Frequently Asked Questions

No, as of February 9th, proof of an Alberta government-issued QR code; a negative COVID-19 test; or valid proof of medical exemption is no longer required for entry to the zoo. This applies to visitors, members and catering guests attending the zoo for day admission and after-hours events.

A friendly reminder that as of March 1, 2022, indoor masking is only required for visitors (ages 3+) while inside the Rainforest building to help keep our gorilla troop safe. 

Thank you for being kind and courteous to staff and visitors as we all navigate this change to our operations and thank you for supporting wildlife conservation!

For guests that have pre-purchased daily admission tickets (general admission), please contact our Guest Relations team to explore your options. Guest Relations can be reached at [email protected] or via phone at 403-232-9300.

School group attendees are not required to show government-issued proof of vaccination and ID for entry into Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo, nor are their teachers/chaperones/guardians. 

A friendly reminder that indoor masking is only required for visitors (ages 3+) while inside the Rainforest building to help keep our gorilla troop safe. 

Thank you for being kind and courteous to staff and visitors as we all navigate this change to our operations and thank you for supporting wildlife conservation!

Day camp attendees are not required to show government-issued proof of vaccination and ID for entry into Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo, nor are their teachers/chaperones/guardians. 

A friendly reminder that as of March 1, 2022, indoor masking is only required for visitors (ages 3+) while inside the Rainforest building to help keep our gorilla troop safe. 

Thank you for being kind and courteous to staff and visitors as we all navigate this change to our operations and thank you for supporting wildlife conservation!

No, effective February 9th, proof of an Alberta government-issued QR code; a negative COVID-19 test; or valid proof of medical exemption is no longer required for entry to the zoo. This applies to visitors, members and catering guests attending the zoo for day admission and after-hours events.

A friendly reminder that as of March 1, 2022, indoor masking is only required for visitors (ages 3+) while inside the Rainforest building to help keep our gorilla troop safe. 

Thank you for being kind and courteous to staff and visitors as we all navigate this change to our operations and thank you for supporting wildlife conservation!

If you would like to discuss your membership, please contact our Memberships team at [email protected].

No, effective February 9th, proof of an Alberta government-issued QR code; a negative COVID-19 test; or valid proof of medical exemption is no longer required for entry to the zoo. This applies to visitors, members and catering guests attending the zoo for day admission and after-hours events.

A friendly reminder that as of March 1, 2022, indoor masking is only required for visitors (ages 3+) while inside the Rainforest building to help keep our gorilla troop safe. 

Thank you for being kind and courteous to staff and visitors as we all navigate this change to our operations and thank you for supporting wildlife conservation!

The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is happy to work with you to reschedule your upcoming event to a later date, however refunds will not be provided. Please reach out to the Sales team if you have questions or concerns about your event at [email protected].

No, effective February 9th, proof of an Alberta government-issued QR code; a negative COVID-19 test; or valid proof of medical exemption is no longer required for entry to the zoo. This applies to visitors, members and catering guests attending the zoo for day admission and after-hours events.

A friendly reminder that as of March 1, 2022, indoor masking is only required for visitors (ages 3+) while inside the Rainforest building to help keep our gorilla troop safe. 

Thank you for being kind and courteous to staff and visitors as we all navigate this change to our operations and thank you for supporting wildlife conservation!

Special experience ticket purchases are non-refundable. We are happy to process a gift card for you to use at a later date. Please contact [email protected] to discuss further.

Yes, in certain buildings. As of March 1, 2022, indoor masking is only required for visitors (ages 3+) while inside the Rainforest building to help keep our gorilla troop safe. 

Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo staff and volunteers who work in close proximity with vulnerable species, including primates, cats, and mustelids, will continue to wear PPE as required.

No, you will not. Daily admission tickets can be purchased online or at the North Entrance. Tickets are available to purchase online. Members will not need to purchase tickets in advance, they just need to show their valid Membership ID card at the North gate to gain entry to the Calgary Zoo. Note: Access to the zoo is only available through the North Entrance. The West Entrance remains closed. 

Visitor capacity limits have been lifted for the zoo grounds, as well as within our buildings and indoor habitats.

Current discount programs such as Air Miles*, AMA, Boom, and Calgary Recreation Fair Entry will continue to be accepted at the North Entrance. *Note: Please see our Coupons, Discounts and Special Offers page for additional information regarding Air Miles.

No, children under 3 do not need a day admission ticket.

No. You’re welcome to enjoy the zoo grounds for as long as you like until closing!

Day admission tickets are non-refundable but may be rescheduled up to 7 days from the date of purchase. Please email [email protected] for assistance.

No, once you exit the zoo, you can not re-enter the same day without a new day admission ticket.

Food & beverage services (Penguin Café, Kitamba Café, Kitamba Java) are open, patio and outdoor picnic seating is available. Grazers is closed for the season. Outdoor concessions (Dairy Bar, Camel Canteen, Safari Snacks, Dinny's Diner, Tiger's Den, and Watering Hole) are closed for the season. Click here to view the current concessions hours of operation. Please note some concessions may be open after hours during special experiences, including ZOOLIGHTS, presented by Olympia Trust Company. 

North Gift Shop and Bamboo-tique are open. Tiger's Conservatory Den remains closed. Click here to view the current retail hours of operation.

Yes. Debit or credit are the preferred methods of payment at this time, however cash is accepted.

The Brawn Family Foundation’s Bugtopia, Calgary Co-op Kids Zone, and Kinsmen Zooventure playgrounds are open.

Yes, indoor water fountains are open. All outdoor water fountains have been closed for the season.

Wagon Rentals

Wagon rentals are available at the North Gift Shop, located by Penguin Plunge, for a rental fee of $10. Keep your receipt and return your wagon before 4:45 p.m. to get $2 back.

Wheelchair and Power Chair Rentals

Wheelchairs are available at the North Gift Shop for a rental fee of $20. This cost includes a $10 refundable deposit and GST. A limited number of power chairs are also available, for a rental fee of $25.

Please note that all rental equipment has a limited supply and will be rented out on a first come first served basis. Reservations are not taken, nor is there a waiting list available throughout the day.

The following will be unavailable until further notice as we support a safe experience for all:

• Cequel Energy Lodge due to ongoing construction projects - at this time the North American river otters will be unavailable for viewing, 

• Land of Lemurs walk-through remains closed. 

• Some indoor facilities, including: Karsten Discovery Centre; Tigers Den Gift Shop. The following washroom locations are also closed: North Gate (entrance), Karsten Discovery Centre and Cequel Energy Lodge. 

• The West Gate remains closed.

Thank you for your support of the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo! You can use your gift cards for online purchases, including memberships and tickets.

Yes! Prehistoric Park opened for the season on Friday, April 15, 2022.

Please note the animatronic dinosaurs won't be moving or making sound until mid-May.

The Land of Lemurs walk-through is closed.  

Lemurs are still viewable in their indoor & outdoor* habitats! (*weather permitting)

No, five species (North American river otter, muskox, bison, woodland caribou and whooping crane) in the Canadian Wilds are soon to be off habitat and won't return until 2023.

To create some exciting new habitats and spaces in the Canadian Wilds, we are undergoing a massive construction project which will temporarily shift pathways and move some animals offsite until the construction is completed. 

Commencing on April 19, 2022, the Canadian Wilds will have two viewing paths: 

• North path: enter through the top entrance, travel through to the Jihad Shibley Rocky Mountain Aviary and back. On this journey, you will see bighorn sheep, rocky mountain goats, and the aviary species. 
• South path: enter through the lower entrance by the zoo bridge, travel along the pathway through to the Brawn Family Foundation Bugtopia and back. On this route, you will see cougars, black bears, grizzly bears, North American porcupine, moose, and grey wolves. 

Some species will be temporarily relocated offsite during the construction. These species include:

• Currently offsite: North American river otter and muskox
• Offsite as of April 19: bison, woodland caribou and whooping cranes.

We’re working hard to minimize impacts while continuing to provide the best possible experience for both our visitors and the animals we love and care for.  

If you’re planning a visit to the zoo in the coming weeks, be sure you take a stroll through the Canadian Wilds to visit the woodland caribou, bison and whooping cranes before they say ‘good-bye’ until 2023. Learn more here.