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
It is with very heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of our beloved senior red-fronted lemur, ‘Radish’.
At the remarkable age of 32, Radish was considered very geriatric for her species. She was being closely monitored and treated for known degenerative joint disease and progressive renal disease and had received treatment for glaucoma last year. However, in late January her dedicated care team noticed she was having trouble navigating her surroundings safely and her appetite was decreasing. Given her diminishing quality of life associated with her advanced age, our Animal Care, Health & Welfare team made the difficult but compassionate decision to euthanize her on February 1, 2024.
Radish was born on March 12, 1991 at Duke Lemur Center in North Carolina. She spent much of her adult life at the Edmonton Valley Zoo with her (late) mate, ‘Red Baron’ (who passed away in 2022 at the remarkable age of 29) and their two offspring, ‘Dora’ (14 years old) and ‘Rhubarb’ (12 years old). Radish and family joined the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo family in March of 2017 when she was 25 years old. Red-fronted lemurs typically live 20-25 years in human care (or 18-19 years in the wild), so Radish was already well into her ‘golden’ years when she joined us. At nearly 33 years of age, Radish’s long and wonderful life is a testament to the exemplary care she received from her caregivers both before and during her time with us.
Radish has been described by those that loved and cared for her daily as “sweet but tough”. This special senior lemur will be deeply missed by anyone who had the privilege of working with or visiting her over the years she spent with us. Please keep our team in your thoughts during this difficult time.
