About Us

Founded in 1929, the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is one of the city’s favourite family destinations. With deep roots spanning over 9-decades, we are internationally recognized for world-class animal care and habitat design practices and take pride in inspiring and educating generations of visitors about the importance of biodiversity and conservation during visits.

For the last 30-years, we have led critical wildlife conservation work through the Calgary Zoo campus, the rural Wildlife Conservation Centre, as well as across Canada and around the world.

As the Calgary Zoo continues our journey to be Canada’s leader in wildlife conservation, we are pleased to introduce the world to the Wilder Institute. The kind of conservation organization the world needs now.
 
The Wilder Institute oversees the Calgary Zoo’s conservation portfolio, locally and globally, and will continue to be a force of nature for making the world a wilder place. 

The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is among the world-class zoos and aquariums that have achieved the rigorous accreditation standards governing zoo operations. We are proud to hold membership of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) and the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA). Visitors to accredited facilities, like ours, can be assured their visit is supporting institutions that provide the highest-quality animal care and are contributing to conservation initiatives that save animals from extinction.  

Comprised of 125 acres, the zoo consists of animal habitats, restaurants, retail, seasonal concessions, playgrounds, banquet rooms, corporate meeting facilities, animal veterinary services, classrooms and an administration building.  

The staff and volunteers of Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo are passionate about restoring balance to wildlife and human life, together. Learn more at WilderInstitute.org.

Land Acknowledgement
In the spirit of respect and reconciliation, we acknowledge that the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo operates on the traditional territory of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Piikani and Kainai First Nations), the Îyâxe Nakoda (Chiniki, Bearspaw and Wesley First Nations) and the Tsuut’ina First Nation. Calgary is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3. We acknowledge all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta. We honour and acknowledge generations of Indigenous peoples on this land for their continued kinship and conservation of wildlife and wild places.

Walking the Talk on Sustainability
Our Green Team's mandate is to champion new green initiatives and move the zoo in a positive direction for sustainable operations.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo strives to cultivate a workplace in which everyone feels welcome and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work.  As a conservation organization, we respect and value the diversity of all life and come together as individuals and teammates to achieve the zoo’s mission and vision.  We recognize the value of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and work to advance our culture to ensure diverse viewpoints are heard and everyone has an equitable chance to succeed and thrive.