Adjusted Hours and Impacts

Alpacas: Our alpacas will not be viewable on Friday, May 15th, during their routine health exams. Thank you for your understanding.

Savannah Plains: Our southern ostriches will not be viewable until Friday, May 15th, while seeding takes place in Savannah Plains. During this time, our Hartmann’s mountain zebras will be viewable inside Savannah Crossing. Thank you for understanding.

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

Penguin Plunge: Last entry to Penguin Plunge will be at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 2nd, and Saturday, May 16th, to accommodate set up for our Wild After Hours: Penguins (18+) event. Thank you for your understanding.

Seasonal Closures

Prehistoric Park: Prehistoric Park reopens May 16th, 2026.

Animal Viewing Impacts:

PETRONAS Gateway to Asia Malayan Tapir Viewing: ‘Sempurna’ and her calf have daily access to the main indoor habitat from 10:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. They’ll also have access to their behind-the-scenes space and may choose to spend time there, especially when the calf is nursing, 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

Farewell to ‘Josephine’

November 12, 2023 | 1 minute read

We are saddened to share that our senior king penguin, ‘Josephine’, passed away this morning at the remarkable age of 31. Josephine came to the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo in 2018 from the Montreal Biodome and has been a much-loved member of the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo family since her arrival.

Necropsy findings revealed that Josephine died due to age-related complications associated with kidney failure. Leading up to her passing, she had also developed a large urate stone in her cloaca that exacerbated her condition.

Josephine’s remarkable age at the time of her passing is a testament to the incredible care she received since coming to the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo in 2018. She was a much-loved member of the zoo family and will be fondly remembered.

Farewell to ‘Josephine’

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