Featured Projects

Saving Species in Canada and Around the World

Our vision is to become Canada’s leader in wildlife conservation. To that aim, our Conservation Research team uses science to sustain threatened wildlife in Canada and around the world. We work together with our partners to develop conservation strategies that will benefit species-at-risk. Our conservation work is focused in two areas – community conservation and reintroductions.

Caring for Endangered and At-Risk Species

At the Calgary Zoo, we’re committed to providing the highest quality of animal care. You can join your zoo in providing dynamic habitats and engaging enrichment activities for the animals that live at the Calgary Zoo. You can also assist in providing our animal care, veterinary and conservation research teams with equipment and supplies. The Calgary Zoo – along with other accredited zoos across North America – participates in Species Survival Plans (SSP) to ensure the continued conservation of at-risk species.

Partnership to Safeguard Future Wildlife

The Calgary Zoo has teamed up with one of Alberta’s most beloved conservationists to support the urgent effort to save endangered animals in Canada and around the world. The Brian Keating Conservation Endowment honours Keating’s nearly 30 years of service to the Calgary Zoo and his efforts to protect wildlife. The goal is to each year release more animals back into the wild than the zoo currently cares for. The zoo’s award-winning conservation programs are leading projects to save the Vancouver Island marmot, black-tailed prairie dog, burrowing owl, Northern leopard frog, whooping crane, swift fox, black-footed ferret and greater sage-grouse. In addition, the zoo is heavily involved with community conservation projects to save sitatunga and hippos in Ghana, mountain bongo in Kenya, and lemurs in Madagascar. 

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Extinction is Forever

Dinny is a historic figure for Calgary and the Calgary Zoo. Built in 1935 by sculptor John Kanerva, Dinny is the last remaining statue from the Natural History Park, which was installed in 1937 at the Calgary Zoo. Your support not only preserves a piece of history, but also helps stop other species from going extinct. By helping Dinny and supporting your Calgary Zoo, you also give a voice to all the wildlife and their endangered relatives who can’t speak for themselves, just like Dinny. Gifts of $5,000 or more will be recognized on a commemorative donor wall displayed in Dinny’s redesigned space.

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Breeding endangered species for release into the wild

In 1984, the Calgary Zoo opened the Devonian Wildlife Conservation Centre – an off-site conservation breeding facility located south of Calgary. Over the years, the property became increasingly surrounded by urban development making the zoo’s award-winning reintroduction programs for endangered species much more challenging. As the only zoo in Canada with an off-site breeding facility, the Calgary Zoo is committed to taking on the immense challenges that species face, using science to sustain threatened wildlife in Canada and around the world. The zoo’s new Wildlife Conservation Centre is a step forward providing the right level of seclusion and ample space for the zoo to expand its conservation programs. Construction is expected to be completed early in 2022.Located on 330 acres of land, the new Wildlife Conservation Centre will feature: Improved animal habitats for burrowing owls, greater sage-grouse, Vancouver Island marmots, whooping cranes, and Northern leopard frogs; Expanded and purpose-built paddocks, pastures and shelters for hoofstock, and accommodation for resident animal care staff and a veterinary clinic.

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