Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance

09/07/2024

It's time to party like a flockstar! Join us tonight from 6:00-9:00 p.m. for Flock Party! 🦩

Now in its fifth year, this brilliant annual benefit is a movable feast with live music, unforgettable animal experiences, on-the-spot fashion illustrations, craft cocktails and artisan eats—all in the company of REAL party animals! Proceeds benefit our beloved animal family and support our wildlife conservation work in Colorado + worldwide.

Tickets are still available and you don't want to miss out! Get tickets: https://denverzoo.org/events/flock-party-2024/

09/06/2024

Reminder: DZCA will be closed for daytime admission tomorrow, September 7, to prepare for Flock Party, our fabulous annual benefit! 🦩✨

There are still a few Flock Party tickets left! Don’t miss your chance to support wildlife at the soirée of the season—featuring cuisine from Bonanno Concepts, animal experiences and live music! Learn more and get tickets: https://denverzoo.org/events/flock-party-2024/

09/06/2024

Check out this sweet photo of sleepy Siska! 💤 This adorable Sumatran orangutan spends her days exploring her habitat, learning the ropes of orangutan life, playing with her family, and being irresistibly cute—all of which is very tiring! 🧡

📸: Volunteer Photographer Jo Ashton

09/04/2024

Ever wondered how scallops, corn, sweet potato, plums, and sugar-free jelly beans come together in a mouthwatering dish? Chef Frank Bonanno and Chef Michael Dunning from Bonanno Concepts–our official Flock Party caterer—took on this unique challenge, creating a tasty meal using ingredients inspired by some of our animals' favorite foods. 🦦 🦥 🐒 🦧

Check out the video to see the results and find out what 5280 Magazine’s Deputy Director Jessica LaRusso and Senior Associate Editor Jessica Giles thought of the dish!

Want to try more incredible dishes from Bonanno Concepts? Don't miss Flock Party this Saturday, September 7! There's still time to get your tickets. Get tickets: https://denverzoo.org/events/flock-party-2024/ 🦩

09/03/2024

Heads up! We will be closed on Saturday, September 7 for Flock Party and on Tuesday, September 10 for Staff Appreciation Day. Thank you for your understanding!

Want to attend the soirée of the season? It's not too late to purchase Flock Party tickets! 🦩 Snag your tickets before they sell out: https://denverzoo.org/events/flock-party-2024/

09/03/2024

Happy Monday from Mafalda and the Spice Girls! Despite their appearance, peccaries are not pigs, but are in fact a taxonomic family of their own. Come say hi to Paprika, Cinnamon, Mafalda and Rosemary during your next visit to DZCA!

09/02/2024

Today is , a day to celebrate and protect primates of all species—from apes to monkeys, lemurs, and more! Here at Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance, we’re proud to be home to some of the rarest primates, including the Endangered aye-aye.

DZCA was one of the first in North America to care for these elusive lemurs, and today, we’re one of only seven institutions in the U.S. housing them. With just 57 aye-ayes in human care worldwide, and 24 in the U.S., we're honored to provide top-notch care for Bellatrix, Tonks and Smeagol. Stop by our aye-aye habitat during your next visit to learn more about these precious primates!

Video Credit: Animal Care Specialist Kelly D.

08/31/2024

We're ONE WEEK AWAY from the soirée of the season! 🦩 Don’t miss your chance to celebrate our most flamboyant flock with this all-inclusive benefit that features artisan eats by Bonanno Concepts, live entertainment, exclusive animal experiences and so much more! Grab your Flock Party tickets before they sell out:
https://denverzoo.org/events/flock-party-2024/

08/31/2024

Hello from Hogle! Maverick has been enjoying his time in Utah with Hogle Zoo’s sea lions and the care team there. He’s doing a great job making friends, participating in training and engaging with enrichment while his habitat at Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance is renovated. It’s not too late to donate to support our sea lions’ new home! Donate any amount today: https://my.denverzoo.org/donate/q/sea-lion?premove=Y&promo=39910

Here’s a heart-shaped boop and thank you to everyone who has donated so far to support Mav’s new home. Your support helps make so much possible —from the saltwater filtration system to the walk-in freezer to our awesome sunbathing dock and much more. 🖤

Photo Credit: Utah's Hogle Zoo

08/30/2024

Members, you asked and we listened! Reservations are no longer needed for DZCA members. Just scan your membership QR code at entry, accessible via your digital card or our app. See you soon!

Not a member yet? Join now for perks like member-only hours, early access, and more discounts! Join today: https://denverzoo.org/membership/

📸: Volunteer Photographer Jo Ashton

08/30/2024

Meet Groucho, the wise elder of our Endangered Asian elephant herd! At 54, Groucho is not just our oldest elephant, he’s a symbol of resilience and leadership within our bachelor herd. As he ages, Groucho receives extra special care from our dedicated Animal Care Specialists, including physical therapy, annual x-rays, and regular blood draws to closely monitor his health.

Thanks to the expert care he receives at Toyota Elephant Passage, Groucho continues to thrive well beyond the expected lifespan of a male Asian elephant. He inspires us every day, and we’re grateful for every moment with this incredible elephant. Here’s to Groucho and the remarkable team that helps keep him happy and healthy!

08/28/2024

Greetings from Gunnison! Gunni is currently enjoying his time at Seneca Park Zoo while we work on renovations for a new and improved habitat here at Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance. Our friends at Seneca Park Zoo recently shared that Gunni is doing a great job making friends, enjoys participating in training sessions and loves fun, fishy enrichment. 🐟

We can’t wait to welcome Gunni and the rest of our sea lion crew back to DZCA! You can support their new home. Donate today: https://my.denverzoo.org/donate/q/sea-lion?premove=Y&promo=39910

Video Credit: Assistant Curator Kellee Wolowitz (Seneca Park Zoo)

08/27/2024

Happy 1st Birthday, Siska! Our littlest orangutan celebrated this milestone in style with mom Eirina, half-sister Cerah, and dad Berani. This Critically Endangered Sumatran orangutan family enjoyed a wild rainforest party complete with enrichment crafted by our amazing volunteers and extra special treats from our nutrition team. 🎉 🦧

From tearing down paper chains to cracking open coconuts, our orangutans loved engaging with this enrichment. Not only was it fun and visually stimulating, but it also encouraged natural behaviors that help our orangutans stay mentally and physically active. They also feasted on a variety of novel and tasty produce like dragon fruit, starfruit, jackfruit, coconut, guava, watermelon and lychee.

A huge thank you to our dedicated volunteers, nutritionists and animal care specialists for making Siska's first birthday so special. Please join us in celebrating sweet Siska in the comments below! 🧡

Video Credit: Animal Care Specialist Christa K.

08/26/2024

Happy from our African wild dogs, Nigel, Livingstone and Theodore Roosevelt! Whether it's playing in the pool, engaging with bedding from Tundra or digging into a carcass feeding, these three are always on the move. Enrichment opportunities like this help keep them physically strong and mentally sharp, ensuring they thrive in our care. 🖤

Video Credit: Animal Care Specialist Jordan S.

08/26/2024

Summer is in full swing and September is just around the bend, which means it’s time to start thinking about how you’ll show up to our fifth annual Flock Party. Flockchella, DZCA’s very own mini music fest finale, will transport you back in time and serve up all the nostalgic 80s dance tunes. With 6 Million Dollar Band as our headliner and Giraffe Meadows as your dance floor, you’re invited to let your inner Material Girl and rock royalty come to life!

If you're still looking for some fashion inspiration, we invite you to embrace the 80s style. Sure to pair perfectly with Flockchella as the sun sets on September 7. ✨

Get Flock Party tickets: https://denverzoo.org/events/flock-party-2024/

Get Flock Party fashion inspo: https://denverzoo.org/zootales/for-those-about-to-flock/

08/24/2024

Go, Annie, go! We're happy to share that little Annie, our rescued Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, is thriving in her new home. This week, Annie spent time on Sheep Mountain with our seasoned pro, 10-year-old Rita, building her muscles and learning to navigate her new habitat. We’ve just introduced one-year-old Violet into the mix, and she’s already showing a lot of interest in her new little friend. 🤎

Photo Credit: Volunteer Photographers Mark Rinker and Jo Ashton and Animal Care Specialist Caitlin J.

08/24/2024

Say hello to our newest residents, Chacoan peccaries with big smiles and some serious tusks! Her tusks are perfect for tilling soil and breaking up big seeds, helping to build thriving forest ecosystems.

This month’s , presented by Delta Dental of Colorado, is all about big grins. Show us your Smile Power by tagging in your posts during your next visit for a chance to be featured in upcoming posts!

Photo Credit: Volunteer Photographer Mark R.,
Isabelle M., Kaitlyn H., Kylie S., Molly H.

08/24/2024

Our flamingo chicks are one! 🎉 Baby Girl Chandler, Stevie, Lightfoot, Takeoff and Divine hatched this time last year, and we couldn't be more delighted with these adorable additions to our fabulous flock. Check out this fun photo of our birthday birds, taken by Animal Care Specialist Anton M.!

Want to support these chicks and the rest of our animal family? Join us for Flock Party on September 7! This annual benefit is a movable feast with live music, unforgettable animal experiences, artisan eats and, of course, the famed flock walk with our flamingos! 🦩

Learn more and get tickets: https://denverzoo.org/events/flock-party-2024/

08/23/2024

Hello from Luci and Ady! 👋 Luci and Ady are currently vacationing at Brookfield Zoo Chicago while their habitat at Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance is being renovated. Our friends at Brookfield Zoo recently sent a video postcard sharing updates on these girls and their adventures in Chicago. 💙

Check it out and support their habitat renovations! Donate today: https://my.denverzoo.org/donate/q/sea-lion?premove=Y&promo=39910

08/22/2024

Summer in Colorado offers endless activities, but a visit to Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance should be at the top of your list! With the newly opened Down Under habitat, our state-of-the-art animal hospital, and adorable new babies, there's always something exciting to discover.

Grab your tickets at denverzoo.org and check out Denver Westword's guide to the best spots at the Zoo: https://www.westword.com/arts/top-things-to-see-at-the-denver-zoo-animals-exhibits-more-21490896

Please note, Tropical Discovery is temporarily closed for renovations. 🦎

Check out a new $7.8 million interactive exhibit where you can cross paths with kangaroos.

08/21/2024

Today we’re celebrating with the answer to yesterday’s , presented by Delta Dental of Colorado. Those incredible teeth belong to one of our mountain goats! These agile climbers have a unique diet that includes grasses, herbs, and even lichens found on rocky cliffs. Their specialized teeth help them munch through this rugged diet with ease. Come visit our wooly friends and learn more about this Colorado beauty on your next visit to the Zoo!

Photo Credit: Volunteer Photographer Amy J.

08/20/2024

It’s time for another presented by Delta Dental of Colorado! Can you figure out which animal at the Zoo these teeth belong to? Drop you guesses in the comments below and be sure to check back tomorrow for the answer!

08/19/2024

In honor of , we’re sharing a special story about Hesty, our 14-year-old Sumantra orangutan. 🦧

Last month, Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance’s Veterinary Medicine team and physicians from Denver Health joined forces to perform surgeries on Hesty after she sustained injuries during an interaction with another orangutan. Thanks to their expert care, Hesty is healing well and expected to make a full recovery.

In this video, Clinical Veterinarian Dr. Spencer Kehoe shares insights on this unique operation and the importance of interdisciplinary cooperation in . 🧡

Learn more: https://denverzoo.org/zootales/a-helping-hand-for-hesty/

08/19/2024

August is and we are spotlighting our field conservation efforts in Colorado’s front range! In collaboration with Rocky Mountain Wild, we are leading the Colorado Pika Project, a citizen science initiative dedicated to monitoring the effects of climate change on American pika populations.

These small but mighty mammals, relatives of rabbits, are vital indicators of alpine ecosystem health. With the help of passionate volunteers, our field ecologists collect crucial data, hiking to historic pika habitats such as Rocky Mountain National Park throughout the summer.

Join us in protecting these adorable creatures and contribute to important wildlife research. Learn more: https://pikapartners.org

Photos by Kristi Odom

08/17/2024

Flock Party is September 7 and you don't want to miss this evening of food, fashion and fun! ✨

If you hadn’t gathered from the name, Flock Party was originally inspired by our beloved flock of American and Chilean flamingos. Can you blame us? They’re fabulous! However, our “Pink Tie” dress code is just the beginning—feel free to explore the full spectrum of colors and patterns that nature has to offer!

We’ve curated some fashion inspiration to help you get started. Check out the link below for outfit ideas and to purchase your Flock Party tickets! Learn more: https://denverzoo.org/zootales/a-pink-tie-affair/

08/17/2024

Our Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep baby has a name! Meet Annie, the little orphaned lamb who's getting a second chance thanks to dedicated wildlife experts.

After a hard-knock start—being abandoned by her wild herd—Annie was rescued in Nebraska by Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and temporarily cared for by our friends Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium before finding her forever home with us. Her journey to DZCA is especially meaningful, as we supported the original efforts to reintroduce wild bighorn sheep populations to Nebraska in 1981.

You can bet your bottom dollar that we're honored to give Annie a permanent home. She's settling in well, and her introductions with Rita, Violet, and Amber are going smoothly. Join us in officially welcoming Annie! ❤️

Video Credit: Lead Animal Care Specialist Jordan B. and Animal Care Specialist Christa K.

08/17/2024

Our 22-year-old grizzly bear had an unexpected adventure with her enrichment pool, accidentally flipping it over and ending up with it on her back like a turtle shell! While Tundra had a few huffs to say afterward, she was completely fine. This playful moment is just another example of how curious and energetic she still is. We love discovering new ways to keep her engaged and entertained, and she never fails to surprise us with her antics!

08/16/2024

Happy Day of the Cotton-Top Tamarin, a day dedicated to raising awareness for these precious primates. Cotton-top tamarins are native only to Colombia and are a Critically Endangered species. They’re largely endangered due to deforestation, hunting and capture for research and the pet trade.

Last year, we were delighted to welcome Dillinger and Valeria to Emerald Forest, our first cotton-top tamarin breeding pair. We’re honored to care for them and participate in their Species Survival Plan. Be sure to say hi to Dillinger and Valeria during your next visit to the Zoo! 🤍🤎

08/16/2024

Exciting news for ! 🐸 We’re thrilled to share that Colorado Parks and Wildlife recently discovered wild boreal toad tadpoles at a reintroduction site near Pitkin. This is the same site we partnered with CPW to release tadpoles produced at Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance. This discovery is a major milestone for this state-listed Endangered species.

Once abundant in Colorado, these toads have seen sharp declines due to habitat loss and disease. Since 2017, CPW has stocked 20,000 tadpoles at the site, with DZCA adding 570 more in 2022. The appearance of these wild tadpoles shows these efforts are making a real impact!

We’re and ensuring boreal toads and their ecosystems thrive in Colorado's high country.

Read more from CPW: https://cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/Pages/News-Release-Details.aspx?NewsID=4215

Photo Credit: CPW