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For 128 years, Denver Zoo has connected people with wildlife, from a few iconic Colorado species to the more than 2,500 animals we care for today. Our commitment to connection makes us a zoo-based conservation organization. With over a million species now facing extinction, our mission – inspiring communities to save wildlife for future generations – has never been more urgent.
That is why this year we proudly introduced our new identity: Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance (DZCA). Alliance is more than just a word – it’s a call to action – for our guests, members, donors, staff, volunteers, and community members to join us.
Together, we have supported over 600 conservation projects in 62 countries, and we are just getting started. On our 80-acre campus, we provide access to wildlife and nature, igniting the spark of conservation empathy within our community. We take pride in the fact that 25% of our guests enter our gates at a free or reduced rate, ensuring that everyone can join our alliance. Around the world, we are partnering with communities to protect wildlife where they live.
Whether you visit the Zoo, support our work, or simply share in our mission, you are a part of our alliance. Together, we can inspire communities to save wildlife for generations to come.
Bert Vescolani | President and CEO
Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance
ON THE HORIZON: SAVING WILDLIFE TOGETHER.
As industry leaders, we have always believed in caring not only for our animal family, but also for their wild counterparts. Our new name reflects our renewed purpose: to continue delivering exceptional experiences on our historic campus, while doubling down on our commitment to conservation in Colorado and worldwide.
THE LEMBKE FAMILY PRESERVE
Spanning 570 acres in Weld County, Colorado, the Lembke Family Preserve will allow DZCA to dramatically evolve both our animal care and conservation breeding practices. As intact wild ecosystems continue to decrease, the number of species that are viable candidates for reintroduction is also in rapid decline. The Lembke Family Preserve will enable DCZA to scale its leadership in two vital ways: fostering continued health and well-being for our animal family and allowing DZCA to advance the science of conservation breeding and reintroduction.
NEW CONSERVATION PROGRAM IN ASIA
Indonesia’s Leuser Ecosystem is the last place on Earth where Critically Endangered Sumatran elephants, tigers, orangutans and rhinoceroses coexist in the wild. DZCA has partnered with passionate counterparts who are protecting these species’ fragile ecosystem through research, monitoring and training.
NEW CONSERVATION PROGRAMS IN AFRICA
DZCA expanded our global wildlife conservation efforts with two new programs in Africa—one, to help protect Endangered mountain gorillas, and another to preserve wild populations of Endangered grey-crowned cranes. We support organizations already doing incredible work by sharing our expertise and resources to strengthen their impact.
BOREAL TOAD BREEDING + RELEASE SUCCESS
In 2021, we launched a new initiative aimed at boosting the state’s population of boreal toads, a species listed as endangered in Colorado and New Mexico, in collaboration with Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). And on June 20, teams from both organizations trekked to wetlands near Creede, CO to release more than 2,200 boreal toad tadpoles that will help establish a stable population of rare amphibians.
WILDLIFE RADIOLOGY DATABASE
DZCA is a leadership partner in the recently-launched Zoo and Aquarium Radiology Database, a groundbreaking resource advancing wildlife care and conservation. By providing crucial reference images, the database helps veterinary teams improve diagnostics, enhance treatment accuracy, and deliver better outcomes for animals in human care.
GRAND OPENING
In May 2024, we unveiled Down Under, our newest immersive habitat inspired by the wild wonders of Australia. This multi-species space brings guests eye-to-eye with red-necked wallabies, kangaroos, cassowaries, and Huon tree kangaroos—while highlighting the cultural and conservation significance of these species.
NEW BABIES IN 2024
April
Sloan
Linne’s Two-Toed Sloth
July
Red-Breasted Goslings
December
Lucy
African Penguin
NEW ARRIVALS
February
SeaQuest Animal Rescue
Various species
May
Baylor
Asian Elephant
August
Paprika, Cinnamon, Matilda, Rosemary
Chacoan Peccaries
August
Annie
Mountain Bighorn Sheep Rescue
October
Halloween Crab Rescue
October
Calypso
Green Anaconda
December
Jean
Clouded Leopard
December
Owl
Snowy Owl
Leadership Additions
In 2024, we welcomed two key additions to our executive team,
each bringing deep expertise and a shared passion for DZCA’s mission.
Cristal DeHerrera
Chief Operating Officer
Chief of Staff at Denver International Airport. She brings a strategic, people-first mindset to our operations, helping ensure a seamless and sustainable guest and team experience across our organization.
Greg Vochis
Chief Financial Officer
Greg brings more than 20 years of experience in finance and nonprofit leadership. Before joining DZCA, he served as CFO at Delta Dental of Colorado, where he also supported their foundation. He is helping ensure DZCA’s financial health supports our long-term conservation goals.
PHILANTHROPY IN ACTION
ACCESS & CONSERVATION MILESTONES
In 2024, we expanded opportunities for connection—welcoming more communities onsite through inclusive programs, deepening our conservation impact, and bringing nature closer to home and heart.
Community Days
Free Days, Celebrate Colorado, Día del Niño and more welcomed 170,000 guests to experience wildlife up close and connect with our conservation mission in person.
Safari Camps
2,600 young conservationists engaged in hands-on, on-site learning that deepens their connection to wildlife and fuels our future conservation mission.
New Field Conservation Programs
We launched two bold new field conservation programs in Africa and Asia—extending the conservation values our guests experience onsite to critical habitats around the globe.
Kids Free December
Offering families a joyful, low-cost way to connect during the holidays.
Sensory Friendly Nights
Creating inclusive experiences for guests with sensory sensitivities.
Dung Beetle Reintroduction
Restoring ecological balance with a native species return.
LOOKING AHEAD
With new habitats on the horizon, DZCA is continuing to evolve how we connect people with wildlife. These upcoming spaces reflect our deep commitment to animal wellbeing, immersive design, and conservation education.
GORILLA VIEWING HABITAT
March 2025
The redesigned gorilla viewing area offers guests an up-close perspective on western lowland gorillas Gunther and Kal. With improved sightlines, a themed play area for kids, and regular opportunities to hear from animal care specialists, the space invites deeper connection with these remarkable animals and the care they receive.
SEA LION HABITAT
May 2025
Our beloved sea lions will soon return to a revitalized, state-of-the-art habitat designed with their care and enrichment at the forefront. Guests will enjoy dynamic new views and experiences that deepen appreciation for marine life and the challenges they face in the wild.
Saving Wildlife Together
In 2024, more than one million guests visited Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance—each one contributing to a mission that reaches far beyond our gates. Their support helped inspire 2,600 Safari Campers through immersive education, provide access to nature for 170,000 community members through inclusive programs, and generate nearly $10 million in philanthropic support. These efforts fueled world-class animal care and expanded our conservation impact locally and globally.
Together, we’re saving wildlife—one visit, one gift, and one action at a time.
