The Calgary Zoo hit an incredible milestone in 2023, welcoming a record-breaking 1.54 million visitors. This catapults the menagerie to the top spot as Canada’s most popular zoo.
Dr. Clément Lanthier, president and CEO of the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo, expressed pride in this significant achievement, especially for a ‘smaller’ city like Calgary.
It’s rare for any zoo’s visitation numbers to match the local population, but Calgary has done just that.
The Polar Bears Are Back!
The Zoo has long had a special place in the hearts of Calgarians, but an extra surge of visitation is partly credited to the grand reopening of the Wild Canada exhibit in December.
After a 24-year hiatus, the exhibit brought back polar bears to the zoo, much to the delight of visitors.
Baffin and Siku, the two male polar bears recently transferred to the Calgary Zoo from the Assiniboine Park Zoo in Winnipeg, are the newest Calgary celebrities that people are lining up to see.
The two polar bears were found orphaned at less than a year old near Churchill, Manitoba. They were transferred to the Winnipeg facility rather than be euthanized. Now, they call Calgary home.
The bears are part of the new $41 million Wild Canada, the zoo’s most ambitious project in its 95-year history.
The exhibit’s impact was immediate, causing a significant boost in visitation.
Warm and Fuzzy
The exceptionally warm December weather also helped get people out to see their furry friends.
Calgarians, eager to enjoy the unseasonable weather, found the perfect destination in their local zoo.
Wild Canada, along with the enchanting annual feature Zoo Lights, attracted equal numbers of daytime and evening visitors in December.
In addition, the zoo has become a hot spot for weddings and other events, with record numbers last year.
Education is another area where the zoo shines.
With 38,000 students participating in multi-day school programs and over 2,000 youths attending summer camps, our Zoo has become a hub for learning about biology, zoology, and animal behaviour.
The high visitation rates have a positive ripple effect, raising awareness for conservation efforts both in Western Canada and Africa.
Big Plans For the Future.
While zoo visits are declining in many places, visitations to the Calgary Zoo continue to grow.
CEO Lanthier emphasizes that reaching this visitor milestone was no accident. It results from continual improvement and dedication to staying relevant and impactful.
Looking ahead, the focus is on attracting more visitors to the Wild Canada space.
The polar bears, caribou, and otters are among the highlights of the exhibit.
Plans are already underway for the next phase of Wild Canada, including habitat expansions and new signage.
With the zoo’s centennial in 2029, CEO Lanthier is already brainstorming grand plans to celebrate this historic occasion.
The Calgary Zoo is not just a place of entertainment and education; it’s a hub of purpose and bold conservation initiatives.
