Written and Submitted by Diane Tomecek
Living on a mountain rising up from Colorado Springs, Colorado is a romp of four male North American River otters, calling the Rocky Mountain Wild exhibit of Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (CMZ) home. The first two, brothers Pahapi and Kuuyi (now five years old), arrived in 2008. The second pair of brothers, Pivane and Enapay (now almost two years old), arrived in 2011.
Enapay drying off on some rocks |
As America’s only mountain zoo, the CMZ embraces the mountain-like atmosphere throughout the facility. In addition to the river otters, the Rocky Mountain Wild exhibit, which opened in May 2008, is home to species that inhabit the region, including mountain lions, wolves, moose, grizzly bears and Canadian lynx, just to name a few. The animals of Rocky Mountain Wild are tucked away into naturalistic enclosures nestled into Cheyenne Mountain giving visitors a true sense of how the animals live in the wild.
Pahapi and Kuuyi, residents of the exhibit since 2008 after arriving from Sedgwick County Zoo in Kansas, were introduced to Pivane and Enapay, who came from Minnesota Zoo in 2011. Following the required quarantine period of 30-days, the two pairs of brothers engaged in a “Howdy-time” through the meshed walls of their den allowing each otter to become acquainted with the scents of the opposing pair. Once in direct contact with one another, they have become excellent swimming pals.
Pahapi climbing down from his elevated perch |
The four otters are fed a variety of items; trout, crab, lobster, freshwater mussels, salmon, tilapia and grouper constitute their protein sources while they receive yams and carrots for their vegetable intake. Each otter is fed 1.5 lbs. of fish per day. They are also given a ground meat protein similar to Carnivore Diet used in many other zoos and aquariums.
Enrichment is vital in all zoological facilities to ensure that the animals are maintaining natural behaviors as well as having an enriched life in captivity. At Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Pivane, Enapay, Pahapi and Kuuyi are enriched through items such as ice blocks, a mounted mirror in their den, sunken seaweed in the pools, donut shaped toys and other items. CMZ staff also find fallen trees and branches, as well as small boulders, on the lands surrounding the zoo to introduce to the enclosure and give interesting new areas to the otters. Similar to other facilities, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo engages their resident otters in a “Go Swim” behavior where fish are thrown into their pool and they are told to “Go Swim” to get their prize.
Kuuyi |
The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is open 365 days a year from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. in summer months, 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. all other months. Check the zoo’s website (www.cmzoo.org) for specific hours on holidays.
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