2025
Spring
- The expedited renewal was completed.
2024
Fall
- Construction began.
The project is rehabilitating aging infrastructure and renewing animal enclosures (including habitats) to enhance animal well-being and ensure the Zoo keeps pace with industry best practices.
What to Expect During Your Zoo Visit
During construction, the Zoo remains open and is committed to providing you with an excellent experience.
The City of Edmonton is working to reduce construction impacts. Steps are being taken to reduce dust, as well as minimize noise and vibrations, though you may notice localized construction. While construction is underway, Zoo buildings, pathways and animal habitats may be temporarily closed.
As construction continues, pathways around the Zoo may temporarily change. Access will be maintained to buildings, pathways and animal habitats located outside construction zones.
Signage and online information will notify you of closures, changes and construction detours.
We know that temporary closures, changes and detours are inconvenient, and we are working to complete the necessary renewal work as quickly and safely as possible. Thank you for your patience and understanding as this work is completed.
To minimize impact on animal well-being, animals—including the Canada lynx, red fox, snow leopard and the serval cat—will be temporarily relocated to other suitable Zoo habitats during construction.
You may still be able to see the serval cat and Canada lynx in their temporary habitats. Unfortunately, you will not be able to see the snow leopard and red fox as their temporary habitats are in the Zoo's "back-of-house," which is not visible to visitors.
Design Renderings
A concept rendering of the renewed snow leopard habitat.
A concept rendering of the renewed Canada lynx habitat.
A concept rendering of the renewed serval cat habitat.
About the Project
Since 1959, the Edmonton Valley Zoo (formerly the Storyland Zoo) has provided visitors with authentic and engaging animal experiences, while supporting conservation, research, education and the highest animal welfare standards. The Zoo holds both Canada’s Accredited Zoos and Aquariums and World Association of Zoos and Aquariums accreditations.
Since 1988, the City of Edmonton and the Valley Zoo Development Society have collaborated to support the development of this beloved attraction and landmark.
During 2023-2026 Capital Budget deliberations, Edmonton City Council approved funding (as part of this Capital Budget) for the Edmonton Valley Zoo Enclosure Renewal and Enhancement Project. This funding supports critical zoo infrastructure renewal, ensuring the Edmonton Valley Zoo continues to deliver excellent animal care and visitor experiences for years to come.
The City of Edmonton’s Lifecycle Management section regularly completes condition assessments of Edmonton Valley Zoo infrastructure. These assessments, along with input from accreditation bodies, help to determine habitat rehabilitation and enhancement priorities.
A priority of zoo infrastructure renewal is to ensure animal habitats are complex and dynamic spaces that mimic natural environments. This approach supports zoo animals’ quality of life, encourages natural behaviours and creates impactful viewing experiences for zoo visitors.
In 2025, the City of Edmonton, in partnership with the Valley Zoo Development Society, published the Edmonton Valley Zoo Master Plan, a comprehensive 15-year roadmap for future Zoo development.
This plan guides facility and site improvements that aim to enhance the Zoo animals’ lives, elevate the visitor experience and support Zoo employees. It also provides a framework for expanding conservation, research, education and special events at the Zoo.
Project Overview
Guided by accreditation standards as well as Zoo renewal and enhancement priorities, the Edmonton Valley Zoo Enclosure Renewal and Enhancement is rehabilitating aging infrastructure and renewing animal enclosures (including habitats) to enhance animal well-being and ensure the Zoo keeps pace with industry best practices and adapts to future needs. This renewal and enhancement will allow the Zoo to adapt to future needs while continuing to deliver excellent animal care and visitor experiences for years to come.
The project will enhance the Zoo animals’ lives, your visit, as well as assist dedicated employees by upgrading the infrastructure and facilities that support their invaluable work.
Renewing the Zoo helps visitors to continue discovering, exploring and connecting with animals and the natural world.
Construction will be completed in the following phases to reduce its impact on Zoo animals, employees, tenants, visitors and volunteers.
Phase 1 - Expedited Facilities Renewal
The building systems in two Edmonton Valley Zoo elephant buildings and the Saito Centre had reached the end of their lifecycles and required rehabilitation or replacement.
This renewal work allowed the Edmonton Valley Zoo to continue providing a high level of animal care by improving the buildings’ heating, cooling, ventilation, environmental monitoring and air quality.
The renewal involved repairing electrical, mechanical, life-safety, lighting, video surveillance and communications systems in the Saito Centre and two elephant buildings. Architectural and structural work—to support the installation and operations of these new systems—was also completed.
Construction began in fall 2024 and was completed in spring 2025.
Carnivore Habitat Modernization
The modernization will enhance animal well-being and your experience by renewing the outdoor habitats for the red fox, Canada lynx, serval cat and snow leopard. The renewed habitats will provide expanded naturalized space, enhanced ecological design and environmental complexity.
Following the modernization, you will enjoy accessible viewing, seasonally adaptable habitat viewing areas and new training walls for watching animal care. These enhancements will create memorable experiences that foster connection with the animals and deepen your understanding of conservation.
The carnivore habitat modernization involves:
- Demolishing the existing outdoor habitats (including visitor safety barriers) for the red fox, Canada lynx, serval cat and snow leopard
- Demolishing the existing outdoor meerkat habitat and the remaining Storyland Zoo entry infrastructure to provide more space for the renewed Canada Lynx habitat
- Constructing new outdoor visitor viewing structures, which include animal training walls and bird-friendly glass
- Constructing an expanded outdoor habitat for the Canada lynx and snow leopard, which will incorporate:
- Rockwork and artificial theming that match the animal’s natural habitat
- The Valley Zoo Development Society is leading the design and construction of this artificial theming and rockwork
- Perching platforms, enrichment areas and naturalized landscaping
- Water features
- Visitor safety barriers
- Animal fencing
- Zoo mesh, a woven metal netting, which supports naturalized animal spaces and improves visitor experience by offering greater transparency when viewing from a distance
- Rockwork and artificial theming that match the animal’s natural habitat
- Constructing a new “back-of-house” red fox holding yard
- Constructing new visitor and employee pathways
- Installing new lighting
- Installing new interpretive and wayfinding signage
The Valley Zoo Development Society, a project partner, is leading the design and construction of the artificial theming and rockwork in the renewed habitats.
Elephant Amenity and Habitat Expansion
The expansion will enhance Lucy’s well-being by providing her with more space and by installing infrastructure that enhances her care. This expansion will involve:
- Expanding and reconfiguring indoor and outdoor spaces, which include:
- Constructing an addition to the existing elephant building
- Redeveloping the former Grevy’s zebra habitat to expand outdoor space
- Installing additional health care, enrichment and animal care infrastructure, including a therapeutic warm water wading pool
- Sanitary line repairs between the elephant and tiger buildings
Marine Mammal Habitat Upgrade
The upgrade will enhance the well-being of the harbour and northern fur seals by improving enclosure conditions and complementing life support systems. This upgrade will install a new fabric canopy (shade sail) over the outdoor pool.
Animal Well-being During the Renewal
Throughout the project, animal safety and well-being remain the highest priorities. The project team is working closely with the Edmonton Valley Zoo’s animal care and health team and is following the Zoo’s animal welfare protocols and procedures to minimize construction impacts for the animals.
During construction, the project team will work closely with the animal care and health team to prioritize Lucy’s well-being. Animal care team members will notify the project team of special requests, considerations and changes in Lucy’s needs.
Overall Project Timeline
2028
Summer
- Phase 2 construction is anticipated to be completed.
2026
Summer
- Phase 2 construction is anticipated to begin.
2025
Spring
- Phase 1 was completed.
2024
Fall
- Phase 1 construction began.
Project Phasing
Phase 1 - Expedited Facilities Renewal
Phase 2 - Elephant Amenity and Habitat Expansion
2027
- The elephant amenity and facility expansion is anticipated to be completed.
2026
Summer
- Construction is anticipated to begin.
Phase 2 - Carnivore Habitat Modernization
2028
Summer
- The carnivore habitat modernization is anticipated to be completed.
2026
Summer
- Construction is anticipated to begin.
Phase 2 - Marine Mammal Habitat Upgrades
2026
Summer
- Planning and design are underway.