Zoo Community Mourns Loss of Black Rhino George – George, a 28-year-old black rhinoceros at Denver Zoo, was humanely euthanized Tuesday, November 15. At the time of his death, George was the ninth oldest black rhinoceros in zoos around the world. George had been under close veterinary care for several health issues. Born January 11, 1983, George came to Denver in 1984 from Cincinnati Zoo. Denver Zoo is home to two other black rhinos, female, Shy Anne and male, Mshindi. Learn more.

Zoo Lights Returns
December 9 – Zoo Lights turns 21 this year, but the popular Denver Zoo event remains for the young at heart. Zoo Lights runs nightly, 5 to 9 p.m., starting Friday, December 9 through Sunday, January 1, 2012. With more than 38 acres of holiday lights and 150 animal sculptures, Zoo Lights continues its holiday traditions, including visits from Santa Claus. Learn more.

Asian Tropics Water Filtration Works Swimmingly – Water filtration is a critical component of Asian Tropics. Walter's Waterworks, a gift of the Walter S. Rosenberry III Charitable Trust, houses the filtration system, which utilizes settling chambers, sand filtration and ozone injection to recycle 900,000 gallons of water in four of the exhibit's outdoor pools. The pools' water is filtered at an average rate of 3,200 gallons per minute.

Tax Incentives for Charitable IRA Rollovers End Soon – If you are 70½ or older, you have until December 31 to continue making cash gifts of up to $100,000 from your traditional or Roth IRA to charity while avoiding the taxation that ordinarily would occur. This particularly helps those who do not itemize their taxes or give 50 percent of their adjusted gross income. Apply your gift to adopt a bench or carousel animal. You also can have your gift matched dollar for dollar by bond funds to help our new exhibit, Asian Tropics. Contact Josie Stewart at 303-376-4863 or jstewart@denverzoo.org.