Adjusted Hours and Impacts

Grizzly Bears: Our grizzly bears will be off-view from Friday, August 8th through to Sunday, August 10th. During this time, black bears ‘Orson’ and ‘Teslin’ will be viewable in the habitat. Thank you for your understanding.

Rainforest Building: The Rainforest Building will have an adjusted opening time on the following days to give our western lowland gorilla troop the space, comfort, and privacy they need as they meet their newest member, ‘Johari’:

August 8-10, opening at 10:00 a.m.
August 11-12, opening at 11:00 a.m.

Thank you for your understanding.

Transit Impact: Planned maintenance will impact the Blue Line, making C-Train service to Zoo Station unavailable from 8 p.m. on Friday, August 8th, through to the end of Sunday, August 10th.

A bus service will operate between Bridgeland/Memorial Station with drop-off only at the North Parking Lot. Visit the Calgary Transit website as you plan your zoo trip.

Early Zoo Closure: Last entry to the zoo for guests and members will be 3:00 p.m. on Friday, August 8th, to accommodate setup for our Cocktails for Conservation event. Thank you for your understanding.

Destination Africa: Destination Africa will close at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 17th, to accommodate setup for FOCUSED: Destination Africa, presented by the Camera Store. Thank you for your understanding.

Penguin Plunge: Penguin Plunge will open at 9:30 a.m. on the following days to accommodate our Penguin Breakfast events:

June 28
July 6, 13, 19, and 27
August 2, 3, 10, 16, 24, and 31

Thank you for your understanding.

Animal Viewing Impacts:

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, wild boar, and Pallas’s cats. Plus, our Dalmatian pelicans can be found in their temporary home at Land of Lemurs!
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

Remembering ‘Cornelius’

April 10, 2023 | 1 minute read

We’re saddened to share the recent unexpected passing of beloved program animal ‘Cornelius’ the corn snake on March 24th, 2023.

The life expectancy for wild corn snakes is six to eight years and 10 to 15 years in human care. At over nine years of age, Cornelius was considered a geriatric reptile. Over the past couple of years, he had some gastrointestinal issues which were medically managed. His necropsy revealed chronic degenerative kidney disease and chronic mild gastrointestinal changes.

Cornelius arrived here at the zoo in 2018 and was an all-star animal ambassador who greatly impacted wildlife education! As one of a few animal residents capable of being handled, he helped our Conservation Education team educate thousands of students about the proper care and handling of snakes, along with the valuable role they play in the natural world. He was one of a kind and will be missed by all.

Corn snake ‘Cornelius’

Remembering ‘Cornelius’

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