Saying Goodbye to a Truly Great Bear
One of the hardest parts of our work is saying goodbye to the animals we love and care for. Today, our Animal Care, Health & Welfare team made the compassionate decision to…
Read MorePETRONAS Gateway to Asia Malayan Tapir Viewing: ‘Sempurna’ and her calf are not currently viewable and will remain behind-the-scenes for the next several weeks to enjoy quiet bonding time. Stay tuned to our social channels for the announcement of their public debut!
PETRONAS Gateway to Asia: Last entry to PETRONAS Gateway to Asia will be at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 20th and Saturday, September 27th, to accommodate setup for Wild After Hours: Malayan Tapirs (18+).
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.
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
It is with heavy hearts that we share that last week we said goodbye to our beloved senior male red panda, ‘Dusk’. At 18.5 years old, Dusk was extremely geriatric for his species. He had been receiving supportive care from the Animal Care, Health & Welfare (ACHW) team for a range of age-related health concerns including progressive degenerative arthritis and chronic dental disease. After a recent veterinary exam revealed progressive heart disease coupled with advanced kidney disease that was compromising his welfare, the ACHW team made the difficult but compassionate decision to euthanize him.
Born in 2004 in Winnipeg, Dusk joined the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo family in 2013 when he was 9 years old. During his lifetime, Dusk was a “conservation superstar” having successfully sired six cubs as part of the Red Panda Species Survival Plan (SSP), including our three-year-old female, ‘Udaya’. As the years passed by, Dusk’s caregivers recognized that he needed some specialized care and attention. Dusk spent much of his golden years behind the scenes in his private habitat where he could move at his own pace and enjoy some quiet time away from the more rambunctious young ones in our pack. He will be fondly remembered for his mild-mannered nature.
The median life expectancy for red pandas under human care is 10 years. At nearly 19 years of age, Dusk’s exceptionally advanced age is a testament to the incredible care he received from his care team throughout his lifetime. He will be dearly missed by zoo staff, volunteers, and visitors alike but his legacy lives on at the zoo through his daughter, Udaya, and his grandcubs, ‘Sundari’ and ‘Ravi’. Please keep the Animal Care, Health & Welfare team in your thoughts during this difficult time.
Red panda ‘Dusk’