About
The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is one of Alberta’s oldest registered charities and one of Canada’s most-visited zoos. Founded in 1929, we are a family-favourite destination in the heart of Calgary. We take great pride in inspiring and educating generations of visitors about the importance of wildlife conservation. Visitors not only have the chance to see their favourite animals, but also have the opportunity to learn about the relationships between people, wildlife, and wild places. Our goal is to inspire a lifelong love of nature that sparks action to protect it.
We are accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and are well-known internationally for our excellence in animal care, welfare, and world-class habitat design. We take a holistic approach in our operations to care for the over 4,000 animals who call the zoo home, while also delivering superior visitor experiences, and conducting our critical conservation work locally and globally.
With deep roots spanning over nine decades, our generous community of supporters has helped us become a leading authority in wildlife conservation. With this support, we work to reintroduce threatened species back to the wild and empower communities to become active players in the conservation of local flora and fauna.
Conservation begins with people when they join forces to make a difference. With our supporters at our side, the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo will continue to be relentless in our mission to restore the balance of wildlife and human life, together.
Our Impact
Animal care and wildlife conservation are at the core of what we do. We take great pride in providing world-class animal care here at home while also contributing to the long-term survival of some of the world’s most at-risk species.
As an AZA-accredited organization, we participate in programs like Species Survival Plans (SSPs) that help ensure the genetic diversity and sustainability of animal populations in human care. The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo participates in over 40 SSPs, ranging from Egyptian tortoises to western lowland gorillas, helping to safeguard these at-risk species for generations to come.
Beyond the zoo gates, we work with government, academic, and industry partners to develop and implement conservation strategies. We are leaders in employing innovative science and research that is shaping how species are protected, reintroduced, and studied locally and globally to ensure they once again thrive in the wild. Through science-based conservation breeding and reintroduction programs, we are helping to rebuild at-risk populations like whooping cranes and Vancouver Island marmots.
The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo inspires actions that achieve real-world change for wildlife and wild places by engaging zoo visitors, along with expert partners and community members. Together, we are making the world a wilder place.
