Support an "Ever Changing Zoo!"

Dear Friend,

Can you believe that our moose, Tahoma, is now four years old?  It seems like just yesterday that he came to us as a gangly, awkward juvenile, to take his place overlooking “Moose Lake” in Rocky Mountain Wild.  Time passes so quickly.  All of a sudden, Tahoma is all grown up!  He’ll continue to grow and develop throughout his life, as he drops his magnificent antlers each year, to be replaced by a larger, stronger set.  With a current weight of more than 700 lbs., Tahoma will also continue to grow in size, eventually reaching up to 1,000 lbs.

Like Tahoma, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo continues to grow and change each and every year.  Many of our friends marvel that they barely recognize the Zoo from 20 years ago.  And they’re right...things have changed at the Zoo!  In fact, since 2003, the Zoo has made more than $32M worth of capital improvements.  In just the last 10 years, we’ve been able to provide incredible experiences for kids of all ages through new exhibits such as My Big Backyard, African Rift Valley, and Rocky Mountain Wild, not to mention the demolition of the old small mammal exhibit and the movement of our snow leopards to a fantastic new space.  By growing our cash reserves and continually making
improvements such as a new front entry and Grizzly Grill, as well as the Mountaineer Skyride, we’re able to invest in ourselves in a way that we’ve never been able to before.  We’re securing the future of the zoo for generations to come.

The past year has been no exception to the ever-changing reputation of the Zoo; we’ve had a busy year full of growth and change.  A few of our exciting accomplishments include:

• We increased the size of our herd!  In June of this year, 28-year-old African Elephant Jambo arrived at the Zoo, joining Lucky, Kimba, and Malaika in our bachelorette herd.
• We implemented Phase 1 of our Encounter Africa expansion, including an extraordinary new elephant and rhino barn, as well as the bridge that will take our guests to see the barn.  (Construction on Phase 2, which will include new elephant and rhino exhibits, has already begun.)
• We continued to do critical conservation work, traveling to Panama to work on saving endangered frog species.
• Cheyenne Mountain Zoo became the first zoo member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil.
• We’re in the process of repurposing the Bird and Reptile House, with plans for a full renovation in 2012.
• Thanks to our loyal supporters, the Zoo’s Endowment Fund grew by more than $2 million, helping to sustain the Zoo far into the future.
• Through our captive breeding and reintroduction program for black footed ferrets, we were able to release 20 kits and one adult into the wild.

We are enormously proud of the way we’ve evolved throughout the years, and there is much to be excited about for the future.  As we look forward to the coming year, we anticipate receiving two magnificent black rhinos (they’re brothers!), opening our fantastic new elephant and rhino exhibits, and continuing to make small, impactful changes that improve our guests’ experience.  We look forward to being able to give you a brand new experience, each time you visit the Zoo.

As you know, we can’t accomplish all of this without your help.  As one of less than ten accredited Zoos in the country that operates without local, regional or federal tax support, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo relies on admissions, memberships, donations and grants to do everything from take care of our animals to help save species around the world.  As we continue to be an organization that’s ever-changing, we hope you’ll continue to be a supportive friend of the Zoo. 

As you make decisions about your year-end giving, please consider a special gift for the Zoo this year.  Your dollars go directly to support the Zoo’s mission of education, conservation, and animal care, all the while creating experiences and memories for a lifetime for families from across Colorado Springs and around the world.

Warmly,

Bob Chastain
President & CEO

For more information

Contact Valerie Maltese, Memberships and Annual Gifts Manager, at 719-633-9925 ext. 115
or email vmaltese@cmzoo.org.