- Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
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Cheyenne Mountain Zoo 
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Logo
Three members of the zoo's large giraffe herdDate opened 1926 Location Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA Land area 140 acres (57 ha)[1] Coordinates 38°46′12″N 104°51′18″W / 38.77°N 104.855°WCoordinates: 38°46′12″N 104°51′18″W / 38.77°N 104.855°W Number of animals 750[1] Number of species 150[1] Memberships AZA[2] Website www.cmzoo.org Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is a 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 sits on 70 acres (28 ha) out of a 140-acre (57 ha) footprint. It is located west of the Broadmoor Hotel Resort along the slopes of Cheyenne Mountain's lower north end. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is one of only two mountain zoos in the United States (the other being Mill Mountain Zoo in Virginia). The animal collection includes more than 750 animals, representing nearly 150 different species, with more than 30 endangered species.[1]
Contents
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, 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]
Animal exhibit highlights: Rocky Mountain Wild, African Rift Valley, Wolf Woods, My Big Backyard, Colorado Habitat Tree, Lions' Lair, Australia/Budgie Buddies, Asian Highlands, Aquatics, Rocky Cliffs and Primate World.[1]
Signature Animal: Reticulated giraffes flourish at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo's African Rift Valley exhibit and are the largest herd in the United States. The public is able to hand feed specially formulated "giraffe crackers" to the giraffes at inside or outside enclosures. The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo giraffe breeding program is the most prolific in the world with 191 births since 1954.[1] There is also a giraffe web cam for online giraffe viewing or the herd outside along with zoo guests.[6]
Unique Animals: okapi, moose, Amur leopard, Amur tiger, grizzly bear, North American river otter, Kori bustard, Hoffman's two-toed sloth, Mexican gray wolf, Nile hippopotamuses, African lions, Rocky Mountain goats, naked mole rats, black-footed ferret and African elephants. The zoo is one of only three institutions outside South America to display mountain tapir.[1]
Other facilities
The zoo has a refurbished historic 1937 Carousel, the Mountaineer Sky Ride (an open air chairlift-style ride with separate admission and hours), the Shongololo Choo Choo Tot Train, pony rides, a fire tower, food shops, and gift shops. Visitors can tour the zoo on the Zoomobile/tram which is handicapped and stroller accessible.[1]
Admission to the zoo includes the Russell Tutt Scenic Highway and Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun for that day (weather permitting).[1]
Notes
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Cheyenne Mountain Zoo ‘America’s Mountain Zoo’ 2010 Fact Sheet". www.cmzoo.org. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. http://www.cmzoo.org/docs/pressfactsheet2010.pdf. Retrieved 21 July 2010.
- ^ "List of Accredited Zoos and Aquariums". aza.org. AZA. http://www.aza.org/current-accreditation-list/. Retrieved 8 July 2010.
- ^ http://www.cmzoo.org/aboutZoo/history/
- ^ http://www.cmzoo.org/aboutZoo/zooFacts/nonprofitStatus.asp
- ^ http://www.cmzoo.org/aboutZoo/ourFuture/
- ^ http://www.cmzoo.org/animalsPlants/animalCams/giraffeCam.asp
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 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo at Wikimedia CommonsZoos and Aquariums of Colorado Aquariums Zoos - Butterfly Pavilion
- Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
- Colorado Gators Reptile Park
- Denver Zoo
- Nature and Raptor Center of Pueblo
- Pueblo Zoo
- The Wild Animal Sanctuary
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Categories:- Zoos in Colorado
- Visitor attractions in Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Buildings and structures in Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Protected areas of El Paso County, Colorado
- Geography of Colorado Springs, Colorado
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