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Tag: Denver Zoo

  • Denver Zoo tapirs died of ‘accidental misdosing’ of copper supplements, zoo’s investigation finds

    The recent deaths of two Malayan tapirs at the Denver Zoo were caused by an “accidental misdosing” of copper supplements, the zoo announced Friday.

    Copper is “essential to the overall health of the species,” and the pair of tapirs had been receiving supplements after low levels were identified, the announcement said. A review by the zoo’s animal care and animal health teams determined that the wrong dosage ultimately led to the animals’ deaths.

    “We immediately took corrective actions, including a comprehensive review of dietary supplements with the potential to cause harm, and we expect additional process improvements as our broader internal review continues,” the zoo’s announcement said.

    Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance spokesperson Jake Kubié said the zoo could not comment on individual employees or personnel matters.

    “Our focus is on supporting our team, learning from this incident, and ensuring our systems are as strong and resilient as possible,” he wrote in an email.

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    Denver Zoo investigating after death of two Malayan tapirs

    The zoo announced last week that it had launched the internal investigation after the two tapirs, ages 16 and 18, died “in a relatively short period of time.”

    The incident was isolated to the pair of tapirs, JonHi and Rinny, and no other animals are at risk, the announcement said.

    “We are heartbroken by the loss of these beloved animals and take the findings of our investigation very seriously,” the announcement said. “Animal wellbeing is our highest priority, and this is an incredibly difficult outcome. We are using this as an opportunity to review and strengthen internal protocols to reduce the possibility of incidents like this occurring in the future.”

    Malayan tapirs are an endangered species and can live up to 30 years, according to the zoo’s website.

    Malayan tapirs, sometimes called Oreo tapirs for their coloring, can weigh up to 700 pounds and are found from Myanmar and south Thailand to Malaysia and Sumatra, according to the zoo’s website. They are typically solitary animals aside from mating pairs.

    Coloradans making a difference | Denver7 featured videos

    Denver7 is committed to making a difference in our community by standing up for what’s right, listening, lending a helping hand and following through on promises. See that work in action, in the videos above.

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  • Denver giraffe temporarily moves to Colorado Springs for conservation efforts

    A 5-year-old giraffe from the Denver Zoo will temporarily move south to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs to support conservation efforts, zoo officials announced Friday.

    Several of the female giraffes in Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s herd have been recommended for potential breeding under the Association of Zoos and Aquariums‘ (AZA) Giraffe Species Survival Plan, but Khalid, the zoo’s 17-year-old breeding bull, died last month, according to the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance.

    Jasiri, a reticulated giraffe at the Denver Zoo, will spend a few months at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo for those breeding efforts, according to the organization.

    “Reticulated giraffes are classified as Endangered by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species,” Denver zoo officials wrote on social media. “We’re proud to play a role in supporting this incredible species through collaborative conservation efforts like the (Species Survival Plan).”

    Zoo officials did not specify how long Jasiri would stay at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, but said he is expected to return to Denver later this year.

    Lauren Penington

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  • Mahali, the Denver Zoo’s beloved hippo, will stay in the Mile High City for the holidays

    Mahali, the Denver Zoo’s beloved Nile hippopotamus, will stay in the Mile High City a little longer than expected.

    Zoo officials in July announced that the hippo would be transferred to a natural wildlife preserve in Texas following an inspection by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums that noted significant upgrade needs for the animal’s habitat.

    But this week, the zoo said Mahali, “made it known to his care team that he was not quite ready for this move,” officials said on its website. The team is now planning to continue the hippo’s crate training until his departure in the spring.

    “Hippos, specifically, require ample time to prepare for change, and a move as significant as Mahali’s has had to progress at his pace,” zoo officials said. “From an animal well-being perspective, care teams have known that they would advance only as Mahali was ready.”

    Old Pachyderms, the building that has housed Mahali and dozens of other hippos, rhinos and elephants since 1959, needs “significant updates” and is “no longer considered suitable for the species,” the zoo association’s inspection found.

    Sam Tabachnik

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  • The STEAD School in Commerce City has its first senior class and big plans for the future

    The STEAD School in Commerce City has its first senior class and big plans for the future

    COMMERCE CITY, Colo. — It’s not often students get to help build a new school, but that’s exactly what happened in Commerce City three years ago. The STEAD School opened in 2021 to its first 9th grade class.

    STEAD stands for science, technology, engineering, agriculture and design. The campus incorporates agriculture features like a greenhouse and farm. Students can choose a pathway in animal science, plant science, environmental science or food science.

    Nicole Brady | Denver7

    But as principal Amie Weldy likes to say, it’s not a farm school. The goal is to prepare students for a variety of careers by teaching a variety of skills.

    “We have the writing skills, we have communication skills. Each quarter, our students are answering a big question for a project that they then exhibit at a community night,” Weldy explained.

    STEAD School_4.jpg

    Nicole Brady | Denver7

    Several of the founding students are now the first seniors at STEAD, and said they were interested in the hands-on and project-based learning style. Ryder said it also helped him connect to an internship in horticulture at the Denver Zoo.

    “It helped develop an interest in agriculture for me,” Ryder said.

    The school has a goal of getting 60-75% of the seniors in internships in a variety of industries.

    STEAD School_3.jpg

    Nicole Brady | Denver7

    The campus has also evolved — from one building to now three classroom buildings, a greenhouse, plus a seed and soil lab. All the food that’s grown in the greenhouse and farm is used in the cafeteria or at the STEAD market where students have a chance to learn entrepreneurship skills.

    One thing the school hasn’t had for its first three years is a natural grass field for sports. That’s now under construction thanks to a grant from Adams County.

    “We’re really excited to have this opportunity, it helps to just build well rounded students,” Weldy said.

    Amy Shwartz, a vice president with Oakwood Homes — which has been involved with the STEAD School since it’s creation — praised the continuing partnerships with the community and Adams County.

    “The Founders Field will enhance the physical education and sports experience for the students, while serving as a new gathering place for recreation and community events,” Schwartz said.

    Senior Sadie, who will graduate this year, is hoping the school will continue to grow.

    “I’m sad to leave before it’s fully finished, because I did want to see it all the way through. But I’m also just happy because the new freshmen get to experience it,” she said.

    Denver7’s Nicole Brady tours The STEAD School again after expansion

    Nicole Brady

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  • An angelfish at the Denver Zoo was

    An angelfish at the Denver Zoo was

    A fancy-looking French angelfish that was found one day with a funny float has its buoyancy back after taking some time from its tropical trappings to get a CT scan at the Denver Zoo.

    A zoo worker recently noticed the blue and yellow fish was “experiencing buoyancy issues and swimming abnormally” with a tilt, the zoo said. That prompted a visit last week to the facility’s on-site hospital for an ultrasound and the CT scan.

    ODD Angelfish CT Scan
    This image provided by the Denver Zoo on Monday, Sept. 4, 2023, shows a CT scan of a French angelfish. 

    / AP


    The CT scan took place in a machine large enough to fit a 700-pound grizzly bear, so some special accommodations were required, zoo spokesperson Jake Kubie said. The approximately seven-inch fish was sedated, balanced upright on a sponge and had water poured over its gills to keep it alive as the scan took place.

    The diagnosis: Too much gas. Enteritis, or inflamed intestines, had resulted in increased internal gas that was affecting the fish’s buoyancy, Kubie said.

    “It was treated with antibiotics,” he said. “It’s doing much better and swimming normally.”

    The zoo posted photos of the unusual CT scan on Instagram.

    “From the tiniest tree frog to a full-grown grizzly bear, we’re proud to offer the highest level of care to our animal residents!” the zoo wrote on Instagram.

    According to Oceana, French angelfish are foragers that eat a variety of invertebrates and plants. Juvenile angelfish clean parasites and loose scales off of large fish.

    The unusual CT scan at the Denver Zoo comes just weeks after a 376-pound alligator that was “behaving strangely” at a Florida zoo was diagnosed with an ear infection after CT scans and X-rays.

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