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Summer is here and the fun in the sun has begun! As the temperatures rise and the days get hot, we keep cool however we can—a dip in the pool, frozen treats and plenty of shade. Our wild and wonderful animals are no different, except they rely on our care to beat the heat.
As the heat rises in Colorado, the challenges for our Animal Care team who look after 2,500+ animals continue to grow. Our staff is working hard at finding new ways to keep our animals cool during the hottest months of the year. Air-conditioned indoor spaces are available to cool off, but unsurprisingly, our wild animals do want to be outside—and we want that for them!
From fans and misters to ice machines and blood popsicles, our Animal Care Specialists are dedicated to coming up with creative ways to keep our residents comfortable in the heat of the summer while also providing fun and beneficial enrichment.
Check out these three unique ways our Animal Care Specialists help keep our animals extra cool and comfortable all season long!
Blood Popsicle, Anyone?
Our Animal Care Specialists love coming up with creative ways to keep our tigers cool in the summer heat, including making meat and blood popsicles!
Popsicles made of frozen blood and meat may not sound appetizing to us, but our big cats sure do love them, especially because they provide mental stimulation. A donation of $100 can provide our tiger with her favorite “bloodsicles.” Sounds delicious…at least if you’re ChloJo!
Rub-A-Dub-Dub, Three Hyenas in a Tub!
Who’s up for a cold plunge? Our spotted hyenas, Ngozi, Kelele and Tavi are—and don’t forget the bubbles! Treat our hyena pack to a sudsy spa day with a nice, cold bubble bath to clean up and cool off. Bubble baths also serve as enrichment, as hyenas like to hide things in water and come back to them later. Our Animal Care staff hides fun items for the pack to find and ups the challenge level by making the items hard to see. Whenever the suds come out, the pack gets extra excited to play! For just $48/month you can provide tubs of bubs for our spotted pack of three. If you’re a big fan of bubble baths, we’ve got some well-pampered hyenas who totally agree.
Throw Shade at Our Flamingos
Because wild animals want to be outside as much as possible, shade is the gold standard for keeping animals cool when the summer sun is hot. While our Horticulture team continues integrating trees into new and current habitat designs, some of our habitats require unique shade solutions, like a custom shade sail. These shade sails require concrete caissons, structural steel for poles, the shade material and installation. Installing custom sails is a big-ticket item at $65,000 a pop, but every little bit helps! Keep our flock fabulous and donate any amount today.
As a non-profit organization, your donations continue to provide world-class care for all our animals, including keeping them extra cool and comfortable all season long.
Follow Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn for updates on our incredible animals!
@DenverZoo in the Wild
Wait that’s so strange, the wind is taking us to the last weekend of Glowing Wild at DZCA! 👀
There`s only one weekend left to marvel at our 20-foot-tall moose, the changing colors of a glowing chameleon and a giant, motion-activated butterfly! This year’s lanterns won’t be back, so make your way to DZCA and experience Glowing Wild before these scenes are gone for good. It all ends on May 10! ✨ Ticket link in bio.
#denverzooconservationalliance #glowingwild #denver #denverevents #gowherethewindtakesyou @tianyuartsculture
We welcomed two adorable new members to our Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep herd! Moms Violet and Amber gave birth one day apart on May 1 and May 2, with both moms welcoming their lambs right on Sheep Mountain. When Amber went into labor on Saturday, Violet even brought her baby down to keep her company. 🖤⛰️
As Colorado’s state animal, we’re especially excited to celebrate these special arrivals! Be sure to stop by West Sheep Mountain on your next trip to the Zoo to meet the adorable new additions and say hello to moms Violet and Amber, plus dad Canyon.
Baby Bulletin presented by @intermountain.
📸: Animal Care Specialist Gracie G. and Volunteer Photographer Mark Rinker
ChloJo, our Critically Endangered Sumatran tiger, and Loveleen Molnar, Director of Marketing and Digital Strategy at DZCA, are gearing up for the Colfax Half Marathon on May 17! 🐅🏃♀️
Loveleen loves running as a way to stay active and healthy, and regular exercise is just as important for keeping ChloJo and all the animals who call DZCA home engaged, enriched and thriving.
The Colfax Half Marathon is officially sold out, but we have a few bibs remaining through the Run to Raise funds program! Make a fundraising contribution on your own or with the support of others to get a bib and exclusive DZCA x Colfax t-shirt by signing up through our website.
This is your last chance to run through the Zoo and help support the animals in our care! Don’t miss out, donate today. Link in bio. @runcolfax
Please join us in officially welcoming Panya and welcoming back Jasiri to our Endangered reticulated giraffe herd! 🦒
Earlier this year, we shared that some big giraffe moves were in the works between Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance and @cheyennemountainzoo in support of @zoos_aquariums’ Species Survival Plan (SSP).
Jasiri, our five-year-old breeding bull, has officially returned to DZCA after a temporary stay at CMZoo. He’s joined by Panya, an eight-year-old female who also arrived on a breeding recommendation. At the same time, Thorn, a one-year-old giraffe born at DZCA, has made a permanent move to CMZoo to join their herd.
All three giraffes traveled safely, and the moves went smoothly from start to finish. At CMZoo, Thorn is settling in well with his new herd. Here at DZCA, Jasiri has been calm and comfortable in a familiar space with familiar faces. Panya has also been reunited with her previous herd mate, BB, who is helping her explore her new home and get to know the herd.
Our dedicated animal care team is closely monitoring everyone to help ensure an easy transition as they continue to settle in. Be sure to say hi to Panya, Jasiri, BB and Dobby during your next visit!
