Impact of Stage 4 Water Restrictions on Zoo Operations

As of August 26th, the City of Calgary has resumed Stage 4 Outdoor Water Restrictions while they complete urgent repairs to the Bearspaw South Feeder Main. We will continue to adjust our daily operations to ensure compliance with the restrictions that are in place, while ensuring the safety, health, and well-being of the animals we love and care for.

We are taking the following steps to limit the use of city water:

Essential animal water stations will be maintained to ensure our animals’ well-being.
Our Animal Care, Health & Welfare (ACHW) team has implemented dry cleaning methods wherever possible and adjusted the frequency of habitat pool cleaning schedules.
We use non-potable well water for our irrigation systems to care for our botanical gardens and lawns. These wells operate independently of the city’s water supply.
Our drinking fountains will remain on, however we encourage visitors to bring water bottles or purchase water onsite.

Zone/Building Closures

Kinsmen Zooventure Playground, September 3-5: The Kinsmen Zooventure Playground in Destination Africa will be closed from Tuesday, September 3rd, through to Friday, September 6th, to accommodate maintenance and resurfacing work.

Brawn Family Foundation River Lodge, September 6: The Brawn Family Foundation River Lodge will close to the public (members and day admission) at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, September 6th, to accommodate a private event.

Gateway to Asia, September 11: Gateway to Asia will open to the public (members and day admission) at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 11th, to accommodate a private event.

Zoo Closure, September 19: The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo will be closed to the public (members and day admission) on Thursday, September 19th, 2024, while we host the final event of the 2024 AZA Annual Conference.

Zoo Closure, September 26: The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo will close at 3 p.m. on Thursday, September 26th for a private staff and volunteer celebration. The last entry for members and day admission will be 3 p.m. The zoo grounds will be cleared by 4 p.m.

Thank you for your understanding!

Animal Viewing Impacts

African Lions and Land of Lemurs: The tunnel in Destination Africa will be closed from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. on Monday, September 9th, to accommodate construction work for the Savannah Yard and Barn project. Our African lions and lemurs will not be viewable during this time.

African Savannah Yard: Our 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.

Egyptian tortoise, hatched July 18, 2024

Bite-Sized

Second Tiny Tortoise Makes a Big Impact

August 01, 2024 | 1 minute read

We’re thrilled to share that on July 18th, we welcomed a second Egyptian tortoise hatchling! Good things come in small packages, and this new addition joins our first wee hatchling who arrived on July 8th. This toonie-sized tortoise can be distinguished by a small beak deformity which is being closely monitored by our dedicated Animal Care, Health & Welfare (ACHW) team. While it is early days, our ACHW team says that this tiny tortoise is doing well and is even starting to eat some greens!

Egyptian tortoises are Critically Endangered and the arrival of not one, but two new additions is a significant milestone for our conservation efforts that started in 2015. The tiny tortoises are not yet viewable, so stay tuned for news of when they make their zoo debut!

Second Tiny Tortoise Makes a Big Impact

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