Animal Health Archives

WRITTEN BY JACK GOODMAN, ELEPHANT KEEPER

I met Missy for the first time in May of 2019. I had just started the summer as a Junior Zookeeper in the Wilgruen Elephant Center. Missy was 49 years old at the time. Now, Missy is 56 years old, and I have been working with her as a full-time keeper for more than two years. Throughout my journey from Junior Zookeeper to Keeper Assistant to Animal Keeper, Missy has been a steady constant.

Despite what you might expect from a geriatric elephant, Missy is still full of fire on most days. She’s not afraid to let the other elephants know that she’s still in charge. She’ll hustle over to you when you call her outside in the yard, and she’ll have her mouth open to be ready for whatever snacks you’ve brought for her. Missy’s favorite way to get food is what we call “direct-deposit.” She’ll open up her mouth and let you do all of the work by throwing food straight in.

Missy also loves spending time with her best friend, LouLou. They came to the Zoo together, back in 2015. It’s easy to tell Missy and LouLou apart because Missy has tusks and LouLou does not. Like all of our aging elephants, Missy has some issues we help her deal with, including a lack of strength and dexterity due to her trunk paralysis. So, like any of us with differences, she works to find ways to adapt, and we assist her. Missy likes to let LouLou work on the overhead barrel feeders that we fill with hay. Then, she’ll do what dominant elephants do and move LouLou out of the way to clean up all of the leftover hay.

Missy isn’t afraid to let you know that she’s in charge when you’re working with her. When we train for “elephant yoga,” a series of stretching behaviors, we use what’s called a target pole to communicate with the elephants where we’d like them to move certain body parts. Our target poles are really just wooden handles with duct tape rolled onto the ends of them. We just use them to point from a safe distance. Missy will use her trunk to move the target pole down to a lower height that’s easier for her to reach. It’s a little like cheating, but at 56, Missy is definitely allowed to cheat a little.

Training and taking care of Missy provides our team with some unique challenges, most of which are age-related. Consistent with her advanced age, she is blind in her left eye, has some challenges with dead skin build up, and no longer has a full set of teeth. We’re constantly making adjustments to the ways that we care for Missy as she ages. Missy receives hay that is chopped up into small pieces by a hay shredder, so she doesn’t have to chew as much. She also gets different food reinforcers that don’t need to be chewed during training like timothy hay cubes that we soak in water, bread and wafer cookies, sparingly. She also gets a bath twice a week when the weather is nice to help her get rid of some of the extra skin that builds up on her back. We use a hose with warm water, soap specially made for animals and a scrub brush to help her take care of her skin. After she’s finished getting rinsed by us, Missy likes to reapply her layer of dirt and mud that protects her skin from the sun and bugs. All of these adjustments are made possible by collaboration with multiple teams across the Zoo that allow us to give Missy the best care possible.

One of the things I appreciate the most about Missy is that she is an excellent teacher. When I first started training elephants, Missy provided a teaching moment in just about every training session. She is an elephant who knows the routine and very much likes to stick to it. If you move too slowly while training her, she won’t wait for you and moves on to the next behavior. Missy is also very focused on where you stand and how you move while training her, which can be especially important because of her vision deficit. Missy taught me how to be an adaptable trainer who can clearly communicate with her. She taught me to problem solve in the moment to make adjustments if the training session is starting to get off course.

Beyond being a strong teacher of the fundamentals, Missy is also exceptional at teaching some of the more challenging skills that an elephant keeper needs to know. All of the elephants that we care for are trained to participate in their own health care. This can look like voluntarily participating in a blood draw where we collect blood from the backs of their ears, presenting their feet for us to trim their nails and foot pads, or injections for vaccines. Missy is the first elephant I ever gave an injection to or drew blood from. She is patient and will stay in position while you are learning these new skills. She will stand extremely still with her mouth open while a trainer gives her some of her favorite treats like marshmallows and bread in a “direct-deposit” style straight into her mouth. This allows time to learn these new skills with the help of a capable mentor.

The best time to see Missy in our main elephant yard is in the mornings between 10 and 11:30 a.m. on days when the temperature is 40 degrees or warmer. The best way to get up close and personal with Missy is to come to our elephant hydration experience. As she has been having some “off days” recently, she doesn’t always choose to participate, and we support her choices. When she does want to participate, for $10-15, you can give Missy a cup or two of glacier freeze electrolyte drink (her favorite flavor) into her trunk. Some of these funds even go towards supporting Tsavo Trust, a conservation organization dedicated to maintaining protected areas that provide elephants with habitats in Kenya. Our elephant and rhino experiences raise around $75,000 annually for Tsavo Trust. Missy takes turns participating in the hydration with her best friend LouLou. There isn’t a set schedule for who participates on a given day, but we typically alternate every day. This chance happening makes it even more special for anyone who does get to meet Missy.

I would not be where I am today without Missy’s patience and the continuing support of great human and elephant mentors on my team. I feel grateful every day to work with such an amazing animal and to have the support of such a great team.

I feel so fortunate to have the opportunity to work with an elephant like Missy every single day, and it is a truly wonderful experience working with a team that is always trying new things to help Missy continue to age gracefully. I feel like every day with Missy is a gift. We’ve been fortunate that Missy has been in such great health for so long, but just like every other animal at the Zoo, there is a point when the quality of care can only extend her life so long.

Given that she’s recently having more ‘off days’ than she used to, we are now very focused on continuing to help Missy live comfortably and provide her as many reinforcing opportunities as possible, while also being realistic that there is no cure for old age. Hopefully, the next time you come to the Zoo, you’ll come and see Missy!

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Catch up with Jumbe, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s 23-year-old Eastern black rhinoceros, who is working on a new kind of health training: dental care. As an aging rhino, Jumbe sometimes needs a little extra help with his teeth. His care team gently files his molars to smooth sharp edges that could cause sores. Take a look into how his keepers have trained him to participate in this important part of his health care.

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UPDATE MARCH 5, 2026: On Wed., Feb. 25, our grizzly bear Emmett underwent surgery to remove a cancerous mass from his tail. His incision is healing well, and Emmett’s care team is pleased with his progress so far. He’s a model patient, taking his meds, getting plenty of rest, and even letting his keepers clean the incision site. Emmett will continue to recover from surgery by resting in his den and back grizzly bear yard, while Digger, his grizzly roommate, remains visible to guests.

UPDATE FEBRUARY 26, 2026: On Wed., Feb. 25, 2026, our grizzly bear Emmett underwent surgery to remove a cancerous mass from his tail. Thanks to the dedication of CMZoo staff from multiple departments, the 750-pound bear was carefully transported to the Zoo’s hospital on a custom platform. Professionals from CSU Veterinary Health System and Focused Ultrasound Resources collaborated with the Zoo’s veterinary team during the procedure.

Emmett did well under anesthesia, and the cancerous mass, along with most of his tail, was successfully removed. Ultrasounds showed no obvious evidence that the cancer has spread. His care team also examined his teeth and trimmed his nails before safely returning him to his den in Rocky Mountain Wild. He appears to be recovering well and will spend the next few days resting in his den, while Digger, his grizzly roommate, remains visible to guests.

A PROCEDURE IS PLANNED FOR THE COMING DAYS – Cheyenne Mountain Zoo staff are rallying around a beloved colleague, Emmett, a 21-year-old grizzly bear. Biopsy results recently revealed that a lump at the base of Emmett’s tail is cancerous. His team is working to give him the best chance at fighting the disease, while balancing a humane quality of life for the famous bear.

Putting an animal under anesthesia is always risky, but his care team is optimistic because Emmett appears to be in good health otherwise. He was recently seen play-wrestling with his lifelong grizzly roommate, Digger. He’s still participating in training, eating, drinking water, sleeping, meeting his fans and doing all the things a fulfilled grizzly of his age does.

“I’m sure there are many people who can relate to what we’re dealing with,” Rebecca Zwicker, Rocky Mountain Wild animal care manager, says. “We’ve spent the past weeks preparing to give Emmett a fighting chance, and we’ll do everything we can to support him through this.”

Teams from nearly every department in the Zoo are preparing for Emmett’s surgery.

Emmett will receive a voluntary injection from his care team and the first steps of anesthesia by the Zoo’s veterinary team in his den. Then, the 750-pound bear will be carefully transported by heavy equipment on a platform constructed specifically for this procedure, driven by the Zoo’s skilled senior horticulturist, to the Zoo’s hospital. There, members of the Zoo’s park quality and maintenance teams will help shift the bear to the operating table. Professionals from CSU Veterinary Health System and Focused Ultrasound Resources will support the Zoo’s veterinary team during the procedure.

The cancerous skin mass is at the base of Emmett’s tail, so his tail will be removed along with the mass and affected surrounding tissue. Sonographers will use an ultrasound immediately before the procedure to look for tumors elsewhere in his body.

“There are a lot of unknowns, so we’re preparing for every possible outcome,” Dr. Jasmine Sarvi, CMZoo’s associate veterinarian who is leading Emmett’s case, says. “With every decision, we’ll be aiming to preserve his best quality of life and post-operative recovery. There are no guarantees, but Emmett is strong, so we have high hopes that he will recover and go back to his home. We all care about Emmett, and we’re determined to try and cure him of this disease.”

Emmett came to CMZoo as a youngster in 2007, and he has been stealing hearts and helping members and guests learn about and appreciate grizzlies ever since. His playful antics and impressive cooperative training behaviors make him easy to fall in love with. He most recently made international headlines while catching snowflakes on his tongue in an adorably relaxed position. Rebecca has worked with Emmett since 2009.

“We’re old friends, and it’s an honor to see animals through their golden years,” Rebecca says. “With any loved one facing cancer, of course you do everything you can to get the best care for them. Emmett is patient and really good at training, so we’re feeling hopeful that we’ll be able to support him through a recovery. I’ve seen this team do amazing things for the animals in our care, and everyone involved wants what’s best for him – whatever that looks like. Out of respect for Emmett, we want to give him as much life as we can.”

In the wild, Emmett and Digger were labeled as nuisance bears after several negative interactions with humans prior to being removed from the wild. Often, nuisance bears aren’t as lucky as these two, and once they receive several ‘strikes,’ they are often euthanized. Emmett and Digger were given a second chance, and a safe and enriching life at CMZoo.

For the past nineteen years, Emmett and Digger have spent their days exploring, training, playing and showing guests just how incredible grizzlies are – far from the temptations that got them into trouble in the wild. While grizzly bears don’t live in Colorado wilderness, black bears roam many urban and wild spaces throughout the state. With impressive senses of smell and problem-solving abilities, it’s up to humans to help them stay wild. Bear fans can do their part for Emmett’s relatives by securing trash, bringing in bird feeders at night and storing food in bear-safe locations, at home and out in nature.

“Emmett has needed no help from us to fulfill the Zoo’s mission to connect our guests with the natural world,” Rebecca says. “He has inspired and made connections with millions of people who have visited him at CMZoo and adored him online over the years, and we know everyone will be rooting for him. However, he does need our help now. We’re ready, and Emmett’s ready, for whatever comes next.”

While data varies, grizzlies typically live between 20 and 30 years in human care. His care team hopes this surgery and his post-operative care will give him many more years to enjoy living his best life at CMZoo. The Zoo will provide an update after Emmett’s procedure in the coming days.

About Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

Cheyenne Mountain Zoological Society was founded in 1926. Today, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, America’s mountain Zoo, offers comprehensive education programs, exciting conservation efforts and truly fantastic animal experiences. In 2025, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo was voted #2 Best Zoo in North America and CMZoo’s Rocky Mountain Wild was named #2 Best Zoo Exhibit in North America by USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. It is Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s goal to help guests fall in love with animals and nature, and take action to protect them. Since 2008, CMZoo’s Quarters for Conservation program has raised more than $6 million dedicated to frontline conservation efforts around the world. Of the 237 zoos and aquariums accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is one of just a few operating without tax support. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo depends on admissions, membership dues, special event attendance and donations for funding.

In Encounter Africa at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, five beloved female African elephants, affectionately referred to as the Golden Girls, are aging with dignity and the support of their dedicated care team. Missy, LouLou, Kimba, Lucky and Jambo each has unique needs, care plans and preferences.

“Because we’re so in-tune with their subtle behaviors as individuals, we can tell what they enjoy and when they need support,” Ilana Cobban, Encounter Africa animal care manager, says. Ilana has worked with the elephants at CMZoo for 23 years. “I love how playful they still are in their old age. They like play-sparring with each other, mud wallowing, training and participating in demonstrations and feeding opportunities with guests, and engaging with enrichment regularly.”

When building the Wilgruen Elephant Center, CMZoo saw a need in the zoo community to create a program especially for female African elephants beyond their breeding years. The facility has various substrate floors, training areas and an overhead crane system that can lift an elephant to its feet if it can’t get up on its own.

CMZoo’s expert elephant care team has a combined 65 years of experience, with four full-time keepers on most days to care for the five elephants, supported by three full-time board-certified veterinarians. The herd participates in cooperative blood draws, laser therapy, tusk, tooth and foot care, and more.

“All of the girls participate in elephant yoga at whatever level is comfortable for them,” Ilana says. “They get excited when it’s their turn to train. Missy, our eldest, will trot over to participate. They do exercises like downward dog – we call it ‘downward elephant’ – and stretch their legs, heads and trunks. Over the years, we’ve seen their flexibility improve in some ways, but some of their long-term mobility issues will inevitably worsen with age. We make adjustments so they can participate comfortably. The poses are good for the elephants, and they allow us to visually check and treat any issues.”

Lucky, 46, is very playful and seizes opportunities when they arise. She’s been known to ask Kimba, who she lives with, to share her food, and will even snag a puzzle feeder from another elephant’s space. Lucky has arthritis in her right rear knee. She doesn’t always bend that knee when she walks, but she bends her knee during physical therapy. She’s developing arthritis in her front right ankle, so she cooperatively receives laser therapy to reduce inflammation and improve circulation. She also takes pain and anti-inflammation medications, and has a big sand mound that she uses to rest and lie down.

The team studies all of the elephants’ behaviors, tracks quality-of-life indicators and adjusts their care programs to provide more of what they positively respond to. Some of them love to wallow in giant mud puddles or get baths and others like to give themselves sand baths. Foraging for food is a big part of an elephant’s day. Their food is provided in puzzle feeders to mentally stimulate them, in addition to other enrichment, training and exploring. Their food is also hung high to encourage them to stretch, and it is dispersed throughout their yards and spaces to encourage more movement.

“They get produce and hay, but their favorite is tree branches,” Ilana says. “We have two employees dedicated to collecting healthy species of branches from our community for the elephants and other animals. They eat the leaves and branches, and they love to debark tree stumps and logs with their toes and trunks.”

Missy, 56, is the second oldest female African elephant in human care in facilities accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. She’s still the fastest to respond to enrichment and training opportunities.

“She’s fearless,” Ilana says. “She’s the oldest, but she’s still the quickest, and she doesn’t hesitate to remind the herd that she’s the boss.”

Elephants have six sets of four molars throughout their lives. Because of Missy’s advanced age, she is on her last set of two molars, so her team brought in a hay shredder to chop her food into easier-to-chew bites. Normal for any aging animal, Missy has lost weight over the last year and experienced drier skin. She receives nutritional supplements, like beet pulp and orchard grass pellets, and participates in bubble baths, which have helped moisturize her aging skin.

Kimba, 48, is known as the ‘foodie’ in the group. She loves few things more than food. She’s also incredibly loyal to Lucky, who she has lived with for more than 40 years. Kimba has been prone to colic. Her team has tried many different treatments, but has not identified a long-term solution for her. They’re continuing to seek input from their wide network of elephant care professionals. They also try different diets, supplements, exercises and treatments, while tracking how she responds. Her colic occurs without an apparent pattern, and has increased in frequency recently. She has more good days than bad, overall, and her care team tracks data closely.

“Kimba’s body condition and bloodwork results are good, and she’s socializing with other elephants, exercising, eating, drinking and participating in training sessions, which are all good quality-of-life indicators,” Ilana says. “Her bloodwork tests for stress indicators, among other things, and we don’t see that she’s stressed in those results or in her behavior.”

As incredibly intelligent animals, elephants need diversity. Multiple times per day, the Golden Girls move between yards and indoor spaces, where they find new opportunities to stimulate their bodies and minds. They also have access to a trek walk and a ‘vacation yard’ – a 2-acre forested field they can explore for as long as they want when temperatures are safe for them to stay outside. The trek and vacation yard are away from guest areas, but are distantly visible from the elephant boardwalk. If you see trees rocking for no apparent reason, there’s likely an elephant is knocking it around.

Wild female elephants are commonly known to live in herds, but the ladies at CMZoo have shown their team that they prefer a different setup. LouLou and Missy share space, Jambo prefers to interact with other elephants from her own space, and Lucky and Kimba live together.
“These elephants didn’t grow up in large herds, so we provide environments and social setups based on their preferences,” Ilana says. “We have offered them a variety of group settings, but this is the setup they want. We believe in customizing their care. They deserve to be given that choice.”

Jambo, 42, is an enthusiastic, large elephant for her age. Although she prefers her own space, she is incredibly tactile with other elephants. She often reaches into other elephants’ spaces to interact with her trunk, and playfully spars and flaps her big ears at the elephants. She’s been known to sneak her trunk into other elephants’ mouths to see what they’re eating. Jambo is in good health, but experiences occasional bloating. To combat it, she gets elephant-sized quantities of Gas-X: 20 cherry-flavored tablets at once.

LouLou, 43, is one of the most playful and social elephants. She is incredibly curious about Jumbe, CMZoo’s Eastern black rhino, and likes to be near him at the fence line, sometimes tossing sand in his direction. LouLou, like Jambo, also receives Gas-X as a preventative measure, because she has experienced bloating in the past. Otherwise, she seems to be in great health.

“We love these elephants, and we’ll keep supporting them, relying on what works for them as individuals, and trying new things,” Ilana says. “They’re fulfilled here, and we believe they’re living their best lives in their home. We’re realistic that all of our Golden Girls are into their bonus years, and we’re committed to their compassionate care.”

If you’ve ever visited #CMZoo and the African elephants, you can consider yourself a conservation warrior. Through CMZoo’s Quarters for Conservation program, 75¢ of every admission goes to conservation partners. Tsavo Trust – a field-based non-profit that uses aerial surveillance and on-the-ground field efforts to protect elephants, rhinos and other wildlife in Tsavo National Park, the largest national park in Kenya – is a legacy Q4C recipient. Small change makes a big difference. Since 2008, those quarters have added up to more than $6 million for conservation, with more than $1 million supporting elephant and rhino conservation.

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Written by Lauren Phillippi, lead animal keeper

There have been many changes in African Rift Valley recently, in addition to the brand-new giraffe habitat we’re building. One of the most notable this summer was the opening of the new outdoor mixed species habitat built for three of my favorite animals at the Zoo: our Cape vultures, Godric and Hedwig, and our own prickly superstar, Waffles the Cape porcupine.

Guests can see vultures flying and exploring their perching in their new aviary across from the current giraffe barn. The habitat doubles as a home for one of the most adorable animals at our Zoo – Waffles.

Although the vultures were introduced to the habitat first, when Waffles arrived, she strutted out of her travel crate with a confidence that seemed to say, “Yes of course, this is all for me!” She explored every space during her first day and we watched with awe as she kept interacting with new parts of her exhibit. Even with large vultures keeping a close eye perched in trees above her, and a few curious giraffe neighbors following her along the mesh as she explored, Waffles kept on without a care.

It was exciting when she started using the exhibit features that were designed just for her. Porcupines are nocturnal, meaning many times when you go by to see Waffles during the day, she’ll likely be resting or sleeping. There is an elevated dugout in the new termite mound feature in their yard that she often climbs on to take a nap. Most often, guests can see her resting near or in her burrow at the baobab tree. There is even a viewing window inside of the tree where people can get a unique view of her underground. Next time you visit, you might see her resting there, or doing one of her favorite activities: digging!

The burrow was designed so we can add fresh substrate, like dirt or mulch, to the habitat. Waffles is a real earth-mover and she uses her claws and her strong legs to dig and move dirt around until it is just where she wants it. She chooses digging over most other enrichment opportunities when given the choice, so we are happy to provide her environment with opportunities to do what she does best as a Cape porcupine.

Waffles also shines during training. I’ve worked at the Zoo for 12 years, and during that time I’ve trained a wide variety of animal species and behaviors. The past four years working with Waffles have been especially rewarding as she brings incredible energy and enthusiasm to every training session. Animal training continues to be one of the most fulfilling parts of my day as a keeper.

Waffles knows many voluntary behaviors that allow her to be an excellent ambassador for her species by getting up-close with guests during her unscheduled walkabouts around the Zoo. Waffles also knows behaviors that help us keep track of her health, like stepping on a scale to check her weight and stationing voluntarily for vaccines. Most recently, she has started learning something new (and pretty exciting!): ultrasound training.

Waffles and I have only worked on ultrasound training a few times so far, but she learns fast, making each training session exciting. I plan for one step ahead in each session, as she often masters her training criteria quickly. You might say she’s really sharp – pun intended. At the start of each session, I cue Waffles to place her front paws up on a log stump, creating more room to view her belly, which usually stays low to the ground.

When designing the training plan, I break the behavior into smaller steps so Waffles can choose to participate at each step. We start with stationing on the stump, gently parting her quills on her stomach, introducing the ultrasound equipment, and building a duration hold – which helps her learn how long I need her to stay in that standing position for our veterinary team to get a good ultrasound image. When Waffles was first introduced to the ultrasound wand touching her abdomen, she stayed calmly on her station, eager to earn almonds and walnuts as positive reinforcement for participating. I am so proud of the progress we’ve made!

This will be an extremely helpful behavior for her to know in the future because she has a breeding recommendation by the Cape porcupine Species Survival Plan (SSP) to be matched with a male. Training an ultrasound behavior now will give us the chance to track and monitor a potential pregnancy in Waffles’ future.

Porcupines have a special place in my heart, so naturally I’m very excited to welcome another porcupine to the Zoo, especially if it means the potential for porcupettes (the scientific name for baby porcupines)!

Introducing Waffles and her future mate will require a lot of planning, patience and expertise in reading the animals’ responses to each other. We will follow the porcupines’ lead as we support Waffles and the new porcupine getting to know each other. It will be an honor to be a part of this next journey with her.

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Western Lowland gorilla, Asha portrait — Western lowland gorilla, Asha

Of the many gorilla aspects to observe and adore, it’s worth taking a minute to focus on their noses. Conservationists do the same for scientific purposes.

“All of our gorillas have very different noses, so in addition to their other distinguishing features, we can identify them that way,” Ashton Asbury, Primate World animal keeper, says. “Being able to identify them here at the Zoo helps us track their qualities of life, health, social interactions and more. In the wild, conservationists use this method to identify wild gorillas, too.”

Each gorilla has a unique nose, just like humans. While there are other ways to identify gorillas individually, noses were efficient identifiers for conservationists who were often observing from afar or via photos and videos.

Wild gorilla research has been documented since the 1950s. Using consistent identifiers, like noses, helps researchers learn more about each individual long-term, which reveals how gorillas socialize and move through wild places. With information about how gorillas use habitats, conservationists can present data that helps support policies that protect the habitats gorillas need to survive.

As gorillas mature and naturally move out of their initial family groups to join other groups, conservationists noted their noses to identify and continue observing them in new groups.

“Once they have fully developed, gorillas’ nose shapes typically stay the same,” Ashton says. “Their body shapes and sizes and hair colors may change with age. Because they move between social groups, it’s not as dependable to rely on comparisons with other gorillas to identify individuals.”

By identifying individual gorillas, conservationists can track family dynamics, group movements, diets, migrations and even life spans – all foundational information that still benefits gorilla conservation efforts and care for great apes in human settings.

At CMZoo, gorilla fans can easily tell the gorillas apart by comparing their sizes, hair colors and more. Identifying Asha is especially simple now, because she’s the gorilla carrying an adorable baby! But, their noses are worth appreciating, too.

• Asha’s nose is heart-shaped. In between her nostrils is a U-shaped indent. She’s also identifiable as the shortest adult gorilla in the group.

• Goma’s nose is also heart-shaped, but he has a strong line between his nostrils. Goma is the largest gorilla in the CMZoo troop, and he has grayish-silver hair on his back.

• Kwisha’s nose is longer and her nostrils are more upright than Asha’s and Goma’s. Kwisha has brownish-red hair on her head, and she’s the ‘middle sized’ gorilla at CMZoo.

• So far, the baby’s nose is heart-shaped, like his parents’, but his nose is still developing.

Next time you’re in Primate World at CMZoo, test your gorilla knowledge and see if you can identify the adults by their noses.

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Catch up with Missy, CMZoo’s eldest African elephant!

Missy, who recently turned 56 years old, shares space with her longtime companion, LouLou. Some of her favorite activities include wallowing in mud puddles, training with her keepers, munching on hay and tree branches, and exploring the trek space, vacation yard and main elephant yards.

Our elephant care and veterinary teams tailor individualized health and exercise programs for Missy (and all of our elephants), based on her unique needs and preferences. Missy excels in training and participates in cooperative blood draws and injections. This helps her care team closely monitor her health as she ages and administer medications — like pills or injections — to ease inflammation, arthritis and other age-related aches and pains. She especially enjoys a ‘direct deposit’ snack delivery during these training sessions — tossing her trunk over her head while keepers gently lob her favorites straight into her wide-open mouth.

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Help us wish Ouray a happy 32nd birthday! The Fourth of July isn’t just America’s birthday—it’s also Ouray the bald eagle’s designated hatchday!

Ouray is a bald eagle, but she’s also a ‘golden eagle’ because she’s well into her golden years. The median life expectancy of a bald eagle in human care is 16 years, according to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums! We don’t know Ouray’s exact age or hatchday because she came to us after being injured in the wild. Bald eagles are federally protected and illegal to own for falconry purposes in the United States. However, some organizations, like CMZoo, have special permits to care for bald eagles that cannot be released back into the wild, like Ouray. Ouray came to CMZoo in March 2006, from our friends at Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance, who took her in after a wing injury left her unable to fly in 2002.

For 18 years, her signature calls have been like a soundtrack for CMZoo guests and staff. You can visit Ouray in Rocky Mountain Wild. Stay a while to see if she’ll grace you with a call during your next trip to CMZoo!

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Mother’s Day is extra special in Primate World, at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, this year. Asha, a 32-year-old critically endangered Western lowland gorilla, is pregnant. She is due between mid-May and the end of July.

“It has been nearly 13 years since a gorilla was born here, so many visitors will get to experience this for the first time, along with our silverback, Goma, who will become a first-time dad with this little one,” Jon Wild, lead animal keeper in Primate World, says. “It’s not Asha’s first time, and she has been a great mom in the past.”

Asha is mom to two gorillas who have moved on to other troops now: 12-year-old male, Dembe, who lives at North Carolina Zoo, and 18-year-old female, Tumani, who lives at Audubon Zoo, in New Orleans.

Asha was born at CMZoo on Oct. 5, 1992. Thirty-four-year-old Goma moved to CMZoo, in 2016, on a breeding recommendation from the Western Lowland Gorilla Species Survival Plan, supported by Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited organizations, including CMZoo.

Before he came to CMZoo, Goma lived with a bachelor troop, so he had to learn how to lead a troop of females. As an experienced mom, Asha helped Goma learn how to breed.

“Since Goma moved here, nine years ago, the gorilla care team has been working to integrate him into the troop, and the troop has been helping him learn to lead as a silverback, with this pregnancy as a goal,” Wild says. “It’s incredibly exciting to see the gorillas achieve a healthy cohesive troop dynamic, and knowing there’s a baby on the way makes it even more meaningful to see this family grow.”

Asha’s previous experiences have helped Goma learn, and they have helped her care team provide prenatal check-ups throughout her pregnancy. Asha participates in cooperative care, like ultrasounds that have revealed a healthily growing baby. The Zoo first confirmed her pregnancy in December 2024 with a positive urine pregnancy test.

“Asha is super smart, and she approaches a training panel and presents her stomach so we can touch it with the ultrasound wand,” Wild says. “She’ll stand and get training rewards for participating, and her methods of presenting her stomach to us are adorable.”

During ultrasounds, Asha stands next to the mesh training panel and leans her stomach sideways against the mesh, with her arms outstretched above her. Keepers, from the other side of the protective barrier, slip an ultrasound wand through the mesh and press it against her abdomen. Animal keepers say the ultrasound gel is often off-putting for animals – even if they warm it up. Animals typically don’t like the texture, but Asha doesn’t mind. She participates in the ultrasound sessions for around 30 minutes, and is free to leave the sessions any time she pleases. She offers her belly to keepers in a more ‘theatrical’ way, too.

“She has an especially graceful stomach presentation, where she lifts one leg straight up against the mesh, like a ballerina, so we can position the wand on the underside of her round tummy,” Wild says. “Guests get a real kick out of seeing that, and it gives us great wand placement options to see the baby moving around.”

Gorilla gestation typically lasts eight-and-a-half months. As long as Asha and her baby continue to do well, guests can visit her in Primate World. When she gives birth, the Zoo will share updates.

Gorilla babies are typically on their mothers for the first year, taking time to crawl, explore and play periodically. In the first 15 days, the gorilla care team will be looking for the baby to hit milestones that indicate good development, including grasping onto its mother, nursing, holding its head up independently, making eye contact and following movement with its eyes.

In its first month, they’ll look for the baby to smile, laugh quietly, roll over from its stomach to its back, initiate soft play and start teething.

Western lowland gorillas are critically endangered in the wild, and their numbers continue to decrease in the wild. Gorilla fans can help preserve wild gorilla habitats by recycling small electronic devices and cell phones at CMZoo.

In addition to disease and poaching, gorillas face habitat loss due to logging for agricultural use, human settlements and mining. Many of the West African lowland forests and swamps that these animals call home are also natural deposits of coltan, a mineral used in cell phones and other electronics. Due to the ever-increasing demand for cell phones across the world, the destruction of these gorillas’ habitats for mining purposes has unfortunately increased.

Coltan is recyclable, and by donating old cell phones, we can help supply valuable coltan for future phone production. Guests can bring electronics to CMZoo admissions or Primate World, where there’s a recycling collection bin near the gorillas’ indoor dens. CMZoo will send them to Eco-Cell, an organization that recycles the phones, as well as tablets, smart watches, Bluetooth devices, GPS devices, e-readers, digital cameras, handheld gaming systems and their accessories.

About Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

Cheyenne Mountain Zoological Society was founded in 1926. Today, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, America’s mountain Zoo, offers comprehensive education programs, exciting conservation efforts and truly fantastic animal experiences. In 2025, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo was voted #2 Best Zoo in North America and CMZoo’s Rocky Mountain Wild was named #2 Best Zoo Exhibit in North America by USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. It is Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s goal to help guests fall in love with animals and nature, and take action to protect them. Since 2008, CMZoo’s Quarters for Conservation program has raised more than $5 million dedicated to frontline conservation efforts around the world. Of the 237 zoos and aquariums accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is one of just a few operating without tax support. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo depends on admissions, membership dues, special event attendance and donations for funding.

With Mother’s Day around the corner, staff at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo are reflecting on one mother-daughter relationship that stands out: Bornean orangutans, Hadiah [huh-DEE-uh] and Ember.

Sumatran orangutan, Ember — Bornean orangutan, Ember

“They’re incredibly close,” Ashton Asbury, animal keeper in Primate World, says. “Great apes are intelligent and complex beings, and we see different parenting types in each of them. Hadiah, as a mom to her only child, Ember, is a supportive, patient and rose-colored-glasses kind of mom.”

Ember is known for her in-your-face playfulness and high-energy approach to life. Her mom sometimes inadvertently finds herself in the path of her rambunctious nature, but she doesn’t seem to mind. After being the recipient of a rogue toy to the head, Hadiah has been seen handing the toy back to Ember patiently, and returning to her own activity without skipping a beat.

Often that activity is people watching.

“Hadiah has connections with so many visitors and staff because she’s truly curious and recognizes people who return to see her,” Ashton says. “She’s got great facial recognition, and she’ll play with people through the glass. If she’s ever rolled over onto her back or folded her arms over her head to one side and looked at you upside down, she’s playing with you. She does that with her favorite humans and new guests who catch her eye.”

Orangutans are mostly solitary as adults, unless they are interacting for breeding or they have young with them, and many orangutan mothers are ready for their offspring to ‘spring off’ by around age seven or eight. Thirty-seven-year-old Hadiah is content with her daughter-turned-bestie, who is ten years old.

“These two still nest together every night,” Ashton says. “They eat together and play. It’s rare to see that kind of relationship in orangutans, when offspring are as old as Ember, and it really speaks to the respect and affection they have for each other.”

On the rare occasion that confident Ember feels unsure about something new, she runs to Hadiah, grabs her arms and wraps them around her. Despite their similar size, Hadiah occasionally still carries Ember.

“Their dynamic can be playful and outgoing, but also so patient and calm,” Izzy Dones, animal keeper in Primate World, says. “They’re usually together, but Ember and Hadiah also enjoy doing things separately sometimes. They’re both confident training and exploring separately, but, any time Hadiah is training with us, we’re ready with an activity for Ember nearby, because she’s going to want to do whatever Mom is doing.”

Hadiah grew up at the Zoo and was close with her own mother, Sabtu, until she passed away, in 2006. That strong family foundation seems to have shaped Hadiah’s parenting style.

“At least partly because of Hadiah’s unwavering support, Ember is one of the most confident and intelligent orangutans we’ve seen,” Izzy says. “She’s outgoing and curious about staff and guests, just like Hadiah, and she picks up training fast. She’s always pushing boundaries in a way that helps her grow, but still stays very close to Hadiah.”

Ember’s favorite enrichment activities include wearing fabric on her head, mimicking a behavior observed in wild orangutans who use leaves for shelter, like a hat or umbrella. She’s also a skilled problem-solver who enjoys dismantling enrichment items and ‘trading them’ through the mesh for snacks from keepers. She has learned that she gets one snack for every item she passes through the mesh, so instead of passing an assembled puzzle feeder, she takes it apart into several pieces – earning several snacks.

“Ember is really sharp,” Izzy says.

The apple didn’t fall far from the tree. Hadiah participates in cooperative care, like brushing and water-flossing her teeth, nail trims, target training, voluntary injection, abdominal ultrasound, scale training, ear and eye presentations, and more. Of course, through modeling behaviors learned by watching Mom, Ember is also a whiz at most of these, too.

Not to be outdone by her vivacious daughter, Hadiah is learning new climbing behaviors, and her fascination with guests is building her confidence and strength to climb high in the orangutan yard.

“She likes to climb down like a sloth, and because she’s so outgoing, she seems to enjoy the guests’ reactions,” Izzy says. “She’ll hear guests ‘oohing’ at her while she climbs, and will stop and look over at them with excitement.”

When guests aren’t ‘oohing’ at her, she calls them over by knocking on the glass to get their attention. Visitors usually get the hint, and Hadiah presents opportunities to play, or brings a blanket over to the glass to make a nest to rest near them.

Bornean orangutan, Hadiah portrait — Bornean orangutan, Hadiah

Their “perfect day” includes novel training sessions, new spaces to explore and enrichment items like ice treats, bubbles, coconuts and even painting sessions. Hadiah is especially thoughtful with her artwork, while Ember seems to embrace the Jackson Pollock painting style.

As members of a critically endangered species, Hadiah and Ember play an important role in orangutan conservation.

“Most people won’t get the chance to see an orangutan in the wild,” Izzy says. “But when they meet Hadiah and Ember, they connect. They stop, they watch, and they feel seen by an animal. That connection makes all the difference.”

Every visit to CMZoo helps fund international efforts to save wild orangutan habitats, through the Zoo’s Quarters for Conservation (Q4C) program. “Orangu-fans” can save the rainforests from the comfort of their smartphone with a free global mobile app called PalmOil Scan.

Palm oil is an edible oil sourced in about half of consumer products. Unsustainable palm oil production results in deforestation in Indonesia and Malaysia – the only places where critically endangered orangutans live in the wild. Although the majority of palm oil production is in Southeast Asia, it has also expanded to other tropical areas, which means more animal species could lose the habitats they need to survive.

When produced sustainably, palm oil is four to ten times more productive than any other edible oil. Using PalmOil Scan, conscientious consumers can scan the barcodes on tens of thousands of products in the app’s extensive database (which is being updated and expanded continually) to see if they are produced by a company that has committed to sourcing sustainable palm oil. By choosing products made by companies that have committed to sustainable palm oil, consumers can show companies that they’re armed with the information they need to demand action for wildlife conservation.

Developed under the direction of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums and regionally managed by CMZoo, in the U.S. and Canada. The PalmOil Scan is a global app that can also be downloaded in the UK, Australia and New Zealand, which are all managed by other partner zoos. The free app can be downloaded from the App Store and Google Play. Orangutan enthusiasts can learn more about palm oil, and download the free app before their next shopping trip, at cmzoo.org/palmoil.

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