Early Closures

Early Penguin Plunge Closure: Last entry to Penguin Plunge on Thursday, September 17, will be at 4:15 p.m., with the building closed by 4:30 p.m, to accommodate a private event. Thank you for your understanding.

Early Asian Highlands Closure: Last entry to Asian Highlands will be at 4 p.m. on Sunday, September 20, and Sunday, September 27, to accommodate set up for Wild After Hours: Snow Leopards (18+). The area will be cleared by 5 p.m. Thank you for understanding.

Animal Viewing Impacts:

Polar Bear Viewing: Our polar bears will be temporarily off view in the main habitat from Tuesday, September 8, through Wednesday, September 16, while planned habitat maintenance is underway. The polar bears may still be visible in the courtyard through the amphitheatre window. Thank you for your understanding.

Grizzly Bear Viewing: Our grizzly bears are off-view from Tuesday, September 8 through Friday, September 18, to accommodate planned habitat work. Thank you for your understanding.

Giraffe Viewing: Our giraffes will not be viewable from Tuesday, September 15 through Thursday, September 17, to accommodate maintenance of the Savannah Building’s fabric doors. Thank you for your understanding.

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.

West Gate Closure

Due to significant construction activities in and around Imagine 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.

Amur tiger, Samkha, departed for another zoo

Bite-Sized

Bon Voyage, ‘Samkha’

January 30, 2024 | 1 minute read

Goodbye Calgary, hello new adventures! ‘Samkha’, our 11-year-old male Amur tiger, will soon be on the move to a new home. He will be departing during the week of February 4, so plan to stop by to wish him well on his travels!

While we will miss Samkha, we are excited to welcome back a returning face to the tiger habitat! Samkha’s brother, 11-year-old ‘Vasili’, joined us late last year.

Transfers like these between accredited zoos, while sometimes bittersweet, are a critical part of maintaining healthy and diverse Amur tiger populations in human care. Amur tigers are listed as Endangered by the IUCN Red List, and we’re thrilled to partner with our peers to ensure that this species can continue to thrive. As ambassadors for their species, they play an important role in helping to build connections, create awareness and inspire action to help make a difference for wildlife.

Bon Voyage, ‘Samkha’

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