# Edmonton Valley Zoo

The Edmonton Valley Zoo (sometimes known simply as the Valley Zoo) is a zoo located in 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 Canada's Accredited Zoos and Aquariums and is one of three accredited zoos in Alberta.

## History

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, 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 promotes animal conservation through its participation in the Species Survival Plan, an international effort led by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association which aims to restore endangered animal populations to the wild, for a variety of species. They have 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.

## Exhibits
### Inner Zoo

The Inner Zoo is the area of the zoo that was originally the Storyland Valley Zoo. The vast majority of the area was constructed in 1959. Animals that live within this area of the zoo during summer include: emus, snowy owl, and burrowing owls.

### Makira Outpost

The Makira Outpost is an exhibit which opened in the summer of 2007 and is home to the zoo's lemurs. The exhibit uses many exhibit methods. The lemurs have access to a large outdoor island with two large elm trees for climbing. It also has two outdoor enclosures that have zoomesh (a nearly invisible mesh). The indoor enclosures are huge and benefit from plentiful natural light. The animals housed in Makira outpost include: ring-tailed lemurs, African spurred tortoise and black-and-white ruffed lemurs.

### Nature's Wild Backyard

In 2019 the zoo opened phase one of Nature's Wild Backyard. Phase one includes an immersive exhibit for the zoo's red panda as well as the year-round Urban Farm, home to numerous domestic species. In addition to the animal enclosures the Urban Farm has a restaurant, washrooms, and ice cream stand. Phase II of Nature's Wild Backyard is not completely funded.

#### Urban Farm

The Urban Farm is home to the zoo's farm animals which include juliana pigs, chickens, ponies, goats, baby doll sheep and rabbits.

### Carnivore Alley

The Carnivore Alley has the majority of the zoo's carnivores, such as red foxes, snow leopards, Amur tigers, Arctic wolves, Canada lynx and serval.

### Elephant House and Exhibit

The Valley Zoo's Elephant House is home to Lucy, a female Asian elephant who was orphaned in Sri Lanka in 1975 and came to the zoo at the age of two on May 19, 1977. The elephant house is currently closed due to Lucy's retirement from public life.

### Saito Centre

The Saito Centre is named after the zoo's former veterinarian who died shortly before construction of the building. Originally designed as a winter holding building, it now houses all the zoo's fragile animals. It is winter home to all the zoo's primate species as well. It is also home to the reptile and nocturnal wing, froggery (over ten species of amphibians), and many of the zoo's smaller animals. In 2017 an indoor exhibit that houses temporary animal exhibits was created.

### African Veldt

The African Veldt is home to endangered Grévy's zebras.

### Polar Extremes: Arctic Shores

The Arctic Shores replicates an Arctic coast. Harbour seals and northern fur seals can be viewed swimming underwater.

### Back Paddocks

The Back Paddocks are home to the zoos larger hoof stock and include Bactrian camel, reindeers, and a Sichuan takin group.

### Birds of Prey

The Birds of Prey area features "non-releasable" raptors, some of which are in outreach programs. Some species include Eurasian eagle owl and peregrine falcon.

### New wolf exhibit

The Valley Zoo is, as of 2024, constructing a new 4,700 m$^2$ (1.15-acre) arctic wolf exhibit. It will feature a pond, large holding building and two yards. Tentative opening date will be January 2025.

## Controversy

The residence of Lucy the elephant at the Valley Zoo has been controversial since 2009. Animal welfare groups such as Zoocheck opposed 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. On page 4 of this report Zoocheck Canada conducted a behavioral study in 2007, which found Lucy to be lethargic, and exhibiting pronounced stereotypic behaviors, such as abnormal swaying and rocking.
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 argues that moving Lucy would be detrimental to her health, disclosing a known respiratory issue that is purportedly exacerbated by stress.
Retired game show host and animal rights activist Bob Barker also advocated for Lucy's transfer.
In February 2021 the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada, based on an independent third-party review of Lucy's case, released a statement consistent with previous assessments that "...the risks of moving Lucy outweigh the potential benefits to her." This opinion was corroborated by animal advocacy organization Free The Wild in October 2022.
In response to hidden camera video footage of the mistreatment of elephants being kept in zoos and safari business in Canada and the United States, Edmonton Valley Zoo released a brief on the Canadian Senate page for Bill S-15," An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act," after the footage showed how they were disciplined with hooks. The video shows testimony from former trainers turned activists who talk about how they were trained. LEAP - Lucy's Edmonton Advocates Project still works towards "retiring Lucy."

## Gallery

* Makira Outpost
* Red panda
* Urban Farm
* Poison dart frog in Saito Centre
* Tortoise in Saito Centre
* Grevy's Zebra
* Seals
* Sichuan Takin