(COLORADO SPRINGS) — The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (CMZoo) celebrated a significant milestone on Wednesday, Oct. 22, with the placement of the final steel beam for the new International Center for the Care and Conservation of Giraffe.
The topping out ceremony, a tradition dating back over a thousand years to the time of the Vikings, the final beam is placed on top of the building, and a small tree is placed on the highest point of a new structure. On Wednesday, the tradition was completed with a flag and an evergreen tree, symbols of progress, good fortune, and respect for the environment.
The ceremony included remarks from Mayor Yemi Mobolade and Bob Chastain, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo president and CEO.
“This is one of our city’s greatest treasures,” said Mayor Mobolade. “We are a city that loves animals, and I love that about us. Because we love animals, and this place holds a special place in our hearts, it’s no surprise that we are also one of the top-rated zoos in the nation.”
The new facility will feature a 12,000 square-foot giraffe barn, an expanded giraffe yard, and a brand-new gift shop and cafe, all scheduled to open next summer. The expanded giraffe yard will be 25% larger, providing additional spaces for giraffes to explore. A new feeding tower is included in the design to encourage giraffes to navigate the hills of Cheyenne Mountain for the first time.
“As recognized leaders in professional giraffe care, our construction teams and our animal teams are working closely together to build something that will reflect that expertise,” said Chastain. “The mission of this center is, and has always been, to improve the lives of giraffes in human care.”
The new center will have 11 zones to feed giraffes, so they have plenty of space to move freely and explore different areas. With the new transparent roof, the giraffes will be able to experience the sun and moon cycle, even when brought indoors for the night or on cold winter days.
“I believe this new habitat will be a place for people to come and make memories, and learn about giraffes for generations to come,” said Chastain.
