We're starting the year off with waddle!
The 2022 Penguin Walk, presented by RE/MAX, marks the 10th year of the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo's penguin walk. During the winter months, the king penguin colony heads out on zoo grounds for a daily enrichment walk to keep their brains and bodies healthy and visitors get to experience the fun! This incredible program allows visitors to get an up-close look at the group of king penguins as they explore, exercise, and waddle their way through the zoo. This is a free-choice activity for the penguins and is subject to weather conditions* and animal inclination.
Due to COVID-19, we have made some modifications to this year's walk in order to ensure the health and safety of our visitors, staff, volunteers and the animals in our care. Please be sure to read the "What's New This Year?" section below before you purchase your daily admission ticket.
WHEN: January 11, 2022 through mid-March (weather permitting)
TIME:10:30 a.m.
*Please note - if the temperature warms up to or above +6ºC, drops to or below -20ºC, or if the winds are too excessive, the Penguin Walk will be cancelled for the safety of the penguins. Decisions on cancellation will be made daily, up to 10:00 a.m. Please check the zoo's website homepage and social media channels for any updates to the walk due to weather or animal inclination. Curious about why the walk could be cancelled due to wind? Keep reading below!
LOCATION: Penguin Plunge (outside)
TICKET PRICE*: Included with daily admission or memberships; parking not included (except for Engage and Inspire members)
Buy Daily Admission Tickets
Day admission tickets can be purchased online in advance or in person at the gate. Please note that day admission tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Important Information:
All enhanced public safety measures required for entry to the zoo grounds continue to apply during the Penguin Walk. Please see our Enhanced Public Safety Measures FAQ for additional information to ensure you meet the entry requirements before purchasing your ticket.
Wondering about the wind and the walk? The king and gentoo penguins may be indoors or outside depending on the wind parameters. Penguins can be susceptible to respiratory illnesses caused by airborne fungal spores that grow on decomposing plant material. Those spores are easily dispersed by wind. The wind parameters we have in place are there to ensure the safety and welfare of the penguins because it’s all about keeping the colony healthy!
What's New This Year?
- Up to 12 king penguins - Visitors may see as many as 12 king penguins participating in the daily walk including: Diana, Grace, Arthur, Solomon, Cleopatra, Josephine, Louis, Phillipe, Henri, Napoleon, George and Boudicca!
- Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable - When you purchase a daily admission ticket, you are purchasing a zoo visit with the value-added opportunity to experience the penguin walk (weather permitting). As per our normal ticketing policy, tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable even in the event that the walk is cancelled.
- Masks are mandatory - Visitors aged 2+ are required to wear a face mask while viewing the outdoor penguin walk for the health and safety of our visitors, staff, volunteers and the animals in our care.
- Find a spot - Visitors should plan to arrive before the walk starts in order to find a viewing spot along the designated route, indicated by the green chains and silver/white stanchion posts. Visitors are encouraged to remain in their viewing spot for the duration of the walk (~15 mins). If you wish to continue on to the island rather than wait for the penguins to return up the route, please use the detour pathway by the Prehistoric Park entrance.
- Need your morning coffee fix? - We've got you covered! Coffee, snacks and more are available for purchase at Kitamba Café (open 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.). So you can catch the penguin walk then head to Kitamba Café for your morning coffee fix to fuel you for the day ahead spent exploring the zoo grounds.