Denver Zoological Foundation, Inc.

Programs: Animal care and research2014 was a year with many highlights and growth opportunities. Tiger travel:denver zoo is accredited by the association of zoos and aquariums (aza), and is a key partner in the aza species survival plan (ssp), which cooperatively manages specific, and typically threatened or endangered species populations within aza accredited institutions. The plan ensures the sustainability of a healthy, genetically diverse and demographically-varied aza population. In 2014, zaira, a female amur tiger born at denver zoo in 2010 was sent to ashiyama zoo in japan alongside a male amur tiger from hogle zoo in utah to form a new breeding pair. The aza tiger ssp works collaboratively worldwide to ensure healthy and sustainable populations across the globe in accredited zoos. These two animals added valuable genetic lines to the japanese population and provided space for other important breeding recommendations for amur tigers in the u. S. Conservation & biology:conservation biology staff work with local governments and non-governmental organizations to develop innovative solutions to conservation issues around the world, including in botswana, mongolia, peru, vietnam and the rocky mountain great plains. Since 1996, the zoo has participated in more than 600 projects in 62 countries on six continents. In 2014 denver zoo committed approximately $1. 1 million to conservation projects around the world. New additions to our zoo animal family: asian small-clawed otter pupdenver zoo welcomed the birth of a small-clawed otter on august 26. Male jilin (jee-lin), was born to parents, asha and bugsy, in the el pomar foundation village hall in toyota elephant passage. The international union for conservation of nature (iucn) classifies this species as vulnerable. Their biggest threats are habitat destruction and conversion for agriculture, draining of wetlands, hunting for their fur and pollution from pesticides and heavy metals. Even though they are protected, their numbers are declining. They are considered an indicator species, providing a warning of threats to other species that live in the same habitats. Clouded leopard cubsthree clouded leopard cubs were welcomed by the zoo in 2014. Male and female, pi and rhu, were the first of their species born at denver zoo, on march 14, to parents lisu and taji. Pi and rhu were later joined by saya, a female leopard cub born at the smithsonian conservation biology institute. All three were welcomed through recommendations of the aza clouded leopard ssp. The move was important to have saya socialized with other cubs so that she would be able to mother cubs when she matures. There are no reliable estimates for clouded leopard populations in the wild, but their numbers are thought to be in decline and the iucn classifies them as vulnerable. Clouded leopards are endangered primarily due to habitat loss from deforestation for agriculture. They are also hunted for their pelts and their bones, claws and teeth are used in traditional asian medicine. Denver zoo has supported field conservation projects for the species in malaysia, working to understand their current population size and threats to the species. Additionally, denver zoo staff members have traveled to thailand as part of a multi-zoo effort to breed clouded leopards there with the goal of supporting zoo populations around the world. Rico, fossa pupthe zoo celebrated the birth of its first fossa (foo-sah) pup on july 28. The male pup, named rico, was born to mother, violet, who has proved to be an excellent first-time mom, and father, dorian. Even though they may only weigh about 20 pounds, fossas are the largest mammalian carnivore in madagascar. The fossa status in the wild is unknown though is believed to be decreasing. It is considered vulnerable with less than 2,500 estimated individuals in the wild, but those numbers are uncertain due to a lack of sightings. Their major threats come from habitat loss and hunting. Tinga the gorilla denver zoo welcomed back a 9-year-old female western lowland gorilla, named tinga, in october. She was born at denver zoo in may 2005 when her troop, from los angeles zoo, temporarily stayed at denver zoo while their exhibit was remodeled. Tinga returned to denver zoo through a recommendation of the aza ssp. She joined the zoo's resident gorilla troop, made up of jim, a 27-year-old male, and females angel and bassa (bah-sah), 27-years-old and 37-years-old, respectively. She was brought here with a recommendation from the aza gorilla ssp to breed with jim. Western lowland gorillas, while more numerous than other gorilla species, are still classified as "critically endangered" by the iucn. Population estimates are difficult to determine due to the dense forests and constant movement of family groups, but there are believed to be only about 112,000 western lowland gorillas in the wild, and their numbers are declining. Gorillas are endangered due to habitat loss from logging and agriculture. Recently the hunting of primates, including gorillas, for the growing bush meat trade has further threatened their survival. Spotted hyena cubsthree spotted hyena cubs joined denver zoo's animal family in early august. Kelele, a male born on june 26, arrived from buffalo zoo. Females, nia and tavi, born june 26, arrived from kapi'yva exotics, a private facility in houston, texas that specializes in the propagation of rare and endangered species. The three cubs all arrived at denver zoo through recommendations of the aza spotted hyena ssp. Kelele's mother and both of the female cubs' parents are all from africa, making their genetics extremely valuable to the north american population as they are unrelated to most other spotted hyenas in u. S. Zoos. Spotted hyenas are mostly found in the grasslands of sub-saharan africa. The iucn classifies spotted hyenas as "least concern," but their numbers are declining due to hunting, trapping and poisoning. Steller's sea eagle chickthe steller's sea eagle chick was born in march, and a rare event in the united states and the first one born at denver zoo. Not many zoos exhibit or breed these remarkable raptors, which are native to western, coastal areas of northern russia. Steller's sea eagles are the largest known eagles with average weights recorded between 15 and 18 pounds, and are listed as vulnerable by iucn due to habitat alteration and destruction, pollution, logging and over-fishing, which decreases their food source. Neliah, the lionessthe zoo welcomed neliah, a female, african lion to join its young lion pride - including male, sango and female, sabi - in september. Two-year-old neliah arrived september 26 from florida's jacksonville zoo. Neliah arrived through a recommendation of aza ssp, to breed with sango and build a new pride at denver zoo. The iucn classifies these lions as "vulnerable. " their greatest threats include retaliatory killing for livestock deaths, fragmentation of habitat, prey shortages due to overhunting and disease spread by domestic animals. Jabari, okapi calfa rare okapi, named jabari, was born february 3 to parents kalispell and sekele. This was only the sixth birth of this species at the zoo. Sekele and kalispell were paired under recommendation of the aza okapi ssp. Okapis look like a cross between zebras and giraffes. In fact, the species is the only living relative to the giraffe. Native only to the ituri forest of the democratic republic of congo (drc), survival of the okapi is seriously threatened by unsettled political conditions and rebel military actions in that part of the drc. Wild population estimates for the species are extremely difficult to determine because the forest is so dense, but experts believe there are between 10,000 and 50,000 individuals. Their numbers are believed to be declining, and okapis are classified as "endangered" by the iucn. Additional threats come from habitat loss and hunting. Excellence in animal care: giraffe snuggin 2014, denver zoo designed a new one-of-a-kind giraffe snugg (safe, nurturing, upright gateway for giraffes) through a successful fundraising effort, including crowdfunding. The snugg will provide giraffes dikembe, heshi, masika and kipele an even better husbandry routine and veterinary care. The snugg has been designed as a safe structure for zoo staff to monitor the giraffes' heart rates, deliver vaccinations, take blood samples and more, without the need of anesthesia. The snugg is an example of how denver zoo's husbandry, training and enrichment programs use positive reinforcement to encourage animals to participate in their own health care. This helps eliminate stress related to important procedures and creates a positive experience for the animals at denver zoo. The giraffe snugg helps giraffes feel safe and secure during their care.

education servicesdenver zoo was awarded the association of zoos and aquariums' (aza) significant achievement in education award for its toyota elephant passage program education programs, noted above. Denver zoo was recognized at the awards ceremony for the program, which poses questions that foster inquiry, understanding and the transfer of learning. More than 40 programs engage a wide range of audiences in stories about human and animal connections in southeast asia. In 2014 denver zoo's education programs served 219,752 participants through age-appropriate, transformative education experiences that inspire curiosity for science and an appreciation for the interconnectedness of humans, wildlife and habitat.

guest servicesin 2014 denver zoo served more than 1. 9 million people, the 6th highest recorded attendance in hisotry. Denver zoo served more than 330,000 visitors through free admission programs and 67,000 school children through self-guided field trips. We continue to evaluate and monitor the visitor experience through a mystery shopper program, guest comment cards, and an extensive guest satisfaction survey in 2015. We are a trusted resource for our community and provide programs and services that make meaningful contributions to one's daily life.

other programs include: certificates of participation, member services, zoo improvements, horticulture and interns. Certificates of participation is an account funded by $1. 00 per paid admission and is used to reimburse the city and county of denver for providing $8. 5 million of financing towards the construction of the parking garage in 2001.