Adjusted Hours and Impacts

Rainforest Building: The Rainforest Building will open at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 30th, and Thursday, July 31st, to give our western lowland gorilla troop the space, comfort, and privacy they need as they meet their newest member, ‘Johari’. Thank you for your understanding.

Transit Impact: Planned maintenance will impact the Blue Line, making C-Train service to Zoo Station unavailable from 8 p.m. on Friday, August 8th, through to the end of Sunday, August 10th.

A bus service will operate between Bridgeland/Memorial Station with drop-off only at the North Parking Lot. Visit the Calgary Transit website as you plan your zoo trip.

Early Zoo Closure: Last entry to the zoo for guests and members will be 3:00 p.m. on Friday, August 8th, to accommodate setup for our Cocktails for Conservation event. Thank you for your understanding.

Destination Africa: Destination Africa will close at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 17th, to accommodate setup for FOCUSED: Destination Africa, presented by the Camera Store. Thank you for your understanding.

Penguin Plunge: Penguin Plunge will open at 9:30 a.m. on the following days to accommodate our Penguin Breakfast events:

June 28
July 6, 13, 19, and 27
August 2, 3, 10, 16, 24, and 31

Thank you for your understanding.

Animal Viewing Impacts:

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.

Species Viewable: Bactrian camels, Komodo dragons, white-handed gibbons, Malayan tapirs, red-crowned cranes, Turkmenian markhors, Amur tigers, wild boar, and Pallas’s cats. Plus, our Dalmatian pelicans can be found in their temporary home at Land of Lemurs!
Species Not Viewable: Snow leopards and red pandas have been relocated during construction, but don’t worry – these beloved species will be back in 2026.

West Gate Closure

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.

Snow Leopard Zoo Grounds, Exploration Asia, Gateway to Asia, Alberta, Canada

Animal Care, Health & Wellbeing

At the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo, we take a holistic approach in our care practices and view an animal’s wellbeing as a combination of factors influenced by their habitat, behaviours, and health. Through science-based practices and specialized enrichment, the animals in our care receive world-class care.

Enrichment

Enrichment experiences create variety and mental stimulation, enhancing an animal’s wellbeing.

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Hippopotamus, Lobi eating lettuce rocket enrichment in the pool

Nutrition

We make science-based nutrition decisions, conducting research that informs our selection of ingredients as well as the assemblage and delivery of nutrition to our animals.

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White-handed gibbon, Maximus perched in tree, first day in public view habitat

Environment

Internationally recognized for our habitat design practices, each habitat at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is developed with the species in mind to maximize their well-being.

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Animal Health & Welfare

With an experienced team consisting of 3 veterinarians, a veterinary fellow, and 5 registered veterinary technologists, we regularly perform both routine checkups and life-saving procedures.

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Questions & Concerns

Who can I talk to about animal care or animal habitats at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo?

If you have a question or concern about a specific animal, habitat, or how the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo cares for its animals, email Comments@CalgaryZoo.com. We will respond within 24 hours.

Note: Any health issue, or the death of an animal at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is carefully investigated and recorded for disclosure with the appropriate public or zoo officials. View our policies.

What should do if I find an orphaned or injured wild animal?

Before handling a wild animal, please contact the Calgary Wildlife Rehabilitation Society (CWRS) at (403) 239-2488, or visit www.calgarywildlife.org.

The CWRS is a registered non-profit charitable organization that treats, rehabilitates, and releases injured and orphaned wildlife.

Plan Your Visit

Get close to wildlife

The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is situated on St. George Island, only five minutes from downtown Calgary and 20 minutes from the Calgary International Airport. Home to more than 4,000 animals from around the world, there’s plenty to see and do.

Plan Your Visit