The Calgary Zoo

If you are looking to see animals, the Calgary Zoo is your destination. It is home to over 1,000 different animals and over 250 species. It is one of Canada’s top attractions and the most visited zoo in Canada. The zoo earned Trip Advisor’s Traveler’s Choice award and has been recognized as one of the world’s top zoos for conservation research. Founded in 1929, the zoo now encompasses over 120 acres of parkland and is divided into seven different park zones; Destination Africa, Canadian Wilds, Penguin Plunge, Dorothy Harvie Botanical Gardens and ENMAX Conservatory, TRANSALTA Rainforest, Eurasia, and Prehistoric Park. Each zone highlights the diverse landscapes, habitats, plant life, and animals of the regions.

In the year 1929, the Calgary Zoological Society was founded and began operation of the Calgary Zoo, and they still continue to operate the zoo today. The Zoological Society started as a “not for profit” organization and remains one even today. In fact, the Calgary Zoological Society is Alberta’s oldest registered charity. It has been become one of Alberta’s most respected organizations. Built on St George’s Island in the heart of Calgary, it was a perfect spot since it was one of Calgary’s first community parks. Access to the Zoo is easy thanks to its central location using: Calgary’s C-Train light rail system, by car, by bicycle, and footpath via the Bow River pathway. Everyone is welcome to visit the zoo year-round 364 days of the year, only closing on Christmas day.

Animal keepers, teachers, interpreters, and volunteers are the team that keeps the zoo running. They care for the animals, their habitats and help educate visitors about the animals, threats to wildlife, conservation, endangered species, and nature. The zoo and its many programs reach over 500,000 adults and children that visit each year.

One of the largest programs is the Calgary Zoo School Programs, which feature four different themes to choose from. Each program virtually brings a Zoo expert that guides the students through a tour of one animal zone, such as the Virtual Safari. This program is available for grades K-12. Fascinating on-site school programs are also a big part of the zoo; one example is “The Rodin Law Firm The Bear Necessities.” Having the children use their senses, and some detective skills help them figure out how bears in the wild find food, water, and shelter to survive.

The Calgary Zoo team of Zoo biologists have become well known for their work in species recovery and reintroduction in Canada and Internationally. They have committed to saving eight highly endangered species, including Whooping Crane, Vancouver Island Marmot, Swift fox, Black-Footed Ferret, Black-Tailed Prairie Dog, Burrowing Owl, Northern Leopard Frog, and Greater Sage Grouse. They also have commitments to working on conservation programs worldwide, such as the Wechiau Community Hippo Sanctuary Project in Ghana, which received the United Nations Equator Prize as one of the world’s top conservation projects. The zoo biologists work in connexion with several other conservation projects internationally. The team has worked hard to keep the animal enclosures as close to their natural habitats as possible for a more realistic experience for visitors.

The zoo holds different events throughout the year, and one of the largest is the Holiday event that runs from Mid November to early January called ZooLights. Zoolights illuminates over 1,000,000 coloured lights as visitors walk throughout the park with a variety of magical Christmas and animal themes such as; Polar Wonderland, Journey to Wechiau, and the Enchanted Gardens.

Are there wedding plans in your future? Consider the Calgary Zoo to say “I Do.” The zoo is available for a unique wedding experience with the choice of different settings, including the Eurasia Gateway Tent, The beautiful ENMAX Conservatory, or the Safari Lounge. Kids Camps are also extremely popular. You can even book your next corporate meeting or team building event at the zoo.

The Calgary Zoo has so much to offer visitors and residents, and seeing the animals is only just the start. There is so much to experience from each of the zoo’s different zones; it is like traveling to a new region for the day. Conveniently located and easily accessible for all, it provides a diverse day of both outdoor and indoor exhibits, making it a great way to spend a day in Calgary. 

Check out the Glenmore Reservoir which is in Calgary AB too.

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