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Home , Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Jenny (gorilla), Species Survival Plan

2011-2012 Annual Report

President’s Message

What an incredible year it’s been at the . For the first time in our history, we welcomed more than 600,000 guests. As many of you who visited us this past year can attest, we were busy. More guests at the Zoo means more people are connecting with wildlife and making a difference for conservation.

To provide the best experience for our guests, we have been working tirelessly to expand and enhance our programs, create spectacular new exhibits, and discover new ways to engage our guests and provide memorable experiences. Through the many positive comments we hear on grounds and the feedback received via social media, you have told us we are hitting the mark! We have a growing audience who loves the Zoo and values the work we do on behalf of animals and the environment. In fact, Trip Advisor rated Zoo as one of the top 10 in the this year!

As our audience continues to grow, so does the potential for our Zoo to impact the way people think about animals and the environment, as well as their own role in protecting the natural world. As I look forward to the coming year and the opening of the new Encounter Africa exhibit, I am focused on the role our Zoo will play in inspiring conservation action locally and globally. – Bob Chastain President & CEO

Our Mission Our Vision A leader in conservation, Every Kid. Every Time. Goosebumps! and animal care, Every kid, of any age, will have an connects people with wildlife and wild places experience for a lifetime with every visit. through experiences that inspire action. Commitment to Conservation Cheyenne Mountain Zoo supports a broad range of conservation programs that impact environments both locally and globally. This year, the Zoo extended its support of the Panama Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Project (PARC). The mission of the PARC is to secure assurance colonies of amphibian species likely to go extinct due to the spread of the deadly chytrid fungus and develop a cure that will one day allow these species to be reintroduced into the wild.

This year, the PARC worked to secure an adequate founding population of the chevron-patterned Limosa harlequin frogs, Atelopus limosus. Populations of this species have declined dramatically throughout central Panama, but due in part to the efforts of Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s rescue expedition team, captive populations grew to 28 males, eight females and ten juveniles. The project also secured an adequate founding population of toad mountain harlequin frogs (Atelopus certus) in 2011.

The reproduction of recovered amphibian species in Panama this year achieved new levels of success with the breeding and rearing of offspring from nine of 13 priority species. By securing founding populations of priority species, and successfully breeding and rearing offspring to establish assurance colonies, the PARC is working to keep Panama’s most vulnerable amphibian species from becoming extinct.

September 26, 2011, marked the 30th anniversary of the rediscovery of the black-footed ferret. This animal was once believed to be extinct in the wild until a rancher and his dog came across a wild ferret in Meeteetse, Wyoming in 1981. In 1990, Cheyenne Mountain was one of the first zoos to join the recovery efforts for this species. A special off-exhibit facility was designed and built, and a dedicated zookeeper position was created for black-footed ferret breeding. Today, we are one of six facilities in the world breeding this .

The Zoo produced 28 black-footed ferret kits, releasing 20 kits and one adult into the wild this year. Since becoming involved in the program, 413 black-footed ferret kits have been born at the Zoo, and a total of 151 kits and 52 adults have been released. Black-footed ferrets have been released in , Wyoming, South Dakota, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah and Montana. Photo by Joel Sartore Returning this endangered species to its natural place in the ecosystem helps complete the establishment of healthy American prairies. Explore and Learn By engaging our guests’ hearts and minds with memorable up-close animal experiences, the Zoo has an opportunity to impact the way people think about animals and the environment. The Loft Exploration Center, located in Rocky Mountain Wild, was designed to help us provide our guests with up-close animal experiences. This year, the staff in The Loft provided 212,486 guest interactions! These interactions included animal meet and greets, daily lessons featuring raven or barn owl training, snake feeding, diet preparation, and opportunities to hold one of our contact animals. For many Zoo members, The Loft is a weekly destination.

Educators in our community value the Zoo for our unique live animal learning experiences, as more than 14,200 students from throughout our region visited the Zoo last year. An additional 8,750 youth and adults participated in our formal education programs, which include Classroom Safaris, WildNights, special tours, Zoo camps, preschool programs and teacher workshops. The Zoo also supports secondary education in our community by partnering with Community College to offer a Zoo Keeping Technology program, one of only two academic partnerships in the United States with an accredited zoo.

For members of our community unable to visit the Zoo, our Zoo on the Move (ZOOM) animal outreach program travels throughout the community to provide live animal learning experiences. ZOOM brings outreach animals and conservation messages to schools, adult care facilities, special events, and local community centers in our region to connect people with animals and accomplish our mission of inspiring conservation action. Sponsored by Central Bancorp, ZOOM connected with 41,140 guests outside the Zoo grounds this year! Quarters for Conservation This year marked the completion of our fourth year of Quarters for Conservation, or what we at the Zoo refer to as Q4C. Since introducing Q4C in spring 2008, we have raised more than $400,000 through guests voting one quarter at a time, funding conservation programs both regionally and globally. Thanks to the increase in attendance this year, we raised a record $130,500 for Q4C. Of this amount, 50 percent was designated to ongoing flagship conservation programs at the Zoo, such as the black-footed ferret, Wyoming toads and Mexican gray wolves. The remaining 50 percent went to the six Q4C programs guests have been voting on for the past 12 months.The break down of funding at the end of this fiscal year is as follows:

• African Penguins: $15,955 • Amur Leopards/Tigers: $15,716 • /Palm Oil: $10,018 • African Vultures: $9,358 • Panama Amphibians: $8,911 • Gibbons: $7,472 Animal Happenings In June 2011, the Zoo welcomed a new female African elephant, , to our collection. Jambo, pronounced Jom-bo, means “hello” in Swahili. Because elephants are highly social animals, adding a fourth elephant really strengthens our herd. Jambo, along with Kimba, Malaika and Lucky, are currently enjoying their new elephant barn – playing in the splash stall, dusting themselves off in their enormous sand stall, and taking a stroll on the new elephant trek. Jambo and the rest of the herd will be on exhibit when Encounter Africa opens to the public this fall.

Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited zoos, including Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, play an important role in furthering elephant conservation worldwide. Our Zoo is part of AZA’s , serving as a holding facility so breeding at other AZA facilities can continue. We also support the International Elephant Foundation, which is responsible for elephant conservation projects worldwide. Most importantly, the elephants at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo serve as ambassadors, and without them, most people would never have a chance to see such a majestic animal in person. Jambo, Lucky, Kimba and Malaika help educate visitors, allow guests to make emotional connections, and change people’s behaviors to positively impact elephants and their wild habitats.

This past year we received breeding recommendations from the AZA for several endangered species, including Amur tigers, snow leopards, Canada lynx, western lowland , Mexican gray wolves and South African penguins. Captive breeding at AZA facilities is essential to holding the line against , as it maintains genetically and demographically viable populations of endangered species in captivity over time. We are hopeful that next spring we could welcome several new additions to our animal collection. Waste Not Want Not With more than 600,000 annual guests and 800 animals, the Zoo generates a lot of trash. The elephants alone can produce up to 1,200 pounds of dung each day. By composting the waste in our elephant building, African Rift Valley exhibit and hippo area, the Zoo was able to reduce our trash output from 102 yards of trash per week to only 4 cubic yards per week (a cubic yard of animal dung can weigh up to 400 pounds). The Zoo has also started composting efforts in the commissary and Grizzly Grill kitchen areas. Right now, we are composting an estimated 790 tons of material annually. This means the Zoo is diverting 15 tons of trash each week from local landfills. Encounter Africa In April 2012, the Zoo successfully reached its $13.5 million fundraising goal for Encounter Africa, the Zoo’s largest project to date. Encounter Africa will provide an incredible new home for our elephants and , as well as give us space to bring the critically endangered black rhino back to the Zoo and add a new mob. Fundraising for the new exhibit began in the fall of 2009. The campaign was jumpstarted with four generous gifts from private donors – two $2 million donations and two $1 million donations. In three years, we were able to reach our $13.5 million goal with more than 300 individual, corporate and foundation donors giving generously to Encounter Africa. We feel very fortunate to be part of such a tight-knit community that supports our work and recognizes the value we provide.

Phase two of construction for Encounter Africa began with the demolition of the old elephant barn in November. As many may remember, this building was not only home to our elephants and , but also once housed our giraffes. The building was brought down to make way for the outdoor exhibit areas of Encounter Africa. This prime real estate along the Zoo’s main road will now feature a new elephant demonstration yard, waterfall, mud wallows, and a bush plane cantilevered from the top of the exhibit for guest viewing. Construction is also progressing on the new exhibit located along the edge of Encounter Africa on the hillside overlooking African Rift Valley. The excitement surrounding Encounter Africa is building as daily progress is being made on the site. We look forward to opening this spectacular new exhibit in the fall of 2012! Thanks for Supporting Your Zoo Cheyenne Mountain Zoo continued to break attendance records this year, as 607,269 guests came through the Zoo’s gates – an increase of more than 33,000 guests over last year! Nearly 61 percent of our guests came from right here in the Pikes Peak region, 22 percent visited from other areas of Colorado, and the remaining 17 percent came to the Zoo from outside Colorado. Household memberships also reached a record, as 15,366 households supported the zoo by purchasing a membership this year.

This year, adult and teen volunteers from our region provided the Zoo with an incredible 28,770 service hours – the equivalent of 13 full-time employees! And, our outstanding group of 105 active docents provided 14,285 volunteer and interpretive service hours, enabling the Zoo to connect with a greater number of guests on and off Zoo grounds. Thank you for supporting your Zoo and sharing in our mission of connecting people with animals!

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is not only America’s only mountain zoo, but also one of just nine of the more than 200 accredited by AZA operating with no local, state, or federal tax support. The tremendous support we receive from our enthusiastic guests, dedicated members, active volunteers and loyal donors is critical to the success or our unique zoo. Supporting Our Cause Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is grateful to all of our patrons who support our vision of inspiring caring and stewardship of the natural world. As a self-funded facility, our donors and sponsors are critical to our success. Although all gifts are deeply appreciated, space precludes us from individually acknowledging all our generous friends. The following supporters contributed gifts of $2,500 or more (cash or in-kind) from May 2011 to April 2012: Mr. Bob and Mrs. Betty Abrams Mr. Kevin Emery and Mrs. Laura Sinton-Emery Anna Keesling Ackerman Fund Ent Federal Credit Union Mr. Don and Mrs. Susan Addy Mr. Neill and Mrs. Erdossy Dr. Charles and Mrs. Celine Afeman Esther M. and Freeman E. Everett Charitable Trust Mr. Tuck and Mrs. Liz Aikin Mr. Dan and Mrs. Tia Ferguson Mr. Vic and Mrs. Sue Andrews Mr. Lindsay and Mrs. Joanna Fischer The Anschutz Foundation Estate of Betty Francis Mr. Ron and Mrs. Susan Apgar Mr. Steven and Mrs. Glenna French Estate of Jacqueline Archer Front Range Orthopaedics Mr. Dan and Mrs. Mary Armour Mr. Randy and Mrs. Caro Gardiner Mr. Nort Bain E. L. and Thelma Gaylord Foundation Dr. and Mrs. Angie Barber The Gazette Bear Creek Dental Griffis/Blessing, Inc. Ms. Mary Beazley and Mr. John Street Mr. Brian and Mrs. Linda Hall Benson Foundation The Freda Hambrick Fund Mr. Richard and Mrs. Charla Bertrand Mrs. Robin Hardie and Mr. Ron Bollenberghe Mr. Gayle Beshears Ms. Geri Harrand and Mr. Dieter Mattern Dr. John and Mrs. Joan Bishop Mr. Jim Hayes BKD, LLP The Margaret and Al Hill Family Foundation BKD Foundation Mabel Horrigan Foundation Mr. Jim and Mrs. Janis Brewster Mr. Kyle and Mrs. Sally Hybl Mrs. Susie Burghart and Mrs. Rich Tosches Inasmuch Foundation Mr. Bruce and Mrs. Patty Cameron Inline Dr. Jack and Mrs. Glenn Carson J.E. Dunn Construction Company Celebration of Life Foundation Dr. Selisa Jenks Central Bancorp Mr. Ron and Mrs. Susan Johnson Centura Health Mr. Michael and Mrs. Emily Jones Mary K. Chapman Foundation Mr. Langford and Mrs. Carol Jordan Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Auxiliary JPMorgan Chase Bank Mr. Tim and Mrs. Mary Cobb Kaiser Permanente Mr. John and Mrs. Lynda Coble Mr. Ken Keene Colorado Garden Show, Inc. Mr. Paul and Mrs Patricia Kelly Colorado Springs Astronomical Society Kirkpatrick Family Fund Colorado Springs Pediatric Dentisty Mr. Kevin and Mrs. Jamie Kratt Mr. Charley and Mrs. Yvonne Conrad Lamar Outdoor Cool Science The John E. and Margaret L. Lane Foundation Cumulus Broadcasting Mr. Phil Lane and Dr. Anita Lane Current Printing Solutions Mrs. Margot Lane Corundum Foundation Mr. Bob and Mrs. Sue Lanting Dr. Michael L. Edmonds Mr. Charles and Mrs. Diane LeBlanc The Joseph Henry Edmondson Foundation Liberty Toyota El Paso Western Pipelines Ms. Jean Long El Pomar Foundation Mrs. Katherine Loo and Mr. Jim Raughton Mr. Gary and Mrs. Jane Loo Mr. Art and Mrs. Katherine Schwall Mr. James Loo Service Systems Associates Mr. Ruben Manuel Harold W & Mary Louise Shaw Foundation Marian House Soup Kitchen Mr. Scott and Mrs. Sheridan Skinner Dr. John and Mrs. Cathy Marta Mr. John A. Carter and Mrs. Virginia Snow Mr. Paul Martinez and Mrs. Mari Sinton-Martinez Dr. Ron and Mrs. Ellie Solomon Mr. John and Mrs. Susan Mayher Statler Family Foundation Luther T. McCauley Charitable Trust Mr. Bob and Mrs. Jane Sterritt Mr. Tom and Mrs. Kimberly McKay Dr. William and Mrs. Bette Storms Memorial Hospital Mr. David Street Mr. David and Mrs. Gaynelle Mize Sukle Advertising MJR Foundation Mrs. Susan L. Switzer Mr. Bob and Mrs. Judy Mollo T. Rowe Price Associates Foundation, Inc. The Moniker Foundation Mr. Duncan and Mrs. Virginia Tenney Mr. Ted and Mrs. Gail Neher Mr. Michael and Mrs. Christine Tessarowicz Mr. Red and Mrs. Bunny Noland Ms. Lisa Tessarowicz Dr. Ed and Mrs. Mary Osborne Mr. Mark and Mrs. Jenny Thatcher Mr. Chris and Mrs. Trinity Page Mr. Gerry and Mrs. Cheryl Tolley Estate of Romayne Patrick Mr. Wendel and Mrs. Marcy Torres Mr. Frank and Mrs. Monica Peloso Toyota of Colorado Springs Pikes Peak Community Foundation U.S. Bancorp Foundation Pikes Peak United Way U.S. Bank Mrs. Rebecca Poole United States Olympic Committee Mr. Steve and Mrs. Joleen Powell USAA Foundation, Inc Mr. Howard and Mrs. Jane Price Mr. David and Mrs. Kay Van Dykman Mr. Gar and Mrs. Susan Puryear Ms. Sally Veitch The Jeffrey and Janet Quay Charitable Foundation Dr. C. Milton and Mrs. Betty Waldron Mrs. Susie Ramsay Mr. Brian Wellens and Mrs. Kristin Guggenhime Ranch Foods Direct Mr. Bob and Mrs. Judie Werschky Mr. William and Mrs. Gloria Robertson Mr. Gary and Mrs. Brenda Whitlock Estate of O. Ross Estate of Glenn Williams Mr. William Ryan Mr. Philip and Mrs. Ann Winslow Safeway, Fountain & Murray Mr. Randy and Mrs. Audrey Woodard Safeway - South Academy Mr. Joe and Mrs. Linda Woodford Mr. Don and Mrs. Julie Schott Mr. Jack and Mrs. Ellen York Science Matters Mr. Rich and Mrs. Pennie Young Encounter Africa Campaign Mr. Bob and Mrs. Betty Abrams Benson Foundation Anna Keesling Ackerman Fund Mr. Richard and Mrs. Charla Bertrand Mr. Don and Mrs. Susan Addy Mr. Gayle Beshears Dr. Charles and Mrs. Celine Afeman Mr. Scott and Mrs. Ann Blackmun Mr. Tuck and Mrs. Liz Aikin Boettcher Foundation Mr. Ed and Mrs. Ann Anderson Mr. Jim and Mrs. Janis Brewster Mr. Vic and Mrs. Sue Andrews Mrs. Susie Burghart and Mr. Rich Tosches Anonymous Mr. Bruce and Mrs. Patty Cameron The Anschutz Foundation Canyon Colorado Equid Sanctuary Mr. Dan and Mrs. Mary Armour Mr. Matt and Mrs. Sheilagh Carpenter Mr. Nort Bain Lt. Col. Jo and Mrs. Cindi Carroll Ms. Mary Beazley and Mr. John Street Dr. Jack and Mrs. Glenn Carson Mary K. Chapman Foundation Mr. Kenneth Keene Mr. Bob and Mrs. Antonia Chastain Ms. Morgan Keene Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Auxiliary Mr. Paul and Mrs. Patricia Kelly Mr. Tim and Mrs. Mary Cobb Kirkpatrick Family Fund Mr. Andy and Mrs. Mariann Cobb Dr. John and Mrs. Carol Kleiner Mr. John and Mrs. Lynda Coble Mr. Kevin and Mrs. Jamie Kratt Colorado Garden Show, Inc. The John E. and Margaret L. Lane Foundation Corundum Foundation Mr. Phil Lane and Dr. Anita Lane Mr. Douglas and Mrs. Sharon Cotter Mrs. Margot Lane Mr. Tomas Dawson and Dr. Nancy Dawson Mr. Bob and Mrs. Sue Lanting Dr. Monica L. Dobbin and Mr. Anthony J. Bricker Mr. Dan and Mrs. Pat League Mr. David and Mrs. Meredith Donner Mr. Terry and Mrs. Elizabeth Lilly Mrs. Joan Donner Mrs. D. Lockhart Dr. Michael L. Edmonds Ms. Jean Long The Joseph Henry Edmondson Foundation Mrs. Katherine Loo and Mr. Jim Raughton El Pomar Foundation Mr. James Loo Col. Bob and Mrs. Gayle Emmons Mr. Alan E. Manley Mr. Neill and Mrs. Jenny Erdossy Dr. John and Mrs. Cathy Marta Mr. Dan and Mrs. Tia Ferguson Mr. John and Mrs. Susan Mayher Mr. Lindsay and Mrs. Joanna Fischer Mr. Tom and Mrs. Kimberly McKay Estate of Betty Francis MJR Foundation Mrs. Betty Francis* Mr. David and Mrs. Gaynelle Mize Mr. Steven and Mrs. Glenna French Mr. Bob and Mrs. Judy Mollo The Garden City Company Dr. Jeff Moody and Dr. Cheryl Marcus Gates Family Foundation Mr. Hans and Mrs. Sally Mueh E. L. and Thelma Gaylord Foundation Ms. Susan Mulvihill Mr. Joel and Mrs. Tracey Gazibara Mr. Ted and Mrs. Gail Neher The Hester E. And Edwin W. Giddings Foundation Dr. Stuart and Mrs. Gerry Olvey Ms. Mary Gorkowski Dr. Ed and Mrs. Mary Osborne Mr. Ron and Mrs. Pat Gray Mr. Frank and Mrs. Monica Peloso Mr. Scott and Mrs. Donna Greenfield Pikes Peak Community Foundation Griffis/Blessing, Inc. Pikes Peak United Way Mrs. Dorothea Gruenerwald Mrs. Rebecca Poole Mr. Brian and Mrs. Linda Hall Mr. John and Mrs. Marie Poyzer The Freda Hambrick Fund Mr. Gar and Mrs. Susan Puryear Mrs. Robin Hardie and Mr. Ron Bollenberghe The Jeffrey and Janet Quay Charitable Foundation Ms. Geri Harrand and Mr. Dieter Mattern Mrs. Susie Ramsay Mr. James B. Hayes Mr. William and Mrs. Gloria Robertson Dr. Bill and Mrs. Nancy Hochman Estate of Lucy O. Ross Mr. Bill and Mrs. Helen Holmgren Mr. William Ryan Mabel Horrigan Foundation Mr. Don and Mrs. Julie Schott Mr. Kyle and Mrs. Sally Hybl Mr. Art and Mrs. Katherine Schwall IBM Harold W & Mary Louise Shaw Foundation Inasmuch Foundation Mr. Bruce and Mrs. Anne Shepard J.E. Dunn Construction Company Shepfield Foundation Ms. Lynn Janeczek Mrs. Mari Sinton-Martinez and Paul Martinez Dr. Selisa Jenks Mr. Scott and Mrs. Sheridan Skinner Johnson & Johnson Mr. John A. Carter and Mrs. Virginia Snow Mr. Ron and Mrs. Susan Johnson Mr. Barry and Mrs. Betsy Sobral Mr. Michale and Mrs. Emily Jones Dr. Ron and Mrs. Ellie Solomon JPMorgan Chase Bank Statler Family Foundation Mr. Bob and Mrs. Jane Sterritt Ms. Sally Veitch Dr. William and Mrs. Bette Storms Dr. C. Milton and Mrs. Betty Waldron Mr. Steven and Mrs. Susan Suslow Mr. Brian Wellens and Ms. Kristin Guggenhime Ms. Susan L. Switzer Mr. Bob and Mrs. Judie Werschky Mr. Duncan and Mrs. Virginia Tenney Mr. Gary and Mrs. Brenda Whitlock Mr. Michael and Mrs. Christine Tessarowicz Wilgruen Trust Ms. Lisa M. Tessarowicz Estate of Glenn Williams Mr. Harley and Mrs. Diane Thompson Mr. Randy and Mrs. Audrey Woodard Mr. Gerry and Mrs. Cheryl Tolley Mr. Joe and Mrs. Linda Woodford Mr. Jack and Mrs. Michel Tomsic Mr. Jack and Mrs. Ellen York Mr. Wendel and Mrs. Marcy Torres Mr. Rich and Mrs. Pennie Young Mr. David and Mrs. Kay Van Dykman * Deceased

Financial Summary Guiding Our Growth May 1, 2011 – April 30, 2012 2011 - 2012 Board of Directors Officers Support & Revenue – Total Operating Income $9,481,881 Mike Edmonds, Chairman Wendel Torres, Vice-Chairman Admissions Vic Andrews, Secretary Visitor services & programs Kimberly McKay, Treasurer Membership dues Robert L. Chastain III, Operating contributions President & CEO Net assets released from restrictions Directors Other income Gayle Beshears Susie Burghart Matt Carpenter Expenses – Total Operating Expenses $7,737,248 Pat Gray Animal management Brian Hall Education Sally Hybl Advertising & marketing Lynn Janeczek Susan Johnson General & administrative Ken Keene Development & fundraising Pat League James Loo John Marta Bob Mollo Net Assets, May 1, 2011 $27,029,034 Hans Mueh Net Surplus from Operations $1,744,633 Ray Reilly Add Net Assets Released for Capital Assets $5,707,487 Art Schwall Less Depreciation this Period $(1,764,199) Betsy Sobral Net Assets, April 30, 2012 $32,716,955 Jenny Thatcher Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, a non-profit 501(c)3, is one of a handful of accredited Sally Veitch zoos in the nation that operates without local tax support, depending entirely on Gary Whitlock admissions, membership dues, donations and grants for funding. All gifts are tax deductible. Katherine H. Loo, Honorary Director