As caretakers of animals, we understand that farmers and ranchers care for their animals and have invested generations of energy into them. We also know that both compensation for their livestock and mitigation strategies are essential if wolves are restored to Colorado. We encourage these open conversations, as we hope they will lead to solutions that benefit wildlife, wild places, and the people who live near them.

Birds lost habitats, as a result of the fauna’s inability to grow to maturity. The water temperature in streams rose, due to a lack of shade from trees and shrubs, which made them uninhabitable for fish and other aquatic species. Without competition from wolves, coyote populations increased, which reduced the number of small mammals in the area that served as a food source for many smaller predators, like foxes.

Until the 1940s, when wolves were eradicated from Colorado’s wild places, wolves thrived in the Rocky Mountain State. The last wolf was shot in 1945, as a result of an extermination campaign that didn’t consider the wolves’ important role in our delicate mountain ecosystem. While an occasional “lone wolf” has migrated into our state, wolves have not been able to establish a population in our state in over 70 years.

Guests can stop by Wolf Woods to sign the petition, and visit the art exhibit at Primate World to learn more about the incredible gray wolf and the positive impacts its presence could make on our state. There are also Rocky Mountain Wolf Project representatives throughout Colorado, who are collecting signatures. Look out for the Rocky Mountain Wolf Project logo and a person with a clipboard to share your opinion or to support the effort to bring this issue to a public vote.

Colorado Springs, Colo. – A Mexican wolf pup was born at 5:10 a.m. Friday, April 19, 2019 to second-time parents, Luna and Navarro, to the excitement of Cheyenne Mountain Zoo staff and guests. The pup appears to be strong, and Luna is exhibiting quality maternal instincts.

“It’s very squirmy and snuggly with Luna, and has already grown a lot since it was born on Friday, which is a good sign,” said Dina Bredahl, Rocky Mountain Wild animal manager. “It’s got a really cute full, round belly and dark fur. Mexican wolves grow up to have sandy, gray fur, but their pups are born with dark fur.”

The Rocky Mountain Wild animal care team wasn’t sure how many pups Luna was carrying, and watched for a full 24 hours after the first pup was born before concluding that the pup was a singleton. The newborn pup joins the existing wolf pack consisting of the two parents, Luna and Navarro, and nearly one-year-old sisters Bluestem, Hope and Shadow, and brother Phoenix, who were born May 8 and 9, 2018.

“Wolf packs in the wild will stay together as new litters join the pack, so we don’t see any need to separate the older siblings from this new pup,” said Bredahl. “It’s a win-win for all. The yearlings get to observe Luna with a young pup, which helps them gain experience they can use if they become parents later in life. The single pup benefits because it has a larger pack to learn from and bond with, instead of just its two parents.”

A couple of hours before Luna gave birth early Friday morning, the yearlings were seen on camera in the den nuzzling and cuddling with her.

“It was really cool to see the one-year-olds observing Luna’s behavior, probably noticing something was going on and wondering what was about to happen,” said Bredahl. “Every individual pup makes an impact on the survival of the species, because the Mexican wolf population is so small. Even in human care, we rarely intervene with wolves, so we’re cautiously optimistic that this pup will grow into a healthy adult that can contribute to the long-term survival of Mexican wolves.”

The birth is not only incredibly exciting for the Zoo staff, who have been actively working to successfully breed the species for many years, but it is also highly significant for the future of the species. It is possible that this pup could go on to help repopulate the species in the wild.

For now, Luna is caring for the pup in a cozy underground den within the wolf exhibit. A camera mounted inside the den is connected to a monitor in the guest viewing area, so everyone who visits the Zoo will be able to see live footage of mom and baby at the exhibit.

“From time to time, we see Luna move around outside of the den, carrying the pup with her,” said Bredahl. “We didn’t see that with her litter last year, but that’s probably because this individual pup is so much more ‘portable’ than a full litter. In the wild, mothers will sometimes move their pups from one den to another. Luna has multiple dens in her exhibit, so she’s taking advantage of that and finding the most comfortable spot.”

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo will share photos and video clips of mom and pup, as they become available, on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and The Waterhole, the Zoo’s monthly e-newsletter.

For many years, the Zoo housed a bachelor pack of wolves, but within the past eight years, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA’s) Species Survival Plan (SSP) has placed various breeding pairs at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo with the hopes of offspring. Until Luna and Navarro, none of the breeding pairs were successful. When they are older, it is possible that Luna’s pups could be released to help provide genetic diversity in the wild.

The birth of this pup is significant because there are currently only 131 Mexican wolves in the wild, and only about 300 in human care. Until the 1900s, the Mexican wolf thrived throughout central Mexico, Arizona, New Mexico and western Texas. But by the 1950s, the species was virtually eradicated, with the last known wild wolf in the U.S. shot in 1970. When the Endangered Species Act went into effect in 1973, it led to the Mexican wolf being declared an endangered subspecies. Their number has since been increasing through captive breeding programs.

The population of Mexican wolves in human care at Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)-accredited zoos is an important part of the plan to repopulate the species in the wild. The Mexican Wolf Recovery Program is run by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, with cooperation from the AZA Mexican Wolf Species Survival Plan. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo has been a participant in the program since 1994.

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 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.