Valley Zoo Development Plans
Posted by Vi Hughes on Feb 15, 2017
On Tuesday, we were treated to a special Valentine’s lunch at the Edmonton Valley Zoo, followed by a tour of the zoo led by Stephanie Perilli (pictured) Director of Fund Development for the Valley Zoo Development Society. The weather co-operated beautifully and nearly all the animals were out enjoying the sunshine along with us. We also had the pleasure of District Governor Laura Morie joining us for the walk-about.
The Valley Zoo is currently in the midst of a very ambitious revitalization process, with some projects completed, some just about to start putting shovels in the ground and more in the planning stages. Zoos are considered as sanctuaries for animals that are endangered in the wild. In 1974 we were losing two to three species every year to habitat destruction, climate change and poaching, now we are losing that many every day. At this rate, in one human lifetime, two thirds of all species on earth will be extinct. Currently, one in seven endangered species is under the care of a zoo, somewhere in the world. Zoos support a breeding program that emphasises genetic diversity in each species and there is a carefully controlled survival plan for each one. The Valley zoo takes part in survival plans for twenty-five different species under their care.
The Edmonton Valley Zoo opened in it’s current location in 1959, as primarily a petting zoo. Over the years, it has expanded and now is starting to take on a whole new look with larger, much more spacious enclosures for the animals and an emphasis on conservation, stewardship and engagement. Last year alone, there were over four hundred thousand visitors to the Valley Zoo. In 2012/13 the first phase of this revitalisation plan opened with the unveiling of the new Entry Plaza and connecting walkways that mirror the city and the North Saskatchewan River, as well as the ‘Arctic Shores’ exhibit, which includes a new home for the seals. The publicly accessible entry plaza includes a gift shop, a very good café and a building with offices, meeting and class rooms. The Arctic Shores exhibit area includes a play area for small children, an indoor tank for the seals and also a very large heated outdoor tank with glass walls for good visibility. It seemed as if the seals were watching us as much as we watched them.
The next phase is called ‘Nature’s Wild Backyard’, and is an ambitious nine million dollar multi phase project which will see much of the remaining zoo transformed. It consists of several connected areas known as the Above Zone, the On Zone, the Between Zone and the Under Zone. Each of these zones will feature some of the animals in their preferred habitats, and will give visitors a unique way to see and learn more about the animals.
The phase about to start construction this spring is the Above Zone featuring the Red Pandas, among others. This zone will also include a complete renewal of the outdoor food court, carousel and farm animal enclosures. The carousel will keep its old-world charm by including new hand carved wooden seats made by the volunteer woodcarvers at Fort Edmonton. This phase is scheduled for completion in 2018. Fundraising for this phase and future expansion plans is ongoing, and there are many ways we can help with donations both big and small.
Stephanie Perilli