Discover the Oldest Zoos in Canada

Canada is home to a wide assortment of wildlife. The people in the country are curious about the creatures that live in the nation and beyond. So, Canada has a long history of housing various creatures so that people can learn about them. Discover the oldest zoos in Canada and find out when they were established, if they are still open, and where they are located.

By the time we’ve finished, you’ll have a good understanding of the oldest zoos in the country!

5. Shubenacadie Provincial Wildlife Park-1949

The Shubenacadie Provincial Wildlife Park opened in 1949, and it remains open to this day. The wildlife park is in Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia, a village along the Shubenacadie River. The park was founded in the late 1940s, with some sources listing 1947 and others listing 1949 as the starting date for the park.

At the park’s inception, it was mostly a home for deer. The public’s interest in being close to animals grew, and the park, under the guidance of Eldon Pace, opened to the public in 1954. That makes this one of the oldest zoos in Canada, and certainly one of the oldest that is still in operation.

Since then, the wildlife park has become a very popular tourist attraction. The park’s workers have cared for a variety of different animals throughout the zoo’s run, including birds, reptiles, and mammals. For the most part, these animals were injured or abandoned creatures that required rehabilitation.

The park continues to educate the public about animals and their environments. Unlike other zoos, this one does not take animals from the wild for display. They merely take in hurt or abandoned animals, so the list of creatures on display frequently changes. 

4. Calgary Zoo- 1929

The Calgary Zoo officially opened in 1929, but the facility started taking in animals in 1917. The zoo sits on 125 acres of land in Calgary. The zoo is dedicated to wildlife conservation and public education.

This zoo was the first in the country to be accredited by the World’s Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and Canada’s Accredited Zoos and Aquariums.

Today, over 100 species of animals live in this zoo. Some of the creatures living at Calgary Zoo are:

• Giraffes
• Lions
• Gorillas
• Lemurs
• Cougars
• Whooping cranes
• Black bears
• Sheep
• Goats
• Golden eagles

The Calgary Zoo is a large establishment that brings in visitors from across the province. Unlike some of the zoos on this list, Calgary Zoo is still open, operating, and home to many species of animals.  

3. Assiniboine Park Zoo- 1904

The Assiniboine Park Zoo is in Winnipeg, Manitoba, along the Assiniboine River. This establishment originally opened in 1904 when the zoo had a few species of animals such as deer and bison, animals that already lived in the region.

Over time, interest in the animals grew, and the zoo acquired more species like lions, bears, and even polar bears. The Zoological Society of Manitoba was formed in the mid-1950s, and this governing body guided the zoo’s future.  

The zoo was officially named the Assiniboine Park Zoo in 1959, a name it has kept ever since. The zoo is accredited by the Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums along with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

Even though it is one of the oldest zoos in Canada, Assiniboine Park Zoo is still open. Currently, the zoo houses more than 150 species of animals. The zoo continues to provide excellent educational opportunities and engages in conservation efforts and research.

2. The Riverdale Zoo in Toronto- 1888

The former site of Riverdale Zoo was in Cabbagetown, Toronto. Depending on the source, the Riverdale Zoo may have been founded as far back as 1887 or 1888. However, the City of Toronto claims the actual zoo opened in 1894. Like other zoos, this one started with a herd of deer and took in more animals as time passed.

The original zoo grounds were 162 acres in size, and the zoo operators seemed keen to fill that space with all manner of creatures. This zoo’s collection grew throughout the facility’s operation, eventually displaying hippos, elephants, monkeys, and more.

The zoo closed in 1974, and the animals were transferred to the new Metropolitan Toronto Zoo. The Toronto Zoo is still operating, and it is the largest zoo in Canada with 710 acres of land and over 5,000 animals from 500 species!

1. Andrew Downs’ Zoological Garden- 1847

Andrew Downs’ Zoological Garden is the oldest zoo in Canada, and it first opened in 1847. A self-taught naturalist named Andrew Downs created the facility. The zoo operated in Fairmount, Nova Scotia. This zoo was about 40 acres large when it opened, and it doubled in size by the time it closed.

The zoo was the first one to open north of Mexico in North America. Some of the animals that lived in the zoo included elk, deer, caribou, and even a polar bear. The zoo also had several species of birds that lived in an aviary on the grounds.

Eventually, Andrew Downs received an offer to open a zoo in Central Park in New York City. He sold the animals to other zoos and closed the facility in 1868. Apparently, the project fell through, so Downs was only in New York City for a few months before leaving the United States and returning to Nova Scotia. Although he tried to buy back the land, he never reopened the zoo.  

Summary of the Oldest Zoos in Canada

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