Celebrating 130 Years—Together

Happy #WorldLionDay! 🦁

DZCA is currently home to 11 African lions, including our brother coalition, female pride, first-time mom Araali and her four cubs. As part of the African Lion Species Survival Plan, we work with zoos across the country to support the long-term health and genetic diversity of this incredible species. That includes preparing for planned animal moves when recommended by the SSP to help ensure lions have the best possible future while supporting healthy populations in human care.

In addition to this awareness day, there’s even more reason to celebrate our lions this week! Araali’s four cubs—Guion, Alpine Lily, Poppy and Olive—are turning ONE! Join us on Thursday, August 13 for a special birthday party featuring Animal Care team talks, enrichment and more as we celebrate this incredible milestone. 🎉

Visit the link in our bio to learn more.

Earlier this month, we introduced you to Chip and Garland, our new babirusas! Now, in honor of #ActionIndonesiaDay, it`s time to learn more about these fascinating animals.

The babirusa is found in the swamps and rainforests of Sulawesi, where it browses for leaves and fruit. Unlike other pig species, babirusa have the ability to balance on their slender back legs to graze from leaves and high branches and are excellent swimmers. A favorite part of its diet is the football-shaped fruit kepayang, poisonous to humans and delicious to the pigs! A thick coating of mucus in its two-chambered stomach helps them digest a highly fibrous diet.

Male babirusas grow a lower set of tusks to display dominance while an upper set (actually their canine teeth!) grow continually throughout their life span. Rooting in the dirt and fighting with other males helps to manage this growth and prevent the teeth from curling backwards into the skull.

Females give birth to one piglet at a time while other swine species can have up to six in a litter. With few natural predators, babirusas can live up to 10 years in the wild and more than two decades in human care.

Stop by our tapir and babirusa habitat during your next visit to meet Chip and Garland and learn more about this remarkable species!

It`s almost time to pop, lock and flock it! 🦩💖

Flock Party is only a few weeks away, and this year`s celebration is bigger than ever as we toast to 130 years of conservation at DZCA!

Here`s what in store for this fabulous day:

✨ An afternoon-to-evening party with even more animal talks and demonstrations

🍴 Eight upgraded food stations, seven bars and 12 beverage partners

💕 Show off your best "Pink Tie" look and strike a pose with our new sketch bot

🎶 Dance the day away with live music, DJs, glitter, hair tinsel and the high-energy Featherfest finale featuring the 6 Million Dollar Band

🦒 Get eye-to-eye with our tallest residents during a NEW giraffe feeding experience! Space is limited so be sure to reserve your spot ahead of time.

Bring your whole flock on Saturday, August 22 from 2:00–7:00 p.m.! Learn more by visiting the link in our bio.

Happy #InternationalCatDay from our fabulous feline family!

Did you know there are 40 species of wild cats in the family Felidae? Here at DZCA, we`re proud to be home to quite a few of them: Endangered Amur tigers Viktor and Nikita, Critically Endangered Sumatran tiger ChloJo, Vulnerable African lions including our growing cub family, Critically Endangered clouded leopards Taji and Jean, a Vulnerable fishing cat Jonas, Ruka the serval, and rescued Geoffroy`s cat Dia. 🐆🦁🐯

Around the world, we`re supporting conservation efforts for African lions and Sumatran tigers and your visit helps make that possible. 🐾

Photos: Volunteer photographers Navid M., Jean S., and Mark R.
#DenverZooConservationAlliance #BigCats #SavingWildlifeTogether #tiger #Serval #Lion #FishingCat #GeoffroysCat #CloudedLeopard