The Calgary Zoo is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The AZA accredited zoo was among the first in Canada and is currently home to more than 900 animals of over 260 different species. It is the second largest zoo in the country. Established in 1929, it has since evolved into a modern and respected zoo committed to conservation and education. In 2004, the zoo celebrated its 75th anniversary. The Calgary Zoo's facilities are considered to be world-class. The zoo features animal exhibits organized by geographic region in large, realistic, and natural enclosures. It also features botanical gardens and a prehistoric park. The Calgary Zoo is located slightly east of the city's downtown (adjacent to the Inglewood neighbourhood) and is easily accessible via Calgary's C-Train light rail system. A large portion of the zoo is located on St. George's Island in the Bow River.
The recently completed Destination Africa expansion included two new high-tech facilities: The TransAlta Rainforest and the African Savannah. Construction is scheduled to begin soon on a new and significantly expanded elephant enclosure. There are also plans for an arctic/antarctic addition.
On 17 November 2004 an Asian Elephant calf was born at the Zoo. She was rejected by her mother and later died despite the efforts of zoo keepers and veterinarians. She was given the name, Keemaya, after her death.Areas of the zoo
- Arctic Shores: A project is planned at the current location of the north entry to build a major arctic/antarctic area. The project will likely involve both indoor and outdoor exhibits. It will replace the zoo's former arctic complex, which was demolished in 2000. In a controversial move, the zoo is currently planning to acquire Polar Bears for the project (Polar Bears do not usually perform well in captivity). Arctic Shores is also slated to feature Emperor Penguins.
- Australia: The Australia complex is among the smaller areas of the zoo and includes a number of mammals, reptiles, and birds from Oceania in both outdoor and indoor enclosures.
- Botanical Gardens: The outdoor gardens are among the zoo's most popular attractions and include the Dorothy Harvie Gardens. The zoo's sheltered location supports many exotic, marginally hardy plant species.
- The Canadian Wilds: The Canadian Wilds were built in the 1990s to house the majority of zoo's collection of North American birds and mammals. The area is very large and includes spacious, realistic outdoor enclosures in three zones: the Aspen Woodlands, the Northern Forest, and the Rocky Mountains.
- Conservatory: The conservatory essentially 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 reptiles, birds and invertebrates are housed in the conservatory. The 30 year old facility is currently in the process of being upgraded and will soon feature increased emphasis on food and agriculture.
- Creatures of the Night: The Calgary Zoo's indoor nocturnal exhibit re-opened in 2004 as Creatures of the Night. The new exhibit features a lush nightime forest that is home to a number of small mammals, birds, and insects.
- Destination Africa: The Destination Africa project was among the zoo's most ambitious expansions in its history. It opened in 2003. The complex of four buildings includes the TransAlta Rainforest and the African Savannah. The rainforest complex features an indoor forest and houses African mammals, reptiles, birds, fish, and invertebrates. The zoo's Western Lowland Gorilla troop is housed here as well. The savannah building is home to the zoo's hippos and giraffes, along with many smaller animals. Both the rainforest and the savannah have outdoor areas, which are used when the weather is good. The zoo's pride of lions are housed in an outdoor enclusure adjacent to Destination Africa (the African Bushweld).
- Eurasia: The western portion of St. George's Island is dedicated to Eurasian animals. Most of the exhibts are outdoor and animals include the Snow Leopards, the Siberian Tigers, and the Japanese Macaques. The Tropical Eurasia building is home to the zoo's Asian Elephants. The facility is currently in the process of being expanded and rebuilt.
- Prehistoric Park: The Calgary Zoo's unique Prehistoric Park is an outdoor re-creation of southern Alberta as it might have appeared millions of years ago. The park features life-sized dinosaurs in their re-created geographical environment.
- Primates: The zoo's indoor/outdoor primate facility is home to a number of monkey and prosimian species as well as Gibbons and Orangutans. Many of the animals are South American or Asian as Destination Africa is home to many of the African species.
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