Zoos & Wildlife Parks
Wildlife abounds in Alberta—not just in their natural habitats but in our excellent zoos and many family-friendly attractions in our cities and towns. Spend a sleep-over in an urban rainforest. Take a trip to an exotic bird farm or a bison farm. Visit centres that care for injured animals.
Calgary
Calgary Zoo is one of the world’s top-ranking, noted for its endangered species breeding programs. Visit the superb Destination Africa pavilion, featuring Canada’s only underwater hippo viewing pool; the Botanical Garden; the Prehistoric Park and the Canadian Wilds area, which is a safe place to view grizzlies, cougars and many other mammals and birds native to Canada.
Bow Habitat Station is an informative “eco-park” where you can learn about Alberta’s fish, water and aquatic habitats. Considered Canada’s largest fish hatchery, this facility produces more than two million fish a year to stock Alberta’s streams and rivers.
Edmonton
Valley Zoo is a favourite destination for children with its daily elephant and sea lion demonstrations, pony rides and paddle boats—not to mention dozens and dozens of exotic, endangered and indigenous species described by roving interpreters.
Sea Life Caverns at West Edmonton Mall has over 200 species of fish, sharks, turtles and penguins, not to mention a giant octopus. Interpretive programs include one-day and five-day camps for kids, and group events. At Sea Lions Rock the trained sea lions are a family favourite.
Around Alberta
Coaldale
Alberta Birds of Prey Centre is Canada’s largest birds of prey facility—home to hawks, eagles, falcons and owls, including the endangered burrowing owl. Located ten minutes south of Lethbridge, there is an interpretive centre, tours of breeding and rehabilitation facilities and hands-on activities for the whole family. See the new babies, hold a specially trained owl or falcon and watch flying demonstrations.
Drumheller
Reptile World has western Canada's largest display of live reptiles. It houses over 200 reptiles and amphibians including "Fred" the 272 kg (600 lb) alligator, a spitting cobra, anacondas, blue poison dart frogs, black mamba, gila monsters and many others. Get up close and personal in the petting section.
Innisfail
Discovery Wildlife Park near Innisfail has produced many of the bears featured in movies filmed in Alberta (such as Brokeback Mountain). The bears are trained by world-renowned Ruth LaBarge who has been training Kodiak brown bears for more than 37 years.
Lacombe
Ellis Bird Farm promotes the conservation of cavity-nesting birds and backyard wildlife habitat. It is a working farm but open to visitors during the summer months. The site has the largest collection of bluebird nesting boxes in the province. Don’t miss the gardens designed to attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Join a banding tour in June or July. There are self-guided trails, educational programs and a visitors centre.
Red Deer
Kerry Wood Nature Centre/Gaetz Lakes Sanctuary was Alberta’s first national migratory bird sanctuary, established in 1924. Experience the nature of central Alberta in an urban setting through a number of interpretive programs or a quiet hike along a network of trails. Due to the concern and care for resident wildlife, please leave pets at home.
Wildlife Rehabilitation Centres
Medicine River Wildlife Centre is one of a number of facilities in Alberta that rescue and rehabilitate wildlife for return to their natural habitats. About a half hour west of Innisfail, this centre offers educational programs, outdoor environmental walks and bird watching from an observation tower.
