Animal Viewing Impacts

Polar Bears: Our polar bears will be temporarily off view in the main habitat in the morning of Thursday, October 29, to accommodate tree pruning in the area. They may be viewable through the courtyard window. Thank you for your understanding.

Tortoises: Our leopard tortoise and pancake tortoise are temporarily off-view while their habitat in the African Rainforest Building undergoes modifications. Thank you for your understanding.

Avian Influenza Protocols

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has confirmed the presence of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) within 200 kilometres of the Wilder Institute’s Calgary Zoo.

The health and well-being of the animals in our care remains our top priority. Out of an abundance of caution, we’re proactively implementing the following measures to protect our avian species:

  • Footbaths have been installed at the entrances to The Larry Ruskin Penguin Plunge, the Jihad Shibley Rocky Mountain Aviary, and the African Rainforest Aviary for all staff, volunteers, guests, and contractors entering these spaces.
  • Birds will continue to have outdoor access where appropriate and weather permitting.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support as we work to keep the animals we love safe.

West Gate Closure

Due to significant construction activities in and around Imagine Asia, the zoo’s West Gate will remain closed until at least 2028/2029. This necessary step supports the safe movement of visitors while we undertake exciting improvements to animal habitats and visitor experiences.

Vancouver Island Marmots

Bite-Sized

Reversing the Red for the Vancouver Island Marmot

February 07, 2026 | 1 minute read

We’re celebrating Reverse the Red Day today by resharing our news about an exciting step forward in our commitment to one of Canada’s most at-risk mammals!

High in the alpine meadows of Vancouver Island lives a species found nowhere else on Earth. Once nearly silenced, the high-pitched whistles of the Vancouver Island marmot now echo again across the mountaintops—an unmistakable sign of hope, and a testament to decades of collaborative conservation work.

In partnership with the Toronto Zoo and the Marmot Recovery Foundation, we are proud to make an official Species Pledge to #ReversetheRed for the Critically Endangered Vancouver Island marmot.

This pledge reflects a shared commitment to sustaining the progress made and accelerating action to secure the species’ future.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4thckxG

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