Early Zoo Closure: August 9

The zoo will close early on Friday, August 9, 2024, to accommodate setup for Wild After Hours: Corks for Conservation (18+). The last entry into the grounds will be at 3:00 p.m. and the grounds will begin to be cleared at 4:00 p.m. Thank you for understanding.

Animal Viewing Impacts

Indoor Gorilla Habitat: From July 2 until approximately the end of the month, the western lowland gorilla troop will not be viewable in their indoor African Rainforest habitat while work is done on the viewing windows. The troop will be viewable in their outdoor habitat throughout the project (weather and animal participation permitting). The rest of the African Rainforest building will remain open and accessible throughout the project. Thank you for your understanding.

African Savannah Yard: 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.

Sustainability

Learn how we are helping to build a greener future at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo.

Safeguarding A

Wild Tomorrow

We all have a role to play in protecting and preserving our world’s delicate biodiversity. Sustainable practices, from day-to-day behaviours to large-scale projects, play a crucial role in ensuring a wild future for plants, animals, and people.

The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is proud to participate in over a dozen initiatives focused on protecting the wild world we call home. We carefully manage the natural resources used throughout our organization and implement innovative methods in order to minimize our environmental impact.

Planting Trees Plant Red panda, Udaya eating bamboo leaf browse

Read About Our

Green Business Practices

Every year, organizations accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), like us, provide information about their sustainable business practices to AZA’s Green Practices survey.

Check out our initiatives – some you may have noticed around the zoo while others take place behind the scenes!

Alternative Fuel Usage for On-Site Fleet

Implementing alternative fuels to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.

Alternative Transportation Discounts for Guests

Encouraging sustainable transportation choices among visitors.

Building Energy Management

Efficiently managing energy consumption in our facilities.

Commingled Recycling

Promoting recycling by combining different materials in one bin.

Community-Based Sustainability Projects

Engaging with the community to drive sustainable initiatives.

Composting

Diverting organic waste from landfills (some compostable materials head offsite to be managed by our partners while some stay on-site to be composted by our Horticulture team!).

Construction Waste Diversion/Recycling

Minimizing waste during construction projects.

Denitrification Systems

Implementing denitrification processes to reduce nitrogen pollution.

Energy Submetering

Monitoring energy usage at a granular level for better efficiency.

Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory

Tracking greenhouse gas emissions using certified methodologies.

Graywater Reuse and/or Rainwater Harvesting

Utilizing graywater and rainwater for non-potable purposes.

Green Purchasing Policy/Green Procurement

Prioritizing environmentally friendly products and services.

Local Food Procurement

Sourcing food locally, when possible, for animals and guests (some of the produce used in our restaurants is even harvested from our own gardens at the zoo!).

Purchasing Green Power or Renewable Energy Credits (RECs)

Supporting clean energy sources.

Smart Buildings

Leveraging advanced control systems and data analytics for energy and water management.

Solar or Wind Energy Generation

Harnessing renewable energy from the sun or wind (visitors to the zoo may catch a glimpse of solar panels installed on the roofs of some of our buildings!).

Stormwater Management Program

Managing stormwater runoff to prevent pollution.

Wastewater Reduction

Implementing strategies to minimize wastewater generation.

Water Submetering

Monitoring water usage to identify conservation opportunities.

Waterwise Landscaping

Landscaping practices that conserve water.

Learn How We Are

Helping to Build a Greener Tomorrow at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo

Waste Reduction

  • Providing readily available and understandable opportunities for recycling and composting.
  • Eliminating single-use plastics wherever possible.

Food & Beverage

  • Arranging locally sourced, organic and seasonal food options.
  • Serving produce in restaurants grown in on-site gardens.
  • Achieving Level 2 LEAF certification for sustainable food service.
  • Remaining a longtime Oceanwise sustainable seafood partner.
Kitamba Cups

Sustainable Materials

  • Using primarily compostable food packaging materials in all concession locations.
  • Opting for eco-friendly and recyclable materials for all signage and promotional materials.
  • Providing digital alternatives to minimize paper usage.