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
With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved 20-year-old male mandrill, ‘Yusufu’.
Last month, during their daily morning check, our vigilant Animal Care staff noted a sudden change in Yusufu’s behaviour, accompanied by signs of significant abdominal discomfort. Diagnostic testing under anesthesia by our Animal Health team revealed signs consistent with an acute serious intestinal issue. Based on his deteriorating clinical condition he underwent emergency abdominal surgery which revealed a large portion of his small intestine was significantly compromised and needed to be removed. Though Yusufu remained stable during the procedure, and despite the incredible efforts of the Animal Care, Health & Welfare (ACHW) team, tragically he passed away during recovery from surgery.
His necropsy revealed previous episodes of abdominal inflammation, significant changes in the removed intestinal segment, and degenerative changes in his heart. Additional information will be confirmed once histology results are available. The median life expectancy for mandrills in human care is 18.3 years.
Yusufu, born at Zoo de Granby in August 2003, became part of the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo family in April 2014, alongside his sister, ‘Layla’. With his larger size and striking colors, Yusufu was easily recognizable and a favourite zoo resident to staff, volunteers, and visitors alike.
Saying goodbye to the animals we love and care for is never easy, especially when the loss is sudden and unexpected. Mandrills are a social species, and our ACHW team has been carefully monitoring Layla’s behaviour while the team works with the AZA Species Survival Plan (SSP) to find her a new suitable mandrill for companionship.
We know our community will share in our deep sadness at this news. Yusufu will be greatly missed by staff, volunteers, and our community. Please keep our ACHW team in your thoughts during this difficult time.