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.

Rainforest Aviary

Welcome to a symphony of sound and colour. Our Rainforest Aviary brings you closer to a variety of incredible birds.

Birds

Rainforest Aviary

You know what they say – birds of a feather flock together. Here in the Rainforest Aviary, you’ll see an incredible diversity of bird species in this stunning mixed species habitat where feathered friends are busy building nests, preening, and going for a swim. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for our East African mud turtle!

Alexandrine Parakeet

Range: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam
What do they eat? Herbivore – seeds, fruits, and nuts
What family do they belong to? Psittacidae – one of three parrot families
IUCN Red List status: Near Threatened

Hadada Ibis

Range: Central and southern Africa
What do they eat? Carnivore – insects, millipedes, worms, spiders, and lizards
What family do they belong to? Threskiornithidae – ibis and spoonbill family
IUCN Red List status: Least Concern

Spur-winged Lapwing

Range: Europe, Asia, and Africa
What do they eat? Carnivore – insects and invertebrates
What family do they belong to? Charadriidae – plovers and lapwings
IUCN Red List status: Least Concern

White-faced Whistling duck

Range: Africa and South America
What do they eat? Omnivore – grasses, seeds, and aquatic invertebrates
What family do they belong to? Anatidae – duck, goose, and swan family
IUCN Red List status: Least Concern

Southern Bald Ibis

Range: Southern Africa
What do they eat? Carnivore – insects and invertebrates
What family do they belong to? Threskiornithidae – ibis and spoonbill family
IUCN Red List status: Vulnerable

Marbled Teal

Range: Spain, Italy, Northern African, Iraq, Iran, Azerbaijan, Armenia, China, and India
What do they eat? Omnivore – seeds, plants, and invertebrates
What family do they belong to? Anatidae – duck, goose, and swan family
IUCN Red List status: Near Threatened

African Spoonbill

Range: Botswana, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Madagascar
What do they eat? Carnivore – fish, mollusks, amphibians, crustaceans, insects, and larvae
What family do they belong to? Threskiornithidae – ibis and spoonbill family
IUCN Red List status: Least Concern

Golden-Breasted Starling

Range: Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania
What do they eat? Omnivore – insects, termites, snails, spiders, small vertebrates, and fruits
What family do they belong to? Sturnidae – starling family
IUCN Red List status: Least Concern

Taveta Golden Weaver

Range: Kenya and Tanzania
What do they eat? Omnivore – seeds, insects, grasses, and corn
What family do they belong to? Ploceidae – weaver family
IUCN Red List status: Least Concern

Hamerkop

Range: Central and southern Africa and Madagascar
What do they eat? Carnivore – shrimp, insects, rodents, and lizards
What family do they belong to? Scopidae – hamerkop family
IUCN Red List status: Least Concern

African Pygmy Goose

Range: Central and southern Africa, and Madagascar
What do they eat? Omnivore – sees and insects
What family do they belong to? Anatidae – duck, goose, and swan family.
IUCN Red List status: Least Concern