Calgary Zoo#Zoolights

St. George's Island was Calgary's first park, used by the community for picnics, relaxing, and socializing. The first collection of animals began with two mule deer on the island in 1917.{{cite web |title=Small steps took zoo from two deer to world-renowned refuge |work=Calgary Herald |date=4 June 1989 |page=81 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/calgary-herald-calgary-zoo-history-1989/27038808/}} The collection expanded with more local wildlife as the popularity amongst park-goers increased. The Calgary Zoological Society was established on 9 January 1929 and took over administration of the facility from the City of Calgary.

Several animals died during floods in June 1929 when St. George's Island was swamped."Hundreds of City Homes Menaced by Rivers", The Calgary Herald, 3 June 1929

In 1937, the closure of the Banff Zoo in Banff National Park led to the transfer of more species and allowed the Calgary Zoo to cement itself as the largest zoological collection in the region.{{Cite web |title=Banff's Bears {{!}} Banff, AB - Official Website |url=https://banff.ca/480/Banffs-Bears |access-date=2025-05-16 |website=banff.ca}}

In 1972, the zoo launched the "Ban the Bars" campaign to modernize its facilities with more natural enclosures.{{Cite web |last=Colpitts |first=George William |date=2023-12-21 |title=Bittersweet Lessons from 1973: Calgary's New Polar Bear Enclosure |url=https://niche-canada.org/2023/12/21/bittersweet-lessons-from-1973-calgarys-new-polar-bear-enclosure/ |access-date=2025-05-16 |website=NiCHE |language=en-US}}

Destination Africa opened in 2003 to include two new facilities The Rainforest and the African Savannah. The zoo opened Penguin Plunge, an Antarctic penguin addition in 2012.

In April 2013, the Calgary Zoo announced a master plan for rebuilding the zoo over 20 years. The initial focus on the master plan was preparing for the arrival of two giant pandas in 2018 for a five-year stay. Four giant pandas arrived in 2018 after the successful birth of twins at the Toronto Zoo. The cubs left the Calgary Zoo for China in January 2020, followed by their parents in November 2020 due to a lack of bamboo availability during the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite news |date=November 27, 2020 |title=Giant pandas at Calgary Zoo begin journey home to China |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/calgary-zoo-pandas-return-home-to-china-1.5818992#:~:text=Er%20Shun%20and%20Da%20Mao,Giant%20Panda%20Breeding%20in%20January.}}

The Calgary Zoo Foundation rebranded itself as the Wilder Institute and instituted the new joint Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo branding in 2021.{{cite news |url=https://livewirecalgary.com/2021/11/09/calgary-zoo-foundation-re-brands-to-reflect-expanding-purpose/ |title=Calgary Zoo Foundation re-brands to reflect expanding purpose |date=2021-11-09|access-date=2024-06-22|work=Livewire Calgary}}

In 2025, the Wilder Institute, in collaboration with Parks Canada, University of Alberta, University of Kentucky, and University of California, Los Angeles, announced the discovery of a new species of hairsteak butterfly known as Satyrium curiosolus or Curiously Isolated Hairstreak.{{Cite web |date=April 23, 2025 |title=SECRETS OF THE BLAKISTON FAN: ISOLATED BUTTERFLY REVEALED AS NEW SPECIES |url=https://wilderinstitute.org/blog/secrets-of-the-blakiston-fan-isolated-butterfly-revealed-as-new-species/}}{{Cite news |last=Ali |first=Rukhsar |date=April 25, 2025 |title='Curiously isolated' butterfly species discovered in Waterton Lakes National Park |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/scientists-discover-new-butterfly-species-waterton-1.7516184 |work=CBC News}}

The Calgary area suffered extensive flooding in June 2013 resulting in over $50 million in damage to the island section of the Calgary Zoo and parts of its Canadian Wild zone (see 2013 Alberta floods).{{cite news |title=Flood-ravaged Calgary Zoo laying off almost 300 staff |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/flood-ravaged-calgary-zoo-laying-off-almost-300-staff-1.1349961 |work=CBC News |date=2013-07-04 |access-date=2017-05-26}} In a 12-hour period, with flood waters rising, zoo staff managed to move 140 animals to higher ground.{{cite news |title=Flood at the Zoo: The inside story |url=https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/flood-at-the-calgary-zoo-the-inside-story |work=Calgary Herald |date=2013-11-22 |access-date=2017-05-26}} In the end, the only animals lost were a number of fish, two peacocks, and a pot-bellied pig.{{cite news |last=Wood |first=Damien |title=Peacock, fish die in Calgary Zoo flooding |url=http://www.calgarysun.com/2013/06/24/peacock-fish-die-in-calgary-zoo-flooding |work=Calgary Sun |date=2013-06-23 |access-date=2013-07-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402114311/http://www.calgarysun.com/2013/06/24/peacock-fish-die-in-calgary-zoo-flooding |archive-date=2015-04-02 |url-status=dead }} The zoo was closed for most of July 2013; the northern 60 acres of the zoo reopened to the public for August through November. The zoo fully reopened in November 2013{{cite news | url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/calgary-zoo-reopens-after-junes-devastating-flood-damage/article15656742/ | title=Calgary Zoo reopens after June's devastating flood damage | first=Bill | last=Graveland | newspaper=The Globe and Mail | date=28 November 2013 | access-date=11 October 2020 }} with new animals, exhibits, and features unveiled in 2014, including mandrills and Komodo dragons.

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File:Calgary Zoo Africa.jpg

Opened in 2003, the Destination Africa project was among the zoo's most ambitious expansions. The complex of four buildings includes the Rainforest and the African Savannah. The Rainforest occupies 2,900 square metres (31,000 square feet) and features a collection of African rainforest flora and fauna. The African Savannah building is home to hippos, Masai giraffes, red river hogs, and a baobab tree. A 340,000-litre (80,000-gallon) indoor pool for hippos offers view of the creatures underwater.

In the warmer months, the doors lift to connect the building with the rest of the Savannah exhibit, home to Hartmann's mountain zebras, grey crowned cranes and ostriches. Many other animals of the grasslands, including African lions, also reside in the Savannah exhibit. In the Rainforest, there are primates such as western lowland gorillas, eastern black-and-white colobus, and mandrills, and a number of reptiles including leopard tortoises, Malagasy tree boas,and a pair of dwarf crocodiles, as well as an aviary containing various species of African birds.

In 2017, the Land of Lemurs was opened to the public, with 3 different species of lemurs residing within; the black-and-white ruffed lemur, the ring-tailed lemur, and the red-fronted lemur.

File:Calgary Zoo (206406087).jpeg

The Canadian Wilds were built in the 1990s to house the majority of zoo's collection of North American birds and mammals. The area includes outdoor enclosures in three zones: the Aspen Woodlands, the Northern Forest, and the Rocky Mountains. Animals in the enclosures include river otters, caribou, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, grizzly bears, black bears, polar bears, north american porcupine, muskoxen, moose, whooping cranes, black bears, Canada lynx, wood bison, and grey wolves.

This aviary includes great grey owl, snowy owl, and rough-legged hawk.

The outdoor gardens are among the zoo's most popular attractions and include the Dorothy Harvie Gardens. The zoo's sheltered location supports many marginally hardy plant species. The conservatory comprises the indoor component of the zoo's gardens. It includes a number of "themed" areas such as the tropical garden, the rainforest, the arid garden, and the butterfly garden. A number of animals including birds and invertebrates are housed in the conservatory. The ENMAX Conservatory was completely renovated in 2009 and features an increased emphasis on teaching visitors the importance of plants and improving energy efficiency. The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo achieved LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold in energy conservation and responsible building practices, the first facility of its kind to achieve this level of certification.

File:The red panda. (53613424761).jpg (Ailurus fulgens) at the zoo.]]

The western portion of St. George's Island is dedicated to Eurasian animals. Animals in this area include Amur tigers, snow leopards, Pallas's cats, Japanese macaques, red pandas, Japanese serows, Bactrian camels, and Komodo dragons. This section was also home to four giant pandas which debuted in early May 2018.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/giant-panda-family-arrives-at-calgary-zoo-1.3855641|title=Giant panda family arrives at Calgary Zoo {{!}} CTV News|website=www.ctvnews.ca|access-date=2019-11-01|date=2018-03-23}}{{Cite news|url=https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/calgary-zoo-expects-crush-of-visitors-to-panda-passage-habitat|title=Calgary Zoo expects crush of visitors to Panda Passage exhibit|newspaper=Calgary Herald|first=Shawn|last=Logan|date=2018-05-08|language=en|access-date=2019-11-01}} The giant pandas were on loan from the Chengdu Research Base in Chengdu, Sichaun, China.{{Cite news|url=https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/giant-panda-exhibit-at-calgary-zoo-opens-monday|title=Giant panda exhibit at Calgary Zoo opens Monday|newspaper=Calgary Herald|first=Sammy|last=Hudes|date=2018-05-07|language=en|access-date=2019-11-01}} Panda Passage featured adult male Da Mao, cubs Jia Yueyue and Jia Panpan as well as their mother Er Shun. The pandas returned to China because of bamboo supply chain issues arising from COVID-19.{{Cite web|author=Joshua Berlinger|title=Canada's Calgary Zoo to return two pandas to China|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/13/world/calgary-zoo-pandas-intl-hnk-scli/index.html|access-date=2022-01-14|website=CNN|date=13 May 2020 }} Formerly residing in the Panda's habitat area was a herd of Asian elephants (relocated to the Smithsonian National Zoo) and later a male Indian rhinoceros named Sabari (now residing in Safari Niagara, Ontario). The area known as Panda Passage has since been renamed to Gateway to Asia and has seen the addition of Malayan tapir and white-handed gibbons.{{Cite web|last=Alvarez|first=Alejandrina|date=July 22, 2021|title=Meet the Calgary Zoo's newest residents, featured in a new exhibit|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/calgary-zoo-gateway-to-asia-1.6113731|url-status=live|website=CBC|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210723002410/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/calgary-zoo-gateway-to-asia-1.6113731 |archive-date=23 July 2021 }}

In February 2025, the zoo announced a multi-phase redevelopment of the Exploration Asia zone starting with the 'Asia Highlands' phase focussing on species of Southeast Asia, the Eastern Himalayas, and Northeast Asia. This first phase is expected to be completed in summer 2026.{{Cite web |title=Exploration Asia Reimagined: The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo's Next Chapter Unveiled |url=https://www.calgaryzoo.com/news/exploration-asia-reimagined-the-wilder-institute-calgary-zoos-next-chapter-unveiled/ |access-date=2025-05-16 |website=Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo |language=en-US}}

File:Calgary Zoo Pre.jpg

The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo's six-acre Prehistoric Park features life-sized dinosaurs in their re-created geographical environment, including replicas of an inland sea and volcanic mountain, and more than 100 species of living plants. Dinosaurs include Albertosaurus, Allosaurus, Ankylosaurus, Apatosaurus, Baryonyx, Centrosaurus, Corythosaurus, Deinonychus, Dilophosaurus, Edmontosaurus, Elasmosaurus, Euoplocephalus, Iguanodon, Metriacanthosaurus, Nothosaurus, Omeisaurus, Pachyrhinosaurus, Parasaurolophus, Protoceratops, Pteranodon, Pterosaur, Stegosaurus, Struthiomimus, Styracosaurus, Tanystropheus, Triceratops, Tylosaurus, Tyrannosaurus rex, and Yangchuanosaurus.

Penguin Plunge and a renovated gift shop were opened in the spring of 2012 and is located at the entrance of the Zoo. The exhibit includes king penguins, Humboldt penguins, gentoo penguins, and rockhopper penguins . Penguin Plunge consists of two main areas, an indoor climate-controlled habitat and an outdoor open-air habitat. In summer, the outdoor exhibit holds the warm-weather South American Humboldt penguins which are housed inside during the winter. On winter days when the temperature is between +10 °C and -25 °C without wind above 20 km/h, the king penguins go on scheduled walks for exercise and enrichment.{{Cite web|url=https://www.calgaryzoo.com/news/waddlers-unite-penguin-walk-returns|title=Waddlers Unite - Penguin Walk Returns {{!}} Calgary Zoo|website=www.calgaryzoo.com|language=en|access-date=2019-11-01|archive-date=1 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191101103715/https://www.calgaryzoo.com/news/waddlers-unite-penguin-walk-returns|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.familyfuncanada.com/calgary/march-of-the-penguins/|title=Does It Get Any Cuter? Penguin Walk at the Calgary Zoo Returns for Another Season January to March 2019!|last=Calgary|first=Family Fun|date=2019-01-07|website=Family Fun Calgary|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-01}}

File:Calgary Zoo Peacock 2.JPG

The zoo contains a flock of Chilean flamingos next to the enclosure containing both a herd of alpacas and greater rheas. Indian peafowl are allowed to venture around openly and freely across the zoo grounds, and are taken to an off-site facility for the winter months.

Prior to the 2013 flooding, the zoo also had an area section dedicated to South American animals such as giant anteaters, red-bellied piranhas and various New World monkeys, as well as a number of birds including several species of macaw and two Andean condors. There also used to be an Australian animal portion, notorious for the Creatures of the Night exhibit, mostly consisting of various nocturnal animals such as bats. Also present were a number of kangaroos, emus, monitor lizards, and for a brief temporary time, koalas.

Kamala the elephant lived at Calgary Zoo from 1976 to 2014. While there, she gave birth to a male named Calvin in 1986, a female named Maharani in 1990.{{Cite web |last=Fields |first=Odyssey |date=2024-11-05 |title=Asian elephant Kamala dies at Smithsonian's National Zoo |url=https://www.aol.com/asian-elephant-kamala-dies-smithsonian-142953928.html |access-date=2024-11-05 |website=www.aol.com |language=en-US}} Calvin, then called Chanda, was indefinitely loaned to Ontario's African Lion Safari in 1989 as part of a breeding program.{{Cite news |last=Craig |first=Sue |date=1990-07-15 |title=130-kilogram pachyderm makes early debut |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/calgary-herald-130-kilogram-pachyderm-ma/168315133/ |access-date=2025-03-19 |work=Calgary Herald |pages=1}}{{Cite news |date=1989-11-17 |title=The Mating Game |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/calgary-herald-the-mating-game/168315015/ |access-date=2025-03-19 |work=Calgary Herald |pages=87}} Maharani had a calf in 2007, which died shortly after birth due to elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus.{{Cite news |date=2008-11-03 |title=Calgary zoo visitors, staff mourn elephant calf |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/calgary-zoo-visitors-staff-mourn-elephant-calf-1.739776 |work=CBC News}}

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File:B75A5374 - 49364847217.jpg back into the Nisqually Tribal Use Area at Mount Rainier National Park.]]

44 species are cared for within Species Survival Plans,{{Cite web|title=Species Survival Plan Programs {{!}} AZA|url=https://www.aza.org/species-survival-plan-programs?locale=en|access-date=2021-04-28|website=www.aza.org}} a global initiative to protect at-risk genetic diversity. Twenty-nine species at the zoo are in danger of extinction. Other species are considered "ambassadors" for endangered species. The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo uses a team of educators including animal care technicians, interpreters, teachers, and volunteers to increase awareness among visitors about the beauty of nature and threats to wildlife. Each year the zoo's formal programs connect directly with more than 575,000 adults and children.

The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is home to a team of biologists who have earned international recognition as North America's leaders in the science of species recovery and reintroduction. The science journal Nature rates the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo as one of the top five zoos in the world for conservation research, alongside New York, San Diego, Frankfurt, and London.{{Cite journal|last=Mascarelli|first=Amanda|date=2013|title=Ecology: Conservation in captivity|journal=Nature|volume=498|issue=7453|pages=261–263|doi=10.1038/nj7453-261a|pmid=23776941|doi-access=free}} In June 2012, the head of the Calgary Zoo's Centre for Conservation Research, Dr. Axel Moehrenschlager, was awarded the Canadian Wildlife Federation's Roland Michener Conservation Award{{Cite web|title=2012 Winner of Roland Michener Conservation Award|url=https://cwf-fcf.org/en/explore/awards/winners/2012/2012-winner-axel.html|access-date=2021-04-28|website=cwf-fcf.org|language=en}} which recognizes individuals who have shown a commitment to "promote, enhance, and further the conservation of Canada's natural resources". Dr. Moehrenschlager is chair of the Reintroduction Specialist Group within the International Union for the Conservation of Nature,{{Cite web|title=International Union for Conservation of Nature|url=https://www.iucn.org/|access-date=2021-04-28|website=IUCN|language=en}} the world's largest conservation network. He is the first North American to hold this position.

The zoo focused on saving eight highly endangered Western Canada species: whooping crane, Vancouver Island marmot, swift fox, black-footed ferret, black-tailed prairie dog, burrowing owl, northern leopard frog and greater sage grouse. It also works on conservation projects around the world, including:

• Wechiau Community Hippo Sanctuary, Ghana
• Snow leopards in Central Asia, and
• Gorillas in the Democratic Republic of Congo

In 2008, the zoo's Wechiau Community Hippo Sanctuary project, a collaboration involving 17 Ghana villages, was awarded the United Nations Equator Prize as one of the world's top 25 conservation initiatives.{{cite web |title=Wechiau Community Hippo Sanctuary (WCHS) |url=https://www.equatorinitiative.org/2017/05/30/wechiau-community-hippo-sanctuary-wchs/ |website=Equator Initiative |access-date=26 September 2024}} It has become a model for community-based conservation throughout Africa.

In March 2012, Amur tiger Katja gave birth to three Amur tiger cubs at the zoo. The species is so highly endangered (there are an estimated 350 individuals worldwide), the births represented a 1% jump in the global population. In 2014, it became necessary to separate Vasili and Samkha, the two male tiger cubs, now almost full grown, from sister Kira and mom Katja (12 years old). Based on the Species Survival Plan recommendation, which manages genetics for future breeding, they were moved to Assiniboine Park Zoo in Winnipeg.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/tiger-assiniboine-park-zoo-moving-toronto-vasili-1.4674235|title=Tiger at Assiniboine Park Zoo moving to Toronto|website=CBC News|access-date=2019-11-01}} In May 2018 Vasili was moved to Toronto Zoo in Toronto.

In early 2016, a western lowland gorilla infant was born to Kioja.{{Cite web|url=https://www.calgaryzoo.com/blog/protecting-the-wild/the-baby-gorilla-has-arrived/|title=The baby gorilla has arrived!|last=Zoo|first=Calgary|date=2016-03-11|website=Calgary Zoo - Blog|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-01|archive-date=26 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626094123/https://www.calgaryzoo.com/blog/protecting-the-wild/the-baby-gorilla-has-arrived/|url-status=dead}} Named Kimani, she was underweight at birth, but quickly recovered. Kimani died in 2022 after a struggle with cancer.{{Cite web |date=June 22, 2022 |title=Calgary Zoo gorilla dies after struggle with cancer |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/gorilla-western-lowland-calgary-zoo-dies-cancer-1.6498367 |access-date=February 25, 2025 |website=CBC}}

In August 2016 a king penguin chick named Edward hatched, born to mother Grace.{{Cite web|url=https://www.calgaryzoo.com/node/362|title=King penguin chick is named Edward {{!}} Calgary Zoo|website=www.calgaryzoo.com|language=en|access-date=2019-11-01}} The following year another king penguin chick hatched and was named Cleopatra to follow a theme of royal names.{{Cite web|url=https://www.660citynews.com/2017/11/14/girl-calgary-zoo-names-newest-king-penguin-cleopatra/|title=It's a girl! Calgary Zoo names newest king penguin Cleopatra - 660 NEWS|website=www.660citynews.com|date=14 November 2017 |access-date=2019-11-01}}

In May 2017 a Przewalski's horse foal was born at the Calgary Zoo's Wildlife Conservation Centre.{{Cite web|url=https://www.calgaryzoo.com/node/360|title=Przewalski's horse foal born {{!}} Calgary Zoo|website=www.calgaryzoo.com|language=en|access-date=2019-11-01}} While not visible to the public, this is an important addition to the genetic diversity of the endangered wild horse.{{cite iucn |author=King, S.R.B. |author2=Boyd, L. |author3=Zimmermann, W. |author4=Kendall, B.E. |year=2015 |title=Equus ferus ssp. przewalskii |errata=2016 |volume=2015 |page=e.T7961A97205530 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-2.RLTS.T7961A45172099.en |access-date=13 January 2020}}

In June 2018 a bactrian camel calf was born to Eva.{{Cite web|url=https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/calgary-zoo-welcomes-new-baby-camel-to-the-eurasian-section-1.3956683|title=Calgary Zoo welcomes new baby camel to the Eurasian section|date=2018-06-02|website=Calgary|language=en|access-date=2019-11-01}} He was later named Gobi.{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}

Zoolights is a Christmas lights festival held annually at the Zoo. It usually closes around the end of December or the beginning of January. The month-long, animal-themed show features more than one million lights and is the largest seasonal light show in western Canada.

Following a series of high-profile incidents in 2008 and 2009, some commentators criticized the zoo's conduct and operations.

Past incidents cited included:

• In January 2009, a two-year-old male Turkmenian markhor died after becoming entangled in an exhibit's play toy.
• In 2009, a knife was accidentally left in the western lowland gorilla enclosure.
• On 5 December 2009, an 18-month-old female capybara died after being crushed by a hydraulic door. A worker did not follow a long-standing procedure in operating the door.{{cite news |title=Door mishap killed giant rodent at Calgary Zoo |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/door-mishap-killed-giant-rodent-at-calgary-zoo-1.829849 |work=CBC News |date=2009-12-11 |access-date=2017-05-26}}
• In September 2010, Calgary Zoo staff announced the overnight death of a second tiger cub born earlier in the week to a Siberian tiger. Zookeepers were not aware that Katja, the 10-year-old mother, was expecting, saying it is hard to detect pregnancy in tigers. Katja did not nurse her young. Zoo staff noticed her carrying the first kitten in her mouth, which is likely how it died. The zoo's veterinary team says both Siberian tiger cubs suffered similar head trauma.{{cite news |title=Calgary Zoo staff unable to reverse tiger cub's failing health |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/flood-ravaged-calgary-zoo-laying-off-almost-300-staff-1.1349961 |work=Montreal Gazette |date=2013-09-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100913044951/http://www.montrealgazette.com/travel/Tiger%2Bdead/3505973/story.html |archive-date=2010-09-13 |url-status=live }}
• On 12 November 2024, a two-year-old female gorilla died after being struck by a hydraulic door, after a worker mistakenly activated the wrong door while the gorilla was being separated for individual training.{{cite news |title= 2-year-old gorilla Eyare died after hydraulic door mistakenly activated, Calgary zoo confirms |url=https://www.cbc.ca/lite/story/1.7388409|work=CBC News |date=2024-11-20 |access-date=2024-11-20}}

The zoo's director said all the incidents are unrelated. An independent review was solicited by the zoo in December 2009 and was conducted by the Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums.{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/critics-question-calgary-zoo-probe-1.834514|title=Critics question Calgary Zoo probe|author=CBC News|author-link=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=2010-03-18 | date=14 December 2009}} The report, released in 2010, spotlighted systemic problems. In response, the zoo developed a 36-point plan that included improving animal care procedures and collection planning, addressing staffing issues like training and structure, enhancing security systems and safety drills, and upgrading aging zoo infrastructure. Later that year, the zoo hired noted animal welfare specialist, Dr. Jake Veasey, who has since instituted major changes and spearheaded new investment in animal facilities.{{cite news |last=Kaufmann |first=Bill |title=Brit to lead troubled Calgary Zoo |url=http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2010/11/20/16235026.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130729195716/http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2010/11/20/16235026.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=29 July 2013 |work=Canoe.com |date=2010-11-20 |access-date=2017-05-26}}

Additional incidents and animal deaths also include:

• In October 2011, a zookeeper resigns following the death of a corn snake, as the keeper had left it unattended near a heat source.{{Cite web|title=LIST: Animal deaths at the Calgary Zoo|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/2524125/list-animal-deaths-at-the-calgary-zoo/|access-date=2020-09-02|website=Global News|language=en-US}}
• In September 2014, a problem with an ozone sensor in the hippopotamus pool is blamed for the deaths of 85 tilapia.{{Cite web|title=An otter, a goat and cownose rays: A list of some animal deaths at the Calgary Zoo|url=https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/an-otter-a-goat-and-cownose-rays-a-list-of-some-animal-deaths-at-the-calgary-zoo|access-date=2020-09-02|website=Calgary Herald|language=en-CA}}
• In February 2016, an otter drowned after becoming tangled in pants given to it by a zookeeper.{{Cite web|title=Otter at Calgary Zoo drowns after getting tangled in pants from zookeeper|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/2523005/otter-at-calgary-zoo-drowns-after-getting-tangled-in-pants-given-by-zookeeper/|access-date=2020-09-02|website=Global News|language=en-US}}
• In December 2016, seven Humboldt penguins died, drowning in a holding pool.{{Cite news|last=Kassam|first=Ashifa|date=2016-12-09|title=Seven penguins drown in latest deadly incident at Calgary zoo|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/dec/09/penguins-drown-at-calgary-zoo-canada|access-date=2020-09-02|issn=0261-3077}}
• In May 2023, a Masai Giraffe died of a broken neck after getting its ossicone caught in a cable around their enclosure.{{Cite news |last=Bell |first=David |date=2023-05-29 |title=Calgary zoo giraffe dies of broken neck in 'tragic accident' |work=CBC |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/calgary-zoo-giraffe-dies-of-broken-neck-in-tragic-accident-1.6857933 |access-date=2023-07-26}}
• In July 2024, one of the zoo’s popular polar bears, Baffin, died by drowning after what zoo officials described as “rough play” with another bear.{{cite web | url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2024/07/26/baffin-polar-bear-dies-calgary-zoo-canada/74554901007/ | title=Polar bear dies by drowning after 'rough play' at Calgary Zoo | author=Emily DeLetter | website=USA Today}}

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|title=Zoos and Aquariums of the World

|work=waza.org

|publisher=World Association of Zoos and Aquariums

|access-date=6 September 2010

|archive-date=3 March 2016

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303215751/http://www.waza.org/en/site/zoos-aquariums

|url-status=dead

}}

{{Cite web

|url=http://www.aza.org/current-accreditation-list/

|title=List of Accredited Zoos and Aquariums

|work=aza.org

|publisher=Association of Zoos and Aquariums

|access-date=6 September 2010

}}

}}

{{Commons category|Calgary Zoo}}

• {{official website|https://www.calgaryzoo.com}}

{{Zoos of Alberta}}

{{CAZA}}

{{Alberta parks}}

{{Calgary landmarks}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Culture of Calgary

Category:Zoos in Alberta

Category:Tourist attractions in Calgary

Category:Educational organizations established in 1929

Category:Zoos established in the 1920s

Category:1929 establishments in Alberta