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As its lengthy full name suggests, the Calgary Zoo, Botanical Garden, and Prehistoric Park is much more than a collection of animals.
It’s a close encounter with the world’s creatures and plants through a virtual-travel journey to far-flung regions and a long-ago time.
That encounter is carefully planned to present a realistic view of life on our planet, with species ranging from the local to the exotic and the plentiful to the endangered.
Display areas are not restrictive cages but open settings that mimic the earth’s natural environments.
Groupings of animals and plants reflect those found in nature, and collections are arranged according to their respective geographical areas.
The Australian Outback shelters wallabies, kangaroos, and bearded dragons and includes indoor and outdoor settings.
Hiking trails in the Canadian Wilds lead visitors through the Rocky Mountains to moose, wolves, sheep, and other Canadian wildlife in their natural habitats.
There’s a river otter viewing gallery and a peek at owls and foxes in the Cequel Energy Lodge, and bats and other nocturnal species wander through the cricket-serenaded darkness of the Creatures of the Night exhibit.
In Destination Africa, the TransAlta Rainforest features a lowland gorilla troop, and the African Savannah offers the spectacle of roaming giraffes and underwater river hippos.
Other attractions include the Conservatory, where tropical rainforests and arid gardens highlight plants from around the world and a butterfly garden abounds in colorful, fluttering creatures.
The Prehistoric Park is a one-of-a-kind trip through time to western Canada during the Mesozoic era, with life-size dinosaur replicas and plants set against a landscape of volcanoes and sandstone formations.
Children can ride a pint-sized train around the west end of Zoo Island or enjoy the animal-themed slides, tunnels, and mazes in the playgrounds.
Cafes, food kiosks, and gift shops are located throughout the zoo, and visitors can purchase a Zoo Tunes CD to learn about the facility’s animals and plants.
Perhaps the most curious zoo attraction is avant-garde artist Kamala, a female elephant who uses a brush to create acrylic paintings on easel-mounted canvases. You can admire—and purchase—her colorful artwork at her exclusive gallery.
As numerous as these offerings are, they represent only the regular activities of the Calgary Zoo.
There are also special events, such as classes and workshops for children, adults, or families and social get-togethers like the Singles Safari Go Wild Party.
Seasonal activities include the Easter Eggstravaganza and the Valentine’s Day Sweetie Sleepover, and the zoo accommodates private functions, from weddings to conferences, in a variety of themes, formats, and menus.
All in all, there’s enough animal attraction at the Calgary Zoo for everyone.
For more information, visit The Calgary Zoo or call (403) 232-9300 or (800) 588-9993.
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