Adjusted Hours and Impacts

Giraffes: Our giraffe tower will not be viewable until after 10 a.m. on Thursday, June 11, to accommodate routine habitat work. Thank you for your understanding.

Jihad Shibley Rocky Mountain Aviary: The Jihad Shibley Rocky Mountain Aviary is temporarily closed. Thank you for your understanding.

Avian Influenza Protocols: The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza within 200 kilometres of the Wilder Institute/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:

Penguin Plunge and the Rainforest Aviary have foot baths at entrances for guests to use
The Jihad Shibley Rocky Mountain Aviary is closed until further notice
Birds will continue to have outdoor access where appropriate and weather permitting

Our dedicated Animal Care, Health & Welfare team will continue to monitor the situation and prioritize the health and well-being of the animals in our care. Thank you for your understanding and continued support as we work to keep the animals we all care about safe.

Animal Viewing Impacts:

PETRONAS Gateway to Asia Malayan Tapir Viewing: ‘Sempurna’ and her female calf ‘Nyawa’ have daily access to either the main indoor habitat or the outdoor habitat from 9:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. They’ll also have access to their behind-the-scenes space and may choose to spend time there, so viewing isn’t always guaranteed. Thank you for your understanding.

Exploration Asia
The Exploration Asia Redevelopment project is officially underway! While there are some viewing impacts in the area, you can still visit many of your favourite species.

Species Viewable: Bactrian camels, Komodo dragons, white-handed gibbons, Malayan tapirs, red-crowned cranes, Turkmenian markhors, Amur tigers, and Pallas’s cats.
Species Not Viewable: Snow leopards and red pandas have been relocated during construction, but don’t worry – these beloved species will be back in 2026.

West Gate Closure

Due to significant construction activities in and around Exploration Asia, the zoo’s West Gate will remain closed for the 2025 season and is expected to 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.

Bite-Sized

A Fond Farewell to an Old Friend

September 13, 2023 | 1 minute read

We are saddended to share the news that we had to say goodbye to our 13-year-old female rock hyrax, ‘Hestia’. Well into her golden years, Hestia was considered geriatric for her species and had been receiving supportive care from the Animal Care, Health & Welfare (ACHW) team for many age-related health challenges. When it became clear that her quality of life could no longer be maintained, the ACHW team made the compassionate decision that euthanasia was in her best interest.

Hestia was born here at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo on June 7, 2010. At 13 years of age, she had more than doubled the median life expectancy of her species under human care which is 5.4 years. Her exceptionally long and wonderful life can be attributed to the exemplary care she received from the ACHW team.

Saying goodbye is never easy, especially when it’s to those who have spent their entire lives with us. Hestia was loved by many and will be dearly missed by all of us. Please keep our Animal Care, Health & Welfare team in your thoughts during this difficult time.

Rock hyrax, ‘Hestia’

A Fond Farewell to an Old Friend

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