Denver Zoo Denver Zoo News 2024

Denver has a Geoffroy's cat named Dia now!

Denver Zoo on Instagram: "Meet our fabulous feline resident, Dia, a four-year-old Geoffroy’s cat! Not only is Dia an adorable addition to our animal family, but she has an incredible story that highlights Denver Zoo’s commitment to saving animals and our dedication to interorganizational collaboration to support wildlife conservation. In 2022, Denver Zoo assisted the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS) and Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) to provide a safe home for a female Geoffroy’s cat that was confiscated at Denver International Airport. She was confiscated by USFWS after being illegally transported on a commercial flight and taken to CPW’s wildlife rehabilitation center facility. CPW reached out to Denver Zoo for assistance in housing the cat during a months-long investigation. Our Animal Health and Care teams immediately jumped into action, ensuring our new resident had everything she needed including an appropriate diet, expert care and a safe home. The cat—who was fondly named Dia by her animal care team after her discovery at the Denver International Airport—lived behind the scenes at The Edge during the investigation. Once the investigation closed, we were delighted to hear that Dia could stay permanently in our care. Dia is currently living behind the scenes in our Felines Building and she will remain indoors until our tree kangaroos move to their new Down Under habitat, set to open later this year. Geoffroy’s cats are small, wild cats native to southern and central regions of South America. Although they have a similar size and appearance to domestic cats, they are a wild species and should not be considered a pet. Here at Denver Zoo, we’re honored to provide Dia with the best possible care and ensure she has everything she needs to thrive in her new home. Photo Credit: Assistant Curator of Carnivores Katelyn S."
 
Denver has a Geoffroy's cat named Dia now!

Denver Zoo on Instagram: "Meet our fabulous feline resident, Dia, a four-year-old Geoffroy’s cat! Not only is Dia an adorable addition to our animal family, but she has an incredible story that highlights Denver Zoo’s commitment to saving animals and our dedication to interorganizational collaboration to support wildlife conservation. In 2022, Denver Zoo assisted the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS) and Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) to provide a safe home for a female Geoffroy’s cat that was confiscated at Denver International Airport. She was confiscated by USFWS after being illegally transported on a commercial flight and taken to CPW’s wildlife rehabilitation center facility. CPW reached out to Denver Zoo for assistance in housing the cat during a months-long investigation. Our Animal Health and Care teams immediately jumped into action, ensuring our new resident had everything she needed including an appropriate diet, expert care and a safe home. The cat—who was fondly named Dia by her animal care team after her discovery at the Denver International Airport—lived behind the scenes at The Edge during the investigation. Once the investigation closed, we were delighted to hear that Dia could stay permanently in our care. Dia is currently living behind the scenes in our Felines Building and she will remain indoors until our tree kangaroos move to their new Down Under habitat, set to open later this year. Geoffroy’s cats are small, wild cats native to southern and central regions of South America. Although they have a similar size and appearance to domestic cats, they are a wild species and should not be considered a pet. Here at Denver Zoo, we’re honored to provide Dia with the best possible care and ensure she has everything she needs to thrive in her new home. Photo Credit: Assistant Curator of Carnivores Katelyn S."
Only two other holders in NA? This is a nice addition, and if I remember correctly, those should be fairly suitable enclosures in the felines building, much more suitable than the larger cats they were used for when I visited.
 
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Only two other holders in NA? This is a nice addition, and if I remember correctly, those should be fairly suitable enclosures in the felines building, much more suitable than the larger cats they were used for when I visited.
That doesn’t sound right. I was under the impression that they’re definitely around in at least decent numbers outside of the AZA. Maybe two other AZA holders?
 
I was under the impression that they’re definitely around in at least decent numbers outside of the AZA. Maybe two other AZA holders?
I wasn't really sure, hence the question mark, looking into it a bit more, you were right that there are a good handful of other non-AZA places with them around.
 
Denver has a Geoffroy's cat named Dia now!

Denver Zoo on Instagram: "Meet our fabulous feline resident, Dia, a four-year-old Geoffroy’s cat! Not only is Dia an adorable addition to our animal family, but she has an incredible story that highlights Denver Zoo’s commitment to saving animals and our dedication to interorganizational collaboration to support wildlife conservation. In 2022, Denver Zoo assisted the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS) and Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) to provide a safe home for a female Geoffroy’s cat that was confiscated at Denver International Airport. She was confiscated by USFWS after being illegally transported on a commercial flight and taken to CPW’s wildlife rehabilitation center facility. CPW reached out to Denver Zoo for assistance in housing the cat during a months-long investigation. Our Animal Health and Care teams immediately jumped into action, ensuring our new resident had everything she needed including an appropriate diet, expert care and a safe home. The cat—who was fondly named Dia by her animal care team after her discovery at the Denver International Airport—lived behind the scenes at The Edge during the investigation. Once the investigation closed, we were delighted to hear that Dia could stay permanently in our care. Dia is currently living behind the scenes in our Felines Building and she will remain indoors until our tree kangaroos move to their new Down Under habitat, set to open later this year. Geoffroy’s cats are small, wild cats native to southern and central regions of South America. Although they have a similar size and appearance to domestic cats, they are a wild species and should not be considered a pet. Here at Denver Zoo, we’re honored to provide Dia with the best possible care and ensure she has everything she needs to thrive in her new home. Photo Credit: Assistant Curator of Carnivores Katelyn S."

Funny, I messaged them last night asking if she was visible anywhere and only got a bot reply, then they finally announce her today, after having her over a year :D

There's definitely more than two others, I'd say 15 or so? But only one other in AZA, Columbus, where they're a rotational ambassador. I've seen them once out of three visits, several years ago. Stop keeping the pretty kitties behind the scenes :(
 
Dia is currently living behind the scenes in our Felines Building and she will remain indoors until our tree kangaroos move to their new Down Under habitat, set to open later this year.
I'm a little unclear on how this is phrased but it sounds like the felines building will have a public exhibit for Dia once the tree kangaroos move?
 
What is the felines building? where are the tree kangaroos now?
The building is located between the stingray exhibit/main entrance area and Harmony Hill. and was closed during my 2022 visit since the feline residents had left; sometime this year they started keeping Pearl the matchie's tree kangaroo and Toano the bald eagle there:
Pearl is currently living next to Toano the bald eagle over by our former Feline House, and she will move to our new Down Under habitat once it’s complete next year. Be sure to say hi to Pearl next time you visit the Zoo!

The photos released of Pearl look like an outdoor exhibit, so I'm guessing the building is still closed to the public but some outdoor habitats are reopened while they function as temporary housing, sort of like their former Monkey House there seemed to work until it sounds around 2021.

While the feline building would be a great spot for some future development, I'd be excited to have a chance to see it next time, even more if by then it's a place to see Dia :)

EDIT: It looks like the zoo's Bennett's Wallabies are living in temporary housing in the same area as well, although the article indicates only near Stingray Cove.
 
The building is located between the stingray exhibit/main entrance area and Harmony Hill. and was closed during my 2022 visit since the feline residents had left; sometime this year they started keeping Pearl the matchie's tree kangaroo and Toano the bald eagle there:


The photos released of Pearl look like an outdoor exhibit, so I'm guessing the building is still closed to the public but some outdoor habitats are reopened while they function as temporary housing, sort of like their former Monkey House there seemed to work until it sounds around 2021.

While the feline building would be a great spot for some future development, I'd be excited to have a chance to see it next time, even more if by then it's a place to see Dia :)

EDIT: It looks like the zoo's Bennett's Wallabies are living in temporary housing in the same area as well, although the article indicates only near Stingray Cove.
What is the long term plan with the Matschie's tree kangaroo female Pearl? Are they developing an Australasia part of the zoo (the open portion on the zoo map)? Any plans available of what future wallaby development is going to be like?

Source: Map - Denver Zoo
 
What is the long term plan with the Matschie's tree kangaroo female Pearl? Are they developing an Australasia part of the zoo (the open portion on the zoo map)? Any plans available of what future wallaby development is going to be like?

Source: Map - Denver Zoo

Some Insight:

Three species are currently on exhibit in the zoo's former feline building. A group of red-necked wallabies Notamacropus rufogriseus currently resides in the outdoor habitat that connects the exhibit's two buildings. I believe maned wolves may have been the last species to be housed in this space while the feline building was still open to the public (I could be very wrong so do not quote me on this part). A bald eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus and Matschie's tree kangaroo Dendrolagus matschiei currently are exhibited in two of the outdoor habitats connected to the exhibit's West building.

Once the zoo's "Down Under" exhibit opens later this year, the marsupials will move from the feline building to their new habitats. Dia, the newish Geoffroy's cat Leopardus geoffroyi, will make her public debut in what will become the former tree kangaroo habitat.
 
Recently heard from a friend that Tufted Capuchin have been moved to Jewels of the Emerald Forest and were/are not on Monkey Island anymore. Can anyone local verify this?
 
Recently heard from a friend that Tufted Capuchin have been moved to Jewels of the Emerald Forest and were/are not on Monkey Island anymore. Can anyone local verify this?
When I was there last December they were in Emerald Forest. I am unsure if that is a permanent move or if they will be moved to Monkey Island for the summer.
 
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Recently heard from a friend that Tufted Capuchin have been moved to Jewels of the Emerald Forest and were/are not on Monkey Island anymore. Can anyone local verify this?
While I’m not local and can’t verify it for right now, the monkey island looked like it was in a long-term closure in August and the Capuchins were in the Emerald Forest.
 
Denver Zoo recently collaborated with Downtown Aquarium Denver to rescue 130 animals from Seaquest in Littleton, and quite a few species are going to go on display, including some wallabies and most notably arapaima! The arapaima are in the tank with piranhas and catfish near the capybara exhibit.

Denver Zoo on Instagram: "Denver Zoo is proud to have rescued nearly 130 animals from SeaQuest in Littleton, which received multiple citations and complaints for animal welfare concerns and injuries to customers since it opened in 2018. They recently decided to close, leaving their animals in need of a new home, including a keel-billed toucan, red-necked wallabies, African pancake tortoises, a New Guinea blue-tongued skink and a number of aquatic species. Many of these species are new to Denver Zoo and will be viewable to guests and members soon. Over the last week, we led efforts with @aquariumdenver to help monitor, evaluate and place the animals, and we’re happy to provide a new, safe home for many of them. The animals are getting acquainted with their new homes behind the scenes at our Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Animal Hospital and Tropical Discovery, and we’re happy to share that our new additions are settling in well. “We have a number of rescued animals living here at the Zoo and take the responsibility of bringing in these animals very seriously,” said Bert Vescolani, President and CEO of Denver Zoo. “We’re fortunate to have the space, resources, and animal health and care expertise to provide the best possible care for these animals, and happy we could assist in this coordinated effort to give them a great new home.” As one of the few institutions accredited by @zoos_aquariums (AZA) and @americanhumane Certified™, Denver Zoo is proudly committed to the wellbeing and care of our more than 3,000 wild residents. AZA accreditation sets the Zoo apart as one of only 238 institutions in the world to meet the highest standards of animal care, veterinary medicine, conservation, education and more. Our recent five-year accreditation followed an extensive, comprehensive evaluation of our operations and programs, and reaffirms our position as one of the top zoos for animal care and conservation in North America. Stay tuned for more info and updates!"
 
The Zoo is expanding in the form of ”The Lembke Family Preserve.” This will be a 750-acre property that isn’t open to the public, focusing on expanded breeding programs, housing Zoo residents if any renovations need to be made, and reintroduction efforts for native wildlife.

https://www.denver7.com/news/front-...in-weld-county-as-part-of-conservation-effort
Another city zoo with expansion plans for dedicated animal breeding space unavailable in the city environs. It follows St. Louis and some others the names of which escape me at this point. Suffice we need all the breeding spaces urgently to save endangered species both native and locally as exotic and overseas. The first animals should move in at the end of 2024.
 
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