Impact of Critical Water Main Break on Zoo Operations

On June 5, the City of Calgary experienced a significant water emergency which continues today. We’re working very closely with the City of Calgary and Calgary Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) to adjust our daily operations to ensure compliance with the Stage 4 City Mandatory Water Restrictions in place, while ensuring the safety, health and well-being of the animals we love and care for.

Here’s how we’re adapting:

Essential animal water stations will be maintained to ensure our animals’ well-being.
Our Animal Care, Health & Welfare (ACHW) team has implemented dry cleaning methods wherever and adjusting the frequency of habitat pool cleaning schedules.
Our irrigation systems are turned off
Our water fountains will remain on for now however we encourage visitors to bring water bottles or purchase water onsite

We appreciate your understanding as we make these necessary adjustments to support our community.

Animal Viewing Impacts

Indoor Gorilla Habitat: From July 2 until approximately the end of the month, the western lowland gorilla troop will not be viewable in their indoor African Rainforest habitat while work is done on the viewing windows. The troop will be viewable in their outdoor habitat throughout the project (weather and animal participation permitting). The rest of the African Rainforest building will remain open and accessible throughout the project. Thank you for your understanding.

African Savannah Yard: 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

A New Beak to Peek in Penguin Plunge

July 07, 2023 | 2 minute read

There’s a new beak on the beach! We are excited to announce that a new Humboldt penguin chick has hatched!

On June 5th, first-time penguin parents ‘Inca’ and ‘Enrique’ welcomed a chick and the family has been bonding in a constructed burrow on the beach of Penguin Plunge. Humboldt penguin chicks will spend the first several months in their burrows after hatching, so our newest addition will likely stay inside the burrow until early August when it goes to meet the rest of the colony. While you may not see the chick for a while, you may hear it – it is showing off its strong lungs by calling out early in the day!

While its sex has not yet been confirmed, our Animal Care, Health & Welfare team has been closely monitoring the chick and it has aced its initial health check with an impressive weight of 855 grams. Our Humboldt penguins are part of a Species Survival Plan (SSP) that will help to ensure the genetic diversity of their species. Inca and Enrique both hatched at the zoo in 2017 as part of the SSP and we are thrilled to see these longtime partners welcome their first successful chick and contribute to the future of their species for generations to come.

Humboldt penguin chick

A New Beak to Peek in Penguin Plunge

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