Saying Goodbye to ‘Odin’
Saying goodbye to the animals we love and care for is always difficult, but it is especially so when they have been a member of our zoo family for a long time.…
Read MoreAs 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:
Kinsmen Zooventure Playground, September 3-5: The Kinsmen Zooventure Playground in Destination Africa will be closed from Tuesday, September 3rd, through to Thursday, September 5th, 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!
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.
Bite-Sized
It’s with heavy hearts that we share the passing of one of the zoo’s most colourful residents – male panther chameleon ‘Neo’.
Last month we shared that Neo had been receiving medications and laser therapy for arthritis and muscle weakness that was affecting his grip strength. Chameleons are usually expert climbers, but due to his weakness Neo’s care team implemented modifications to his habitat to help him more easily navigate his surroundings, including a multi-level structure with interconnected branches, palm fronds, and other items to give him more options. Unfortunately, his strength and health continued to decline, and it became unsafe for him to remain in his habitat even with all of the modifications. Based on his declining health and welfare, the compassionate decision was made to euthanize him.
While wild panther chameleons only live 2-3 years, the maximal life expectancy for panther chameleons under human care is approximately 5.2 years. At over 5 years old, Neo was considered geriatric for his species. He hatched on Christmas Day in 2017 and joined the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo family shortly after in 2018. Neo gained a new habitat mate last year – one-year-old female ‘Makira’.
Whether it’s through specialized treatments, dietary adjustments, or innovative habitat designs, the Animal Care, Health & Welfare team, supported by teams across the zoo, provides the best possible care through every stage of life for the species that call the zoo home. Neo’s age and the quality of care he received throughout his time with us are a testament to this. Please keep his care team in your thoughts during this difficult time.
Panther chameleon, ‘Neo’