Cantil Vipers Born at Denver Zoo for First Time – Eight cantil vipers were born on February 12, the first ever breeding of the species at Denver Zoo. The highly venomous vipers can grow to about two-feet-long and vary in color from brown to black. As juveniles the tips of these snakes' tails are yellowish in color. This serves the sneaky snakes well as they wiggle those tips so they look like worms and lure in small prey. Cantil vipers are native to Mexico and Central America, preferring lowland areas of dry forests and tropical deciduous forest. The species is classified as near threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) mainly due to human persecution. In fact, their total numbers are estimated to have dropped by 30 percent over the last 15 to 30 years. The baby snakes will remain behind-the-scenes in Tropical Discovery for the time being. Click here to see video of the hatchlings.
Toyota Elephant Passage Radiates Heat – Denver Zoo's newest exhibit will be one of the greenest projects you can imagine, from top to bottom, literally. Toyota Elephant Passage will utilize radiant-heated floor systems, which retain heat at lower elevations of a room longer than forced air systems. They will last the life of the building without requiring maintenance, and save energy, money and time for repairs. They will also be used in several outdoor spaces, providing a safe walking environment for guests and animals during winter months. Click here to learn about other green initiatives in Toyota Elephant Passage.
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Zoo Staff Tracks Vultures in South Korea – Three Denver Zoo staff members are in Paju, South Korea right now to capture cinereous vultures and place tracking units on their back to enable them to trace migration patterns. Through a partnership with the National Science Museum of Korea, Donga University and Seoul National University; Denver Zoo's Vice President for Conservation Dr. Rich Reading, Conservation Veterinary Coordinator Dr. Dave Kenney and Bird Area Supervisor Mary Jo Willis are capturing ten vultures and fitting them with special backpacks, equipped with cell phones that transmit GPS gathered telemetry, to follow the vultures' migration patterns from South Korea to Mongolia. Once experts establish where the vultures travel and stop along the way they can attempt to safeguard them in two ways. They can try to protect important "stop-over" habitats from development and discourage local farmers from medicating their cattle with an anti-inflammatory called Diclofenec. Vultures are sensitive to this drug and are severely sickened or killed when they consume the animals after they die. Learn more about Denver Zoo’s many field projects here.
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Zoo You - an Inside Look at Denver Zoo – Let your kids discover Denver Zoo, including the newest exhibit, Toyota Elephant Passage! This amazing six-date program offers an insider's view of the exhibits, the animals, the keepers and the experiences that are a part of Denver Zoo! This unique experience even includes an overnight event that will give our young guests a chance to see Toyota Elephant Passage under the stars. This program is available for children ages 9-13 years old. For more information, e-mail edsupport@denverzoo.org or visit our website.
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