Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance

Dropping into your feed to share an otterly adorable Asian small-clawed otter catching some zzz's! ??

Today is your last chance to receive two FREE Zoo Lights tickets when you renew or become a DZCA member! Not only will you enjoy a magical holiday night with loved ones, but you’ll also help support animal care and wildlife conservation year-round. ?? Member perks also include free daily admission, seasonal member-only morning hours, guest passes, early access to new habitat openings, food & merchandise discounts and more! Renew or join now: https://lnkd.in/gDR4viuw

Check out this stunning photo Animal Care Specialist Rebecca recently snapped of our mandrill patriarch, Jelani. Mandrills are the largest and most colorful of the Old World monkeys and adult male mandrills have the brightest and most distinctive face colors that are thought to be attractive to females. Jelani is certainly ready for his close-up! ??

Zoo Lights general admission tickets are on sale NOW! ? For 34 years, Zoo Lights has been the heart of your holidays. This year, there’s more magic than ever including our NEW Down Under area, animated light sculptures, special Zoo Lights events and festive seasonal treats. Make this holiday season to remember! Get tickets: https://lnkd.in/g7EHGv7C Want FREE Zoo Lights tickets? Renew your membership or become a member today! Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gDR4viuw Zoo Lights presented by Your Hometown Toyota Stores

Have you met Benedict, our superstar African penguin? This friendly little guy LOVES people and enjoys interacting with guests at Pinnacol African Penguin Point. Every morning when his care team cleans the glass, he’s right there, enthusiastically chasing the towel and saying hi. You can tell him apart from the others in the flock by the purple band on his right wing. Be sure to give him a wave next time you stop by—he'll likely be eagerly waiting to greet you! ??

We’re thrilled to spotlight Jessica Meehan, a dedicated conservationist and bird enthusiast in our Conservation Sciences Division, who has spent over 15 years championing the Kea—a unique and intelligent parrot native to New Zealand. Jessica’s passion for this species has earned her recognition from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), and her impact reaches far beyond Denver Zoo. As the AZA Kea Studbook Program Coordinator, Jessica works tirelessly to support conservation efforts for this species. In addition to her work at Denver Zoo, she has spent time in the field with Kea Conservation Trust researchers in New Zealand, supporting critical conservation projects. Back at the zoo, Jessica has raised funds for monitoring equipment and other essential field projects, and she’s led two teams of DZCA staff working remotely to process 12 years of kea sightings data and analyze kea camera trap footage. This past June, Jessica also presented at the Kea Summit, where she shared insights on the North American kea program, including the population’s history, care best practices, and ongoing conservation partnerships. Thank you, Jessica, for your unwavering commitment to preserving this remarkable species. Your dedication is an inspiration to all of us in the field of conservation! ?? Photo credit: Kea Conservation Trust #WildlifeConservation #ConservationHero #DenverZoo

Happy belated #NationalBisonDay! ?? Did you know that DZCA has been involved in bison conservation for over 100 years? By 1908, our herd of 18 American plains bison were the last in Colorado. In our first official field conservation effort, we partnered with Yellowstone National Park officials and others to help protect this endangered species. In 1914, the growing conservation herd was restored to both Genesee Park and Daniels Park under the care of Denver Mountain Parks. We continue to collaborate with our DMP partners and since 2021, we have worked with the City of Denver to transfer 114 bison to Native American tribes and tribal organizations as a form of reparations. We remain dedicated to preserving this iconic species, the ecosystems that support it, and ensuring that communities and cultures that depend on bison and grasslands continue to thrive. ?? Photo Credit: Director of Field Conservation - Colorado, Stefan Ekernas

Meet Bodhi, our 20-year-old Endangered Asian elephant, who is making big strides in his care! While the variability in the habitat and social groups works well for our other five elephants, our Animal Care team noticed that 20-year-old Bodhi didn't display the same confidence as the other bachelors in moving between the various habitats in Toyota Elephant Passage. To support Bodhi’s wellbeing, his dedicated team developed a personalized care plan and created a way to better communicate these changes with Bodhi. His team developed a shape system to represent each elephant in our bachelor herd. With these shapes, Bodhi can now choose whether he wants to spend time by himself or socialize with companions. As the star of this unique training program, it’s only fitting that Bodhi is represented by a blue star! Thanks to this specialized training and the dedication of his devoted care team, Bodhi is more confident when moving between spaces and interacting with other elephants. This innovative training gives him more choice and control over his social interactions, has boosted his confidence and helps create a more positive, enriching environment. ?????? Bodhi’s story is just one example of the personalized wellbeing plans our dedicated team provide for each animal. This Colorado Gives Day, your support ensures that we continue providing expert care to stars like Bodhi! Donate today: https://lnkd.in/guJAhHGb Learn more about Bodhi's specialized training here: https://lnkd.in/gKpBNEY8

We ?? Marshmallow! Marshmallow is an albino red-necked wallaby who calls Down Under home. Our animal care team is dedicated to providing her with the same top-notch care all our animals receive, plus a little extra support to manage her albinism. Along with specialized nutrition and daily enrichment to keep her mentally and physically stimulated, her team takes additional steps like applying animal-safe sunscreen daily to protect her delicate skin. Marshmallow’s well-being is always our priority, and her passionate care team is committed to keeping her happy and healthy!

Happy #WorldJellyfishDay from some of our funkiest filter feeders: the upside-down jellyfish! Did you know that these jellies are host to photosynthetic dinoflagellate algae? By flipping themselves upside-down, they’re able to get maximum sunlight on their arms which helps the algae photosynthesize. The jellies live off the algae’s byproducts and captures zooplankton for additional energy. Come check them out the next time you visit Tropical Discovery! ??