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’s with heavy hearts that we bid farewell to an old friend – female Turkmenian markhor, ‘Popcorn’.
At 16 years of age, Popcorn was considered very geriatric for her species. Like most geriatric individuals, Popcorn was experiencing a variety of age-related health challenges, including glaucoma, heart disease, and some degenerative changes impacting her motor function. The Animal Care, Health & Welfare (ACHW) team supported her through these challenges with dietary supplements and medications and she was able to maintain a comfort level and quality of life for some time. However, Popcorn began exhibiting worsening neurological and other clinical signs of deteriorating health that were significantly impacting her wellbeing and the ACHW team made the compassionate decision to euthanize her.
Born at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo on June 16, 2007, we had the pleasure of caring for Popcorn for her entire life. The median life expectancy of Turkmenian markhors under human care is 8.6 years. Having lived twice her expected lifetime is a testament to the exemplary care she received from her dedicated caregivers.
Popcorn will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by her dedicated caregivers and all who came to know her over the years.
Turkmenian markhor ‘Popcorn’
