Date opened July 1, 1959 No. of animals 350 Memberships CAZA Province Alberta | Land area 0.18 km (0.069 sq mi) No. of species 100 Notable animal Lucy | |
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Hours Open today · 10AM–4PMSaturday10AM–4PMSunday10AM–4PMMonday10AM–4PMTuesday10AM–4PMWednesday10AM–4PMThursday10AM–4PMFriday10AM–4PM Exhibits Elephant House and Exhibit, Saito Center Similar Muttart Conservatory, Fort Edmonton Park, Alberta Legislature Building, Galaxyland, Telus World of Science | ||
Edmonton valley zoo vision
The Edmonton Valley Zoo is a zoo located in the heart of Edmonton, Alberta's river valley. The Edmonton Valley Zoo is owned and operated by the City of Edmonton and is open 364 days a year, closing only on Christmas. The zoo is currently accredited by the Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums and is one of three accredited zoos in Alberta.
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The Valley Zoo opened on July 1, 1959, as a replacement for a previous Edmonton Zoo (Borden Park Zoo) which was torn down to expand Northlands Park (now Northlands). The zoo is home to over 350 exotic and native animals and houses over 100 different species. In 2007, the Edmonton Valley Zoo launched the Makira Conservation Fund Initiative in honour of their newly unveiled lemur habitat, aptly named the Makira Outpost after the Makira forest region in Madagascar. In addition to this cause, the zoo also raises funds and awareness for other endangered animals such as red pandas, through the Red Panda Network, and various other conservation efforts. This facility also actively promotes animal conservation through its participation in the Species Survival Plan, an international effort led by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association which ultimately aims to restore endangered animal populations to the wild, for a variety of species. They have successfully raised six red panda cubs since 2007.
The Edmonton Valley Zoo's 2005 Master Plan was approved by Edmonton City Council, allocating $50 million in capital funding. With the first project, Arctic Shores completed, the second phase, The Wander Trail, Opened in 2013.
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Controversy
The residence of Lucy the elephant at the Valley Zoo has been a source of controversy since 2009. Animal welfare groups such as Zoocheck opposed on keeping a lone elephant in a zoo, since elephants are a highly social species, and that Edmonton's cold climate is unhealthy for elephants. Groups like Zoocheck have said that Lucy exhibits psychological health issues, including lethargy and abnormal stereotypical behaviours, though these have not been confirmed by any animal healthcare professional.
A number of North American zoos have phased out elephants, including the Toronto zoo when it moved three elephants in October 2013 to the United States.
The Edmonton Valley Zoo, for its part, argues that moving Lucy would be detrimental to her health, although officials have not disclosed the nature of her health issue. Retired game show host and animal rights activist Bob Barker had also advocated for Lucy's transfer.