Cheyenne Mountain Zoo welcomed another multi-ton resident to the brand-new exhibit, Water’s Edge: Africa, on Tuesday evening. Biko (BEE-koh), a 17-year-old male Nile hippopotamus, will join female hippos, Zambezi (zam-BEE-zee) and Kasai (kuh-SIGH), on a breeding recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Nile Hippopotamus Species Survival Plan.

He will continue to acclimate to his new home and complete a routine quarantine period. Then, keepers will begin the process of introducing him to the female hippos. If successful, this would be the first time any of the three hippos produced offspring.

Only 30 of the 233 organizations accredited by the AZA in North America house hippos. The last male hippo who lived at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo was Tony, who passed away in 1989. Although our female hippos first came to CMZoo decades ago, this is the first attempt to breed hippos at the Zoo in more than 30 years.

Since Zambezi and Kasai returned to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo from Dickerson Park Zoo, an AZA-accredited zoo in Springfield, Missouri, on May 22, 2020, they have taken turns sharing space and showing their keepers they would sometimes rather be in separate spaces. The hippo pools, yards and indoor beach areas in Water’s Edge: Africa were designed to accommodate separation for various pods formed by the hippos and their potential future offspring.

“We’ve been working on letting the girls spend time together until they show us they’d prefer a little time apart,” said Patty Wallace, senior lead keeper at Water’s Edge: Africa. “They’re spending more and more time together, but still seem to want time away from each other to appear totally comfortable in their new home. With the arrival of Biko, who is smaller than the females, the dynamics could completely change. Only time will tell. We will watch their behavior closely, and let them tell us what the next steps are.”

Biko came to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo from an AZA-accredited institution in central Florida on a breeding recommendation with both Zambezi and Kasai, who are 27 and 20 years old, respectively. Once Biko has cleared quarantine, the hippo keeper team will use a variety of underwater and above-ground gates to give the hippos opportunities to have their own spaces and also participate in ‘howdies,’ which are introductions with barriers between the animals. This allows the animals to smell, see and approach each other without risking injury.

“We always look for signs that the animals are confident during ‘howdies,’” said Wallace. “If they show us they feel uncomfortable, we help them see that they are in control by giving them the choice to walk away. They are always making the choice to interact with another animal or not. If we see signs that the two animals are comfortable and confident with each other, we move on to introductions in a shared space, usually for small increments of time that increase slowly.”

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List categorizes Nile hippopotamuses as a species vulnerable to extinction in the wild, estimating less than 150,000 remain in their native habitats. Their primary threats are habitat loss and illegal and unregulated hunting. Hippos are hunted for ivory, which is found in hippopotamuses’ canine teeth, and meat.

After Biko clears quarantine, guests will be able to see him at Water’s Edge: Africa, which is now home to three hippos, 11 African penguins, two common warthogs, three ring-tailed lemurs and roughly 30 guinea pigs. The design of the exhibit removes as many barriers as safely possible between guests and the animals, including the outdoor penguin beach that gives penguins access to waddle right up to guests. The outdoor hippo space features a knife-edge pool that puts guests eye-to-eye with the hippos, overlooked by lemur island – an outdoor/indoor space for lemurs to climb high onto trees with incredible views of Colorado Springs. Encouraging guests to participate in nature play, the exhibit also features a nature trail with natural obstacles like a log forest and boulder area, perfect for testing your traversing skills. The nature trail leads to a one-of-a-kind rope suspension bridge that leads guests over the outdoor hippo yard, for up-close overhead views of hippos unavailable anywhere else in the world.

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 2019, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo was voted #6 Best Zoo in North America and CMZoo’s Rocky Mountain Wild was named #5 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. Of the 233 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.

Learn all about Ohe, newest member of the reticulated giraffe herd at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.

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Last week, Bob introduced you to the newest member of our #CMZoo family, an adorable mountain lion kitten! We may never know this little guy’s full backstory, but what we do know is he was rescued by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife officers after being found on a logging road outside of Spokane. Since he would be unable to survive in the wild without his mother at his age, WDFW contacted Oregon Zoo and made arrangements for a short stopover for vaccinations and a health assessment before being transported here. On the evening of June 15th, he arrived at his new home with us. We estimate he’s between six and eight weeks old, based on his weight, size and teeth.

He’s been settling in well since his arrival from Washington. His favorite activities include wrestling with his stuffed bear, chirping, sleeping and eating. He recently graduated from bottle to bowl, making quick work of gobbling up a mix of milk and raw meat. As you can see, it’s a pretty messy ordeal, but he gets the job done! Table manners aren’t that important to us, anyway.

He’s starting to become acquainted with his Rocky Mountain Wild keepers, who say he seems very eager to interact. Soon they’ll begin work on crate training so that he’ll be comfortable during his move down to Rocky Mountain Wild when the time is right. Our eventual goal is to introduce him to 1-year-old mountain lion siblings, Sitka and Adira, who also came to #CMZoo after being orphaned in Washington. As animal ambassadors, these three will have key roles in helping guests build personal connections to these incredible cats, while helping educate the public about their species. We don’t have an exact date for when the mountain lion kitten will be on exhibit, but we’ll continue to keep you updated on his progress!

We recognize many of you were frustrated with our e-ticketing system and the restrictions we must follow to keep the Zoo open, but hope you recognize that we are doing our best to welcome you back in these difficult times.

We hope this update from Bob brings a little perspective, and reminds you of the important work your support allows us to do. Last night around 8 p.m., we welcomed this little bundle of joy to our family.

At this point, very little is known about his backstory. We will share in-depth updates on him when we have more information about why this 5-week-old mountain lion kitten needed a home.

For now, we’re grateful to have the space, technology and dedicated staff to care for him, because of the support you show us by coming to the Zoo.

Our goal is to eventually introduce him to CMZoo 1-year-old mountain lions, Adira and Sitka, in Rocky Mountain Wild, just as soon as he’s big enough to be safe in the exhibit.

Also, Bob gives an update on Penny’s memorial statue, which we’ll provide a social media sneak peek of on Saturday evening. Just in time for World Giraffe Day, on Sunday, June 21, Penny’s statue will be visible to our guests in African Rift Valley.

Thank you for all you do to help us continue this important work. We can’t wait to see you back at the Zoo!

Join us for breakfast on the beach of Water’s Edge: Africa. Animal keeper, Al, is feeding our flock of 11 African penguins while she tells us about their personalities – and how you can identify each penguin.

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A new African Rift Valley resident is making progress with her keepers and is taking her time getting to know her potential mate. Six-year-old Red River hog, Zena, came to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo on a breeding recommendation with 12-year-old Hubert, who has lived at CMZoo since 2008.

Zena, who can be identified by her unique white ear tassels, has a shy and hesitant personality, but has already formed a trusting relationship with her keepers, who say she’s an excellent student.

“She already participates in her own health care with voluntary injection training, crate training and shift training,” said Philip Waugh, an African Rift Valley animal keeper who works closely with the Red River hogs. “She has the cutest hooves, and she runs really fast. She almost looks like a ballerina on her tip toes. It may seem like a strange thing to say about a hog, but she’s beautiful. Her eyes are really expressive.”

Because of Zena’s timid demeanor, her keepers are allowing lots of time for her to gain confidence with Hubert – known as ‘Huey’ by his many fans – who was selected by the Red River Hog Species Survival Plan as a good breeding partner for Zena based on their genetics. Since her arrival, the two have maintained interest in each other, but their comfort levels while sharing space have fluctuated.

Zena and Huey first got acquainted through a mesh barrier, which allows them to smell, hear and see each another without sharing the same space. Introductions with a protective barrier – known as ‘howdies’ – allow keepers to observe the hogs’ behavior towards each other and indicate whether the hogs are ready to take things to the next level.

“During howdies, the two of them smell each other, lie on either side of the mesh and even touch noses through the mesh,” said Waugh. “All of those calm behaviors usually indicate they’re ready for the next step in their introduction.”

Once the two are sharing a space, however, Zena hasn’t been as confident.

“This has been an interesting introduction because they are definitely interested in each other and even show us that they’re more comfortable when the other one is nearby,” said Waugh. “We’re just not quite seeing that comfort carry over when they’re sharing a space without a barrier between them yet.”

One sign of comfort during howdies is Zena pushing her body up against the mesh and Huey calmly smelling her from the other side. Another is a call they make to each other when they’re visually and physically separated. Zena is also generally calmer in a space by herself when Huey is in the space next door.

“When they’re in spaces within earshot of each other, but can’t see each other, we’ve noticed they will make little calls back and forth,” said Waugh. “That’s a good sign because it means even though they’re not quite ready to spend time together physically, they are acting as a social unit.”

The two hogs are making progress, but these things sometimes take longer than anticipated.

“They’re both such sweet-natured hogs and we’re seeing progress, so we’re going to keep trying,” said Waugh. “Huey has lived with Ari for so long and Zena spent a lot of time by herself previously, so this is like a first-first date for both of them. We all know how awkward first dates can be, so we’re working to make their time together as positive as possible, so they can recognize it’s safe and beneficial to be together.”

When keepers manage introductions between animals, they listen to what the animals are telling them through their body language and behaviors. If an animal appears uncomfortable with the scenario, their team makes changes to help the animals recognize that they have control in their environment. Placing different kinds of enrichment in the introduction spaces and changing introduction spaces can be beneficial.

Keepers have tried introducing Zena and Huey without a barrier only twice. The most recent space, which has shown promise, is in the zebra and okapi yards, which share a fence and can be adjoined. Most mornings, CMZoo giraffe cam fans have watched in delight as the two hogs run separately through the giraffe yard to spend time outside in the adjacent spaces.

“Animals all have different personalities, and Zena is on the timid side, so we’re giving her plenty of time to gain confidence around Huey,” said Waugh. “Although they haven’t been perfect, their introductions have been safe, so we’ll continue following their lead and trying new things that might give her more confidence. Maybe this new space will be just what they need – and hopefully the third time is a charm!”

The ultimate goal is for guests to get to know Zena on exhibit with Huey. 18-year-old female Red River hog, Ari, will also share on-exhibit time with Huey, and have the yard to herself sometimes. Ari, who birthed four healthy piglets over the years with Huey, is no longer recommended for breeding, but will continue being a stellar animal ambassador at CMZoo for the foreseeable future.

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Saturday, May 23, 2020 (COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.) – With Water’s Edge: Africa Construction Issues Resolved, Nile Hippos Return to CMZoo! The sounds of hippo ‘laughs’ are once again echoing from the side of Cheyenne Mountain. Zambezi (zam-BEE-zee) and Kasai (kuh-SIGH), CMZoo’s Nile hippo sisters, are back home at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo!

The two female hippos have been ‘vacationing’ at Dickerson Park Zoo, an Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited zoo in Springfield, Missouri, since October 2016, when construction began on Water’s Edge: Africa. Zambezi, 27, originally came to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in 1993. Kasai, 20, originally came to CMZoo in 2001. Given their long-time residence and personable demeanors, the girls are well-loved by staff, the community and CMZoo fans all around the world.

“The question of the year has definitely been, ‘When are the hippos coming back?’ We’re just so happy the girls are finally home,” said Patty Wallace, senior lead keeper at Water’s Edge: Africa, the new home for hippos, penguins, warthogs, lemurs and more, at CMZoo. “There were a lot of happy human tears and a lot of wiggling hippo ears on Friday morning, as we watched them explore their new home. It’s so fulfilling to see them enjoying this beautiful space and settling back in. We missed them!”

The hippos’ 750-mile journey home wasn’t your average road trip. Preparing to transport the girls, who each weigh over 3,000 pounds, required months of preparation, skilled staff and transport professionals, and specialized machinery and equipment. Three CMZoo staff members drove to Dickerson Park Zoo to help the hippos transition and bring them home. The team consisted of Wallace; Jeremy Dillon, Water’s Edge: Africa Animal Care Manager; and Dr. Liza Dadone, a veterinarian and the Zoo’s Vice President of Mission and Programs.

“This isn’t their first road trip, but it’s been three and a half years since their last transport, so we don’t make any assumptions about how smoothly things will go,” said Dillon. “Transporting nearly four tons of hippopotamus is risky, no matter how many times you’ve done it. Since they arrived at Dickerson Park Zoo, back in 2016, they’ve been preparing for this trip home – and so have we.”

Making sure Zambezi and Kasai are comfortable and confident during their transport is vital to keeping them from getting too stressed or injuring themselves. The hippos are trained to be comfortable in their crates during a transport, which means they are awake for the entire transfer.

The steel-framed wooden crates were positioned as ‘hallways’ at Dickerson Park Zoo, so the hippos would pass through them daily when they went out into their yard. That meant they became familiar with the space and gained confidence being inside the crates. Through positive reinforcement, the girls became comfortable standing in the crate with only one end open, and eventually standing in their crates with both doors closed.

Thursday afternoon, the girls entered their separate crates, which were crane lifted out of their exhibit space and then lifted by forklift into a climate-controlled 72-foot semi-truck. After 12 hours of highway driving, with stops to check on the girls every two hours, the team arrived at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo around 5 a.m. Friday, May 22. From the Zoo’s public parking lot, the hippos were lifted one at a time, in their crates, by forklift and carried up to their new home.

“The transport really couldn’t have gone any better,” said Dillon. “Watching them come out of their crates, healthy and curious to explore their new home was awesome. I just wish we could share this experience with the public right away.”

Under current restrictions, the Zoo is temporarily closed to the public until further notice. But, when the Zoo is allowed to reopen, guests will be able to see the girls from one-of-a-kind perspectives, like the Water’s Edge: Africa giant rope bridge that hangs 8 feet above the outdoor hippo yard.

“I can’t wait for people to come and see Water’s Edge,” said Grace Vining, animal keeper. “It’s like an educational nature playground for animal lovers.”

Nature play was central to the design of Water’s Edge: Africa, so it features a nature trail with obstacles, like vertical logs to climb on and small boulders to hop, that leads to a huge rope bridge and ends at a platform overlooking the outdoor hippo pools and lemur island.

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is known for providing interactive experiences with animals, and guests can expect that same level of engagement with animals at Water’s Edge: Africa. As many barriers between guests and animals have been removed as possible. A knife-edge hippo pool brings guests eye-to-eye with the hippos, as they bounce on a sand bar in their outdoor pool. Hippo lovers might even feel a splash or two, as the hippos make waves that flow over the exhibit’s many waterfalls. Guests are likely to leave the exhibit with wet feet, too, thanks to an ‘ocean surge’ from the outdoor penguin pool that splashes onto guest viewing areas. That surge isn’t the only thing guests will want to look down for – the outdoor penguin area is designed so penguins have the opportunity to walk right up to guests if they want to.

Eleven African penguins arrived at Water’s Edge: Africa at the end of April. Nine more will be joining the flock as soon as possible. In addition to African penguins and Nile hippos, ring-tailed lemurs and common warthogs will make homes at the brand-new exhibit, as well as a few other species.

Only 30 organizations accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in North America house hippos. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List categorizes Nile hippopotamuses as a species vulnerable to extinction in the wild, estimating 125,000 to 150,000 remain in their native habitats. The primary threats are habitat loss and illegal and unregulated hunting. Hippos are hunted for ivory, which is found in hippopotamuses’ canine teeth, and for food.

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 2019, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo was voted #6 Best Zoo in North America and CMZoo’s Rocky Mountain Wild was named #5 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. Of the 233 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.

We have BIG NEWS on #WorldPenguinDay! Our first five African penguins have arrived! Since our temporary closure, we’ve continued work on Water’s Edge: Africa, our new home for hippos, penguins, warthogs, lemurs and more. We’re happy to report the new exhibit’s first residents are settling in.

In this video, meet CMZoo African penguins Pomona, Safara, Alex, Rudo and Rufaro! You’ll also see a behind-the-scenes sneak peek at their medical checks, their first dip in the indoor pool and their first time taking in the beautiful views from the mountainside. You’re also getting the first public glimpse at the penguin pools in all their leakless glory!

The issues with the hippo pools haven’t been resolved yet, but we’re continuing work on them and will keep you posted on any hippo-sized news. We can’t wait to have you all back to meet the penguins in person!

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo has welcomed two domestic ferrets to The Loft! 1-year-old male, Alfred Pennyworth, and 3-year-old female, Harley Quinn, are already target training, create training, meeting guests and learning how to interact on ZOOMobile programs. Come by The Loft and meet this energetic duo next time you’re at the Zoo!

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo has welcomed a new red-necked wallaby to the mob! Australia Walkabout Lead Keeper, Bailey Jones, introduces us to the two-year-old male wallaby, P. Sherman, and provides an update on how introductions are going with CMZoo’s existing group of wallabies.