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Assiniboine Park Zoo
Located 15 minutes from downtown Winnipeg and the airport area, Assiniboine Park Zoo provides visitors with an opportunity to interact with animals of different global species. Open year-round , it features over 80 acres that make up a park like environment where you can explore your favourite animal in their natural habitat. Discover magic within the Northern hemisphere at this award winning zoo exhibit called Journey To Churchill which is home to polar bears, muskoxen, Arctic foxes and other northern/arctic mammals. Located only fifteen minutes away from Downtown Winnipeg or its surrounding areas such as Fort Garry (a suburb), one will find themselves immersed into diverse cultures by travelling through various habitats around world including Africa’s Rift Valley; Cerrado Woodlands of Brazil; Step foot in the North and explore animals from all corners of the world at Assiniboine Park Zoo! With plenty to do, there’s always something new waiting for you. The award-winning Journey to Churchill exhibit is home to polar bears, muskoxen, Arctic foxes, and wolves just a few blocks away.
Assiniboine Park Zoo entrance |
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| Date opened | 1904 [1] | |
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| Location | 2595 Roblin Blvd, Winnipeg, MB R3P 2N7 | |
| Coordinates | 49°52′09″N 97°13′50″W / 49.86917°N 97.23056°W / 49.86917; -97.23056 Coordinates : | 49°52′09″N 97°13′50″W / 49.86917°N 97.23056°W / 49.86917; -97.23056 |
| Land area | 32 hectares (80 acres) | |
| No. of species | 200 | |
| Memberships | ||
| Major exhibits | 11 | |
| Owner | Assiniboine Park Conservancy | |
| Director | Grant Furniss, Senior Director of Zoological Operations | |
| Public transit access |
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| Website | assiniboinepark.ca/zoo | |
You can also enjoy animal shows or visit one of our many interactive exhibits where children can get up close with their favourite creatures including monkeys big enough for them climb on top of too! The Leatherdale International Polar Bear Conservation Centre at Assiniboine Park Zoo is an educational classroom like no other, inviting exploration and challenging thinking. The facility brings together many of the best minds in conservation science to develop innovative solutions for protecting species around the world. It also offers visitors new ways to take personal action against climate change on their behalf or as a gift for someone who needs it more than they do The leatherdale International Polar Bear Conservation Centre is a hub for environmental and wildlife education, research and conservation. Previously hidden behind the scenes at Assiniboine Park Zoo in Winnipeg Manitoba Canada this state-of-the art facility opened to educate visitors on how we can make personal actions count as well as taking care of our environment. The Leatherdale International Polar Bear Conservation Centre is an educational classroom like no other that invites exploration challenging thinking with interactive displays about biodiversity, climate change or even just learning more about different animals around the world! Manitoba is more than polar bears.
The Leatherdale International Polar Bear Conservation Centre interpretive centre has closed for renovations, but the McFeetors Heavy Horse Centre gives a unique opportunity to learn about Manitoba’s history and other iconic animals. Located on 4 acres in our north section of the Zoo, this facility houses five Percheron horses year-round as well as barns, pastures with paddocks where visitors can take carriage rides and experience farm living from pioneer days! Manitoba is home to a rare polar bear conservation centre, while also providing an ideal place for Manitoban families and visitors alike. The Leatherdale International Polar Bear Conservation Centre interpretive center has closed temporarily but will be back soon! Meanwhile, the McFeetors Heavy Horse Center at Assiniboine Park Zoo offers tours with stories of our pioneer ancestors who used horses in their everyday life – including demonstrations on how heavy horse farming works (and shows off some beautiful Percheron horses).
History
In 1904, the City of Winnipeg Parks Board purchased some native animals deer bison elk to start the zoo. In 1908, they built a bear enclosure and by 1909 had 116 animals in 19 different species. Budget for 1916 was $8,000 ($1,800 for food; $4200 labour costs) with an additional budget request of 1000 dollars from city council – that year it received a grant from Manitoba Conservation Department as well Two decades after acquiring their first lion female 1935), Carmichael (a wild orphaned polar bear cub 1939,) got its partner Clementine- adding funds via Zoological Society membership 1956 which provided vision and funding The City of Winnipeg Parks Board purchased some native animals, such as deer and elk in 1904 to start the zoo. By 1908, they had constructed a bear enclosure with 116 animals at 19 different species- by 1909 there were already bison, wild boar and wolves among other creatures living on site. Not even two decades later an orphaned cub was brought into the ecosystem: his name is Carmichael who got his first mate Clementine just one year after he arrived! The Zoological Society of Manitoba came out only many years later in 1956 providing vision for what has grown up since then to be Canada’s premier zoological institution
1960s–1990s
In 1959, the Assiniboine Park Zoo was officially named. The next decade saw many new additions to the facility including a monkey house in 1960 and two more orphaned polar bear cubs arriving at the zoo in 1962. In 1968-1969 construction began on expanding parts of it such as renovating its main entrance and adding an upper story with extra space for animals that had arrived over time like gibbons, monkeys, snow leopards (a rare cat), wolves etcetera). 1980 marked what would become one of their most prolific decades yet: not only were they busy building up animal enclosures but also providing funding for recent changes like signage around buildings or exhibits inside them too which helped improve visitors’ experiences there while ensuring The zoo was officially named Assiniboine Park Zoo in 1959.
In the 1960s, a monkey house and polar bear enclosure were added to make way for two more orphaned bears by 1967. The zoo grew over time with new arrivals like gibbons and snow leopards coming along until 1980 when the Zoological Society of Manitoba began sponsoring all their expenses including signage, exhibits, infrastructure improvements–the whole shebang! In 1959 Eastern Canada’s first ever public animal park became an official name: Assiniboine Park Zoo. That year also saw additions such as a Monkey House (with Gibbon) constructed followed up by renovations on its Polar Bear Enclosure during 1966-1967 which now included an upper story where 2 additional Orphan -Construction of the New England Ape House was completed in 1995. The new gift store, operated by the Zoological Society and called “Zoo Ventures,” opened alongside it.-A renovated Carousel Restaurant with a new menu including more food for children also debuted that year; this is where visitors could enjoy live music on Thursday evenings from 6pm to 8pm .-“Lights of Wild” made its debut in December 1996 -An interactive play area named Camel Oasis opened at which time yaks and zebras were introduced into their own enclosures next door.
It featured other activities such as camel rides, games, crafts stations etc.–The Saturn Playground followed shortly thereafter opening up inside–In 1997 construction began around some parts of The zoo has grown and changed dramatically since its opening. The first expansion came in 1994 with the introduction of a new gift store operated by the Zoological Society, as well as renovations to Carousel Restaurant-the latter for which enclosures were also constructed for camels, yaks, zebras along with “Camel Oasis” Interpretive Playground that saw at northwest edge of Zoo during 1995. This was followed up three years later when 1997 brought Saturn Playgroud opened while main restaurant facilities underwent renovation; meanwhile 1998’s projects such as their Kiosk information booth introduced alongside construction on an interactive shuttle experience called Saturn Shuttle.
2000s
In July 2015, the Zoo extended visiting hours every Wednesday till 8 pm as a trial. Many zoo visitors had requested that earlier closing times were not convenient for people who work during the day – so it was decided to extend these after-work examiners through summer of 2017 due to high demand! In 2000, The Zoological Society of Manitoba and the Zoo started working on their new Master Plan Development Proposal (the first since 1960) which included redesigning areas like polar bears but eventually grew into something much bigger than they expected. As late as 2000,The Winnipeg Humane Society’s Animal Services Centre offered animal adoptions from 9 am until sunset (or 9pm). Later in time though due its limited resources at this location; closedowns In 2000, the Zoological Society of Manitoba and the Zoo started work on a new Master Plan Development Proposal (the first since 1960) for the Zoo. Initially proposals were to redesign existing polar bear enclosures; however these grew into a much larger plan that included many changes over time such as closing hours being shortened in 2015 due to requests from visitors who wanted more evening access. In 2008 the Assiniboine Park Conservancy was created to develop, govern and manage Assiniboine Park including its Zoo.
In June 2009 it unveiled a comprehensive $200-million redevelopment plan for this major Winnipeg attraction which will be completed over 10 years – one component of which is renovation of unused Bison Restaurant Kiosk into Palliser Interpretive Centre (ICE Camp), headquarters for University Manitoba Summer camps programs. In 2008, the Assiniboine Park Conservancy was created to develop, govern and manage Assiniboine Park including the Zoo. The organization unveiled a $200 million redevelopment plan for both places in 2009 after receiving funding from DeFehr Foundation’s grant of 2001 with renovations that changed an unused Bison Restaurant Kiosk into Palliser Interpretive Center as headquarters for ICE Camp (Initiatives For Change). An alliance between University of Manitoba Summer camps introduces Mini U which initiates initiatives focused on change.
Journey To Churchill
Journey to Churchill is an exhibit representing various habitats of northern Manitoba and the largest polar bear denning area in the world. Visitors can explore expansive habitats for harbor seals, muskoxen, reindeer, snowy owls as well as underwater viewing tunnels called Sea Ice Passage that house both seals and bears! Journey to Churchill is a large-scale exhibit of the northern regions within Manitoba, and it has been lauded as one of the most comprehensive exhibits about these habitats in all world. The town that this exhibition occupies shares its name with an iconic polar bear denning area on Hudson Bay. This expansive habitat displays many species: harbor seals (Phoca vitulina), muskoxen(Ovibos moschatus) reindeer (Rangifer tarandus; also called caribou)(Alces alces).
These are only some examples among other animals living here like snowy owls(Nyctea scandiaca) who find their way into Gateway to Arctic display which includes underwater viewing tunnels for sea ice passage where You’ll never have to travel the North Pole just for a glimpse of this magical and surreal site, but you can experience it in person with your own eyes at Journey to Churchill. With immersive exhibits, interactive experiences like short-films that take place inside their 360° Aurora Borealis Theatre; as well as other interpretive components – all set amid an Arctic ecosystem both real and digitally reimagined – there’s no lack of things to see or do here! It also has indoor sections where you will be able to learn about our polar friends through information regarding bears themselves, climate change research taking action (like how they innovate new technologies), plus more. There are even some dining spots too if hunger strikes while exploring everything else. Get ready to be amazed by a short film experience within the Aurora Borealis Theatre. The theatre is home of interactive interpretive components that will take you on an immersive journey through Churchill’s polar bear habitats and Arctic ecosystem, as well as being able to explore other fun activities including viewing stunning photographs from Cameron Russell’s latest photo series “Arctic Journeys”.
There are also two restaurants available with views overlooking one of three large polar bear enclosures at Journey to Churchill; Tundra Grill offers 150 seats for dining while guests can enjoy spectacular vistas in Teddy Bear Café & Tea House
Kinsmen Discovery Centre
The Kinsmen Discovery Centre contains six galleries pertaining to different life forms water, grasslands, air, underground and two forest galleries. It is the Zoo’s 2nd-biggest indoor exhibit with fish; snakes reptiles etc., plus lots of interactive displays that teach visitors about wildlife conservation issues such as climate change. Announced in November 1986 and originally planned to open on September 1987 but costing $1.75 million over budget it broke ground June 1988 – then finally opened March 1990 after being delayed for 3 years! The Kinsmen Discovery Centre is the second-largest indoor exhibit at the Winnipeg Zoo, containing a variety of different life forms: water; grasslands; air; underground – and two forest galleries. Announced in November 1986, development began in June 1988 with an opening date originally planned for fall 1987.
The completion cost $1.75 million (8,000 sq ft) was finally unveiled on March 23rd 1990 after being delayed by 2 years due to budget constraints ($550K over). Replacing old Aunt Sally’s Farm which operated between 1959 and 1989 before closing its doors permanently on September 27th that year
Other Attractions
Dinosaurs Uncovered is a summer-time interactive dinosaur exhibit that features 17 life-size, animatronic dinosaurs along with fossils and artifacts. It includes species from the Triassic Jurassic Cretaceous periods including Tyrannosaurus Rex and Dakotaraptor The McFeetors Heavy Horse Centre is home to two breeds of horses (Equus caballus) Percheron draft horse Clydesdale draft horse in addition to barns pastures paddocks , carriage sheds, etc… Dinosaurs Uncovered is an interactive dinosaur exhibit that features 17 life-size, animatronic dinosaurs along a forested trail. Outdoors the focus of the exhibit are on prehistoric animals from Triassic Jurassic and Cretaceous periods while indoors showcases skeletons, fossils , and artifacts of these ancient creatures with more to come in 2020. The McFeetors Heavy Horse Centre has two breeds of horses currently living there until spring 2019 when Clydesdale draft horse Percheron draft horse will be joining them through winter months for some company! Dinosaurs Unleashed features species ranging in age from 150 million ye (Triassic) up to 65 million ye (Cretaceous).
This place includes Tyrannosaurus Rex Dakotaraptor as well as many
Aunt Sally’s Farm
One of the Zoo’s most beloved attractions, Aunt Sally’s Farm opened in 1959. It encouraged play and reflected modern standards for animal welfare and care, just like today. The new attraction will be a time-honored tradition that inspires awe and wonder as it always has done before! The new Aunt Sally’s Farm is an amazing extension of the original attraction. The modernized farm reflects current standards for animal welfare and care, but still manages to evoke that same awe and wonder as memories from our childhood! One of Animal Kingdom Park’s most beloved attractions opened in 1959 – it was called “Aunt Sally’s Farm.”
Amenities
For visitors to the Zoo, there is a 150-seat Tundra Grill offering affordable quick service meals with plenty of kid friendly items and incredible views through a wall of 9 foot high windows. It’s like no other restaurant experience. Inside the grill building are two birthday party rooms available for rent as well as an interactive Polar Playground guaranteed to have children climbing sliding learning exploring begging for more! Take out only from nine thirty in morning til four-thirty pm For visitors to the Zoo, Tundra Grill offers affordable quick-service meals with plenty of kid-friendly items and incredible views. Inside the restaurant building is Polar Playground an Arctic wonderland guaranteed to have children climbing, sliding, learning exploring!