Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is a mountainside zoo, located southwest of downtown Colorado Springs, Colorado on Cheyenne Mountain in the United States at an elevation of 6,800 feet (2,100 m) above sea level. The Zoo sits on 70 acres (28 ha) out of a 140-acre (57 ha) footprint. It is located west of the Broadmoor Hotel Resort along the slopes of Cheyenne Mountain's lower north end. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is one of only two mountain zoos in the United States (the other being Mill Mountain Zoo in Virginia). The animal collection includes more than 750 animals, representing nearly 150 different species, with more than 30 endangered species.

History

The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo was founded in 1926 by philanthropist Spencer Penrose to house his growing collection of exotic animals. In 1938, after substantial development, Penrose incorporated the Zoo as a non-profit public trust to the people of Colorado Springs. This trust was deemed "for the sole purpose of establishing and maintaining a zoological park to provide recreation, education, conservation and scientific facilities in the field of zoology and related subjects, and to preserve the Zoo in perpetuity for the people of the Pikes Peak region."

As an independent, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is one of only a handful of Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) accredited zoos in the country that does not receive local or regional public tax support, nearly 100 percent of the Zoo's income is generated from earned revenues, gate admissions, gifts, membership dues, donations, corporate sponsors and grants.

Exhibits

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo tries to continuously create new and updated exhibits that let visitors become active participants in their visit, encourage an appreciation and respect for the dignity and intrinsic value of all living things, and challenge the visitors to make a difference in the natural world.

Animal exhibit highlights: Rocky Mountain Wild, African Rift Valley, Wolf Woods, My Big Backyard, Colorado Habitat Tree, Lions' Lair, Australia/Budgie Buddies, Asian Highlands, Aquatics, Rocky Cliffs and Primate World.

Signature Animal: Reticulated giraffes flourish at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo's African Rift Valley exhibit and are the largest herd in the United States. The public is able to hand feed specially formulated "giraffe crackers" to the giraffes at inside or outside enclosures. The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo giraffe breeding program is the most prolific in the world with 191 births since 1954. There is also a giraffe web cam for online giraffe viewing or the herd outside along with zoo guests.

Unique Animals: okapi, moose, Amur leopard, Amur tiger, grizzly bear, North American river otter, Kori bustard, Hoffman's two-toed sloth, Mexican gray wolf, Nile hippopotamuses, African lions, Rocky Mountain goats, naked mole rats, black-footed ferret and African elephants. The zoo is one of only three institutions outside South America to display mountain tapir.

Other facilities

The zoo has a refurbished historic 1937 Carousel, the Mountaineer Sky Ride (an open air chairlift-style ride with separate admission and hours), the Shongololo Choo Choo Tot Train, pony rides, a fire tower, food shops, and gift shops. Visitors can tour the zoo on the Zoomobile/tram which is handicapped and stroller accessible.

Admission to the zoo includes the Russell Tutt Scenic Highway and Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun for that day (weather permitting).

Notes

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References

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Genia Tuxhorn
31 March 2017
You get to drive through the zoo to go check out this great tower with the purchase of your zoo ticket.
Maggie Oldham
9 August 2013
This place is by far the best zoo i have ever been too! The exhibits are clean and well-kept and the animals are amazing!! My fav exhibit was the african lions and the giraffe exhibit
Gigi Sings
28 May 2013
Watching the elephant take a bath was so amazing as well as being able to feed/pet the giraffe's. They need to work on how people flow through the park. Also, quite the hike but worth it.
Denise Judy
1 September 2015
This zoo is in the most beautiful setting of any I've ever been in. And, there are so many opportunities for guests to interact with the animals, which was really special. I loved it!
Ellie
19 April 2015
Make sure you've got sunscreen and comfy shoes on! Feed the giraffes, and go see if you can spot some wolves -- they're awesome, but sometimes you have to be patient before they'll come out.
Kathyurshka Rose
6 May 2015
Who doesn't love the Zoo! It's has some great places to have a picnic. Make sure you bring some comfy shoes. Lots of hills to walk up and down.
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Map
4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80906, USA Get directions
Mon-Sun 9:00 AM–5:00 PM

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The Broadmoor

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Cheyenne Mountain Resort

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Courtyard Colorado Springs South

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Quality Inn South Colorado Springs

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Howard Johnson by Wyndham Colorado Springs

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