Snowy owl

Bite-Sized

Protecting Our Birds from Avian Influenza

May 21, 2026 | 1 minute read

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza within 200 kilometres of the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo.

The health and well-being of the animals in our care remains our top priority. Out of an abundance of caution, we’re proactively implementing the following measures to protect our avian species:

– Penguin Plunge and the Rainforest Aviary have foot baths at entrances for guests to use
– The Jihad Shibley Rocky Mountain Aviary is closed until further notice
– Birds will continue to have outdoor access where appropriate and weather permitting

Our dedicated Animal Care, Health & Welfare team will continue to monitor the situation and prioritize the health and well-being of the animals in our care. Thank you for your understanding and continued support as we work to keep the animals we all care about safe.