Best Family Entertainment Spot: The Calgary Zoo

photography by Neil Zeller

The Calgary Zoo

An award-winning leader in wildlife conservation, one third of Calgarians visit the Calgary Zoo each year. Home to nearly 1,000 creatures across 113 species, the Calgary Zoo is a globally-recognized conservation organization that guides, innovates and applies scientific solutions to restore some of the world’s most endangered species. The Calgary Zoo is just one of five accredited zoos across Canada, thanks to the Calgary Zoological Society, a not-for-profit founded in 1929.

Generally open almost every day of the year, the Calgary Zoo did have to close its doors to the public during the city's shutdown. Admission fees, membership fees, education program fees, paid programs, private events, donations and sponsorships are what keep the zoo running each year. Like so many other businesses, closing for 70 days cost them revenue that their ongoing programs depend on. The Calgary Zoo team is currently asking for donations to help recoup some of their costs as they wish to provide their members and visitors with all of their programs and more. The zoo is now happily welcoming guests through their gates once again.

You can best support the Calgary Zoo in many different ways, whether that's by donation, volunteering your time, following them on social media or just visiting the zoo this year with your friends and family. Their safety-minded one-way experience is sure to delight and connect you to nature in fun, playful and educative ways. Indoor and outdoor viewing is now open, along with the Kinsmen Zooventure Playground. Currently, tickets to enter the Calgary Zoo are not available on-site and must be purchased in advance on their website with a designated entrance time.

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