Get Wild at the Calgary Zoo

Be Greeted by Creatures Big and Small and Even Some that are Extinct

May 30, 2009

It may take an entire day to explore because the Calgary Zoo has so many exotic animals waiting to be discovered around each corner.

The Calgary Zoo, Botanical Garden and Prehistoric Park have been enthralling guests for over 75 years. Mere moments from the downtown core the zoo is a refuge not only for animals but also for the visitors. The Calgary Zoo is recognized as Western Canada’s largest accredited zoo with sprawling acres of botanical gardens, over one thousand animals not to mention the local wildlife that swoops in for a visit and the Prehistoric Park where dinosaur statues hunker in the trees.

On a small scale the Calgary Zoo takes guests around the world to examine some major habitat zones. The zones represented are: Africa, Australia, South America, Eurasia and the Canadian Wilds as well as the Conservatory and Botanical Gardens.

In ‘Africa’ on the ‘Savannah’ the hippos swim in an 80, 000 gallon indoor pool and red river hogs race around while in the ‘Rainforest’ steam rises, colourful birds scream and luscious foliage blooms. Wandering into ‘Australia’ the night critters crawl out of the darkness; bats and a pair of Koalas visiting from San Diego hang around watching visitors go by.

Piranhas wait in ‘South America’ with teeth bared seemingly hoping for a slow moving two-toed sloth to drop in. At ‘Elephant Crossing’ in ‘Eurasia’ the big stars of the zoo play in their new spacious habitat. Tigers and leopards cavort like giant house cats in their environments flashing large fangs for camera happy viewers. In the familiar ‘Canadian Wilds’ bears loaf around and wolves dart through bushes while deer graze lazily.

The ‘Conservatory’, which at over 40 years old needed to be closed for repairs, is expected to reopen in the fall of 2009. The gardens are home to a wide variety of plants that flourish in the Calgary climate.

About the Calgary Zoo

With it’s very own road the Calgary Zoo is easy to find at 1300 Zoo Road NE near the city center and walking distance to a local light rail transit stop. There are 2 large parking lots, one located at the North side of the zoo and one on the West that easily accommodate daily visitors. At the moment parking is free but as of July 1st 2009 guests should expect to pay $5 to park all day, zoo members will have the benefit of continued free parking.

The zoo is open from 9 am through 6 pm with final gate admission at 5 pm every day except December 25th and for special event Zoogala. During the day there are several presentations to take in at many of the habitats or guests are free to wander at their own pace.

While prowling around the grounds visitors may find themselves ravenous; there are several food and drink stands open through out the zoo as well as facilities, a first aid centre, gift shops and playgrounds.

The copyright of the article Get Wild at the Calgary Zoo in Alberta Travel is owned by Natalie Bauer. Permission to republish Get Wild at the Calgary Zoo in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.