CALGARY – One of the Calgary Zoo’s main attractions will soon go the way of the dinosaurs, as the park makes way for new animals and exhibits.
Officials unveiled the zoo’s long-term development plan on Thursday, which outlines the projects they will focus on during the next 20 years.
Among the big announcements is the addition of six new species in the next five years, and the gradual phasing out of the Prehistoric Park.
The first phase of development, which lasts the next five years, focuses on the arrival of two giant pandas in 2018. Officials will move the elephants from their current enclosure, and begin renovating the space as the new area the Pandas will inhabit.
Organizers will also take the first steps to phasing out the prehistoric park, to make room for a new home for endangered Japanese snow monkeys.
The zoo will spend $162 million on the first phase of redevelopment, which also includes the creation of a fully-immersive lemur exhibit and an African village in the Destination Africa exhibit.
New species at the zoo during Phase 1 include a Black & White ruffed lemur, African pygmy goats, Takin, Saiga, Giant pandas and a Bongo.
The second phase of development will last 15 years, and includes the revamp of the island’s west end. In addition, officials say the final section of the Prehistoric Park will retired to make way for a new tiger habitat and a 65,000-square-foot immersive Tropical House.
As the giant pandas move on, orangutans will be moved in to replace them.
The zoo also plans to completely rebuild the Canadian Wilds exhibit, to bring back a polar bear and seals.
“There is no doubt that this is the most ambitious redevelopment plan in the zoo’s 84-year history and it will solidify the Calgary Zoo as Canada’s leader in conservation,” says Dr. Clement Lanthier, zoo president and CEO. “We intend to build a zoo that will lead the world in animal welfare while immersing our guests in experiences that will inspire a new appreciation for wildlife and wild places.”
The Calgary Zoo is one of the largest zoos in Canada.
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