The zoo's cougar cubs, Rocket and Rosie, are now on display. Greater Vancouver Zoo Welcomes Two Rescue Cougar Cubs to Their New Home
Giraffe, Jenga, has arrived from African Lion Safari. He will be on display with his half brother Pompey once the two warm up to each other. The Greater Vancouver Zoo Welcomes A Charming New Giraffe
Here's a list of holiday activities at the zoo for those interested Reindeer will be busy at the zoo in Aldergrove - Aldergrove Star
The zoo has raised more then $31,000 to go to three conservation charities. Greater Vancouver Zoo Raises More Than $31,000 for Wildlife Conservation Projects
A toddler has been bitten at the zoo by one of the black bears. She has suffered injuries to her arm but is in stable condition. The child was in an area they shouldn't have been. Hope she is ok. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/child-animal-bite-zoo-1.5237742 Toddler bitten by bear at Vancouver zoo, family says
This is so unfortunate for the child and her family. She is 2 years old, was in a restricted area, and her family is seeking legal counsel. Where was her "keeper" at the time?
@Mr Wrinkly exactly what I was thinking. I didn't want to be overly negative but I have watched several children that age at the zoo at once and I have yet to lose sight of one. You go with a kid, you aren't going to have fun yourself. Your one job is to keep them safe. Makes for a more boring day for you but keeps the child who doesn't know any better from getting into a situation that you cannot take back. Hopefully the legal counsel looks at the mom and says, "Where the heck where you? Don't bother because this is your fault. You are the parent. "
An article about the zoo's western pond turtle's conservation efforts. VIDEO: Canadian zoos’ captive breeding programs help preserve endangered species - Aldergrove Star
The zoo had it fundraiser marathon last Wednesday. Fraser Valley dashes for endangered species at the zoo - Aldergrove Star
An article about the zoo's latest CAZA award: Zoo awarded for its restoration of the Salmon River - Aldergrove Star
Infamous Zoocheck is accusing the animals of having undersized cages and animals suffer boredom. Animals at B.C. zoo suffer ‘boredom and frustration,’ humane society says - Surrey Now-Leader Greater Vancouver Zoo failing its animals, report finds Fortunately, the zoo contests this in this article. 'Frustration and boredom': Report calls for better conditions at Greater Vancouver Zoo
Changes are coming to the zoo. They plan to spend $10-20 million to convert half of the zoo into an African safari style park and improve animal welfare. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/greater-vancouver-zoo-plans-revamp-1.5533426
Whoah, that is a tad drastic. What happens to the other half? Will it remain an temperate cold climate zoo? BTW: I do hate that individuals from HS act on the pretence of being zoo experts and giving all sorts of "advice" which is primarily digestive for their fluffy house cat and dog audience and in no way reflects well on the requirements, husbandry and management of wild and or exotic animals.
Perhaps it will be a drastic change to one half of the zoo and see what happens when that's done. If its working out well and they could afford to do what they planned they may start work on the other half of the zoo. I'd think they would keep working on Canadian species at risk. It was interesting to read that they applied to the AZA. I wasn't clear myself if it was an application for full fledged membership or if it was for non member status specifically for the Amur tiger. The Humane Society thing made me chuckle. Stop breeding and not replace the animals. So basically stop being a zoo and close. And the concerns about African animals in Canada was laughable too. Zoos across Canada house African species just fine and BC is far warmer than the rest of the country. If the right housing is built the majority of species do well in Canada. Does it require larger facilities and more thought being put into design? Sure but it's not unreasonable. Any zoo article though seems to have the zoo's position or plan vaguely outlined and then the rest of the article is attacks from the anti zoo groups. Rarely a balanced approach.
Here is an article with more on the expansion. The zoo seems to be divided into 3 areas, the safari, native species and a big cat complex. World-class transformation planned for Greater Vancouver Zoo | Urbanized
On the whole a very welcome set of new priorities and longterm goals. Lussier (chair with CAZA accreditation commission, former head at ALS and Parc Omega) seems to have a well levelled perception and his eyes firmly set on the grand picture of GVZ's real potential. First and foremost: a new visitor and entry complex is planned to open this summer (first). Further planning for the big projects: The Safari Park (northern temperate Canada fauna) is planned for 2021, the Big Cats Complex in 2022, and the African Savanna in 2023. In between loads of other smaller things planned, including better car parking facilities, a long hard look at better access opportunities and better public transport via downtown to Langley and over to the zoo, changing walkways and raised walkways for Safari Park.
The zoo has announced they will offer free admission to front line health care workers not just for a small window or limited number but for the rest of the year! Good on the zoo. These men and women deserve it after all they have done for all of us. Aldergrove zoo announces free admission for frontline healthcare workers in light of COVID-19 - Chilliwack Progress