Remembering ‘Piura’
We’re saddened to share that we recently said goodbye to our 13-year-old female Chilean flamingo,‘Piura’. Pirua had been receiving ongoing care and monitoring for advanced arthritis in her right leg. When the…
Read MoreWild Canada is now open to the public and members. We welcome you to take a journey through seven of Canada’s ecological zones, celebrating the wonder and diversity of a world where people, animals, and the land are connected.
To simplify our membership program, we’re moving to a two-tiered structure – Wild Explorers and Wild Adventurers. The difference between the two? It’s all about the perks you receive!
Please click here for a comprehensive program overview and answers to frequently asked questions.
Penguin Plunge, penguin viewing: Penguin Plunge will be closed from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. on December 1, 2023. Thank you for your understanding.
Bite-Sized
We’re saddened to share the passing of a flighted friend, ‘Kramer’ the Alexandrine parakeet, who passed away on April 1, 2023. The Animal Care, Health & Welfare team noticed a significant increase and effort to his breathing which prompted a visit to the Animal Health Centre for an examination. That exam revealed that Kramer was in severe heart failure with secondary complications arising from it. While he recovered from anesthesia, unfortunately his heart arrested shortly after recovery and he did not respond to resuscitation efforts.
Kramer joined the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo family in August 2003 and spent the past two decades as a member of the zoo’s Program Animals. The life expectancy for Alexandrine parakeets in human care is 25-30 years. Though we don’t know Kramer’s exact age, he was a mature bird when he joined our Ambassador Animal program, and over the past year had developed degenerative issues, such as arthritis, associated with being a senior for his species.
As an ambassador for his species, Kramer has helped to educate thousands of students and campers over the years about the conservation plight of parrots and the responsibilities of exotic pet ownership. He will be dearly missed by his human caregivers and his habitat mate, eight-year-old Alexandrine parakeet ‘Newman’.
Alexandrine parakeet ‘Kramer’