Closure Alerts

Christmas Day: The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo will be closed on Wednesday, December 25th, for both day admission and ZOOLIGHTS, presented by Olympia Trust Company. Normal operations will resume on December 26th.

New Year’s Eve: On Tuesday, December 31st, last entry for day admission and members will be at 3 p.m. with grounds cleared at 4 p.m. to accommodate set up for our Zoo Year’s Eve event, presented by Orange Frog.

Thank you for your understanding.

Animal Viewing Impacts

Land of Lemurs Walkthrough & Outdoor Gorilla Amphitheatre: The two outdoor animal viewing areas will close for the season beginning on October 15. Lemurs and gorillas will be viewable in their indoor habitats.

African Savannah Yard: Our Hartmann’s mountain zebras and ostriches will be off-view until early 2025 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.

Public Notice

Pesticide application to control the invasive species Flowering Rush (Butomus umbellatus) will occur within the property boundary of the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo under approval from Alberta Environment and Protected Areas. For full details or information on appeals, click here.
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.
Ostrich

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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Veterinarian

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