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Government of Alberta

Calgary Zoo receives $35 million investment from this year’s provincial surplus

Elephants among those trumpeting new centennial project

A bigger elephant house, a new penguin tunnel and a completely renovated conservatory are among the many projects the Calgary Zoo will undertake with the help of a $35 million grant from the Government of Alberta. The funding, from the provincial surplus, is part of the province’s centennial investment and will allow the zoo to further assert itself as a world leader in tourism, education and conservation.

The zoo’s plans, known collectively as “Project Discovery”, are expected to be completed by 2010 and will result in a number of improvements to the 75 year-old facility. For example, the size of the elephant’s habitat will double indoors and triple outdoors and the zoo’s conservatory will become one of the province’s most diverse exhibits of tropical flora and butterflies. Additional classroom spaces and laboratories will also be added to the conservatory to better facilitate the zoo’s popular educational programs.

While still in the conceptual planning stages, the new Arctic Shores and Antarctic Landing exhibits will introduce a number of new species to the zoo, including a unique penguin tunnel that will allow visitors to view penguins from above and below sea level. Arctic Shores will be a model for zoos worldwide with respect to conservation education, research, facility construction, cohabitation of species and partnerships with indigenous people.
 
The Calgary Zoo is consistently rated among the top zoos in the world based on the quality of its exhibits, its commitment to conservation and the excellent interpretive programs offered to the community. More than 1.1 million visitors came through the zoo’s gates last year.

The Government of Alberta’s funding for the Calgary Zoo is a one-time investment that is part of the government’s three-part plan for the surplus, which includes saving, investing and giving back to Albertans. The zoo will receive $15 million in 2005-06 with the balance to be provided as the project progresses.

Learn more about how government is managing the surplus at http://www.gov.ab.ca/home/albertasurplus/.

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