Assiniboine Park Zoo

Assiniboine Park Zoo is an 80-acre (32 ha) zoo that was established in 1904 at the West end of Assiniboine Park in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. It is managed by the Assiniboine Park Conservancy and accredited by the Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums (CAZA).

Assiniboine Park Zoo
Assiniboine Park Zoo entrance
Date opened1904[1]
Location2595 Roblin Boulevard
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R3P 2N7
Coordinates49°52′09″N 97°13′50″W
Land area32 hectares (80 acres)
No. of species200
MembershipsCAZA[2]
Major exhibits8
Public transit access11 Portage/Kildonan (Sunday, Holidays)
18 North Main / Corydon (Saturday and Sunday during Zoo hours only)
21 Portage Express (Mon-Sat.)
67 Charleswood Express (Weekdays only)
79 Charleswood
Websitewww.assiniboineparkzoo.ca

The Assiniboine Park Zoo has been best known for decades for its polar bear exhibit, of which the old enclosure was replaced in 2013 with Journey to Churchill.

History

The City of Winnipeg Parks Board purchased some native animals including deer, bison, and elk to start the zoo in 1904. In 1908, the bear enclosure was built, and by 1909, the zoo had 116 animals of 19 species.[1]

In 1916, the zoo budget was $8,000 ($1,800 for food, $4,200 for labour, and $1,158 for new construction). By 1998, the animal collection had increased to include 77 different mammal species (390 animals), 151 different birds (700 specimens), and 14 reptiles (34 specimens), with the total collection including about 1,193 individuals of 271 species, and the zoo budget was $2,497,173 ($161,800 for food and supplies, and $1,952,707 for labour).[1]

The zoo got its first lion, a female, in 1935, and its first polar bear, a wild orphaned cub named Carmichael, in 1939. Carmichael got a partner in February 1940—a female named Clementine.[3]

The Zoological Society of Manitoba was formed in 1956 to provide the vision and funding for the zoo. In 1957, the zoo helped develop "Aunt Sally's Farm", a children's petting zoo named after Sally Warnock, and which a scale model had been presented in February 1958[4] and opened Friday August 7, 1959.[5] At first an admission fee of 10 cents for children over 5 and 25 cents for adults was charged. The fee was dropped years later. In 1959 the zoo was officially named Assiniboine Park Zoo.[1]

In the 1960s, the gibbon/monkey house was built, another orphan polar bear cub arrived at the zoo, and a snow leopard was added to the zoo. The Polar bear enclosure was renovated in 1967, adding an upper story, and two more orphaned cubs arrived. Then in 1968 and 1969, the Tropical House, Native Animal Exhibit, and a new south gate were added.[1]

In the 1980s, the Zoological Society of Manitoba, which had not been active for a while, began to provide money for new signage, exhibits, and infrastructure. The main entrance was reconstructed to include a new Gift Store operated by the Society of, and the Carousel Restaurant was renovated.

Winnie-the-Bear statue, unveiled in 1992

New enclosures for the camels, yaks, and zebras, as well as the "Camel Oasis" Interpretive Playground, opened in the northwest end of the zoo in 1995. This was also the first year for "Lights of the Wild," featuring animal light sculptures presented by the Zoo and the Society for 3 weeks in the winter.

In 1997, the "Saturn Playground" was constructed and the main restaurant facilities were renovated. The Saturn Shuttle and Kiosk information booth projects were established in 1998, as well as an upgrade to the electrical infrastructure of the Zoo.

In 2001 a grant from the DeFehr foundation funded the renovation of the unused Bison Restaurant Kiosk into the Palliser Interpretive Center, the headquarters for ICE Camp. An alliance with the University of Manitoba Summer Camps initiates "Mini U Zoo," where campers spend one week at the University and one week at the Zoo. The zoo master plan is unveiled to the public.

As late as 2000, the Zoo was open from 9 a.m. till sunset (or 9 p.m.). However by the Zoo's hours were significantly reduced. Today the Zoo closes at 4 p.m., when most people coming home from their workplace.[6] In July 2015 the Zoo extended visiting hours every Wednesday till 8 p.m. as a trial because there were many requests from zoo visitors that the earlier closing wasn't convenient for people who work during the day.[7]

In 2004, as part of venture with the University of Manitoba Architecture Department, substantial improvements were made to the Education Centre.

Master Plan

In 2000, the Society and the Zoo started work on a new Master Plan Development Proposal (the first since 1960) for the Zoo. Initial proposals were for the redesign of the existing Polar Bear enclosure, but this eventually grew into a much larger Master Plan Development project.

In 2008 the Assiniboine Park Conservancy is created to develop, govern, and manage Assiniboine Park including the Zoo.

In June 2009, the Assiniboine Park Conservancy unveils a comprehensive $200 million redevelopment plan for Assiniboine Park & Zoo that will be completed over 10 years.[8]

Exhibits and facilities

Journey to Churchill
Polar Bear at Journey to Churchill Exhibit

In January 2012, the International Polar Bear Conservation Centre was opened.

In July 2014, the Journey to Churchill Northern Species exhibit opened. The exhibit features expansive new polar bear, Arctic fox, wolf, musk ox, caribou, snowy owl, and seal habitats. As well as interactive interpretive components, a short film experience inside a 360-degree theatre, and underwater viewing tunnels for polar bears and seals.

The Zoo's newest permanent area, Journey to Churchill is an exhibit representing various habitats of northern Manitoba. The town of Churchill, on the Hudson Bay in northern Manitoba is home to the largest polar bear denning area in the world.

In January 2019, five year old polar bear "Blizzard" had died of fluid in its chest (pneumonia?).[9]

Located inside the Journey to Churchill exhibit, the Tundra Grill is a 150-seat restaurant with views of the largest of three polar bear habitats in the exhibit.[10]

Toucan Ridge
Assiniboine Park Zoo, Winnipeg (480500) (9447808822)

Toucan Ridge, was originally known as the Tropical House. The 1,230 m2 (13,200 sq ft) building was constructed in 1971 at a cost of $500,000[11] and first opened to the public in November 1972.[12][13] The Tropical House would almost double the Zoo's total species and would feature birds and other animals. Temperatures inside the Tropical House would be maintained at a constant 27 °C (80 °F).[11]

In 2009, the Zoo contracted with demolition company Klassen Concrete to demolish the early 1970s Tropical House. Instead of demolishing the building, a plan to reuse most of the building but to reconfigure the displays was put into place. Infrastructure renewal cost $900,000. Exhibit renewal cost $2.1 million. The project took five months to complete.[14]

On April 20, 2011, the first new exhibit as part of the Assiniboine Park Zoo's redevelopment plans, Toucan Ridge, is opened.[15] The exhibit features animal, bird, and plant life of the new world tropics of Central and South America. Toucan Ridge is located in what used to be known as the Tropical House.

Kinsmen Discovery Centre

Announced in November 1986, and originally planned to open in the fall of 1987,[16] the Centre broke ground in June 1988.[17] The $1.75 million 743 m2 (8,000 sq ft)[18] Kinsman Discovery Centre opened on March 23, 1990, two and a half years late and $550,000 over budget. It replaced the aging Aunt Sally's Farm which operated between 1959 and 1989.[18][19] The Centre contains six galleries pertaining to different life forms — water, grasslands, air, underground, plus two forest galleries.[18] A statue honouring Winnipeg the Bear (the bear that was made famous as Winnie-the-Pooh) was unveiled in 1992 and has since been relocated to the Nature Playground, in the general Park area.[20]

The Zoo's 2nd biggest indoor exhibit with fish snakes reptiles etc.

Animals of Asia

In June 2010, the Pavilion of Lions is opened. A pair of African Lions becomes the exhibits first residents.

In April 2012, the Assiniboine Park Zoo becomes the only facility in North America that is home to a pair of Asiatic lions. The Asiatic Lions replace the African Lions in the Pavilion of Lions exhibit.[21]

A new 2,400 m2 (26,000 sq ft) expansion of the enclosure for Siberian tigers was constructed in 2013 and opened that same year. The new enclosure would assist the breeding program.[22]

Grasslands and Boreal Forest

After Journey to Churchill opened in 2014 it was thought that a Wolf exhibit would be nice addition to the Zoo. Originally a wolf exhibit was not planned for. It opened in June 2018 and features four male grey wolves and one female grey wolf.[23]

McFeetors Heavy Horse Centre

The 1.9 ha (4.7 acres) McFeetors Heavy Horse Centre was announced in September 2014[24] and officially opened on August 28, 2015.[25]

Stingray Beach

Stingray Beach is a rotating exhibit that debut on the May 2019 long weekend.[26] However after a month and a half three male specimens died from undetermined causes. [27]

Shirley Richardson Butterfly Garden

In June 2009, the 200 m2 (2,200 sq ft)[10] Shirley Richardson Butterfly Garden, located next to the Toucan Ridge exhibit, opened. The Butterfly Garden is a permanent seasonal exhibit and is closed during the Winter months.[28]

The Zoo Lights Festival is the current special event that takes place between the late fall and early winter months since 2019.

Former exhibits

A special Australian exhibit featuring koalas from the San Diego Zoo was created in 1993, and was open to the public between May 12 and September 19, in the former Aunt Sally's Farm space.[29] This enclosure has been used for Matchie's tree kangaroos since the koalas left.

Boo at the Zoo was started in 1996 as a Halloween event.[30] In the first year, 40,000 people attended over a ten-day period. By its 10th anniversary in 2006, when the Pumpkin Patch Maze, Area 54 and Boo Alley were added to the attractions, the event was attended by 57,400 visitors. 'Boo at the Zoo' is no longer being offered.

Lights of the Wild, featuring animal light sculptures presented by the Zoo and the Society, was first opened in 1996 for 3 weeks in the winter. It was discontinued in 2000 and the lights were all sold to Portage Island of Lights.[31]

A temporary exhibit, Xtreme Bugs, was featured at the Zoo during the summer of 2018.[32][33]

Incidents
  • In July 2014 the wolves and polar bears had to be taken out of their display areas because one or more of the wolves dug their way into the polar bear enclosure. No one was hurt in the incident.[34]
  • Safety protocols were in question when one Amur (Siberian) tiger gained access to another enclosure and killed another tiger in September 2014.[35]
  • In November 2014 a seal got trapped in a drain and died.[36]

Admission fees

Since its inception, the Zoo had been free. Various attempts at raising funds (beyond taxpayer funds) had been tried, including coin boxes inside the Zoo, a gift shop. By 1993 it was decided to start charging an admission fee for zoo maintenance, and upgrading/expansion of exhibit spaces.

In 2015, the Zoo had offered discount Tuesdays at the cost of $10 for adults. However in that year the admission fee was raised to $12 per adult.[37]

The Zoo has offered free children's admission during the days of the Christmas Break in years 2015, (2016?), 2017, and 2018.

As of 2019, admission fees for visiting the Assiniboine Park Zoo are:

Zoo Admission Fees (2019)
Entrance

Fee

Age 3-12 $11.25
Age 13-17 $17.75
Student (with ID) $17.75
Adults (up to age 59) $20.50
Seniors $17.75

Education

The zoo hosts summer day camps for children of all ages.[38]

Guided School and Group Tours.[39]

Accreditation

In September 2014, the Assiniboine Park Zoo becomes one of only five Canadian zoos to be accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums.[40]

Conservation

Species Survival Programs.[41]

References
  1. "Zoo History". zoosociety.com. Zoological Society of Manitoba. Archived from the original on 16 February 2011. Retrieved 23 July 2014.
  2. "Accredited Members". CAZA-AZAC. Archived from the original on 12 January 2013. Retrieved 23 July 2014.
  3. "Little Mate for Carmichael is Christined Clementine: No More Melancholy". Winnipeg Free Press. February 29, 1940. p. 1.
  4. "Aunt Sally's Farm". Winnipeg Free Press. February 22, 1958. p. 3.
  5. "Aunt Sally's Farm Opens On Aug. 7". Winnipeg Tribune. July 29, 1959. p. 17.
  6. Katynski, Liz (July 18, 2001). "Zoo animals more active in the evening". Winnipeg Free Press - West Community Review.
  7. Martin, Riley (June 29, 2015). "Winnipeg's Assiniboine Park Zoo to extend hours in July". Global News.
  8. Kives, Bartley (July 19, 2009). "Brand-new Zoo". Winnipeg Free Press. p. A8.
  9. Thompson, Sam (January 29, 2019). "Polar bear at Assiniboine Park Zoo dies". Global News. Retrieved 2019-11-30.
  10. "Close Encounters of the Feathered and Furried Kind". Winnipeg Free Press. tourismwinnipeg.com. May 18, 2013. p. D5.CS1 maint: others (link)
  11. "Tropical Fauna Building To Be Built At Zoo". Winnipeg Free Press. June 4, 1971. p. 9.
  12. Ingle, Ken (November 7, 1972). "New Tropical House Opened at the Zoo". p. 3.
  13. "Toucan Ridge". www.winnipegarchitecture.ca. Retrieved 2019-11-29.
  14. "Carved Concrete in Toucan Ridge Exhibit at the Assiniboine Park Zoo". Concrete Decor. Retrieved 2019-11-29.
  15. Kives, Bartley (April 18, 2011). "New life, look for old Tropical House: Zoo's focus now on conservation". Winnipeg Free Press. p. B1.
  16. "Children's zoo to open next fall". Winnipeg Free Press. November 7, 1986. p. 5.
  17. "Political persuasion". Winnipeg Free Press. June 4, 1988. p. 3.
  18. Sigurdson, Gail (April 6, 1990). "Show and touch: New zoo facility gives children look at animals in own habitat". Winnipeg Free Press. p. 35.
  19. Martin, Nick (March 24, 1990). "Children cheer centre opening". Winnipeg Free Press. p. 3.
  20. "Nature Playground". assiniboineparkzoo.ca. Retrieved 2019-11-28.
  21. "Animals of Asia". assiniboinepark.ca. Retrieved 2019-11-27.
  22. Kives, Bartley (June 18, 2013). "Tiger, tiger future's bright". Winnipeg Free Press. p. B1.
  23. Billeck, Scott (June 14, 2018). "Wolves get new home at Assiniboine Park Zoo". The Winnipeg Sun.
  24. Cuciz, Shannon (September 11, 2014). "Heavy horse centre coming to Assiniboine Park Zoo". Global News.
  25. "He's not just horsing around". Winnipeg Free Press. August 20, 2015. p. B2.
  26. Tkach, Marek (May 19, 2019). "Assiniboine Park Zoo welcomes visitors to new interactive stingray exhibit". Global News. Retrieved 2019-11-30.
  27. Tkach, Marek (July 6, 2019). "Protesters gather at Assiniboine Park Zoo aiming to shut down Stingray Beach exhibit". Global News. Retrieved 2019-11-28.
  28. "Shirley Richardson Butterfly Garden". assiniboinepark.ca. Retrieved 2019-11-27.
  29. "Travelling koalas settle in at zoo". Winnipeg Free Press. May 11, 1993. p. 15.
  30. Simon, Ilana (October 16, 1996). "Brisk sales expected for park's Boo at the Zoo". Winnipeg Free Press - Community Review.
  31. Hathaway, Rae. "Island Of Lights Ends". PortageOnline.com. Retrieved 2019-11-28.
  32. "Bugged Out". Winnipeg Free Press. May 3, 2018. p. A2.
  33. Sanders, Carol (May 18, 2018). "Animatronic may leave zoo visitors bug-eyed". Winnipeg Free Press. p. B1.
  34. "Wolves break into polar bear exhibit at Winnipeg zoo". Global News. July 11, 2014. Retrieved 2019-11-30.
  35. Rollason, Kevin (September 26, 2014). "Tiger death hurts zoo's credibility". Winnipeg Free Press. p. A9.
  36. Chura, Peter (November 25, 2014). "Seal dies trapped in drain at Assiniboine Park Zoo". Global News.
  37. Schroeder, Lara (March 20, 2015). "Winnipeg zoo cuts back on $10 Tuesdays, raises discount price to $12". Global News. Retrieved 2019-11-30.
  38. "Zoo Day Camps". zoosociety.com. Zoological Society of Manitoba. Archived from the original on 2 October 2010. Retrieved 23 July 2014.
  39. "Guided School and Group Tours". zoosociety.com. Zoological Society of Manitoba. Archived from the original on 21 September 2010. Retrieved 23 July 2014.
  40. "Assiniboine Park Zoo gets thumbs-up". Winnipeg Free Press. September 23, 2014. p. B3.
  41. "Species Survival Programs". zoosociety.com. Zoological Society of Manitoba. Archived from the original on 26 November 2010. Retrieved 23 July 2014.
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