2011-2012Annual Report

A leader in conservation, captive breeding and animal care, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo connects people with wildlife and wild places through experiences that inspire action.

Every Kid. Every Time. Goosebumps!Every kid, of any age, will have an experience for a lifetime with every visit.

President’s Message What an incredible year it’s been at the Zoo. 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 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo as one of the top 10 zoos in the United States 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

Commitment to ConservationCheyenne 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 endangered species.

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 Colorado, Wyoming, South Dakota, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah and Montana. Returning this endangered species to its natural place in the ecosystem helps complete the establishment of healthy American prairies.

Photo by Joel Sartore

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 Pikes Peak 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!

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 • Orangutans/Palm Oil: $10,018 • African Vultures: $9,358 • Panama Amphibians: $8,911 • Gibbons: $7,472

Explore and Learn

Quarters for Conservation

In June 2011, the Zoo welcomed a new female African elephant, Jambo, 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 Species Survival Plan, 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 gorillas, Mexican gray wolves and South African penguins. Captive breeding at AZA facilities is essential to holding the line against extinction, 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.

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.

Animal Happenings

Waste Not Want Not

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 lions, as well as give us space to bring the critically endangered black rhino back to the Zoo and add a new meerkat 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 okapi, 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 lion 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!

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.

Encounter Africa

Thanks for Supporting Your Zoo

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 AbramsAnna Keesling Ackerman FundMr. Don and Mrs. Susan AddyDr. Charles and Mrs. Celine AfemanMr. Tuck and Mrs. Liz AikinMr. Vic and Mrs. Sue AndrewsThe Anschutz FoundationMr. Ron and Mrs. Susan ApgarEstate of Jacqueline ArcherMr. Dan and Mrs. Mary ArmourMr. Nort BainDr. Michael and Mrs. Angie BarberBear Creek DentalMs. Mary Beazley and Mr. John StreetBenson FoundationMr. Richard and Mrs. Charla BertrandMr. Gayle BeshearsDr. John and Mrs. Joan BishopBKD, LLPBKD FoundationMr. Jim and Mrs. Janis BrewsterMrs. Susie Burghart and Mrs. Rich ToschesMr. Bruce and Mrs. Patty CameronDr. Jack and Mrs. Glenn CarsonCelebration of Life FoundationCentral BancorpCentura Health Mary K. Chapman FoundationCheyenne Mountain Zoo AuxiliaryMr. Tim and Mrs. Mary CobbMr. John and Mrs. Lynda CobleColorado Garden Show, Inc.Colorado Springs Astronomical SocietyColorado Springs Pediatric DentistyMr. Charley and Mrs. Yvonne ConradCool ScienceCumulus BroadcastingCurrent Printing SolutionsCorundum FoundationDr. Michael L. EdmondsThe Joseph Henry Edmondson FoundationEl Paso Western PipelinesEl Pomar Foundation

Mr. Kevin Emery and Mrs. Laura Sinton-EmeryEnt Federal Credit UnionMr. Neill and Mrs. Jenny ErdossyEsther M. and Freeman E. Everett Charitable TrustMr. Dan and Mrs. Tia FergusonMr. Lindsay and Mrs. Joanna FischerEstate of Betty FrancisMr. Steven and Mrs. Glenna FrenchFront Range OrthopaedicsMr. Randy and Mrs. Caro GardinerE. L. and Thelma Gaylord FoundationThe GazetteGriffis/Blessing, Inc.Mr. Brian and Mrs. Linda HallThe Freda Hambrick FundMrs. Robin Hardie and Mr. Ron BollenbergheMs. Geri Harrand and Mr. Dieter MatternMr. Jim HayesThe Margaret and Al Hill Family FoundationMabel Horrigan FoundationMr. Kyle and Mrs. Sally HyblInasmuch FoundationInlineJ.E. Dunn Construction CompanyDr. Selisa JenksMr. Ron and Mrs. Susan JohnsonMr. Michael and Mrs. Emily JonesMr. Langford and Mrs. Carol JordanJPMorgan Chase BankKaiser PermanenteMr. Ken KeeneMr. Paul and Mrs Patricia KellyKirkpatrick Family FundMr. Kevin and Mrs. Jamie KrattLamar OutdoorThe John E. and Margaret L. Lane FoundationMr. Phil Lane and Dr. Anita LaneMrs. Margot LaneMr. Bob and Mrs. Sue LantingMr. Charles and Mrs. Diane LeBlancLiberty ToyotaMs. Jean LongMrs. Katherine Loo and Mr. Jim Raughton

Supporting Our Cause

Mr. Gary and Mrs. Jane LooMr. James LooMr. Ruben ManuelMarian House Soup KitchenDr. John and Mrs. Cathy MartaMr. Paul Martinez and Mrs. Mari Sinton-MartinezMr. John and Mrs. Susan MayherLuther T. McCauley Charitable TrustMr. Tom and Mrs. Kimberly McKayMemorial HospitalMr. David and Mrs. Gaynelle MizeMJR FoundationMr. Bob and Mrs. Judy MolloThe Moniker FoundationMr. Ted and Mrs. Gail NeherMr. Red and Mrs. Bunny NolandDr. Ed and Mrs. Mary OsborneMr. Chris and Mrs. Trinity PageEstate of Romayne PatrickMr. Frank and Mrs. Monica PelosoPikes Peak Community FoundationPikes Peak United WayMrs. Rebecca PooleMr. Steve and Mrs. Joleen PowellMr. Howard and Mrs. Jane PriceMr. Gar and Mrs. Susan PuryearThe Jeffrey and Janet Quay Charitable FoundationMrs. Susie RamsayRanch Foods DirectMr. William and Mrs. Gloria RobertsonEstate of Lucy O. RossMr. William RyanSafeway, Fountain & Murray Safeway - South AcademyMr. Don and Mrs. Julie SchottScience Matters

Mr. Art and Mrs. Katherine SchwallService Systems AssociatesHarold W & Mary Louise Shaw FoundationMr. Scott and Mrs. Sheridan SkinnerMr. John A. Carter and Mrs. Virginia SnowDr. Ron and Mrs. Ellie SolomonStatler Family FoundationMr. Bob and Mrs. Jane SterrittDr. William and Mrs. Bette StormsMr. David StreetSukle AdvertisingMrs. Susan L. SwitzerT. Rowe Price Associates Foundation, Inc.Mr. Duncan and Mrs. Virginia TenneyMr. Michael and Mrs. Christine TessarowiczMs. Lisa TessarowiczMr. Mark and Mrs. Jenny ThatcherMr. Gerry and Mrs. Cheryl TolleyMr. Wendel and Mrs. Marcy TorresToyota of Colorado SpringsU.S. Bancorp FoundationU.S. BankUnited States Olympic CommitteeUSAA Foundation, IncMr. David and Mrs. Kay Van DykmanMs. Sally VeitchDr. C. Milton and Mrs. Betty WaldronMr. Brian Wellens and Mrs. Kristin GuggenhimeMr. Bob and Mrs. Judie WerschkyMr. Gary and Mrs. Brenda WhitlockEstate of Glenn WilliamsMr. Philip and Mrs. Ann WinslowMr. Randy and Mrs. Audrey WoodardMr. Joe and Mrs. Linda WoodfordMr. Jack and Mrs. Ellen YorkMr. Rich and Mrs. Pennie Young

Encounter Africa CampaignMr. Bob and Mrs. Betty AbramsAnna Keesling Ackerman FundMr. Don and Mrs. Susan AddyDr. Charles and Mrs. Celine AfemanMr. Tuck and Mrs. Liz AikinMr. Ed and Mrs. Ann AndersonMr. Vic and Mrs. Sue AndrewsAnonymousThe Anschutz FoundationMr. Dan and Mrs. Mary ArmourMr. Nort BainMs. Mary Beazley and Mr. John Street

Benson FoundationMr. Richard and Mrs. Charla BertrandMr. Gayle BeshearsMr. Scott and Mrs. Ann BlackmunBoettcher FoundationMr. Jim and Mrs. Janis BrewsterMrs. Susie Burghart and Mr. Rich ToschesMr. Bruce and Mrs. Patty CameronCanyon Colorado Equid SanctuaryMr. Matt and Mrs. Sheilagh CarpenterLt. Col. Jo and Mrs. Cindi CarrollDr. Jack and Mrs. Glenn Carson

Mary K. Chapman FoundationMr. Bob and Mrs. Antonia ChastainCheyenne Mountain Zoo AuxiliaryMr. Tim and Mrs. Mary CobbMr. Andy and Mrs. Mariann CobbMr. John and Mrs. Lynda CobleColorado Garden Show, Inc.Corundum FoundationMr. Douglas and Mrs. Sharon CotterMr. Tomas Dawson and Dr. Nancy DawsonDr. Monica L. Dobbin and Mr. Anthony J. BrickerMr. David and Mrs. Meredith DonnerMrs. Joan DonnerDr. Michael L. EdmondsThe Joseph Henry Edmondson FoundationEl Pomar FoundationCol. Bob and Mrs. Gayle EmmonsMr. Neill and Mrs. Jenny ErdossyMr. Dan and Mrs. Tia FergusonMr. Lindsay and Mrs. Joanna FischerEstate of Betty FrancisMrs. Betty Francis*Mr. Steven and Mrs. Glenna FrenchThe Garden City CompanyGates Family FoundationE. L. and Thelma Gaylord FoundationMr. Joel and Mrs. Tracey GazibaraThe Hester E. And Edwin W. Giddings FoundationMs. Mary GorkowskiMr. Ron and Mrs. Pat GrayMr. Scott and Mrs. Donna GreenfieldGriffis/Blessing, Inc.Mrs. Dorothea GruenerwaldMr. Brian and Mrs. Linda HallThe Freda Hambrick FundMrs. Robin Hardie and Mr. Ron BollenbergheMs. Geri Harrand and Mr. Dieter MatternMr. James B. HayesDr. Bill and Mrs. Nancy Hochman Mr. Bill and Mrs. Helen Holmgren Mabel Horrigan FoundationMr. Kyle and Mrs. Sally HyblIBMInasmuch FoundationJ.E. Dunn Construction CompanyMs. Lynn JaneczekDr. Selisa JenksJohnson & JohnsonMr. Ron and Mrs. Susan Johnson Mr. Michale and Mrs. Emily JonesJPMorgan Chase Bank

Mr. Kenneth KeeneMs. Morgan KeeneMr. Paul and Mrs. Patricia KellyKirkpatrick Family FundDr. John and Mrs. Carol KleinerMr. Kevin and Mrs. Jamie KrattThe John E. and Margaret L. Lane FoundationMr. Phil Lane and Dr. Anita LaneMrs. Margot LaneMr. Bob and Mrs. Sue LantingMr. Dan and Mrs. Pat LeagueMr. Terry and Mrs. Elizabeth LillyMrs. Sarah D. LockhartMs. Jean LongMrs. Katherine Loo and Mr. Jim RaughtonMr. James LooMr. Alan E. ManleyDr. John and Mrs. Cathy MartaMr. John and Mrs. Susan MayherMr. Tom and Mrs. Kimberly McKayMJR FoundationMr. David and Mrs. Gaynelle MizeMr. Bob and Mrs. Judy MolloDr. Jeff Moody and Dr. Cheryl MarcusMr. Hans and Mrs. Sally MuehMs. Susan MulvihillMr. Ted and Mrs. Gail NeherDr. Stuart and Mrs. Gerry OlveyDr. Ed and Mrs. Mary OsborneMr. Frank and Mrs. Monica PelosoPikes Peak Community FoundationPikes Peak United WayMrs. Rebecca PooleMr. John and Mrs. Marie PoyzerMr. Gar and Mrs. Susan PuryearThe Jeffrey and Janet Quay Charitable FoundationMrs. Susie RamsayMr. William and Mrs. Gloria RobertsonEstate of Lucy O. RossMr. William RyanMr. Don and Mrs. Julie SchottMr. Art and Mrs. Katherine SchwallHarold W & Mary Louise Shaw FoundationMr. Bruce and Mrs. Anne ShepardShepfield FoundationMrs. Mari Sinton-Martinez and Paul MartinezMr. Scott and Mrs. Sheridan SkinnerMr. John A. Carter and Mrs. Virginia SnowMr. Barry and Mrs. Betsy SobralDr. Ron and Mrs. Ellie SolomonStatler Family Foundation

Mr. Bob and Mrs. Jane SterrittDr. William and Mrs. Bette StormsMr. Steven and Mrs. Susan SuslowMs. Susan L. SwitzerMr. Duncan and Mrs. Virginia TenneyMr. Michael and Mrs. Christine TessarowiczMs. Lisa M. TessarowiczMr. Harley and Mrs. Diane ThompsonMr. Gerry and Mrs. Cheryl TolleyMr. Jack and Mrs. Michel TomsicMr. Wendel and Mrs. Marcy Torres Mr. David and Mrs. Kay Van Dykman

Ms. Sally VeitchDr. C. Milton and Mrs. Betty WaldronMr. Brian Wellens and Ms. Kristin GuggenhimeMr. Bob and Mrs. Judie WerschkyMr. Gary and Mrs. Brenda WhitlockWilgruen TrustEstate of Glenn WilliamsMr. Randy and Mrs. Audrey WoodardMr. Joe and Mrs. Linda WoodfordMr. Jack and Mrs. Ellen YorkMr. Rich and Mrs. Pennie Young

* Deceased

AdmissionsVisitor services & programsMembership duesOperating contributionsNet assets released from restrictionsOther income

Animal managementEducationAdvertising & marketingGeneral & administrativeDevelopment & fundraising

Expenses – Total Operating Expenses $7,737,248

Support & Revenue – Total Operating Income $9,481,881

Net Assets, May 1, 2011 $27,029,034 Net Surplus from Operations $1,744,633 Add Net Assets Released for Capital Assets $5,707,487 Less Depreciation this Period $(1,764,199)

Net Assets, April 30, 2012 $32,716,955 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, a non-profit 501(c)3, is one of a handful of accredited zoos in the nation that operates without local tax support, depending entirely on admissions, membership dues, donations and grants for funding. All gifts are tax deductible.

Guiding Our Growth 2011 - 2012 Board of Directors

OfficersMike Edmonds, Chairman

Wendel Torres, Vice-ChairmanVic Andrews, Secretary

Kimberly McKay, TreasurerRobert L. Chastain III,

President & CEO

DirectorsGayle BeshearsSusie BurghartMatt Carpenter

Pat GrayBrian HallSally Hybl

Lynn JaneczekSusan Johnson

Ken KeenePat LeagueJames LooJohn MartaBob Mollo

Hans MuehRay ReillyArt Schwall

Betsy SobralJenny Thatcher

Sally VeitchGary Whitlock

Katherine H. Loo, Honorary Director

Financial SummaryMay 1, 2011 – April 30, 2012