ANNUAL REPORT 2006 - Denver Zoo

continue their growth and expand theircareers in 2006 by accepting outsidepromotion opportunities. As we bid thesecolleagues good luck and farewell, we wereafforded the chance to recruit and promotenew people with fresh ideas and broadexperience.The work continued and we forgedahead with our daily maintenanceactivities while renovating two exhibitsin the central ranges and makingnumerous improvements in Bird World.Reshaping 100 year-old terrain, updatingancient irrigation, adding rocks, treesand shrubs, and seeding grasses soundslike common landscape practice untilyou consider the animal factor. Sharingexhibit time with our animal collectionadds another dimension to the processand requires extensive cooperation withthe Animal Department. As the Kudu werequick to enjoy the summer grown grasses intheir new exhibit, it has taken the warmth ofspring to discover the newly emerging grassin the Oryx exhibit that was sown late lastfall. Perhaps the extraordinary winter weall experienced had some positive effectsafter all.Undeniably, moisture in any form isgenerally welcomed in our arid climate,but the year ended with what seemedto be an endless battle with the force ofMother Nature. Countless hours of workfor both our staff and equipment could notkeep up with the two holiday blizzards. Itsoon became apparent that the zoo had toclose for the safety of our guests while wecontinued to haul the piles of snow to anoff-site location. Long hours, equipmentbreakdowns, unbudgeted expenses, lostrevenue, and lots and lots of valuablemoisture were indeed “bittersweet” at best.Top Left | The Gates Education Center continues to be a popularvenue for corporate parties and other catered events and meetings.Far Left | Primate Panorama celebrated its 10th anniversary in2006. The landscaping has matured nicely and is truly beginning totake on the look of a tropical forest despite Denver’s dry climate.Left | Crews work for three months each fall to install lighting forour annual holiday Zoo Lights.Right | Lion cub39