Waddle This Way: The Penguin Walk Returns!
The spotlight is on the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo’s king penguins as they waddle across zoo grounds and into hearts for the 14th annual Penguin Walk, presented by WestJet Cargo.
Read MoreEarly Zoo Closure: The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo will be closing at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, February 25th for a private employee celebration. The last entry for members and day admission guests will be 12 p.m. The zoo grounds will be cleared by 2 p.m. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we take some time to celebrate our talented teams’ hard work and dedication!
Seasonal Closures
Gorilla Amphitheatre: The Gorilla Amphitheatre is closed for the season from October 15th, 2025. Our gorilla troop remains viewable in their indoor habitat.
Prehistoric Park: Prehistoric Park is closed for the season from October 27th, 2025, pending favorable weather conditions.
PETRONAS Gateway to Asia Malayan Tapir Viewing: ‘Sempurna’ and her calf have daily access to the main indoor habitat from 10:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. They’ll also have access to their behind-the-scenes space and may choose to spend time there, especially when the calf is nursing, so viewing isn’t always guaranteed. Thank you for your understanding.
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.
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.
Announcements
Zoo Closure Alert: The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo will be closed to the public (including members and day admission) on Thursday, September 19th, 2024.
Why? We’re thrilled to host the annual conference of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), which runs from September 14-19 at the BMO Centre here in Calgary! This prestigious event is the largest and most comprehensive gathering of zoo and aquarium professionals in North America. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore over 150 educational sessions, discover industry successes, experience the latest technology, and connect with 2,000+ passionate professionals dedicated to protecting and saving species.
While the conference spans several days, the zoo will only be closed to the public on September 19th as we welcome conference attendees for a special day at the zoo. It’s the first time in 40 years the conference is being held in Canada, and we’re excited to showcase our beautiful city, province, and incredible zoo with colleagues and professionals from around the world. Our standard hours of operation will resume on Friday, September 20th. Thank you for your understanding!