The zoo will close early on Friday, August 9, 2024, to accommodate setup for Wild After Hours: Corks for Conservation (18+). The last entry into the grounds will be at 3:00 p.m. and the grounds will begin to be cleared at 4:00 p.m. Thank you for understanding.
Indoor Gorilla Habitat: From July 2 until approximately the end of the month, the western lowland gorilla troop will not be viewable in their indoor African Rainforest habitat while work is done on the viewing windows. The troop will be viewable in their outdoor habitat throughout the project (weather and animal participation permitting). The rest of the African Rainforest building will remain open and accessible throughout the project. Thank you for your understanding.
African Savannah Yard: Hartmann’s mountain zebras and ostriches will be off-view until the end of the year while we complete exciting upgrades in the African Savannah Yard, including the construction of a new Savannah Barn for the animals. Our giraffe tower will continue to be viewable throughout the project. 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’
