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Indonesia’s Leuser Ecosystem is the last place on Earth where Critically Endangered Sumatran elephants, tigers, orangutans and rhinoceroses coexist in the wild. This remote UNESCO World Heritage site is home to countless fragile habitats and threatened species. Yet due to illegal farming and development, the entire area is in grave danger. That’s six million acres at risk.
When looking for global conservation work to support, Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance specifically seeks out landscapes like Leuser: where there is strong alignment with the species in our care and our new strategy and where we can make a measurable impact with modest resources. The Leuser partnership is just one of several new Field Conservation efforts we’re launching this year throughout Asia. Read on to learn exactly what we’re doing, how—and why!
SUMATRA | CONSERVATION CAPACITY STRENGTHENING
In the Leuser Ecosystem, Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance is excited to be working with Forum Konservasi Leuser (FKL), a passionate grass-roots NGO working to protect this unique area and its wildlife. Through this partnership, Denver Zoo will help FKL build a field station for research and monitoring, assist with the restoration of local habitats and much more.
We’ll also support work in surrounding communities in Aceh province, Sumatra, to raise awareness about the long-term effects people have on these fragile ecosystems—with a focus on helping local people secure livelihoods with lower environmental impact. And here at the Zoo, our Sumatran tiger and orangutan family are also raising awareness! By helping our guests form a connection with individuals like ChloJo and Siska, we can spread the word about the dire need to protect their relatives in the wild.
LAOS+ | ASIAN ELEPHANT RESEARCH + EDUCATION
Once called Lan Xang, Land of a Million Elephants, Laos was home to one of the largest elephant populations in Southeast Asia. But today, habitat loss, human-elephant conflict and the illegal wildlife trade have taken a devastating toll. Only about 400 wild elephants remain in the entire country, with the largest group found in Nakai-Nam Theun National Protected Area. More data is needed to address the unique threats to this important elephant population.
We’re proud to partner with Association Anoulak as they study Asian elephant population size, genetic diversity and social dynamics to inform Laos’ National Elephant Action Plan. We’re also working with the Elephant Conservation Center (ECC) to support the education of a Lao veterinarian and lab technician. By providing access to specialized training not currently available at the National University of Laos, this partnership will benefit both the ECC and the Lao conservation community as a whole.
Denver Zoo has also become a Conservation Partner of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s Asian Elephant Specialist Group, a group of global experts dedicated to managing and protecting the species across the continent. And right here in Toyota Elephant Passage, Denver Zoo experts continue to study our beloved Asian elephant bachelor herd! Our ongoing findings are shared not only with our colleagues in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums—but with elephant conservation organizations all over the world.
LAOS | NORTHERN WHITE-CHEEKED GIBBON RESEARCH
In the dense forests of the natural range of the northern white-cheeked gibbon, they’re incredibly difficult to see—and study! The Annamite Range, which straddles Laos and Vietnam, is one of the last strongholds for this Critically Endangered species. Here, we’ll expand our work with Association Anoulak to support a research program using cutting-edge acoustic recorders. Using sound to monitor gibbon populations isn’t new, but this technology is much more accurate than the previous method: human hearing.
WALKING THE WALK—INTO A GREENER FUTURE
Everything in nature is connected. That’s why our strategy follows the One Health model—a unified approach that connects humans, animals and ecosystems for the health of all. In addition to our work with wildlife and habitats, we must also work with local people to identify and address the root cause of threats. The goal? A world in which humans and animals can share resources in a way that’s sustainable for both. There’s much work yet to be done. Our new partnerships in Asia are only part of the bigger picture…stay tuned for more announcements!
Wondering how you can help? All visits, memberships and donations support our wildlife conservation efforts in Colorado + worldwide. For updates on our conservation work, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.
@DenverZoo in the Wild
Flock Party is going all out on bites and bevvies this year!
This year we`re going all out with more upgraded food stations, more bars, and more of everything. Here`s a sneak peek at what`s on the menu:
🥐 Zoo Gardens: Southern fried chicken or heirloom tomato biscuit sandwiches, whoopie pie sliders, and a donut wall.
🧀 Scratch: Vegetarian Spanish croquetas filled with Manchego cheese with red pepper coulis.
🍳 Kamala Cafe: Pickled beet deviled eggs with a crispy beet chip (vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free!).
🌮 Cafe Costa: Spit-roasted Colorado lamb pastor tacos OR vegan wild mushroom with huitlacoche and local Olathe corn.
⭐ Samburu Grille (VIP): Thai curry ice cream bites, sesame ahi poke tuna cones, and a Colorado summer skewer with local peaches.
🦐 The Edge (VIP): Grilled shrimp aguachile rojo and meze shooters with red pepper hummus.
🍹 Seven general admission bars, three VIP bars, and 12 beverage partner tents serving pomegranate mules, espresso martinis, watermelon lemonade, NA mocktails, and more.
Vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free options available throughout! 🌿
🎟️ Get your tickets now through the link in bio!
#FlockParty #DenverZooConservationAlliance #DenverEvents
We wanted to share a quick update ahead of our lion cubs’ first birthday celebration tomorrow, August 13. While our birthday party is still on, our four cubs—Olive, Poppy, Alpine Lily and Guion—are celebrating their first birthday behind the scenes rather than joining us outside at Predator Ridge.
Last week, Olive sustained an injury to one of her paws and received immediate veterinary care. After a few stitches, she’s healing well, remains playful and is being closely monitored by her dedicated Animal Care and Veterinary Medicine teams. To ensure her injury heals completely, she needs to stay in a clean, dry environment behind the scenes. Because lions are highly social and our cubs are a close family group, all four will remain together behind the scenes while Olive heals.
The cubs have already separated from mom Araali and are hitting all their milestones as they grow into adolescent lions. While they’ll miss the public-facing portion of their very first birthday party, we will still be celebrating the fabulous foursome behind the scenes with enrichment.
And don’t worry, the public party is still on with their pals and extended family at Predator Ridge! Join us to enjoy talks with our Animal Care Team, adult lion enrichment, Animal Ambassador meet and greets, music and memorable moments throughout the day that highlight this incredible species.
Thank you for helping us celebrate our growing cubs and for supporting the best care possible for Olive as she recovers! And, as we all know, first birthdays are usually for the adults anyway...😉🧡🦁🥳
CeCe and the penguins have a great rapport. The penguins just show it a little differently than most. 🐟🐧
Don`t miss all the fun! Come visit us and celebrate 130 years of impact. Check out the link in bio.
#DenverZooConservationAlliance #Penguin #SummerCelebration#SavingWildlifeTogether
August is #AntelopeMonth and DZCA is home to some truly remarkable members of this incredibly diverse family! 🦌
Antelope are often mistaken for relatives of deer, but many are actually more closely related to cows, sheep, and goats. And unlike deer, their horns are permanent, encased in bone, and never shed.
From the towering bongo to the elegant lesser kudu, the long-necked gerenuk, the striking yellow-backed and red-flanked duikers, and Franklin and Marshall the addax, our campus is home to a stunning variety of species, each with unique adaptations that make this one of the largest and most diverse animal families on Earth.
While most are native to the African savanna, some are forest dwellers, proof that antelope can thrive almost anywhere. Come see for yourself! 🌍
#Antelope #DenverZooConservationAlliance #SavingWildlifeTogether
