Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance

The answer to yesterday’s Guess the Tooth, presented by Delta Dental of Colorado, is one of our red-ruffed lemurs! While you can’t see it in this picture, red-ruffed lemurs have evolved a special “tooth comb” to help groom their dense fur. These teeth are long, thin, set close together and resemble the teeth of a comb. 🦷

We teamed up with Denver outfitter BE A GOOD PERSON to create a special collab that spreads positivity through fashion to inspire, uplift and motivate our community with a universal message of goodness. Just two good, local brands joining forces to Save Wildlife Together. ✨ Join us in supporting wildlife conservation and empowering the next generation of wildlife lovers. Preorder now—these shirts are available for a limited time only! 🦓❤️ https://lnkd.in/efjG63aQ

Beat the heat this weekend with early mornings and extended evening hours! ☀️ Due to the high heat expected Saturday, July 13 through Monday, July 15, we’re opening at 7:30 a.m. for all guests and members! And don’t forget about summer extended hours! Join us from 4:00–9:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays now through August 4. Enjoy cooler temperatures, live music, silent disco, animal demos, and more. Come early, stay late, and enjoy extra summer fun at DZCA! Get tickets: https://lnkd.in/eUQJSWTJ

Even tigers enjoy a popsicle on a hot day! ChloJo is especially a fan of these frozen treats which are made from a unique blend of meat and blood. It might not be our flavor of choice, but she can't get enough! These special popsicles provide mental stimulation and help her stay cool during the summer months. Support our animals and make their summer as refreshing as possible! ❄️ 🐅 Donate now: https://lnkd.in/gMv6dn9s

It’s time to Guess the Tooth, presented by Delta Dental of Colorado. Look at the teeth in the photo and see if you can correctly guess what animal they belong to. Drop your guesses in the comments below and stay tuned for the answer!

Happy #CapybaraAppreciationDay! Come by Tropical Discovery to meet our charming residents, Roy and Rebecca. Our beloved capybaras are playful and irresistibly cute with their boop-able snoots and webbed toes. Don’t forget to snap a selfie and share your love for Roy and Rebecca today! Video Credit: Animal Care Specialist Anton M. #DenverZoo #Conservation #Alliance #capybara

Summer is here, and so is all the fun in the sun! ☀️ Our Animal Care staff is dedicated to keeping our animals cool during the hottest months of the year. From cool, indoor spaces to refreshing misters and fans, we've got it all covered. Our experts create enrichment activities that not only keep our animal residents cool, but also ensure they're physically and mentally stimulated. Stay tuned this week as we highlight some of the ways our experts help our animals beat the heat! Want to support this “cool” initiative? Donate now: https://lnkd.in/gMv6dn9s

We are thrilled to announce the addition of two new members to our executive leadership team—Cristal Torres DeHerrera to the role of Chief Operating Officer and Greg Vochis as Chief Financial Officer! Cristal comes to Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance after five years as executive vice president/chief of staff at Denver International Airport (DEN), and Greg following 13 years as chief financial officer for Delta Dental of Colorado. They join President and CEO Bert Vescolani, Chief Belonging Officer Elkin Alfred, Chief Conservation Officer Brian Aucone, Chief Communications and Philanthropy Officer Noelle DeLage and Chief Human Resources Officer Jacque Taylor in leading DZCA. Both provide extensive experience in their respective fields and will bring strong strategic leadership as we work to expand our impact for the community and wildlife in Colorado and worldwide. Please join us in welcoming Cristal and Greg to our executive leadership team!

We are sad to share that bald eagle, Toano, passed away suddenly on July 3. He was believed to be at least 24 years old, though his exact age is unknown. His acute decline and death were due to severe underlying heart disease, and he had been under treatment with our Veterinary Medicine team for several ongoing medical conditions. Despite these health conditions and though his exact age is approximate, Toano lived well past the median life expectancy of a bald eagle in human care, which is 16. Toano joined Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance (DZCA) from Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in March 2006 as an adult. He endured chest and right-wing injuries in the wild and was rescued in Washington state by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Despite rehabilitation efforts, Toano's injuries prevented his return to the wild and he spent the remainder of his life under our care, receiving exceptional attention and support. Though bald eagles are federally protected and illegal to own for falconry purposes in the United States, some conservation agencies, like DZCA, hold special permits to care for bald eagles unable to be released back into the wild. We’re honored to give non-releasable eagles like Toano a second chance at life and ensure they have everything they need to thrive with us. This loss, like any, has been particularly hard on those who cared for him over the years. Animal Care Specialist Brittney H. shares what it meant to care for this incredible bird and his lasting impact: “Working with birds as an Animal Care Specialist, there’s occasionally those unique birds who challenge us to be excellent caregivers and leave such a big impression. Toano was one of those rare individuals. I will most miss Toano’s ability to stop zoo guests in their tracks during their visit. They would gaze in awe at what an impressive and magnificent bird he was, and what he represented. To me, he represented the importance of the human-wildlife connection. He perfectly showcased the beauty of nature and our bond to the natural world.” Toano’s body will be sent to the National Eagle Repository. The Repository oversees the distribution of feathers, body parts, and bodies to Indigenous and Alaska Natives who are enrolled members of federally recognized tribes throughout the United States. The collection efforts of the USFWS provides a legal means for Indigenous communities to acquire eagle feathers for religious purposes, which in turn, reduces the pressure to take birds from the wild and thereby helps protect wild eagle populations. We’re proud to have participated in this program for over several decades by annually sharing molted eagle feathers. Toano was a cherished member of our animal family and a very special bird who impacted many of our staff, members and guests. He will be greatly missed by all those who had the pleasure of knowing him. Please feel free to share your favorite moments and photos of this majestic bird in the comments below. 🖤

Dia, the Geoffroy’s cat, enjoyed some red, white, and blue-themed enrichment in honor of the Fourth of July. We hope you all had a safe and happy Fourth! ❤️ 💙 🤍 Photo Credit: Animal Care Specialist Aylssa A.