Night moves: Owls own skies after sunset
BY ABBIE KRAUSESPECIAL TO THE CHIEFTAINCHIEFTAIN PHOTO/ JOHN JAQUESCloaked in darkness, owls rule the night.The hours they keep make it hard for mere mortals to witness that they are the true winged...
View ArticleGibbons and friends share their space
BY ABBIE KRAUSESPECIAL TO THE CHIEFTAINCHIEFTAIN PHOTO/ JOHN JAQUESZoos have evolved tremendously since their earliest versions of bored animals lounging in concrete cages and bars. Modern zoos...
View ArticlePenguins striving for survival
Once upon a time, there was an African black-footed penguin named Tess that lived at the Pueblo Zoo.Many Puebloans knew that Tess was a very special penguin, for at the time of her death, she was 40...
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Zoo home to a bird worth raving about
Raven? Crow? Black birds all look the same, right?Ravens and crows are often mistaken for each other because they look similar, live in similar areas and have the same mannerisms. Here is a quick guide...
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Family matters to mobs of meerkats
The old axiom “birds of a feather stick together” could be adapted to meerkats. Known as a mob, gang or clan, families of meerkats live and work cooperatively. Anyone who has seen the popular “Meerkat...
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Yipes, stripes!
No black-and-white explanation for zebras’ coat patternThe origin and purpose of zebra stripes have fascinated humans for a long time. A popular folk tale from the Bushmen of Africa offers one theory....
View ArticlePress release: Pueblo Zoo Executive Director Resigns
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:Abigail Krause, Director of Marketing and Communications 561-1452 ext. 102; akrause@pueblozoo.orgPueblo Zoo Executive Director Resigns Stephanie Stowell To Take Position at...
View ArticlePress Release: Pueblo Zoo Appoints Interim Executive Director
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:Pueblo Zoo Appoints Interim Executive DirectorAnnounces Recruitment Strategy for New Executive DirectorPUEBLO, Colo. (Sept 2, 2015) At its September 1st meeting, the Board of...
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Honk if you love gazelles
For such a small, elegant, graceful animal, Speke’s gazelle (pronounced “speaks”) has a honkin’ big nose. And when we say “honkin’,” we mean that literally.These gazelles have inflatable nasal sacs...
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A fond, feathery, furry farewell
Today is long-time keeper, Melanie Pococke's last day as a zookeeper at the Pueblo Zoo. She has been at the Pueblo Zoo for almost 25 years! Many in our community have heard her speak passionately about...
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Vultures should be valued, not vilified
Let’s face it: Vultures get a bad rap.They feed on the dead, are viewed as dirty, mean and opportunistic — and they vomit and defecate on themselves. OK, on the surface, that does sound pretty...
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Please don’t pet the pretty Pallas’ cat
Pallas’ cats may look like the Mr. Wuffles you have at home, but don’t be fooled. Pound for pound, the Pallas’ cat can be one of the most aggressive wild felines out there and should be treated more...
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Missing lynx no more - Cold-weather cat’s comeback is a success
It’s getting cold outside and while many animals are snapping up the last of the food and heading for hibernation, there are some animals that are made for the snow and cold. The Canada lynx, found...
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Where there's a quill, there's a way
When one thinks of cool, effective survival traits, being nearsighted and slow-moving are not really atop the list.Porcupines, however, are both, so the species had to make up for that in other ways in...
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One hump or two?
In the far reaches of our minds, most of us can probably recall learning at one time that some camels have two humps and others just one. But darn if we can remember which is which.An easy way to...
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We have big news!
African lion cub born at Pueblo ZooPueblo Zoo is thrilled to announce the birth of a male African lion cub to Mashavu, a 9-year-old female, and Taz Jahari, a 13-year-old male. The cub was born January...
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Family Pride
From motherhood to hunting, lionesses key to big-cat successWhile the family life of African lions is nurturing and cooperative, it can also be cutthroat.Lion family structure and behavior are all...
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Mane Event
South American canine a wolf in name onlyWho’s afraid of the Big Bad Wolf? Certainly not I (as the song goes).But through history, the word “wolf” has invoked fear and terror, often as a result of the...
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In the swim: Zoo otters one big, happy family
There once was a three-legged otter named Thelma.She was born in Minnesota, where a private citizen took her from her mom at a very young age to live with humans. As Thelma grew, her natural wild...
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Don’t be buffaloed by bison’s comeback
As the largest land animal in North America, the bison is among the hardiest, toughest, most resilient animals found on the continent.With typical weights of as much as 2,000 pounds, the ability to run...
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Yellow-headed parrots talk the talk
Lights. Camera. Action! Yellow-headed parrots, also called yellow-headed Amazons, may be the drama divas of the bird world. Definitely not timid or shy, these parrots are very inquisitive and social....
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Watusi breed reigns as ‘cattle of kings’
Though the first thought that may come to mind with the word “Watusi” is a crazy dance fad in the 1960s, that was just a frivolous flash-in-thepan compared to what the Watusi cattle breed...
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A panda, by any other name . . .
Red pandas have been enchanting and confusing people for a long time.From their discovery in 1825, scientists have been unable to determine the red panda’s closest relations. They were originally...
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Rock hyraxes: laid-back and loving life
Photo: John Jacques - Pueblo ChieftainTucked away in the crevice of a rock, in the corner of a building, in the back part of the zoo is a small, unassuming animal that is often overlooked. The...
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San Estaban Island chuckwalla
On the islands of San Esteban, Roca Lobos, and Pelicanos in the Gulf of California, you will find the largest of the chuckwalla species.Growing upwards of 30 inches long, this type of chuckwalla is...
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Ring-tailed lemur
When it comes to hierarchy, the lemur species goes against the norm of male dominance found in most species. In the lemur world, girls rule and families reign supreme.Lemur hierarchy is well defined,...
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African Crested Porcupine
Although the word "porcupine" means "quill pig" in Latin, porcupines are actually large rodents and have no relation to pigs. Different types of porcupines can be found around the world, each one...
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Red Kangaroo
No baby shower, announcement or even a baby bump. Plus, Dad had moved out months earlier. So imagine the surprise of zookeepers when little joey made his appearance at the Pueblo Zoo!While this may...
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Great Horned Owl
A Native American myth about the creation of the owl tells the story of how it was not always so “wise as an owl”. As the Everything-Maker was busy creating other animals, the owl kept pestering him...
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Malayan Sun Bear
Barney needs a pedicure. Or does he? The most frequent comments about Barney, the Pueblo Zoo's resident Malayan sun bear, are about his impressive claws.Fashionistas may want to get their hands on...
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Tarantula
Why Did the Spider Cross the Road?To get to the other side. Right? Yes, but specifically, probably to get to a potential love interest on the other side. Every year, when the leaves start to change...
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Squirrel monkey
Let's face it, monkeys are fascinating to watch. Playful, dexterous and intelligent, one can't help but marvel at how many similarities wehave with our cousin species.At the Pueblo Zoo, guests spend...
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Mission: Monkeys - Let's do this.
In 2015, you helped us open the African painted dog exhibit—the first new exhibit in more than seven years! Since then, you have gotten to know Hunter and Minzi, as well as their porcupine and meerkat...
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6 Reasons De Brazza’s Monkeys are not your average primate
De Brazza’s monkeys belong to the genus “Cercopithecus”, commonly referred to as as guenons. Guenons are medium-sized, forest-dwelling old world monkeys native to Africa. Guenons are known for their...
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This teen will inspire you. Meet Gage.
A few weeks ago, we shared our plans for the De Brazza's monkeys exhibit with our volunteers.The next day Gage (pictured above) was ready to go. He came in to the volunteer room, grabbed some primate...
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Red-footed tortoise a thing of mystery
Photo: Christopher May Long-time readers of this Creature Feature may remember the article in January 2015 about baby tortoise, Hercules. Hercules is son to Goliath, the oldest animal at the Pueblo Zoo...
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Digging in – Mission: Monkeys Breaks Ground at Pueblo Zoo
Mission: Monkeys is a go. The project broke ground last week thanks to the generous gifts of donors and supporters of the Pueblo Zoo.“Our amazing supporters have enabled us to start construction of...
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Ruby and Kanoa coming to Pueblo Zoo
Exhibit construction is underway, and now we know who is coming. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan Coordinator has recommended De Brazza's monkeys Ruby and Kanoa to come...
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Meet the Pueblo Zoo's VIP (vulture important predator)
Photo: Pueblo ChieftainVulture. Try to say it without sneering or turning up your nose. Such is the reputation of this maligned bird that is associated with death, decay and disease.True, they feed on...
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Meet Marvin, the Pueblo Zoo's big, blissful bullsnake
Photo: Pueblo ChieftainIt is not unusual to see Marvin, the Pueblo Zoo bullsnake, "cuddling" with his box tortoise roommates, Tillie & Sunset. This sometimes alarms visitors, as they recall stories...
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Exhibit Construction Nears Completion
After three short months, exhibit construction is nearing the end! On July 19, you'll be able to come see Ruby (pictured above) and Kanoa in their new Pueblo home. Click through the gallery to see...
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De Brazza's Monkey Exhibit Opens
The De Brazza's monkey exhibit opened on July 18 to a crowd of donors. As the monkeys entered their exhibit shortly after 5 pm, the meerkats looked on curiously. Ruby and Kanoa spent the evening...
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Mission: Monkeys Enters Final Stage
With the De Brazza's monkey exhibit open, Mission: Monkeys is entering its final phase. This will include the construction of two new quarantine spaces to improve animal care across the zoo. The new...
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De Brazza's monkeys settling in at Pueblo Zoo
Photo: Allegre Images / Shawna GarciaCautiously, they stuck their heads through the small door of the exhibit. Quickly, they darted back. Then, once again, they peeked out -- each time venturing just...
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Training a critical part of zoo gibbons’ lives
The saying goes “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” Well, what about old apes?Rocket, 36, and Suzy, 39, came to the Pueblo Zoo in 2001 and are getting up there in ape years; but that doesn’t mean...
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Chickens have personalities, too
Did you ever have that one pet that was the one? Your soulmate? Of course, we all have.Well then, it is probably not hard to imagine the connections that zookeepers, staff and volunteers make with the...
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North American River Otters
Many a zoo guest has delighted in watching the river otters swim, frolic and play as they glide effortlessly through the water. They look so friendly and cuddly. While it’s true, they have a lot of...
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5 Reasons to get to the zoo this winter
The winter is a great time to head to the zoo, and we’re not lion. The Pueblo Zoo is open year-round, and sure, the summer is the busy season. But what are you missing in those cooler, even chilly...
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Welcome to the rainforest: Oro the macaw
With the re-opening of the rainforest exhibit, Oro, the Pueblo Zoo's blue and gold macaw, is getting ready to make a comeback. Zookeepers are putting the finishing touches on custom propping for her...
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