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.

Animal Viewing Impacts and Closures

Grizzly Bears: Our grizzly bear cubs are currently off-habitat to support their first winter sleep.

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.

30 Years of ZOOLIGHTS Photo Contest

Do you have a favourite memory of ZOOLIGHTS, presented by Olympia Trust Company? Share it with us for the chance to be featured on our social media channels and win ZOOLIGHTS tickets!

The lights aren’t the only thing glowing at ZOOLIGHTS. For 30 years, we’ve been making holiday magic, setting memories aglow and lighting up our camera rolls with this unforgettable tradition. We want to see the moments that have been glowing in your memories for the past three decades.

Whether ZOOLIGHTS was the setting of your first date, a family reunion, or the start of a favourite holiday tradition, this is your chance to share the magical moments you’ve had at ZOOLIGHTS over the years. Fill out the form for your chance to win tickets to the 30th anniversary of ZOOLIGHTS and be featured on our social media channels!*

How to Enter

  • Submit your photos of a favourite ZOOLIGHTS memory with the form below.
  • Your submission must include: your full name, your email address, the year the photo was taken, and the story behind the photo.

*By submitting photos to us, you confirm that you have read and agreed to the 30 Years of ZOOLIGHTS Photo Contest Rules and Terms & Conditions as outlined below.

The contest starts on Friday, November 6, 2026, and ends on Friday, December 18, 2026. Winners will be selected throughout the contest period and will be shown on our social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, X). The final day to submit is noon at Friday, December 18, 2026. Good luck and have fun!

30 Years of ZOOLIGHTS Photo Contest Rules

By submitting a photo to the Contest, you agree to the following rules (the “Rules”):

  • The Contest runs from Friday, November 6, 2026, to noon on Friday, December 18, 2026 (the “Contest Period”).
  • The Contest is not open to Wilder Institute’s Calgary Zoo employees or volunteers.
  • Entrants must be 18 years of age or older. Individuals under 18 may enter with the consent of a parent or legal guardian. By submitting an entry on behalf of an individual under 18, the parent or legal guardian confirms their consent to the individual’s participation and acceptance of these Rules and Terms & Conditions.
  • Photos must be submitted in digital format as a JPG or PNG file.
  • Multiple entries are permitted; however, each entrant may only win once.
  • All eligible photos will be considered throughout the entire Contest Period, regardless of when they are submitted. Entries will not be limited to the week in which they are received.
  • Photos must be submitted through the online form on this webpage. Photos submitted through other channels will not be accepted.
  • One winning photo will be selected each week throughout the Contest Period, beginning Friday, November 6, 2026, and ending at noon on Friday, December 18, 2026.
  • Winning photos will be shared on the Wilder Institute’s Calgary Zoo’s social media channels, with photo credit provided to the photographer.
  • Each weekly winner will be contacted using the email address provided with their submission and will receive two (2) tickets to ZOOLIGHTS, presented by Olympia Trust Company.

Terms & Conditions

By submitting a photo to the Contest, you agree to the following terms and conditions (the “Terms & Conditions”):

  • You acknowledge that the photo submitted is your original work and that you own the rights to the photo or have obtained permission from the photographer to submit it to the Contest and authorize its use as outlined in these Terms & Conditions.
  •  By submitting a photo, you grant the Wilder Institute’s Calgary Zoo a non-exclusive, royalty-free right to use, reproduce, publish and share your submitted photo, name and accompanying story, in whole or in part, for the purposes of administering and promoting the Contest and announcing and celebrating Contest winners. This includes sharing selected winning entries on the Wilder Institute’s Calgary Zoo’s website, social media channels and other marketing and communications materials, without further contact or compensation.
  • You acknowledge that the Wilder Institute’s Calgary Zoo may edit or excerpt accompanying stories for length, clarity or format, without changing their intended meaning.
  • Personal information submitted through the Contest entry form, including your name and email address, will be used to administer the Contest, contact entrants and winners, and facilitate the announcement of winning entries.
  • The Wilder Institute’s Calgary Zoo reserves the right to modify these Rules and Terms & Conditions at its discretion. Any changes will be posted on this webpage. Continued participation in the Contest following any changes constitutes acceptance of the revised Rules and Terms & Conditions.
Name(Required)
Email(Required)
Max. file size: 100 MB.
Tell us the story behind the photo and your experience at ZOOLIGHTS, presented by Olympia Trust Company.
By submitting this form, you consent to your first name, photo, and story being shared on our social media channels, as well as the Contest Terms & Conditions listed above.(Required)