Impact of Stage 4 Water Restrictions on Zoo Operations

As of August 26th, the City of Calgary has resumed Stage 4 Outdoor Water Restrictions while they complete urgent repairs to the Bearspaw South Feeder Main. We will continue to adjust our daily operations to ensure compliance with the restrictions that are in place, while ensuring the safety, health, and well-being of the animals we love and care for.

We are taking the following steps to limit the use of city water:

Essential animal water stations will be maintained to ensure our animals’ well-being.
Our Animal Care, Health & Welfare (ACHW) team has implemented dry cleaning methods wherever possible and adjusted the frequency of habitat pool cleaning schedules.
We use non-potable well water for our irrigation systems to care for our botanical gardens and lawns. These wells operate independently of the city’s water supply.
Our drinking fountains will remain on, however we encourage visitors to bring water bottles or purchase water onsite.

Zone/Building Closures

Kinsmen Zooventure Playground, September 3-5: The Kinsmen Zooventure Playground in Destination Africa will be closed from Tuesday, September 3rd, through to Friday, September 6th, to accommodate maintenance and resurfacing work.

Brawn Family Foundation River Lodge, September 6: The Brawn Family Foundation River Lodge will close to the public (members and day admission) at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, September 6th, to accommodate a private event.

Gateway to Asia, September 11: Gateway to Asia will open to the public (members and day admission) at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 11th, to accommodate a private event.

Zoo Closure, September 19: The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo will be closed to the public (members and day admission) on Thursday, September 19th, 2024, while we host the final event of the 2024 AZA Annual Conference.

Zoo Closure, September 26: The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo will close at 3 p.m. on Thursday, September 26th for a private staff and volunteer celebration. The last entry for members and day admission will be 3 p.m. The zoo grounds will be cleared by 4 p.m.

Thank you for your understanding!

Animal Viewing Impacts

African Lions and Land of Lemurs: The tunnel in Destination Africa will be closed from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. on Monday, September 9th, to accommodate construction work for the Savannah Yard and Barn project. Our African lions and lemurs will not be viewable during this time.

African Savannah Yard: Our Hartmann’s mountain zebras and ostriches will be off-view until the end of the year while we complete exciting upgrades in the African Savannah Yard, including the construction of a new Savannah Barn for the animals. Our giraffe tower will continue to be viewable throughout the project.

Thank you for your understanding.

Camps

There’s no camp like zoo camp. Whether you’re here for a PD day or for a week in the summer, every zoo camp is unforgettable.

PD Day Camps

What better way to spend a day off than by coming to the zoo?
Your child will get to explore the zoo alongside our talented conservation education staff and get a unique and exclusive zoo experience.

Our next PD Day camps will be October 25, November 1, 12 & 13. Registration opens Sept 26.

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Summer Camps

Get ready for the most zoo-nique summer camp in town. With games, crafts, and of course, plenty of animals, this is a summer camp your child will remember long past childhood.

Summer camps run weekly throughout July and August and are available to children aged 4 to 14.

Registration is now open. If your desired week is full, check back regularly as spots open as cancellations come in.

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Spring Break Camps

Give your child an action-packed week that will spark a lifelong passion for conservation.

This week-long camp includes games, crafts, interpretive programs, and animal visits, and is available for children aged 5 to 12.

The 2025 camp dates are March 24th-28th and April 22nd-25th.

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Winter Break Camps

Children interested in animals, conservation and nature will have an action-packed program discovering the natural world through activities, games, crafts, stories, interpretive programs and animal visits.