http://www.bczoo.org/default.htm The BC Wildlife Park is a fairly small zoo that is situated just outside the city of Kamloops, in British Columbia, Canada. I visited this establishment in 2006 and spent 2 hours wandering around the exhibits. The star attractions are a couple of aging grizzly bears, and there are also a wide range of North American animals. Black bears, coyotes, mountain lions, lynx, moose, bison, wolves, rocky mountain goats, mule deer, white-tailed deer, badgers, porcupines, raccoons, elk, opossums, reindeer, bald eagles, and 6 different species of owl all reside here in decent yet ordinary enclosures. The animals that are not native to North America are barbados sheep, squirrel monkeys, llamas, and bactrian camels. There is also a family farm and a small playground/waterpark. The Discovery Center is the only new building, and it contains a gift shop, a small cafe, some snake aquariums, and an interactive set of indoor exhibits for children. One interesting one is where a bee hive is hooked up to a phone booth, so when someone picks up the phone they can hear the buzzing of the beehive's inhabitants.
This small wildlife park recently updated its map: http://www.bczoo.org/sitecm/i/bczoo finalfinal.jpg?Width=-1 In the past 3 years the park has added badger, black bear and birds of prey enclosures. I've heard from visitors that the new additions are nothing spectacular, but like the rest of the park are adequate for the inhabitants.
I visited this wildlife park in June of 2009, and the new additions during the past 3 years are all an improvement on what was previously there. The black bear exhibit is quite large and more than adequate for the two young cubs, the badger enclosure contains a single female, and the birds of prey complex provides a home for injured owls and eagles. There are now approximately 170 photos of the park in the ZooChat gallery.
Hi snowleopard, Nice review! When (more than if) I finally make it to Canada, I would love to visit this zoo. To my mind, not every zoo requires having the op to see loads of exotic species. Zoos like the BC Wildlife Park serve a purpose in that they familiarise (sub-)urban populations with the local wildlife on offer. What this zoo might do is to present a kaleidoscope of all the wildlife of the province of British Columbia. I understand presently it does not have an education center, or a reptile-amphibian center or much in native birdlife (other than the birds of prey). Perhaps the latter would make nice additions? K.B.
i would consider visiting this place. map is bright and makes it stand out in tourist infomation centres
The B.C. Wildlife Park is relatively small and can be seen in about 2.5 hours. Other than a single llama, a few squirrel monkeys and 2 bactrian camels the entire animal collection is from North America, and there is a lot of wildlife rehabilitation of raptors, deer and even bear cubs. There are not a lot of species at the park, but most of the enclosures are of a decent size and it is accredited by CAZA.
The BC Wildlife Park has received a pair of Przewalski's horses from Granby Zoo in Quebec. Takhi (mare) and Napoleon (stallion) are currently in quarantine and they are part of the SSP program. It's a bit of a surprise, as the zoo consists of indigenous species and the addition of a pair of Asian animals is very interesting.
The move is an SSP recommendation. No other animals are joining them for now. Both are mid ranked animals with Napoleon on the higher end of that. They aren't to breed which makes sense because they are fairly closely related. I think if I remember right he is her half uncle. Maybe they are going there temporarily while Granby works on their exhibit? But little weird they wouldn't go to Toronto, Calgary, Parc Safari or Zoo Sauvage with the latter two being the better options as they just have two animals each. Parc Safari has a long standing history with the AZA and work with a number of SSPs already. Zoo Sauvage also does work with a handful of SSPs. I think this is a first for BC Wildlife Park. An odd and surprising move from various aspects.
2022 News: On January 6th, the zoo announced that a (1.0) domestic turkey named Balu (breed not specified) passed away at the age of 4. 登录 Facebook On January 11th, the zoo announced that they acquired a (1.0) painted turtle named Hans from the Fawcett Family Wildlife Health Centre in British Columbia which is now on exhibit in the Eco Gallery area. The zoo also announced they moved their other painted turtle named Lila and their red-eared slider named Avalanche into the Eco Gallery reptile wall. 登录 Facebook On February 23rd, the zoo announced that a (1.0) marble fox named McCoy passed away. 登录 Facebook On March 18th, the zoo announced they acquired a (1.0) marginated tortoise named Morty after he was found wandering the shoreline at Shuswap Lake in British Columbia. 登录 Facebook On March 30th, the zoo announced that a (0.1) American plains bison named Mama passed away at age 26. 登录 Facebook On April 6th, the zoo announced they had completed construction of the hoofstock quarantine building. 登录 Facebook On April 26th, the zoo announced they moved their coyotes off exhibit permanently due to their old exhibit being outdated and in need of a full renovation. 登录 Facebook On May 12th, the zoo announced they acquired a (1.0) golden eagle which was later named Altair. 登录 Facebook On May 30th, the zoo announced they made a new roadway in the elk exhibit for maintenance reasons. 登录 Facebook On June 9th, the zoo announced they acquired a (1.0) great horned owl named Fozzy which will be used as an animal ambassador. 登录 Facebook On July 19th, the zoo announced they acquired a (0.1) red fox named Mia on March 27th which is now on exhibit. Meet Mia! | You may have noticed a pair of perky red ears in the yard beside Raven, the marble fox. . Mia, a red fox and recent patient at the Fawcett Family... | By BC Wildlife Park | Facebook On September 2nd, the zoo announced they acquired a (1.0) bearded dragon named Jim in June. 登录 Facebook On September 9th, the zoo announced that their (1.0) Bactrian camel named Ringo passed away at age 26 due to a sharp decline in health. It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Ringo, BC Wildlife Park’s beloved Bactrian camel. Ringo arrived at the Wildlife Park in 1996, at... | By BC Wildlife Park | Facebook On October 21st, the zoo announced that they are stopping the Boo at the Zoo event, citing low attendance and high costs. 登录 Facebook On November 9th, the zoo announced that a (1.0) Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep named Q-tip passed away. With great sadness, we announce the passing of the BC Wildlife Park’s bighorn sheep patriarch, Q-tip. Named after the long tuft of fur on the top of... | By BC Wildlife Park | Facebook On November 18th, it was reported that 4 rehabilitation pools for aquatic animals are currently being installed on-site. BC Wildlife Park adding new rehabilitation pens for aquatic animals
On March 17th, 2023, the zoo announced that they transferred (1.1) coyotes named Victor and Aggy to the Ecomuseum Zoo in Quebec. BC Wildlife Park
Spoiler: Domestic News On March 30th, the zoo announced they acquired (1.1) domestic pigs (breed not specified) named Archie and Annie which are now on exhibit in the Home Hardware Family Farm area. New animal alert & contest time! | Meet our two newest residents: Annie (female, black) and Archie (male, white). The duo is currently off display while they complete their mandatory 30... | By BC Wildlife Park | Facebook On June 7th, the zoo announced that a (0.1) pot-bellied pig named Enid passed away due to uterine cancer. We are saddened to announce the passing of long-time BC Wildlife Park resident pot-bellied pig, Enid. Enid came to the Wildlife Park with her brother,... | By BC Wildlife Park | Facebook On March 21st, the zoo announced that, due to avian influenza, they moved their waterfowl off-exhibit. IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT . Out of an... - BC Wildlife Park On June 9th, the zoo announced they moved their (0.1) North American porcupine to a new, larger exhibit bts. Ms. Prickles recently moved to a larger, off-display area. Custom ‘furniture’ was created for her new space, which allows her to move throughout the... | By BC Wildlife Park | Facebook On June 13th, the zoo announced they acquired (0.0.2) American bison named Bruno and Belle from Big Valley Bison Ranch in British Columbia which are now on exhibit. Meet the BC Wildlife Park’s newest residents: Bruno and Belle! Bruno and Belle came from Big Valley Bison Ranch as young calfs. Once a healthy... | By BC Wildlife Park | Facebook On August 2nd, the zoo announced that a (1.0) Arctic wolf named AJ/Ajaja passed away at age 9 due to an autoimmune disorder. It is with heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of Ajaja (AJ), the arctic wolf from complications of an autoimmune disorder. AJ & his 2... | By BC Wildlife Park | Facebook
On September 21st, the zoo announced that a (1.0) woodland caribou was born on July 1st, and is now on exhibit. Meet Kirk, one of the male calves born in the Central Selkirk Caribou Maternity Pen on July 1st, 2023. Born to a two-year-old cow, Kirk was born less... | By BC Wildlife Park | Facebook On December 11th, the zoo announced that a (0.1) burrowing owl named Ninen passed away at age 7 due to an aneurysm. Ninem was a beloved permanent resident at the BC Wildlife Park for 7 years, and it is with heavy hearts that we announce her passing. Sadly, Ninem passed... | By BC Wildlife Park | Facebook
On January 31st, 2024, the zoo announced that they renovated the swan pond area in 2023, which includes an expanded beach area, new plantings and driftwood, and moved rocks, among other changes. BC Wildlife Park On February 10th, the zoo announced they acquired (1.1) red "silver" foxes named Sterling and Storm from Zoo Ecomuseum in Quebec which are on exhibit. ‼️NEW ANIMAL ALERT‼️ Meet Sterling (male) and Storm (female) the BC Wildlife Park’s two newest residents! Born on April 20, 2023, these two red... | By BC Wildlife ParkFacebook On February 22nd, it was announced that the zoo transferred a (0.1) Great Basin gopher snake to the Edmonton Valley Zoo in Alberta. Edmonton Valley Zoo
