Edmonton Valley Zoo Edmonton Valley Zoo

I visited the Edmonton Valley Zoo just over a week ago, and would like to write a more detailed review later, but I couldn't resist starting off with some broader comments.

The Edmonton Valley Zoo is currently right in the midst of the biggest transformation I've seen at a Zoo. There was clearly a long time that this Zoo was neglected by the City and community, but there are now substantial re-investments taking place and it feels like a place that people care about and want to improve. Dramatic physical transformations of facilities take time though, and there are still a lot of changes to come at the Edmonton Valley Zoo.

These transformations frame the visitor experience. The new Arctic Shores exhibits, and Entry /Wander are beautiful, richly detailed,and embedded with thoughtful natural narratives. They opened in 2012 and 2013 respectively, and together cost $50.7 million (a sum that probably exceeds the total spent on all new exhibit/visitor experience projects at the Toronto Zoo so far this century). Unfortunately, there is a major drop-off in quality between these exhibits and the old zoo. I expected it, but still wound up emotionally stunned.

Nature's Wild Backyard will perhaps be the biggest transformation at the Edmonton Valley Zoo. The site was once the heart of the old Storyland Valley Zoo and featured cartoon characters among animal exhibits. The old concessions area here was once the primary one at the Zoo and was almost 6 decades old. The new exhibits are centered on animals and engaging young visitors with them by creating shared experiences of moving through the landscape. Most of the animals planned for this exhibit currently have some of the worst exhibits at the Zoo, so the new $45 million Nature's Wild Backyard will have ripples on the rest of the Zoo and the overall experience.

I am looking forward to see how the Edmonton Valley Zoo progresses!
 
Funding is in place to complete it, and it will be finished around 2020-2021.

There are more renovations the zoo would like to do, however unless more funding comes up Natures Backyard will be the last major reno at the zoo for quite some time.
 
The takin calf in the video above is female and was named Soleil. She was joined by a half brother at the end of May and he has been named Ludo.
 
Valley Zoo has had a couple of exciting new arrivals over the past couple of months.

Firstly, a new Lar Gibbon has arrived from Parc le Pal in France. The new male is named Sulawe, and is currently being introduced to the zoo's geriatric female Julia for companionship. However I have no doubt once she passes away, a new female will be brought in to form a breeding pair with this genetically valuable male.

A new male Zebra has also recently arrived at the zoo, his name is Cody and the plan is for him to breed with the zoo's two females. He's still quite young however, and I wouldn't expect any offspring for another 2-3 years at the earliest.

Lastly, the zoo has greatly reduced their Meerkat numbers over the winter, going from four to only two groups. The new Meerkat exhibits that have popped up in Canada over the past little while have virtually all come from Valley Zoo animals.
 
Sulawe, the zoo's new male white-handed gibbon is now on display. He hails from France.
 
Valley Zoo is an absolute powerhouse in Takin production in Canada. They have had over 10 Takin born in the past 4 years and more than likely will have another born this year along with mei mei, a rather impressive amount, subjectively
 
Most if not all of us know the Edmonton Valley Zoo's not going to try and replace Lucy and will eventually demolish the building for the master plan, but I have a question: assuming she dies, what will the zoo replace her exhibit with?
 
Yi Qi said:
Most if not all of us know the Edmonton Valley Zoo's not going to try and replace Lucy and will eventually demolish the building for the master plan, but I have a question: assuming she dies, what will the zoo replace her exhibit with?
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I don't have a definitive answer for this. However, since the exhibit is near a slope, why not bring in a charismatic animal to ease the burden of losing Lucy? Grizzlies or polar bears could be an option, or maybe a new facility for snow leopards?
 
I actually thought about the possibility of getting a breeding pair of mountain tapirs, with the yard being split into two. It's highly unlikely, but its just an idea.
 
The 'Urban Farm', a new area replacing an outdated part of the zoo that had been around since 1959, is now open to the public. All of the animals are domestic breeds, although a nearby, brand-new Red Panda exhibit will soon be ready for its debut in June.

Farming for city slickers: New interactive urban farm at Valley Zoo to open Saturday

Edmonton Valley Zoo has been battling funding issues on its renovation plans:

'The free ride is over': Iveson uses zoo funding to call for shared regional recreation costs
 
Yi Qi said:
Animal advocacy group Zoocheck says its too late for Lucy to transfer to another facility thanks to her arthritis advancing, and the zoo as usual is defending Lucy's health:
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I second that. She is 45 years old and still sick. I would definitely let her live here. The Edmonton Valley Zoo said her condition has deteriorated recently. Therefore, I do not understand how some activists can say that they should still move.
 
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