Cheyenne Mountain Zoo facts for kids
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, United States |
| Land area | 140 acres (57 ha) (40 acres (16 ha) in use) |
| Coordinates | 38°46′12″N 104°51′18″W / 38.77°N 104.855°W |
| No. of animals | 750 |
| No. of species | 150 |
| Memberships | AZA |
| Website | www.cmzoo.org |
The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is a special place located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It sits high up on Cheyenne Mountain in the United States. At 6,714 feet (2,046 meters) above sea level, it's the highest zoo in America!
The zoo covers 140 acres, with 40 acres used for exhibits. It is home to over 750 animals from nearly 150 different species. More than 30 of these species are endangered, meaning they are at risk of disappearing forever. In 2018, USA Today ranked it as the #4 best zoo in North America. The zoo is also approved by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, which means it meets high standards for animal care.
History of the Zoo
The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo started because of a man named Spencer Penrose. In 1916, he received a bear as a gift. This gift made him want to collect more animals.
At first, the animals lived at Penrose's Broadmoor Hotel. But after a monkey bit a hotel guest, a new home was needed. So, in 1926, the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo was created. In 1938, Spencer Penrose made the zoo a non-profit organization. This means it belongs to the people of Colorado Springs.
The zoo does not get money from local taxes. It relies on visitors, donations, and grants to operate.
On August 6, 2018, the zoo faced a big challenge. A sudden and strong hail storm hit the area. The hail was as big as baseballs! Zoo staff quickly moved animals and visitors to safety indoors. This quick action was praised by many. Some animals were hurt, and sadly, five animals died. These included two peafowl, a cape vulture, and a Muscovy duck. Several zoo employees were also hurt while helping others.
Giraffe Herd History
The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is famous for its large giraffe herd. Over 200 giraffes have been born at the zoo since 1954! This makes it a very successful breeding program.
In 2017, a giraffe named Dobby was born at the Denver Zoo. Dobby needed special help to survive. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo sent banked giraffe plasma from their herd. This plasma helped Dobby get the antibodies he needed. The blood transfusion worked, and Dobby survived!
Explore the Exhibits
The zoo has many different areas where you can see animals from all over the world.
African Rift Valley
This area looks like the African savanna. Here you can see animals such as African crowned cranes, African lions, African spurred tortoises, Colobus monkeys, Grant's zebras, griffon vultures, helmeted guineafowl, meerkats, okapis, red river hogs, reticulated giraffes, and rock hyrax.
Encounter Africa
This exhibit is home to African cape porcupines, African elephants, black rhinoceros, and meerkats. It's a special area that has won awards for its design.
Australia Walkabout
In this exhibit, you can walk through a yard with red-necked wallabys. There's also a special aviary where you can feed budgies. Other animals here include emus, American alligators, shelducks, White's tree frogs, and Matschie's tree kangaroos.
Scutes Family Gallery
This building was once known as the Bird and Reptile House. It now has over 40 species of reptiles. You can see Burmese pythons, lizards, snakes, and different kinds of turtles. The name "Scutes" comes from the scales found on most reptiles.
Bear Grottos
This area is home to different types of bears. You can see Asiatic black bears and Spectacled bears here.
The Loft
The Loft is an educational building. It houses smaller animals like American beavers, black-footed ferrets, chinchillas, eclectus parrots, lizards, prairie dogs, ravens, skunks, snakes, three-banded armadillos, tortoises, and Wyoming toads.
Monkey Pavilion
This building first opened in 1942. It used to house big cats. Now, it's home to smaller primate species. You can see lar gibbons, white-cheeked gibbons, ring-tailed lemurs, Geoffroy's marmosets, Hoffman's two-toed sloths, black howler monkeys, black mangabeys, black and white ruffed lemurs, brown-nosed coatis, white-nosed coatis, Goeldi's monkeys, and Wolf's guenons. The zoo plans to take down this building in the future.
Tapir Exhibit
A new exhibit for tapirs opened in 2015. The zoo's mountain tapirs had been living in a behind-the-scenes area. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and the Los Angeles Zoo are the only two zoos in the United States that have mountain tapirs.
My Big Backyard
This exhibit features farm animals and smaller creatures. You can see Chickens, rabbits, koi fish, amphibians, tortoises, and invertebrates here.
Asian Highlands
This area shows animals from Asia in habitats that look like their natural homes on the mountain side. You can find Amur tigers, Amur leopards, snow leopards, and Pallas' cats here.
Rocky Mountain Wild
This exhibit focuses on animals found in the Rocky Mountains. It houses bald eagles, Canadian lynx, Greenback cutthroat trout, Grizzly bears, Merganser ducks, Mexican wolves, moose, cougars, porcupines, river otters, rainbow trout, and Rio Grande turkeys.
Primate World
Primate World is home to apes and other primates. You can see Sumatran Orangutans, Bornean Orangutans, Western lowland gorillas, siamangs, and naked mole rats.
Rocky Cliffs
This exhibit is home to Rocky Mountain goats.
Making Waves
This is a new exhibit that is currently being built. It will house Nile hippopotamuses, African penguins, and other water-loving species. It is expected to open in 2019.
Conservation Efforts
The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo works hard to protect endangered animals. They breed animals like black-footed ferrets, Wyoming toads, mountain tapirs, and Mexican gray wolves. The zoo is part of over 30 Species Survival Plan programs. These plans help manage and save animal populations.
The zoo also supports conservation projects around the world. They have a program called "Quarters for Conservation." This program lets visitors choose which conservation efforts the zoo helps fund. Since 2008, this program has raised over $2 million! The zoo also helps with the Panama Amphibian Rescue and Conservation project. This project works to release endangered amphibians back into the wild.
Other Fun Attractions
Carousel
The zoo has an old-fashioned carousel from around 1925. It has been at the zoo since 1937 and is still a fun ride today.
Mountaineer Sky Ride
This is an open-air, ski lift-style ride. It takes you high above the Rocky Mountain goat, grizzly bear, and Amur tiger exhibits. It offers amazing views of the animals and the mountains.
Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun
When you visit the zoo, your ticket also includes access to the Cheyenne Mountain Highway. This road leads to the Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun. It's a beautiful tower with great views.
