How Green Is YOUR Elephant?

There is a lot of talk on the street about "sustainability."  Looking it up in the Wikipedia I discovered it is really a simple goal with a very complicated agenda.

"Sustainability - The ability to meet present needs without compromising those of future generations."

Planning for the future means setting standards for today.  Who better than to set standards for green living than the zoo?

 Historically zoos have been looked upon as the enemy to animals.  The zoo was the animal equivalent of the human prison.

Well, the times sure have changed!  Now at the forefront of animal conservation we find the zoo.  In fact Denver Zoo is in the process of building an Asian Tropics exhibit that will offer the animals five unique habitats in which they will rotate.  These habitats are designed to provide plenty of space and a variety of stimulation along with physical exercise. Designed much like a natural setting, there will be deep and shallow pools for swimming and sand and mud to encourage dust bathing and other normal animal behaviors. Rotating the Rhinos, tapirs and elephants through the large habitats will give them a variety not typically found in a zoo.

Denver Zoo's Asian Tropics is being built by the LEED Program standards.  LEED is the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design system.  The founders believe it will be the FIRST animal faciltiy to be LEED certified. The zoo will employ a "gasification" system that convert's zoo trash and waste into energy.  Asian Tropics will use recycled water, efficient HVAC systems along with natural daylighting and ventilation in addtion to various other "GREEN" construction practices.

Meeting the Challenges and goals of the Future

Wildlife conservation advocates need help in meeting challenges. Denver Zoo is a strong advocate by supporting and educating the public.  All the animals cannot be saved, but through public awareness the future of wildlife will be much saver than it would had no one bothered to care.

• Denver Zoo recognized the dangerous plight of animals when they come into contact with the ever-growing human race.  Conflicts mean the animals lose, most of the time.
• Deforestation, poaching, wildlife trade, human population growth and poverty only make it more difficult for Asian elephants, Indian rhinos and others.
• Captive elephant populations in North American historically have not been self-sustaining.  One of the goals of the Asian Tropics is to create an Asian elephant and Indian rhino breeding ground. Denver Zoo will be the first facility in the United States to be home to a group of bull elephants.
• Denver Zoo intends to design an environmentally conscious, sustainable animal exhibit using the most revolutionary methods available today.

Non-profit Zoo profits from donations

In 1999 metro Denver voters overwhelming supported the creation of the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District.  Through the SCFD, Denver Zoo receives matching contributions for all donations, essentially doubling the gift.   Thanks to these Zoo improvement bonds, the future generations of both animals and humans will be assured of enjoying each other's presence and a pleasant surrounding.

Conservation as a Mission

Denver Zoo has local programs educating visitors and helping them develop a love and respect for conserving animals. Each year Denver Zoo offers free school trip admission to the metro Denver school children.  What better way to foster a love of animals than to let children enjoy them in person.  Fun disguised as education will grab enough kid's hearts that conservation and green awareness will be set for the future.

Citizens of Denver and the metro area care enough about the arts and science to pay a small tax that will provide benefits now and in the future. Conservation and green living is more than a buzz word, its a way of life.

On behalf of Denver Metro residents we issue a challange to your town, we want to know, "How green is YOUR elephant?"