Attractions & Recreation

Drop-in Programs

Join our roving interpreters as they present a variety of interesting short animal demonstrations* and fun programs. When you enter the zoo, you'll receive a daily schedule of demonstrations and activities.

*The lengths and locations of some drop-in programs are approximate and may change due to the unpredictability of working with animals, inclement weather, and construction.

2012 May - August Drop-in Programs

Please note there will be no drop-in programs May 1-12. On May 13 programs will follow the Mother’s Day Magic Special Event schedule.

Elephant Talk

Dates: May 14 - Aug 31: Daily
Time: 11-11:20am
Location: Elephant Yard

Visit Lucy the elephant and get a glimpse into her life! Watch Lucy and her care team together as they demonstrate exercise, care methods and animal enrichment that Lucy receives on a regular basis.

Creature Feature

Dates: May 14 - Aug 31: Tue, Wed, Sun
Time: 11:30-11:50am
Location: Learning Lair

Meet a variety of small animals up close and learn about their unique behaviours and adaptations. Different species will be featured throughout the week.

Arctic Wolf Talk

Dates: May 14 - Aug 31: Tue, Wed, Sun
Time: 2-2:20pm
Location: Wolf Demonstration Site near outdoor gibbon enclosure (beside Saito Centre)

Get closer to Shilah and Kayok, two Arctic wolves. Learn why wolves are important parts of Arctic ecosystems and learn about adaptations they have to survive the cold.

Get Closer!

Dates: May 14 - Aug 31: Tue-Sun
Time: 3-4pm
Location: Learning Lair

Join us for a different hands-on experience every month. Examine animal artifacts, play a game, or take part in an activity. Learn more about animals with the help of an interpreter. See monthly themes below.

Animal Armour

May

How do armadillos and tortoises protect themselves from danger? How does a snow leopard ward off the elements? Amphibians don’t have shells or scales so what protects them? Touch various types of animal armour and learn how each animal defends itself against predators or the elements.

Uncanny Ungulates

June

Have you ever seen a takin or heard of a tur? Have you felt how heavy big horn sheep horns are or touched alpaca wool? Examine some animal artifacts while you learn more about these hoofed, horned and antlered animals.

All About Enrichment

July

Learn what animal enrichment is and why it is important for animals. Gets hands-on and create enrichments for animals at the zoo.

Being Bird-brained

August

Being bird-brained is not so bad! Grow some wings, learn how to talk like some of our resident birds, and figure out which is the best bird beak to have as you sample different types of ‘bird food’.

Mother Nature Knows Best

Dates: Jul 2 - Aug 31: Thu-Sat
Time: 1–1:30 pm
Location: Elephant yard seating area

Join Mother Nature at this educational, fun and active theatrical performance as she demonstrates the unique, strange and sometimes messy parts of nature.

Arctic Life

Dates: May 14 - Aug 31: Tues-Sun
Time: 1-2 pm
Location: Arctic Shores

Join an interpreter to learn about Arctic animal adaptations, or try your hand at Inuit inspired games, art and crafts. Learn about environmental impacts, conservation and research in the Arctic.

*Note that lengths and locations of some drop-in programs are approximate and may change due to the unpredictability of working with animals, inclement weather and construction.

For more information:

Edmonton Valley Zoo

13315 Buena Vista Road (87th Avenue)
PO Box 2359
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 2R7

Telephone	In Edmonton: 311 Outside Edmonton: 780-442-5311
Email	attractions@edmonton.ca