Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance

03/21/2025

Our baby reticulated giraffe continues to thrive! He's still nursing like a champ and has started investigating and nibbling on solid foods. 🦒🍃

Now, we need your help choosing the perfect name for him! With a donation of $5 per vote, you can support DZCA and help pick the best name for BB’s baby. Today we're highlighting the name Thorn! A top name choice for some of our Animal Care Specialists, Thorn is inspired by the acacia thorn, a favorite woody food for giraffes.

Vote now: https://support.denverzoo.org/baby-giraffe-naming-contest

🎥: Animal Care Specialist Christa K.

03/20/2025

🌿🐸 Happy World Frog Day! Meet our mossy frog, a master of camouflage that blends seamlessly into its environment with its bumpy, moss-like skin. Proof that nature’s best disguises come in small, hoppy packages! 🌱✨

📷: Volunteer Photographer, Joanne Ashton

03/20/2025

Attention Scout leaders! Ready for a wild adventure your Scouts won't forget? Join us March 28, April 2 or April 10 for Glowing Wild Scout Nights, an exclusive evening of educational experience and early access to our newest event, Glowing Wild. Your Scouts will become the newest recruits to the Zoo’s fictional Animal Academy, where they will complete missions to earn their “spots and stripes” patch! 🐾

From 5:00–6:15 p.m., Scouts will enjoy hands-on learning with science-based challenges, up-close encounters with animal ambassadors, and a lantern-themed craft. Afterwards, they’ll gain early access to Glowing Wild to explore on their own! ✨

Learn more and register today: https://denverzoo.org/events/glowing-wild-scout-nights/

03/19/2025

At Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance, conservation is at the core of everything we do. While some of our dedicated teams work directly in the field, we recognize that meaningful conservation extends far beyond those efforts. Whether in the field, at the Zoo, or in everyday actions, there are countless ways to support wildlife and habitat conservation. Angela Yang, Senior Advisor for Global Conservation, and Katie Glatfelter, Animal Care Specialist for Primates, share how making a global impact doesn’t always require traveling—sometimes, it can start from home with a simple question: "What do you need?"

Read more about how Katie helped support one of our international conservation partners, Association Anoulak, without traveling to Laos:

DZCA staff members Angela Yang and Katie Glatfelter share how to help make a global conservation impact without leaving home.

03/19/2025

🐵 Happy 43rd Birthday to Bailey, our brown capuchin!

At 43, Bailey is the oldest member of her troop, and the oldest primate at DZCA, so in celebration of this milestone, our team decked out her habitat with festive streamers, banners, and special frozen treats filled with juice, fruit, and nuts—perfect for the Queen B!

With the average life expectancy of brown capuchins ranging from 35-45 years in human care, reaching 43 is a huge achievement, and we’re proud to provide Bailey with the specialized care she needs in her golden years. Join us in wishing this incredible capuchin a very happy birthday! 🎂🐵🎊

03/19/2025

🎉🏗️ The wait is over—our improved Gorilla Habitat is officially open! 🦍✨

Starting today, guests can enjoy a modernized viewing area, providing a fresh perspective on our incredible gorillas while also giving kids and gorillas alike a themed play area to explore. This renovation not only gives guests a better view of our incredible gorillas, but it also allows our animal care specialists to connect with visitors through talks and highlights the amazing care we provide for Gunther and Kal.

A huge thank you to our incredible team and our design and construction partners for bringing this project to life. Be sure to swipe in order to see the Before photos!

Stop by, check it out, and say hello to Gunther and Kal in their refreshed space! 🦍

03/18/2025

♻️ Happy Global Recycling Day! ♻️

At Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance, sustainability is a key part of our conservation mission—because protecting wildlife starts right here at home! There are a myriad of ways we reuse discarded items, from creating animal enrichment to accepting donations of bedding material that would otherwise become waste!

Here are a few of the ways we made a big impact in 2024:
🔹 2,690 lbs of plastic film recycled through Ridwell, including pallet wrap, salt bags, and even (meticulously cleaned) meat bags from our carnivore diets!
🔹 142 tons of concrete recycled from our pedestrian entry ramp project, keeping construction waste out of landfills.
🔹 100+ tons of single-stream recycling processed—8.6% of our total traditional waste diverted!
🔹 560 lbs of holiday lights collected and recycled through our seasonal drop-off program.

🌿 Help us make an even bigger impact by choosing reusable, recyclable, and sustainable options whenever you can.

Photo: Siska, our baby orangutan, curiously inspecting a repurposed soda bottle used as an enrichment item. By volunteer photographer Jo Ashton.

03/18/2025

🐧 Remember to vote!🏆

Penguins International March of the Penguin Madness voting ends tomorrow, and our girl Lucy needs your support to advance to the next round! 🎉 Every vote helps raise awareness for penguins and their conservation, so let’s show the world that Lucy is #1!

✅ Vote before it’s too late ➡️ https://www.penguinsinternational.org/motpm-voting/
Voting closes March 18!

Come see Lucy swimming around the pool at Pinnacol African Penguin Point and learn more about how your visit supports penguin conservation! A huge thanks to Pinnacol Assurance.

Photos by Jason Gewirtz, and Animal Care Specialist Ashley S.

03/18/2025

BB's baby was featured in the news again! We're delighted to share that BB, her baby boy and our naming fundraiser were featured on the Today Show last week. 🦒 🧡 🤎

For a $5 donation, you can help us pick the perfect name for our new addition! Is he a Thorn, Kujali or Dagg? Help us decide! Every donation supports world-class care for our Endangered reticulated giraffe herd and beyond. Vote now: https://support.denverzoo.org/baby-giraffe-naming-contest

Watch the full segment here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2a6A-eEm8U

A 4-year-old giraffe named BB gave birth to a baby boy early Friday morning at the Denver Zoo. For a $5 donation, the public can pick from three name choices...

03/16/2025

The time to vote is NOW! Lucy has officially entered Penguins International international March of the Penguin Madness bracket, and she needs your support to advance! 🐧

Vote for Lucy today and help her waddle her way to the top! Your vote not only helps her compete, but it also raises awareness for penguin conservation around the world. 🌍

✅ Vote now through March 18 ➡️ https://www.penguinsinternational.org/motpm-voting/

Come see Lucy swimming around the pool at Pinnacol African Penguin Point and learn more about how your visit supports penguin conservation! A huge thanks to Pinnacol Assurance.

Photos by Erika H., and Animal Care Specialist Ashley S.

03/16/2025

Our southern tamandua, Winnie, is always up for an adventure—and with Glowing Wild lighting up the Zoo, her latest walk was full of surprises!

Winnie’s natural curiosity led her to explore the larger-than-life lanterns and sculptures scattered across campus. From towering flora to glowing wildlife displays, she had a blast sniffing around and investigating all the new sights!

Her walks are an important part of her enrichment, keeping her active and engaged while giving her the chance to experience new scents, textures, and surroundings. Want to see what caught her attention? Join us for Glowing Wild—happening now through May 4! ✨

📅 Get your tickets today:https://denverzoo.org/events/glowing-wild/

03/16/2025

If you watched ABC World News Tonight with David Muir on March 14, you may have spotted some familiar faces! We’re thrilled that BB, her baby boy, and our dedicated team were featured alongside our friends at the Nashville Zoo.

Every zoo birth is special, but welcoming new life is especially meaningful when it helps support Endangered species. We couldn’t agree more that the incredible and dedicated care teams behind these moments deserve to be recognized as Persons of the Week!

Want to help name our baby giraffe and support world-class care for our herd and beyond? Vote now: https://support.denverzoo.org/baby-giraffe-naming-contest

03/16/2025

Our favorite flippered contender is competing in Penguins International’s March of the Penguin Madness, and we need your votes to help her waddle her way to victory! 🏅 Voting for Round 1 starts March 16—let’s show the world that Lucy is the ultimate penguin champion!

Learn more about Lucy’s inspiring journey and get ready to vote March 16-18: https://www.penguinsinternational.org/motpm2025-lucy/ 🐧

Come see Lucy swimming around the pool at Pinnacol African Penguin Point and learn more about how your visit supports penguin conservation! A huge thanks to Pinnacol Assurance.

Photos by Animal Care Specialist Liz J.

03/15/2025

At 28 years old, our Augur buzzard, Echo, is soaring through his golden years like a champ! 🦅 Recently, our Animal Health and Care teams gave him a full health exam to check on his arthritis and overall well-being—and we’re happy to report that this geriatric raptor is doing great!

Regular health checks like this help us monitor and manage age-related changes to keep Echo comfortable and thriving. Thanks to the expert care he receives, he continues to be a wonderful ambassador for his species. ✨

03/15/2025

🥧✨ Happy Pi Day! ✨🥧

What better way to celebrate 3.14 than with a delicious hand pie from Joey’s in Down Under? Whether you’re craving roasted chicken, savory short rib, or a flavorful mushroom pie, we’ve got the perfect way to honor this mathematical holiday—one bite at a time!

🥧 Grab one during your next visit or enjoy it as part of the Food Passport during Glowing Wild, where you can taste bites from around the world while strolling through a stunning lantern display.

Next time you're at Down Under grab a hand pie and see if you can spot our new joey! 🦘

03/14/2025

🌿🦋 Happy Learn About Butterflies Day! 🦋🌿

Did you know that pollinators, like butterflies, struggle to find food and shelter in urban areas? That’s why Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance is working to create Pollinator Pathways in the Whittier and Cole neighborhoods! 🏡✨

🐝 What’s a Pollinator Pathway?
Pollinator Pathways are small habitats that connect larger green spaces, making it easier for butterflies and other pollinators to travel, find food, and thrive in the city. Our Community Engagement and Horticulture teams are working with local organizations to connect City Park to habitats in northern Denver — helping pollinators go the distance!

🌸 How can you help?
🌻 Plant native flowers to provide food year-round
💧 Offer water with shallow trays and pebbles for safe landing
🍂 Create shelter using lawn clippings, leaves, or bee hotels

Want to get involved? Email 📩 [email protected] to sign up for our monthly newsletter and learn more about pollinator conservation! 🦋🐝

Photo by Volunteer Photographer, Mark D.

03/14/2025

Spring is right around the corner, which means it's time for our hoofstock baby boom! Not to be outdone by BB, Elsa, our lesser kudu, also gave birth on Friday, March 7. We're delighted to welcome this adorable little girl to our kudu herd! This little calf is a delight and our Animal Care Specialists share that she is 14 pounds, active, strong and intros with the rest of the herd—including sister Ru, half-brother Vinny, dad Machi, cousin Eleanor, and adopted Aunt Betty—are going well!

Weather permitting, guests may catch a glimpse of this tiny tot in the the kudu yard. In the meantime, say hello to her in our latest Baby Bulletin, presented by Intermountain Health.

Photo Credit: Lead Animal Care Specialist Jordan B. and Animal Care Specialist Laura W.

03/13/2025

✨ Ready, Set, GLOW! ✨

A brilliant new adventure is here at Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance! Glowing Wild is an all-new immersive lantern experience, lighting up the Zoo from March 13 – May 4! 🌿🐾

🌺 Marvel at larger-than-life botanical and animal lanterns
🐊 Dare to walk through a giant crocodile
🐦 Chat with chirping budgies
🍴 Indulge in exclusive food & drink tasting passports

The later you visit, the brighter the glow—so plan for an evening of wonder like never before!

🎟 Tickets are on sale NOW! Don't miss your chance to experience this awe-inspiring, limited-time event! denverzoo.org/events/glowing-wild

Produced by Tianyu Arts & Culture, Inc.