Other Zoo News Archives - Page 2 of 9

It’s that magical time of year when many people search for the perfect holiday gifts for friends and family. Whether you’re looking for a once-in-a-lifetime experience or a truly unique stocking stuffer, these options are sure put a smile on every face on your list. Plus, all gifts purchased from Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, support important work. As a nonprofit that doesn’t receive any tax support, the Zoo relies on admission, memberships, events and special programs like these to fund animal care, conservation, Zoo improvements and operations.

Animal Art Holiday Ornaments

The Loft animals and their keepers have been painting the perfect stocking stuffers or gifts for your holiday party gift exchange. These 3” x 3” canvases with twine hangers are one-of-a-kind, because they were painted by an animal ambassador! Skunks, reptiles and other small animals from The Loft will add their artistic touches to the ornaments by participating in voluntary training with their keepers. Some animals walk through paint and onto the canvasses, leaving their adorable footprints in a variety of flashy colors while others slither through the paint! These ornaments are only available for purchase for $15 each in The Loft. They’ll be available from Thanksgiving through the end of Electric Safari. (Additional Animal Art may be available online.)

V.I.P. Tours

If you really want to spoil someone, give them the up-close animal experience of a lifetime: a CMZoo V.I.P. Tour! During this private tour, your group of up to five people will experience three behind-the-scenes animal encounters of your choosing, plus a meet-and-greet with one of our ambassador animals in The Loft and a super-sized giraffe feeding. You can help train our lion pride, get up-close with the grizzly bears, say hello to the hippos, or choose from our many other animal encounter options. Along the way, one of our experienced guides will tell you all about the Zoo, our animals and our conservation impacts around the world. When your tour ends, enjoy the rest of the day at the Zoo, because admission is included. To see animal encounter options, all the details and to sign-up, visit cmzoo.org/viptour

CMZoo Annual Membership

How about a gift that keeps on giving all year long? Memberships can be purchased as gifts! CMZoo members can take advantage of free daytime admission (with advance ticket reservations), discounts on programs and merchandise, free members-only summer nights, free Electric Safari visits in the winter and more. Visit cmzoo.org/membership or email [email protected] for more information.

Tickets to Electric Moonlight and Electric Safari

Give the gift of memories made by purchasing tickets to a holiday special event at the Zoo, and be early to the gift-giving season! In December, Electric Moonlight offers an adults-only date night (there will be a lot more than milk and cookies on the menu) or choose Electric Safari tickets for a festive evening on the mountain for the entire family. Electric Moonlight returns to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo on Thurs., Dec. 4 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. This event is just for 21-and-up guests, complete with holiday lights, live music, food and drink samples, a drone show and access to most animal areas. Plus, an elf told us that jolly old Saint Nicholas will be there to hear holiday wishes from the grown-ups! Tickets are available now at cmzoo.org/em.

Starting Fri., Dec. 5, the Zoo opens its gates in the evenings for Electric Safari, where guests of all ages can explore the Zoo and enjoy the wonder of 50 acres of twinkling lights, illuminated enormous inflatable animals, a drone show and more than 80 handmade light sculptures on display throughout the Zoo. Until Dec. 23, Santa Claus will be at Electric Safari to meet guests and listen to holiday wishes. This event is a magical way to get into the holiday spirit on the side of Cheyenne Mountain, where the views of the city lights below the Zoo can’t be beat. Electric Safari runs Dec. 5-23 and Dec. 25-Jan. 1, 2026 from 5 to 8:30 p.m. CMZoo members have access to early-entry by reserving tickets between 4 and 5 p.m. Get all the details and reserve timed entry at cmzoo.org/electric.

Small group events and programs also make great gifts! See all of our options at cmzoo.org/events.

Adopt an Animal

Lions, tigers, and bears – oh my! Gift a hippo, giraffe, moose or another CMZoo animal to be mailed directly to you or a loved one. Depending on the level of adoption package chosen, it could include a plush animal toy! All adoption packages include a certificate of adoption, an animal fact sheet and a photo of the animal at CMZoo. Each adoption directly supports the care of Zoo animals. Find an array of adoption packages at www.cmzoo.org/adopt.

Tile Program

Searching for a meaningful holiday gift that makes a lasting impact? Imagine visiting CMZoo and seeing your very own commemorative tile alongside your favorite animals! Our tiles offer a beautiful way to honor and celebrate loved ones while creating cherished memories. Our Water’s Edge: Africa tiles will be installed inside the hippo building, and there are six animal engraving options: hippo, lemur, penguin, warthog, crane and pelican. Each purchase directly supports the care of our animals. This season, give a gift that lasts – a beautiful tribute that brings joy and remembrance to your loved ones! More information about our tiles can be found at cmzoo.org/tiles

View more gift options in our Zoo Store

Back to The Waterhole

In 2026, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo will turn 100! The Zoo’s centennial year will be full of ways (we’ll keep you posted on plans!) to recognize our incredible community, celebrate the Zoo’s growth, reflect on our community’s impact on conservation, recount advancements in animal care, and honor the Zoo’s legacy – all while staying focused on what’s yet to come!

From first encounters with giraffe to family traditions passed down through generations, the Zoo has been honored to play a part in the lives of our members, guests, staff and partners in countless ways. As we prepare to celebrate our centennial in 2026, we want to share the unique stories that make Cheyenne Mountain Zoo your Zoo.

So, we’re launching the “Your CMZoo Story” campaign, and we want you to be part of it. We’re inviting guests, members and friends of the Zoo to share their Zoo history with us – through photos, written memories, or both.

Maybe you have a black-and-white snapshot of your grandparents at the Zoo’s early exhibits. Maybe a milestone in your life, like an engagement, anniversary, graduation celebration or first date took place at CMZoo. Maybe it’s a beloved family tradition of summer trips or attending Boo at the Zoo together. Maybe it’s the first time your child saw an elephant up-close. Maybe it’s a particular animal or staff member that you formed a connection with. Whatever your CMZoo history looks like, we want to hear it.

Now through December 31, 2025, we’re collecting stories and photos from our community. Your submission could be one of the treasures we highlight during our centennial year. Please note, while we hope to honor as many memories as possible, not all stories or photos will be shared.

Submit your Zoo story and photos, and we might share them on social media, in newsletters and elsewhere! Upload photos, tell Your CMZoo Story and grant permissions to the Zoo at cmzoo.org/yourstory.
Share Your CMZoo Story.

We can’t wait to hear how you’ve made the Zoo a part of your story.

Back to The Waterhole

Play Hill area site plan 2025 — Play Hill Area – Site Plan 2025

Starting the week of October 6, 2025, the Zoo’s playhill area will be closed for major upgrades including slides, cushier turf playhills, a guest-only sidewalk, more outdoor seating areas and a bigger-than-ever dirt hill.

“When we opened this version of the play area, in 2021, we wanted to test whether guests enjoyed it or if we should transform the area another way,” Dave Ruhl, executive vice president at CMZoo, says. “The area has been incredibly popular, and we have loved watching kids of all ages playing on the hills, digging in the dirt mound and using the sidewalk seating area. When we bring it back, it will be better than ever!”

In addition to bigger and better play and seating areas, the playhills will get a drainage system upgrade. Because the current playhills were never meant to be permanent, there are infrastructure improvements to be made. The better drainage system should reduce puddles in the warmer months and ice patches in the colder months, improving the guest experience.

CMZoo eatery rendering — CMZoo’s restaurant patio rendering, 2025

The shipping container farms will continue to operate behind the scenes before moving to their permanent home near the Zoo’s new International Center for the Care and Conservation of Giraffe.

“We know we are asking for a lot of patience during improvements, and we appreciate everyone’s support and enthusiasm as we take this on together,” Dave says. “We promise the new playhill area will make future visits even more awesome. 2026 is going to be an incredible year at CMZoo!”

The playhill is estimated to open back up in March 2026 – in time for the Zoo’s centennial Spring Break. Until then, we hope these tips are helpful:

Members and guests are welcome to walk on the road between Grizzly Grill and elephants. A brand-new guest-only sidewalk will open next to the road in the coming months as part of this project!
The Zoo’s eateries will lift its customers-only rule for outdoor seating, so anyone can use the restaurant patios to enjoy their snacks and lunches from home. Limited indoor seating is still reserved for restaurant guests.
The Nature Play Trail in Water’s Edge: Africa will stay open (as long as ice and snow are removed, and it’s safe to explore), along with the giant slides in Rocky Mountain Wild, and the play areas in My Big Backyard and Old Gnarly Tree by the carousel.

Back to The Waterhole

CMZoo’s Giraffe Center Makes Impressive Progress and Nears Pivotal Deadline

The International Center for the Care and Conservation of Giraffe is getting taller, and this week, construction teams celebrated the arrival and placement of the first steel beams. Finalizing the steel structure of the Giraffe Center this fall is pivotal. To open on time in 2026, teams are working diligently to beat the deadline – before winter weather presents new challenges.

Visitors can already see some of the beams in place from the guest parking lot. From the top of the concrete walls, already in place, the beams will elevate the building to its highest point, about 35 feet above the top of the concrete walls.

The $40 million dollar project, funded through Zoo revenue and donations, will increase the herd’s outdoor space by 25% and expand their indoor space with a 12,000-square-foot giraffe barn.

It’s hard to believe, but the Zoo’s African Rift Valley habitat, home to the Zoo’s iconic 15-member giraffe herd was built more than 20 years ago. In that time, giraffe professionals have learned a lot about providing world-class care. Home to the International Center for the Care and Conservation of Giraffe (the Giraffe Center), established in 2022, CMZoo is recognized as a leader in the professional field of giraffe care. This exhibit will reflect that expertise. The Giraffe Center is a concentrated effort to connect giraffe experts and to expand educational programs to improve and enrich the lives of giraffe in human care throughout the world.

The new giraffe barn is all about choice for giraffe and guests. Giraffe will have opportunities to interact with guests in new and exciting ways, and engage in enriching activities in their habitat independent of keepers and guests. The goal is to fill each giraffe’s day with positively reinforcing activities, such as exploring new spaces, munching on leaves and twigs or taking advantage of some quiet time. With a large herd of giraffe that has various preferences and different personalities, the habitat will be filled with meaningful choices. For example, it will have 11 feeding zones, in comparison to the three zones available in their former exhibit.

The giraffe barn will have an ETFE roof that will flood the interior space with natural light. This innovative material is low maintenance and fire- and hail-resistant. This lightweight material is used in sports stadiums, airports, and some European zoos to create visually striking and functional spaces. The clear roof that will cover the giraffe barn and gift shop will be the largest of its kind covering an animal exhibit in North America. It will bring the outdoors inside on cooler days, keeping guests and giraffe comfortable in Colorado’s 300 days of sunshine.

The relocation of the Zoo’s main road is making room to expand the giraffe yard to the west. The expanded yard will have additional spaces for giraffe to discover, and includes a new feeding tower to encourage giraffe to navigate the hills of CMZoo for the first time. The larger, more geographically diverse yard will provide the herd with new space to explore, contributing to their overall well-being. The giraffe herd will have expanded outdoor space and their barn with natural floors and fresh air, provided by giraffe-size garage doors – and guests can feed them from each location.

For more information, and to be part of something BIG, visit cmzoo.org/giraffeproject.

Explore Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun with a Limited-Time Guided Jeep Tour

Through Sun., Aug. 31 only, CMZoo members and guests can see Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun in a new adventurous way — by guided tour in a 4×4! This summer, the Zoo partnered with El Pomar Foundation and Adventures Out West to improve experiences for visitors to the Zoo and to Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun. By reducing vehicle traffic in the Zoo, Zoo guests share the road with vehicles less frequently. Instead of driving themselves to the Shrine, Shrine guests can sit back and enjoy the views — all while learning about area wildlife, history, geology and more!

Once guests reach Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun, they meet a Shrine tour guide and explore the unique structure, learning about the incredible legacy of Spencer Penrose, who founded the Zoo in 1926, and catching stunning views of Colorado Springs, North Cheyenne Cañon and Garden of the Gods from Cheyenne Mountain.
• Scenic Rides to the Shrine are available Tuesdays through Sundays from 9:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.
• Price: $5 per seat
• The full experience lasts about 1 hour, including the Jeep tour (up and down) and around 35 minutes to explore the Shrine.
• Scenic Ride to the Shrine tickets are limited and may sell out. Advance reservations are not required, but they are available at cmzoo.org/ride.
• The Shrine is closed on Mondays and most holidays.
• Daytime tickets to the Zoo are required to gain entry to the Scenic Ride to the Shrine pick-up area, near Grizzly Grill and the play hills.
• Reserve Scenic Ride to the Shrine tickets for the same day as your Zoo visit.
• Book Scenic Ride to the Shrine tickets at cmzoo.org/ride.
• Questions? Call our partners at Adventures Out West at 719-578-0935.

Guided Jeep tours are available through Sun., Aug. 31. After Labor Day, Zoo members and guests can drive themselves to the Shrine. Guests requiring wheelchair-accessible vehicle access to the Shrine are allowed to visit The Shrine at no cost by driving their own vehicles to the Shrine. Show your daytime Zoo admission at the drive-in gates to gain admission.

Skip the Parking Lot with Anytime Rideshare Tickets

Is your favorite time to visit the Zoo sold out? Try our new rideshare tickets — they're always available and can be used at any time for daytime admission.

For the past six summers, we have managed our parking lots by limiting capacity to the Zoo. Our goal is to reduce visitors' frustrations with limited on-site parking, and to avoid the hassle of off-site shuttles. Now, CMZoo members and guests can book rideshare Zoo admission tickets at cmzoo.org/rideshare. Arrive at your leisure and show your Uber, Lyft or taxi receipt with your rideshare tickets at admissions.

Rideshare tickets are free for members, and they're $5 less than peak-time nonmember tickets. They can be used any time during normal daytime admission (9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. when the Zoo closes at 5 p.m. Early member entry is at 8 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays through Labor Day).

Visit cmzoo.org/rideshare to reserve your rideshare tickets today! Questions? Email [email protected].

Back to The Waterhole

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL COLORADO – Summer is around the corner, and many families are planning activities to keep the kids active, healthy and inspired. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s partners at Children’s Hospital Colorado offer expert tips for incorporating gratitude into children’s daily lives, and CMZoo’s horticulture team says creating a family garden provides ample opportunities in nature.

“Having a backyard or patio garden means you can have quick access to a peaceful place, without needing to make a whole day of it,” Zach Groskopf, horticulture technician at CMZoo, says. “Planting and nurturing a garden allows you to slow down and breathe deep in nature, without requiring reservations or a road trip.”

Gardening provides endless memories, education and screen-free time in the calming presence of nature, and seeing something thrive under your care can be extremely gratifying. The size of space available doesn’t matter. Plus, by planting native and Colorado-friendly plants that feed butterflies, hummingbirds, bees and other pollinators, gardeners can help wildlife that is/are vital to our ecosystems.

CMZoo’s horticulture team has a variety of native and Colorado-friendly plants, veggies, herbs and shrubs available this year at CMZoo’s annual Plant Sale, Thurs., May 16 through Sat., May 18. Penstemon (beartongue), gaillardia (blanket flower), purple prairie flower, butterfly bush, silver lace vine, columbine, basil, cilantro, kale, tomatoes, peppers, cabbage and more will be available for purchase.

“The columbine is my personal favorite flower because they’re beautiful, and they’re resilient,” Zach says. “I keep bees, and these flowers make the most delicious honey, too. The columbines at the Plant Sale are special because we grew all of them from columbine seeds collected from all around the Zoo.”

There are no reservations or Zoo tickets required to attend the Plant Sale, which will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thurs., May 16 and Fri., May 17 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sat., May 18 – when the Zoo closes early for Run to the Shrine. Plants will be available on a first-come first-served basis, so don’t be late! The sale has been known to sell out early in previous years.

This year, the Zoo’s fundraising Plant Sale will be in the Zoo parking lot. Keep an eye out for signs directing you to the sale as you drive into guest parking. This year’s Plant Sale is in-person only. There will be no online shopping or shipping options available. Come out to the Zoo and chat with our expert horticulturists about which plants will work best in your garden, and feel good knowing you’re supporting the ongoing beautification of the Zoo with your purchases.

Back to The Waterhole

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo was ranked #2 Best Zoo in the country, in USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards 2025! Dedicated CMZoo supporters voted daily for a month, and earned the Zoo its highest ranking ever.

According to popular vote and the 10Best Readers’ Choice editors, who nominated 20 zoos for Best Zoo consideration, the top-ten zoos in the nation are:

1. Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium (Omaha, Nebraska)
2. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (Colorado Springs, Colorado)
3. Columbus Zoo and Aquarium (Powell, Ohio)
4. Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens (Jacksonville, Florida)
5. Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden (Cincinnati, Ohio)
6. Brevard Zoo (Melbourne, Florida)
7. North Carolina Zoo (Asheboro, North Carolina)
8. Audubon Zoo (New Orleans, Louisiana)
9. Riverbanks Zoo & Garden (Columbia, South Carolina)
10. Saint Louis Zoo (St. Louis, Missouri)

“We could not have done this without our supporters, who spent their own time promoting the Zoo through the voting period,” Bob Chastain, president & CEO of Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, says. “Honors like this are earned through the dedicated efforts of people who know, trust and believe in our organization. Thank you for your effort.”

Voters earned the Zoo a ‘Second Place Triple Crown’ this year. In addition to ranking #2 Best Zoo in the country, CMZoo earned the #2 spot for Best Zoo Membership and CMZoo’s home for animals native to the Rocky Mountain region, Rocky Mountain Wild, was voted #2 Best Zoo Exhibit.

With daily keeper talks and animal demonstrations, special events just for the grown-ups, small-group tours, camps, birthday parties, and more, Colorado Springs’ Zoo welcomes more than 800,000 people annually, encouraging them to tap into their inner child, explore the mountain and connect with nature.

Understanding its unique opportunity to connect people to native, rare and endangered animals in a natural mountainside setting, CMZoo aims to make every visit inspiring and memorable. The Zoo does that by designing animal homes that bring guests closer than ever to species from all over the world, and right here in Colorado.

In 2024, CMZoo celebrated a huge conservation milestone: surpassing $5 million raised for frontline conservation efforts, including over a million dollars for African elephant and black rhino conservation. Every visit to the Zoo is conservation in action, because every ticket purchased raises 75¢ for Quarters for Conservation (Q4C).

Looking ahead, CMZoo is embarking on historic upgrades to its world-famous giraffe herd’s home – including a 12,000 square-foot International Center for the Care and Conservation of Giraffe (the Giraffe Center) and a 25 percent expansion to their outdoor space. Soon, the community will have an opportunity to get behind something big. Learn more at cmzoo.org/giraffeproject.

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.

CMZOO IS NOMINATED FOR BEST ZOO IN THE U.S. BY USA TODAY’S 10BEST READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS. SUPPORTERS CAN VOTE DAILY AT www.cmzoo.org/vote – Cheyenne Mountain Zoo had been holding strong at the #1 spot in USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Best Zoo in the U.S. contest, but slipped to #2 over the weekend. We’ve reached the point in the contest when the rankings are hidden, and the Zoo is asking the community to show its strength in the final week of voting, and to vote daily at cmzoo.org/vote through Mon., March 10.

10 reasons to vote for CMZoo in this top-ten contest:

1. America’s mountain Zoo is one of only a few nonprofit zoos accredited by the Association of Zoo and Aquariums (AZA) that does not receive any tax support. Zoo improvements, operations, animal care and field conservation are funded through admissions, memberships, programs, donations and grants.

2. CMZoo’s International Center for the Care and Conservation of Giraffe connects giraffe care teams across the globe to resources, best practices, trainings and emergency care, improving and even saving the lives of countless giraffe.

3. Nearly 800,000 people visit the Zoo each year. While visiting the Zoo, visitors to the Pikes Peak region also patronize Colorado Springs’ local lodging, restaurants and tourism attractions.

4. Understanding its unique opportunity to connect people to native, rare and endangered animals, CMZoo aims to make every visit inspiring. The Zoo does that by designing animal homes that bring guests closer than ever to species from all over the world, and right here in Colorado.

5. CMZoo is one of the few zoos in the country where guests can see an Alaska moose, Atka, who was orphaned in the wild in 2020 when CMZoo took him in.

6. CMZoo is home to Mochi, one of only three mountain tapirs in human care in the country.

7. Through keeper talks and animal demonstrations during daily visits, special events just for the grown-ups, small-group tours, camps, birthday parties, and more, Colorado Springs’ Zoo works to make everyone welcome to tap into their inner child and explore the mountain at their own pace.

8. In 2024, CMZoo celebrated raising $5 million for frontline conservation efforts, including over a million dollars for African elephant and black rhino conservation.

9. Its latest AZA accreditation was historic. In nearly 50 years of AZA accreditations, CMZoo was only the fourth organization to earn a completely ‘clean’ report, which means there wasn’t a single major or minor concern reported.

10. In the past year, the Zoo welcomed a red panda, snow leopard, baby sloth and more to the family, while continuing its important work breeding and releasing critically endangered native black-footed ferrets and Wyoming toads. 2024 was the Zoo’s most successful black-footed ferret breeding year ever.

Anyone who has made eye contact with a tiger, pet a wallaby, felt the roar of an African lion, hand-fed a giraffe or walked alongside an African penguin knows how special our hometown Zoo is. This friendly competition amongst zoos nationwide is an excellent way to show your support.

Supporters can sign up to receive daily text and email reminders to vote here:
• Get a daily text: www.cmzoo.org/votetext
• Get a daily email: www.cmzoo.org/voteemail

Voting continues now through 9:59 a.m. MT on Mon., March 10. Supporters can vote every day at cmzoo.org/vote.

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 2023, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo was voted #4 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 $5 million dedicated to frontline conservation efforts around the world. Of the 238 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.

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo established The International Center for the Care and Conservation of Giraffe (The Giraffe Center) in 2022. With three full-time employees, The Giraffe Center is a concentrated effort by CMZoo to consolidate resources, expand educational programs to improve and enrich the lives of giraffe in human care throughout the world, and inspire conservation action.

In January 2025, experts from around the world gathered at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, in Palm Springs, California, for The Giraffe Center’s Giraffe and Okapi Conference. More than 100 specialists, keepers, conservationists and researchers from 11 countries attended the four-day conference to share their experiences and expertise in giraffe and okapi care.

“It was truly inspiring and fulfilling to see professionals from all aspects of giraffe and okapi care come together to share and learn from each other,” Amy Schilz, senior animal behaviorist at The Giraffe Center, says.

The momentum of giraffe and okapi care conferences had slowed in recent years, and The Giraffe Center team saw an opportunity to revive the exchange of ideas among giraffe and okapi professionals. Attendees, speakers and presenters gathered from around the world, including the U.S., Brazil, Canada, Belgium, England, Namibia, Kenya, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Australia and the Netherlands.

This rich diversity meant attendees had access to a range of topics on improving the lives of giraffe and okapis in human care. They explored wild giraffe eating habits, and nutritionists discussed how different food types affect physiology. Experts shared insights for incorporating more browse into giraffe diets, and then led an open panel where attendees could pose questions on any aspect of giraffe and okapi care. Another panel focused on creating a full lifestyle of positive reinforcement for giraffe in human care, as opposed to creating sporadic enrichment opportunities.

One of the highlights of the conference was ‘Browse Day,’ when breakout groups discussed securing browse (natural tree branches and leaves), improving enrichment and feeding tactics, growing browse farms and identifying toxic plants. Jason Bredahl, CMZoo’s curator of environmental enhancements, presented at Browse Day.

“I keep telling people, ‘browse is the way,” Jason says. “As animal care professionals, we always want to improve the lives of our animals. CMZoo has dedicated full-time employees, including me, to study how to do that, and this conference allows us to share the methods and data with others who can improve their animals’ lives.”

The data shows, basically, that for CMZoo’s giraffe herd, nothing beats browse. Jason describes the herd seeing browse like a dog when its owner comes home from work. They drop whatever they’re doing and beeline for the browse, even excitedly taking it out of staff members’ hands before they can hang it for them. Khalid, CMZoo’s breeding bull, enjoys stripping bark and leaves from branches so much that staff jokes that he’s just leaving ‘browse bones.’

Browse is more than fun for giraffe; it’s mentally and physically stimulating for the herd – and nutritious. To enjoy this giraffe-approved meal, they must travel to multiple browse locations and then spend time working to strip leaves and branches. Animals want to work for rewards, and eating browse is much more difficult and enriching for an animal, compared to scooping hay from a feeder. At the conference, attendees got insights that CMZoo’s environmental enhancements team has worked for years to study. They returned to their home herds with a head start, guidance on how to make it work at their own facilities and a support system.

Attendees also gained valuable insight into okapi care and conservation, hearing firsthand from conservationists who work directly with okapis in the wild.

“I remember walking by a group at the end of the night, and hearing one of the okapi conservationists tell stories of his field experiences to the okapi caretakers,” Amy says. “That was the moment for me. It reinforced how important it is for us to all meet, share and do this work with each other’s support.”

The conference fostered important senses of camaraderie and support among attendees.

“My favorite thing was watching a room full of people who barely knew each other become friends,” Amy says. “Now, if they have a challenge, they have a support system to reach out to. That kind of professional network is invaluable, especially for those who are newer to the field. Shared knowledge ultimately improves care for okapi and giraffe all over the world – and that’s what we all want.”

Looking ahead, The Giraffe Center will co-host a specialized workshop at West Midlands Safari Park in England in July. This hands-on event will focus on giraffe behavior and training, continuing the commitment to advancing best practices in giraffe care.

For more information on professional memberships, workshops and more, available for giraffe and okapi care teams, visit giraffecenter.cmzoo.org

Back to The Waterhole

CMZOO IS NOMINATED FOR BEST ZOO IN THE U.S. BY USA TODAY’s 10BEST READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS. SUPPORTERS CAN VOTE DAILY AT WWW.CMZOO.ORG/VOTE – Cheyenne Mountain Zoo wants you to vote for Omo – or Emmett, or Wednesday, or Chewy, or Cora! For the ninth consecutive year, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is nominated for Best Zoo in the U.S. in USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. Supporters can vote daily through Mon., March 10 at cmzoo.org/vote.

A vote for CMZoo is a vote for your favorite animal, because a high ranking elevates the entire Zoo – and Colorado Springs.

10 reasons to vote for CMZoo in this top-ten contest:

America’s mountain Zoo is one of only a few nonprofit zoos accredited by the Association of Zoo and Aquariums (AZA) that does not receive any tax support. Zoo improvements, operations, animal care and field conservation are funded through admissions, memberships, programs, donations and grants.
CMZoo’s International Center for the Care and Conservation of Giraffe connects giraffe care teams across the globe to resources, best practices, trainings and emergency care, improving and even saving the lives of countless giraffe.
Nearly 800,000 people visit the Zoo each year. While visiting the Zoo, guests to the Pikes Peak region also patronize Colorado Springs’ local lodging, restaurants and tourism attractions.
Understanding its unique opportunity to connect people to native, rare and endangered animals, CMZoo aims to make every visit inspiring. The Zoo does that by designing animal homes that bring guests closer than ever to species from all over the world, and right here in Colorado.
It’s one of the few zoos in the country where guests can see an Alaska moose, Atka, who was orphaned in the wild in 2020 when CMZoo took him in.
CMZoo is home to Mochi, one of only three mountain tapirs in human care in the country.
Through keeper talks and animal demonstrations during daily visits, special events just for the grown-ups, small-group tours, camps, birthday parties, and more, Colorado Springs’ Zoo works to make everyone welcome to tap into their inner child and explore the mountain at their own pace.
In 2024, CMZoo celebrated raising $5 million for frontline conservation efforts, including over a million dollars for African elephant and black rhino conservation.
Its latest AZA accreditation was historic. In nearly 50 years of AZA accreditations, CMZoo was only the fourth organization to earn a completely ‘clean’ report, which means there wasn’t a single major or minor concern reported.
In the past year, the Zoo welcomed a red panda, snow leopard, baby sloth and more to the family, while continuing its important work breeding and releasing critically endangered native black-footed ferrets and Wyoming toads. 2024 was the most successful black-footed ferret breeding year ever.

Voting continues now through 10 a.m. MT on Mon., March 10. Supporters can vote every day at cmzoo.org/vote.

VOTE NOW

Construction in admissions plaza, African Rift Valley and the historic road through the Zoo are well underway. Join Cheyenne Mountain Zoo President & CEO, Bob Chastain, for a first look at our ambitious vision for the future.

Constructing a state-of-the-art giraffe habitat and care center with beautiful and functional guest spaces – including a gift shop, café and admissions plaza – on the side of a mountain is no easy feat. Join us for behind-the-scenes looks as the construction team makes progress, shares innovations and overcomes obstacles in a video series called, Bob’s Blueprints: Building a World-Class Zoo.

The Zoo will continue to share major construction updates in The Waterhole newsletter and on social channels. Bob’s Blueprints video series focuses on even more specific construction tactics and challenges, as well as up-close looks at animal improvements and guest experience features. If you want to ‘get in the weeds’ of construction with us, sign up to receive exclusive details not shared in our newsletter or on social media via email at cmzoo.org/BobsBlueprints.

Pack your patience next time you visit the Zoo and lean in to embrace the adventure of this historic chapter for the Zoo. We’re committed to giving guests access to all animals they would see on a normal visit during construction. Guests will still be able to visit African lions, feed giraffe and see some of the smaller animals in African Rift Valley. As construction shifts locations, routes to animals will change. Look out for directions on signs, and please ask for help when you visit.

Back to The Waterhole