Calgarians flock to zoo as Wild Canada Zone reopens

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Tons of of Calgarians endured frigid fingers and chilly situations to catch a primary glimpse of the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo’s two new polar bears on Friday, because the revamped Wild Canada Zone was formally unveiled.

Guests waited in line for upwards of half an hour earlier than the gates to Wild Canada have been opened to the general public at 11 a.m.

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Whereas the renovations included greater than $40 million in upgrades to the exhibit beforehand often called the Canadian Wilds, the primary draw Friday was clearly Baffin and Siku. The 2 male polar bears not too long ago transferred to the Calgary zoo from the Assiniboine Park Zoo in Winnipeg.

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“We’re simply right here for the polar bears,” mentioned Ashleigh Marin, whereas ready in line Friday morning.

Baffin and Siku are the Calgary zoo’s first polar bears since 1999. Since arriving from Winnipeg in mid-October, they’ve been settling in at their new habitat — the $11.5-million Taylor Household Basis Polar Bear Sanctuary. The 2-acre enclosure is among the spotlight options of Wild Canada, which additionally homes 14 different Canadian species.

Marin, who was on the zoo together with her husband and two younger youngsters, mentioned the timing of the disclosing was excellent, as Friday additionally marked her birthday.

Some guests travelled from outdoors of town to take a look at the polar bears as they meandered round their enclosure, often chomping on some frozen lettuce and carrots.

Ben Sherick of Airdrie mentioned he and his household go to the Calgary zoo commonly and eagerly anticipated the reopening of the all-Canadian exhibit.

“I bear in mind coming right here as a child, so it’s fairly cool to see the best way they’ve reimagined this complete space, each the components they’ve saved and the components they’ve modified,” he mentioned.

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Sherick mentioned it marked his second time seeing polar bears in individual, as he may bear in mind witnessing the animal as soon as earlier than when he was a baby.

Beth Patton shared an analogous story, including she even booked a break day work to go to the zoo together with her younger daughter, Blake.

“Once I was little, a polar bear was right here, and I used to be very unhappy when it wasn’t right here anymore,” she mentioned. “Simply as an grownup, it’s thrilling to come back see them. (My daughter) has by no means seen a polar bear earlier than, so it’s simply good to be part of that.”

‘An unbelievable asset’

Earlier than opening Wild Canada to the general public, zoo officers hosted a grand opening ceremony and offered VIPs a sneak peek of the refurbished space.

Clement Lanthier, the president and CEO of the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo, referred to as Friday a “monumental” day for the group, including the redevelopment of Wild Canada is the most important enterprise within the zoo’s 95-year historical past.

“In the present day’s grand opening marks extra than simply the disclosing of a brand new developed part of the zoo; it’s a mixture of meticulous planning, tireless dedication and a strategic imaginative and prescient for our future,” he instructed the gang.

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Introduced in the summertime of 2021, renovations to Wild Canada lasted 26 months in complete. Fifteen capital tasks have been accomplished throughout that point, together with upgrades to habitats for the zoo’s river otters, muskoxen, bighorn sheep, woodland caribou and whooping cranes.

The whole price ticket for the overhaul was $42 million. Lanthier thanked the 1,000-plus donors from greater than 50 firms that contributed to the trigger, however singled out the Brawn Household Basis and the Taylor Household Basis for his or her philanthropy, particularly.

The Brawns donated $2 million towards the refurbishment of the river otters’ habitat, whereas the Taylors’ donation of $11.5 million financed the polar bear sanctuary.

Don Taylor mentioned the zoo is “an unbelievable asset” to Calgary and hopes his household’s contribution can assist encourage the general public to grasp the significance of conserving nature.

Echoing that sentiment, Lanthier mentioned Wild Canada underscores the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo’s dedication to conservation, schooling and animal welfare.

“It enriches the lives of the animals we love and look after, and empowers us to interact future generations with nature, fostering a deep sense of appreciation and duty for the well-being of our planet and the unbelievable wildlife we share it with,” he mentioned.

— With information from Dean Pilling

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