Assiniboine Park Zoo Assiniboine Park and Zoo news 2008-2013

Saw an article today telling of 16 Turkmenian markhor born at the zoo, bringing the herd up to 26 animals!
The zoo specialises in northern animals especially North American species.

Can anyone give us some more info on this zoo?

 

Zoological Society of Manitoba,

A small zoo that sees a lot of snow in the wintertime, so thankfully they specialize in northern species. However, they do have a tiny tropical house with a handful of animals. They have been trying to raise money for at least a year and a half for an exhibit for their pair of steller's sea eagles, and so that gives you an idea of how small the place actually is. They made headlines around Canada a year or so ago because of an albio bison calf, which I must admit would be a cool animal to see.

Here is a map of the zoo:

http://www.zoosociety.com/Files/ParkZooSide.pdf

 

Bison World News: Winnipeg Blizzard

Here is the albino bison that I mentioned...from June 2006. However, the article states that the calf is not an albino.

 

the zoo also has a female polar bear named Debbie who turned 40 in December 2007 making her apparently the oldest living polar bear on record.Now she just has to live to be 42 and then she'll bypass the record for the oldest polar bear on record that isn't still alive.He was 41 at Stanley Park Zoo.You'd think the rec0ord would be held at a zoo that spoils there polar bears but no,she lives at a zoo that takes good care of her but shes not spoiled.

 

I saw the world's oldest captive polar bear many times in Vancouver, and he was a very yellow-looking bear who lived in one of the all-time worst bear pits. The pitifully tiny pool was full of leaves, and the bear barely moved due to poor joints and old age.

 

winnipegsun.com - Manitoba - Zoo's prolific bald eagles bring offspring total to 23

Bald eagle chicks: 23

 

These bald eagles seem also to likely have the longevity record for eldest breeding pair of bald eagles in AZA/US-Canadian zoos!

 

The Assiniboine Park Zoo is ~90 acres with 1/3 of the space being completely undeveloped. It is open 365 days a year, run by the City of Winnipeg and has one of the cheapest (if not THE cheapest) admission fees in Canada with Adults paying the most at $4.25.

According to this book from 2002 that I'm getting this info from there were over 1500 animals representing 320 species, it has grown since then with the addition of some larger animals like Takins, Stellar Sea Eagles, and also lots of birds and reptiles that needed homes after the Quebec Zoo closed doors.

The biggest issue for the Zoo is funding, as it is run by the City the gate proceeds go back to the City, there is no chance of sponsorship, and donations must be done through a separate organization called the Zoological Society of Manitoba. They use the donations to do things like buy exhibit new signs, assist with the enrichment program, bring in educators for the staff and many other helpful things.

I hope this was helpful!

 

The Assiniboine Park Zoo bringing Asian Lions back to North America?

Zoo building big cat habitat | Winnipeg | News | Winnipeg Sun

 

Seems a bit of a silly species (Asian Lions) to bring back if the zoo's a northern animal/cold climate specialist. Then again, they survive pretty well here in the UK (though we don't get snow that much or heavily).

 

It would appear they just intend to bring them to Canada, not the US

 

lol, thanks!

 

The plan for the new layout of the Zoo has a nice little Asian section where the Lions will fit in. A lot of planning has is going into this project, the architect even came to our Shape of Enrichment seminar so he could incorporate things into the overall design.

In other news, Blizzard the white bison mentioned further to the top, is now a daddy x 2

 

Where will the Asian Lions come from?

 

I have no idea sorry :/ When they first started the planning the word was that they had a pair lined up. Now I'm getting the impression that they are no longer available, maybe they went some where else because the exhibit wasn't ready? I'm just guessing on that though.

 

Looks like this zoo will become one of the best in Canada!
With all of the plans, it sounds like it will be amazing!

Details unveiled for zoo makeover - Winnipeg Free Press

 

Thanks for posting the link, but where is the zoo going to come up with $180 million over the next decade? The Assiniboine Park Zoo is located in an area of Canada that has practically Arctic-like conditions for a few months every winter, and so it is obviously the perfect location for a state-of-the-art polar bear complex. I wish this zoo luck.

 

Its appears that the total price tag is for the whole park, not just the zoo.

 

This latest news release clarifies the use of funds, including $90 million to be raised for the zoo and $7 million of that total to be used for polar bears:

Polar bears could return to Winnipeg zoo

 

Another article, a bit more detailed in terms of the future. This zoo will become a must see attraction in 10 years time.

Sunday Special: Brand-new zoo - Winnipeg Free Press