Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Logo
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Three members of the zoo's large giraffe herd
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| Date opened | 1926 |
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| Location | Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA |
| Coordinates | Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
| Land area | 140 acres (57 ha) (40 acres (16 ha) in use)[1] |
| Number of animals | 750[1] |
| Number of species | 150[1] |
| Memberships | AZA[2] |
| Website | www.cmzoo.org |
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is America's only mountainside zoo, located southwest of downtown Colorado Springs, Colorado on Cheyenne Mountain in the United States at an elevation of 6,800 feet (2,100 m) above sea level. The Zoo covers 140-acre (57 ha), of which 40 acres (16 ha) are in use. It is located west of The Broadmoor resort along the slopes of Cheyenne Mountain's lower north end. The animal collection includes more than 750 animals, representing nearly 150 different species, with more than 30 endangered species.[1]
History
The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo was founded in 1926 by philanthropist Spencer Penrose to house his growing collection of exotic animals. In 1938, after substantial development, Penrose incorporated the Zoo as a non-profit public trust to the people of Colorado Springs. This trust was deemed "for the sole purpose of establishing and maintaining a zoological park to provide recreation, education, conservation and scientific facilities in the field of zoology and related subjects, and to preserve the Zoo in perpetuity for the people of the Pikes Peak region."[3]
As an independent, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is one of only a handful of Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) accredited zoos in the country that does not receive local or regional public tax support, nearly 100 percent of the Zoo's income is generated from earned revenues, gate admissions, gifts, membership dues, donations, and corporate sponsors and grants.[4]
Exhibits
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo tries to continuously create new and updated exhibits that let visitors become active participants in their visit, encourage an appreciation and respect for the dignity and intrinsic value of all living things, and challenge the visitors to make a difference in the natural world.[5]
African Rift Valley
Located near the main entrance and gift shop, the African Rift Valley exhibit houses the zoo's sizable Reticulated giraffe herd as well as Grant's zebra, Red river hogs, meerkats, African lions, and Black-and-white colobus, Cape vultures, Okapi, and Crowned crane. The exhibit runs along the east side of the main road. Reticulated giraffes flourish at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo's African Rift Valley exhibit and are the largest herd in the United States.[6] The public is able to hand feed romaine lettuce for a fee to the giraffes at inside or outside enclosures. The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo giraffe breeding program is the most prolific in the world with 199 births since 1954.[1] There is also a giraffe web cam for online giraffe viewing or the herd outside along with zoo guests.[7]
Asian Highlands
Resting on the Western mountainside, Asian Highlands exhibits Amur tigers, Amur leopards, Snow leopards, and Pallas' cats using architecture reminiscent of a Himalayan monastery.[6]
Aquatics
The Aquatics building houses Nile hippopotamuses, African penguins, beavers, and Burmese pythons. Also inside the building is the "Leaping to the Rescue" exhibit with multiple amphibian species on display including the critically endangered Wyoming toad. Aquatics also houses a collection of fish living in a variety of aquariums.[6]
Australia Walkabout
Renovated and reopened in 2015, guests are able to walk along with free-ranging Red-necked wallabies in a unique way inside their exhibit. Budgie Buddies is located here and houses the zoo's parakeet collection. Guests can hand-feed the birds with special seed sticks in a building with floor-to-ceiling windows and Colorado Springs as the background. The rest of the area exhibits Emu, American alligators, and a Matschie's tree kangaroo.[6]
Bear Grottos
Spectacled bears and Asiatic black bears live in two moated exhibits with large trees and pools with a waterfall entering both exhibits.[6]
Encounter Africa
Opened in 2013 at a cost of $13.5 million, the Encounter Africa exhibit is the largest addition in the zoo's history. Home to African elephants, Black rhinoceros, and more viewing of the meerkats and African lions, Encounter Africa offers a uniquely close view of some of the continent's most iconic animals. A sky bridge gives panoramic views of the city of Colorado Springs.[6]
Monkey Pavilion
Originally opened in 1942 to house the big cats, the Monkey Pavilion exhibits a variety of the zoo's smaller primate and other mammal species. In 1995, the zoo demolished the old monkey house and transferred the animals to their new home in what is today called the Monkey Pavilion. Inside, guests can view; Black-crested mangabeys, Goeldi's monkeys, Geoffrey's marmosets, Black howler monkeys, White-cheeked gibbons, White-handed gibbons, Coatimundi, Black and white ruffed lemurs, Ring-tailed lemurs, Wolf's guenon, Sykes' monkey, and Two-toed sloths. Animals can be found in both indoor and outdoor exhibits.[6]
My Big Backyard
Located in the heart of the zoo, My Big Backyard provides kids of all ages creative, hands-on experiences in the great outdoors. Chickens, Goats, Koi, and Rabbits can be seen here.[6]
Primate World
Primate World is the home to the larger primate species at the zoo. Guests can see the great apes face-to-face in the indoor and outdoor enclosures. The building was originally built in the 1960s and renovated in the 1990s to be more stimulating for both the guests and the great apes. Primate World houses Orangutans, Western lowland gorillas, Siamangs, and Naked mole rats.[6]
Rocky Cliffs
Mountain goats can be see from above and below the cliffs nesstled between a switchback road.[6]
Rocky Mountain Wild
As America's only mountain zoo, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is uniquely suited to showcase Colorado wildlife in its natural setting. Costing the zoo $8.2 million, Rocky Mountain Wild offers encounters with Moose, Mexican gray wolf, Mountain lions, Canada lynx, River otters, Grizzly bears, and Bald eagles.[6]
Scutes Family Gallery
The old Bird and Reptile building, in the Australia exhibit, built in the 1940s, was completely refurbished as a modern art gallery with more than 40 species of reptiles as the artwork.[6]
The Loft
A kid-friendly space with counter-height exhibits, offering eye-level viewing for guests. Children learn what it takes to care for an animal at the zoo. Lessons on how to prepare diets, medications and enrichment are offered throughout the day.[6]
Rides/Other attractions
Carousel
Installed in the zoo in 1937, this 20 horse, 2 chariot historical carousel is located in the center of the zoo.[8]
Mountaineer Sky Ride
An open-air chairlift style ride that takes guests above the Mountain goat, Grizzly bear and Amur tiger exhibits. Guests are then dropped off in an area west of the zoo not accessible by walking and ride round trip back down to see the rest of the zoo.[8]
Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun
Admission to the zoo includes the Russell Tutt Scenic Highway and Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun for that day, weather permitting.[1]
Notes
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References
- In Between the Spots at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo - Blog
- Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and the Palm Oil Crisis - Blog
- Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Frog Blog
External links
Media related to Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. at Wikimedia Commons
