Zoos can be divisive places, with some viewing zookeepers more as jail keepers. The vintage picture in the Glenbow Museum Archives of apes watching a TV in what look like prison cells seems to prove this point. While it’s not everyone’s cup of tea to have animals imprisoned in cages, and not roaming free in the wild, zoos are educational, and play an important part in ensuring biodiversity. The world class Calgary Zoo’s staff include biologists who work at home and internationally in conservation to protect animals endangered and at risk of extinction.
The zoo also features botanical gardens, and a prehistoric park.
1930 – Brontosaurus model Dinny at Calgary Zoo
One of the stars is the iconic Dinny the Dinosaur, made of hand-poured concrete, and a zoo fixture since the 1930s. Dinny is the last dino standing as the others went extinct after being destroyed in the 1980s.
The most visited zoo in Canada, and a beloved Alberta institution, easily accessible by public transit, pedestrian and bicycle paths, its location on St. George’s Island makes it a must-see destination, or a place to revisit if it’s been a while.
May 18, 1991 – Aerial view of Calgary Zoo on St George’s Island
For more information on the zoo visit their website. You can search Glenbow Museum Archives here.
1925-1930 – Bandstand at Calgary Zoo – Demolished in 19491933 – First polar bear at the Zoo1940-1949 – Group with DinosaurKanerva sculpted many of the dinosaur models at the Calgary Zoo including DinnyMay 1945 – Victory Parade, CalgaryNovember 29, 1948 – Hedvig Willumsen holds a baby cougar and baby beaverMay 18, 1949 – Merry-go-round at Calgary ZooApril 25, 1957 – New deck for Zoo Bridge under construction1950-1964 – Tom Baines Calgary Zoo Christmas cardMay18, 1953 – Victoria Day CalgaryJune 26, 1953 – Mural created by John KanervaJune 1953 – Baby porcupine at Calgary ZooFebruary 1955 -New deck for Zoo Bridge under construction.1960 – Dinosaur mural at Calgary ZooOctober 22, 1960 – Safety information board1964 – Large Mammal HouseApril 9, 1964 – Zoo conservatory1965 – Aquatic displaysSeptember 30, 1970 – Apes watching television through cage barsOctober 7, 1972 – Pond at Calgary ZooJanuary 1975 – Calgary Zoo encircled by iceFebruary 15, 1977 – Dall sheep at Calgary ZooOctober 15, 1973 – New polar bear enclosure at the ZooMiniature train, the Zoo Line Railway
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