Calgary Zoo Calgary Zoo News 2022

The zoo has a new female crested porcupine. Caleefa arrived from Granby to breed with either Britstle or Rattle. She is now on display and being introduced to the brothers. You can temporarily tell her apart because they have painted her quills green so they and keep an eye on her.

In sad news ring tailed lemur, Sophie, passed away in December. She had liver cancer.

Also dominate Japanese macaque, Lorie, has passed as well. She died of old age after spending her whole life at the zoo. Im sure she will be dearly missed by Calgarians who grew up with her.

 

The annual penguin walk has resumed for its 10th year and marks the first time they have a very young chick who might go on the walk once she's a little older.

Calgary Zoo holds first penguin walk of 2022, celebrates 10th anniversary

 

Not news from the zoo but news about a long time former resident. Sloth, Ferrari, who called the zoo home until the great flood of 2013, has passed at Riverview Park and Zoo. Thought Calgary Zoo fans might want to know. He was 32 so he did have a good long life.

Riverview Park and Zoo’s two-toed sloth Ferrari dies - Peterborough | Globalnews.ca

 

Two rock hyraxes have arrived from the San Diego Zoo: 2 year-old Kikami and 1 year-old Oshana.

 

Male caribou, Kirby, has been moved to the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo's Wildlife Conservation Centre temporarily to help prepare for work on the Canadian Wilds. The girls will be joining him in the next few months. They will all return when construction on their new home is done.

Female Japanese macaque, Loki, has become the dominant female in the troop after the passing of her mother who previously held the position. The troop seems to have adapted to the change well.

Amur tigers Samkha and Sarma have begun introductions through the howdy mesh. Both seem very comfortable with each other and the team feels good about how actual intros will go when Sarma comes into season.

 

Male red fronted lemur, Red Baron, has passed. He was 29.

Calgary Zoo announces death of senior red-fronted lemur

 

Have any renderings been released of the new developments in Canadian Wilds?

 

@StoppableSan, I haven't been able to find anything. I might be able to ferret out all kinds of things on Toronto but I rarely succeed with Calgary. All I could find are articles from last July when they announced they were working on the project. Perhaps someone else knows where to look for the info.

 

Oh no, not Red Baron I never worked with him in proper, however I loved to go visit him for a little lemur love when I had the chance. He was more than happy to sit on your shoulder to sneak treats, grunting happily the whole time. He was a genuinely wonderful animal who was well loved by everyone. The past few times I’ve seen him down at Calgary, he was definitely showing his age, so I can’t say I’m surprised, but still, very sad all the same.

 

Sorry @Hyak_II that you lost an animal you knew so well. Hurts more when you have that close personal relationship.

 

Not sure if this is news to anyone but I couldn't find any other mention of it: the new Pallas Cat exhibit is open, in between the Red Pandas and Amur Tigers in Exploration Asia.

 

The zoo has a new male river otter named Malo. He was orphaned last year in Manitoba and came into a rescue group so sick he nearly died and has since been deemed unfit for release. Once that happened Calgary stepped up and offered to take him.

 

Petunia the 15 year old Meerkat has unfortunately died.

Calgary Zoo announces death of senior meerkat Petunia

 

The federal government is helping to fund the zoo's new bison exhibit.

Federal money to pay for new area at the Calgary Zoo, other city amenities

 

I recall from my visit in 2017 that the bison exhibit was in a nice central location in Canadian Wilds and shared a pond with cranes, so I am confused why this new exhibit is necessary.

 

I think that area is due to be redeveloped when the Canadian Wilds gets renovated.

 

@geomorph, @Ituri is correct the entire Canadian Wilds section of the zoo is undergoing redevelopment in the next few years, including a brand new polar bear exhibit.

 

The king penguin chick born last fall is a male they have named Rupert.

 

Here is an update on animal transfers to allow for construction of the Canadian Wilds.

Some zoo animals temporarily moved during rebuild of Canadian Wilds | Calgary Herald

 

Does anyone have any images of what the layout/plans for the new Canadian Wilds will look like?